The warm breeze gently blew through the wide green leaves, rustling the tropical palms as Josuke Hachimizu walked calmly over the sun-warmed sand. Exotic birds sang from the treetops, and the sky, a deep blue, looked hand-painted with strokes of light.
However, despite the paradise-like scenery, Josuke was surrounded by silence. The battle against the Shadow Eagle had ended… but something in the air had shifted. Everything felt different. Strangely serene. Too much so.
—What just happened...? —Josuke murmured, watching the waves die softly against the shore. His ragged scarf fluttered in the wind as he looked down at the creature before him.
It was small. Barely the size of a child, with greenish skin, large shining eyes, and a loincloth made of braided leaves. It looked like a simple wild monster, but something about it… made him pause.
Its coconut mask had fallen.
The little creature trembled, its knees sinking into the muddy jungle floor, hands covering its face in fear. Josuke crouched slowly, without hostility.
—Hey… what exactly are you? Where are your friends? —he asked curiously.
Looking beyond, he barely caught glimpses of shadows vanishing between the trees, quickly moving away. The little creature's group had fled, abandoned him out of fear. Josuke sighed.
—Typical of so-called friends, they leave you behind. So what do I do with you now?
Then, gently, he placed a hand on the creature's head. The little being shuddered but didn't react violently. It just trembled. Slowly, its breathing calmed.
A system window opened in front of Josuke:
[Info: Race: Jungle Goblin, Level: 30, Rank: E+. These creatures are the weakest in the area. Though they are monsters, they are not hostile. Awareness: Light.]
—Level 30? That's way more than me. I'm a pathetic level 9 —Josuke murmured to himself—. Though it's impressive… your body is so tiny, and you're level 30. Hard to imagine —he said with curiosity sparking in his eyes.
—Light awareness? —Josuke repeated out loud, intrigued—. What does that even mean?
A voice echoed from within him. It was no longer the robotic notification from before, but a more organic, feminine voice—sarcastic even.
[Blood System: "Light awareness" means this type of monster isn't entirely primitive. They think. They feel. They're aware of right and wrong. In short, they have a soul.]
[Blood System: Unlike the other monsters you've hunted, those had Robust Awareness—more aggressive and driven by instinct. Though of course, just because they're robust doesn't mean they can't speak, like the Náurea.]
Josuke raised an eyebrow.
—So they're like… innocent children?
—Exactly. Finally, you're not being stupid —the system replied mockingly.
Josuke smiled for the first time in days.
—Hey… by the way, this is the first time you talk to me like this, without sounding like a soulless robot. What changed? Did you switch personalities?
—Of course not. I've always been able to. But you never paid attention. Every time I tried to talk, you ignored me. Blamed me for everything. So I gave up.
Josuke went quiet. Something in that confession placed a small weight in his chest.
—Didn't know that. I guess I owe you an apology.
Suddenly, with a shift in tone, Josuke Hachimizu shouted loudly:
—BUT I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING! It's your fault I'm still level nine and went through hell in the Seventh Underworld!
—Then say that when you survive to level 10 —the system replied, laughing.
—Damn insensitive AI —Josuke Hachimizu snapped, fed up with the Blood System.
The moment was interrupted by the sound of tiny footsteps. The little goblin was trying to escape. Josuke caught him mid-run… holding him up by the loincloth like a ragdoll.
—Ah, ah, ah! And where do you think you're going, huh?
The little one screamed in a strange tongue, flailing his arms frantically, kicking in the air. Josuke frowned, frustrated.
—System, can you translate that?
—Of course. [Skill activated: Universal Translation.]
The goblin's words instantly became understandable. His high-pitched, trembling voice turned into clear phrases:
—LET ME GO, DAMN YOU! OR I'LL TELL EVERYONE! THE TRIBE WILL KNOW A NEW THREAT HAS INVADED US! I'LL DESTROY YOU, INVADER!!
Josuke stood speechless.
—Is he seriously talking? I can understand his language?
The goblin, still flailing with all his might, didn't stop:
—I AM THE GREAT WARRIOR TAPPY! YOU SHALL KNOW THE WRATH OF MY ANCESTORS, STRANGE BEAST! RELEASE ME OR FACE MY LEGENDARY FISTS!
The system chuckled quietly.
—He's scared. He's threatening you because he thinks you're going to eat him. Maybe you should let him go…
Josuke, amused, gently lowered him to the ground.
—Alright, alright, calm down… I'm not going to eat you.
—I'M OUTTA HERE! —shouted Tappy.
But before he could run, Josuke raised a finger. From the tip, a red glowing web shot out, fast and precise, wrapping him up like an insect in a trap.
Tappy fell face-first into the jungle mud with a ridiculous shriek.
—NOOO! WHAT DID I DO NOW!?
Josuke watched him with a crooked smile.
—I'm not done with you yet, little guy.
Tappy looked at him in panic, squirming in the web like he was swimming while tied up.
—MY ANCESTORS WILL CURSE YOU! MY TRIBE WILL FIND YOU! I'LL HAVE MY REVENGE!
Josuke crouched in front of him.
—Listen, Tappy. I just want to ask you a few questions. I won't hurt you. But I need to know more about this island. And you're the only one I can talk to.
Tappy fell silent. His nose twitched. Then, through gritted teeth, he said:
—Wait, what? Why would a monster like you need my help? —Tappy asked, puzzled by Josuke's behavior.
—Promise you won't eat me.
—I swear —Josuke replied, raising a hand in peace.
—Not even use me as a sacrifice to some ancient god?
—Nope. I don't do weird stuff like that. Where are you getting these traumas from? —Josuke said sarcastically.
Tappy sighed, defeated.
—Alright, I'll talk. But if you kill me, you'll regret it! Tappy always comes back!
