The sun rose in the distance, and most of the goblins gathered around what looked like a temple to them.
They were amazed by what they saw, and the fact that Byung was the first one awake showed them this goblin might truly have what it takes.
Borkle was impressed by his attitude and behavior. It was clear Byung only wanted what was best for them.
Murkfang noticed the commotion and went to see for himself.
"Everyone, get back to work," he commanded, but his words fell on deaf ears. The goblins were transfixed, as if caught in a trance.
Murkfang forced his way through the crowd and quickly understood why no one was paying attention to him.
"Wow…" his mouth dropped. Inside, he saw material Borkle had collected for Byung, now burning under intense heat.
The constant banging from within made Murkfang wonder how Byung hadn't passed out yet. But goblins had a strange resilience—able to endure climates and conditions that should have killed them. It gave them an edge over most races, second only to the orcs.
He could hear the repeated hammering, see the pile of ore stacked outside, and curiosity tempted him to move closer. But he hesitated, unsure if it was safe.
Peeking around the corner, Murkfang caught a glimpse of Byung's sweaty, focused face—but Byung didn't even register his presence.
He strained harder to see what was being crafted, but the angle worked against him.
"H-He did all of this in one night?" Murkfang muttered in disbelief. Byung had been here less than twenty-four hours, and already, he was making them stronger.
"Yes, boss. I'm surprised too!" Borkle admitted. When Murkfang first assigned him to Byung, he thought Byung was just another goblin. But Byung had proven himself to be something far greater.
Like Gribnox, Borkle had been won over. Byung showed traits no other goblin had ever shown.
Well… except for one. The Goblin King.
But that was a legend, nothing more. A creature rumored to change the fate of goblins forever—but no one had ever seen it. Stories claimed it was the King's transgression against other races and nature itself that brought ruin to their kind.
Byung emerged from the forge, his body soaked in sweat. He looked like he had barely slept, but the accomplishment in his hands made the exhaustion worth it.
"I-I did it…" Byung whispered to himself as he carried out a vaguely shaped metal tool.
At first glance, it looked like a weapon. But on closer inspection, it was a pickaxe.
"What the hell?" Murkfang muttered. The tool was still hot, so Byung avoided touching the metal directly.
Beside it was another creation, simpler but just as important—a makeshift tong made from stone. Byung had blueprints in his mind for all of these things. He wasn't some dull goblin. In his past life, he had knowledge, and perhaps that was why life had "nerfed" him into this form.
Kragg made his decision. He believed every word Borg told him. There had to be a reason the goblins' rules were ignored during the supposed assault on the mines. Someone must have caught them completely off guard.
Borg's account lined up with the strange rumors Maui had once shared about a goblin. Kragg instantly knew the goblin Borg mentioned had to be the same one—a threat named Byung.
A giant orc approaching the mines would never go unnoticed. But Kragg couldn't retaliate with brute force. If he did, the other races would turn their fangs on them. None of them wanted to lose the resources they enjoyed while simultaneously keeping the orcs' numbers in check.
Still, Kragg had a plan. He needed to understand this threat called Byung.
That was why he was now in a room with Maui.
Maui had once been a fighter, conquering men and taking them by force. But she discovered she enjoyed sex more than conquest, and she embraced her role in the brothels. Unlike others, though, she had a choice. She didn't sleep with just anyone—she had her preferences. And she knew plenty of ways to satisfy men without giving herself away.
Borg despised her for this. To him, Maui had the potential to be great but wasted it on a mediocre life.
Kragg, however, saw her differently. With everything he had learned, there was no doubt in his mind who Murkfang would eventually choose.
"Maui, I want you to do something for me," Kragg said.
Maui wrapped her arms around him. "Whatever you want," she reassured.
"I want you to infiltrate the goblins' camp and report back to me," Kragg ordered.
"Goblins? You do know I'll die, right?" Maui shot back instantly.
"Die? Have you forgotten what your nickname was?" Kragg countered, and a smirk slowly crept across her face.
"Maui, the Goblin Slayer," Kragg finished. His words reminded her—she was far more than just a whore. She had a reputation carved in blood.