Josuke laughed, sitting in front of him, as the sun continued to shine over the island, and the secrets of the second layer were just beginning to reveal themselves.
The crimson web crackled one last time before dissolving into fragments that floated like red leaves on the wind. Josuke Hachimizu stretched his arms with indifference and watched as the little goblin, still trembling, stood up awkwardly.
Tappy brushed the sand from his loincloth and, with an arrogant sigh, placed his coconut mask back over his face. The crude drawing of a brave face was painted with natural pigments, marking a symbol that probably, in his culture, represented courage.
—Now tell me, strange creature! —Tappy shouted, with a shrill but brave voice— Why do you need me? What do you want from me?
Josuke, arms crossed, replied calmly:
—I'm a human. That's probably why I look weird to you.
Tappy tilted his head.
—Human… monster… same thing. You, Raikon… to me they're alike.
Josuke frowned.
—Raikon? Who's that?
The mention of the name caused a visible change in Tappy. His body tensed, his fingers clenched the rudimentary spear he had picked up from the ground, and a shadow crossed his face.
—Raikon is a monster… an electric feline who's nothing but an arrogant bully. He torments everyone on the island… I hate him!
Josuke gave a crooked smile.
—I like that. So, could you tell me if there are any powerful monsters in this area?
—There used to be! —Tappy scoffed angrily— Majestic beasts, stone guardians, carnivorous fire snakes, insect dragons… but they all fled when Raikon appeared. He hunted them. Annihilated them one by one. As if it were some test! As if he only wanted to prove he was the strongest!
Josuke widened his eyes with interest. But the goblin wasn't done.
—And without them… without the great guardian monsters, the smaller predators now see my tribe as fresh meat. They hunt us, eat us! I… —he gritted his teeth with anger— if I could level up… if I could evolve… I would kill Raikon with my own hands!
The goblin's small body trembled, not from fear… but from helplessness. Josuke watched him silently. Tappy lowered his gaze, murmuring:
—And… I would avenge the death of my parents.
Josuke stood still for a moment, feeling a wave of unexpected empathy.
—So Raikon… is the strongest on this island —he said slowly.
—The strongest and the cruelest.
—Do you know where he lives?
Tappy, eyes gleaming with resentment, raised his spear and pointed upward. Josuke turned his head, following the direction… to the summit of the great black volcano that crowned the island. A current of electric clouds swirled around it. From its crater, thunder erupted sporadically, and the very air seemed to vibrate with living energy.
—There… —Tappy growled— At the top of Mount Rakkurai. Where lightning lives. Where Raikon sleeps.
Josuke crossed his arms, a crooked smile forming on his face.
—Interesting. So that means I…
—Wait! —Tappy interrupted, suddenly serious— Josuke Hachimizu… that's your name, right? Listen, I know you're powerful, and I also know you're kind of crazy… you talk to yourself all the time. But if you kill Raikon and bring his head, then my tribe and this island will be yours. You'll be the leader of all the Jungle Goblins.
Josuke froze.
—Whaaaat? Don't you think that's an exaggeration? Becoming chief of an entire island just for killing a monster?
Tappy looked at him with eyes blazing with frustration.
—A simple monster?! Are you not understanding anything?! Raikon is the White Trige of Lightning. Thunder fears him. He's a living legend! If you defeat him, you deserve this island!
Josuke sighed.
—Too much fuss… too much responsibility… I want a peaceful life, not managing goblins in loincloths.
—Come! I'll take you to my tribe. The elder must see you.
A Path Through Leaves and Mysteries
They crossed the jungle for nearly an hour. Josuke remained alert to everything: gigantic trees with purple bark, moss that glowed in the shadows, blue mushrooms that sang with the wind, and camouflaged creatures hiding in the branches. Along the way, he picked up several items:
Khasar Roots: they curled on their own and seemed to have magical binding properties.
Crimson Fruit of Vurul: hot to the touch, could be used to create minor explosions.
Yurnak Crystals: glowing mineral fragments that vibrated with magical energy.
Feathers of the Aerial Zaku: fire-resistant, ideal for forging protective clothing.
—What a strange place —Josuke murmured, storing everything in his system inventory.
Upon reaching the village, he was met with terror. The goblins ran, screaming, hiding behind curtains made of leaves. Some children shrieked, other adults pointed at him. The warriors, though armed with spears, didn't hide their fear. Their coconut masks trembled on their faces.
From the center of the village emerged a figure taller than the others. His body was adorned with green and red pigments, and he carried a staff covered in vines with hanging feathers. He walked forward with firm steps.
—The Great Elder! —Tappy whispered with respect, kneeling.
Josuke ended up sitting beside a bonfire, with the elder in front of him, Tappy at his side. Around them, dozens of goblins watched from a distance, not daring to come closer, both fascinated and terrified.
The elder spoke with a deep voice:
—Tappy… you did well. You brought the human. And not just any human… but a transported one.
Josuke flinched.
—How do you know that?!
The elder smiled, his eyes filled with years and wisdom.
—Boy… I'm not as ignorant as I look. The transported always arrive here. Some die. Others… make history.
—That doesn't answer anything! —Josuke growled— How can you know that? It makes no sense!
—And yet… here you are —the elder said calmly— We don't have time for questions. The only thing you need to know is this: you came for a reason. And that reason is… to kill Raikon.
Josuke blinked.
—What?
—Raikon will descend from his mountain. He will come for the tribe. He does so every three moons. And tomorrow is that moon. He will not come to talk. He will come to kill.
Silence grew heavy. Josuke felt a chill that had nothing to do with the tropical climate.
The jungle… the island… the volcano…
Everything seemed to be preparing for something big, something stormy, something that roared in thunder from the top of the island's volcano. Everything shook with ferocity.