I was enjoying a rare, deep sleep when something bright stabbed straight into my eyes.
I groaned, rolled to the side, and covered my face with my arm and shouted.
"What the hell…?" My voice cracked. I squinted at the light, heart hammering. "Where…who…?"
But when I finally forced my eyes open, no one was there. Instead, a floating panel hovered in front of me, glowing with red letters.
[Delivery System Starting…]
I blinked twice. "What the hell is this?" But before I could process it, heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Instinct hit me like a slap, screaming at me to run away. You don't want to know what's coming!
I did what every sane person would do in my situation and bolted away without looking back
Then it came. A massive kobold, at least twice my size, built like a tank on two legs, burst out of the bushes with red eyes, lunging straight at me.
My stomach dropped. Whatever this was, it wasn't human. And it was coming straight for me.
"Oh, hell nah!" I tried to scramble back, but my legs weren't cooperating. My limbs felt longer… and different?
He didn't stop charging. I could've sworn he was shouting a name that somehow was familiar to me.
Then he grabbed me, and instead of crushing me, he hugged me. Really hard, actually, to the point my spine cracked.
I froze as his arms closed around me. My ribs screamed in protest, and a chill ran down my spine. "Wait… why are you?"
"Ragnar! Brother, where were you!? We looked for you all night! The clan's losing their minds over your whereabouts!" he cried, his voice hitching.
And then he wiped his snot all over me.
"Bro, really?" I groaned, pushing his face off my chest
This two-meter monster of muscle and scales was bawling on my shoulder like a lost puppy.
I just stared at him, mentally detached. My brain was stuck between "Who are you?" and "Please don't snap my spine in half."
"I… uh… yeah, I'm here?" I said with an awkward smile. Honestly, I didn't even know my name.
Then I noticed something warm on my forehead, so I instinctively touched it with my claws.
My hands… they aren't mine. Sharp, scaled, not human. Something has gone horribly wrong.
But no one was here to answer my question.
The shock settled in slowly, maybe eased by the fact that a talking kobold was still clinging to me.
Then memories that weren't mine rushed in: I saw myself running through the dark forest, tripping, and finally falling on my head.
I… I died? All for a stumble in the dark? Nothing prepares you for dying like this.
And apparently, I wasn't even reincarnated into a decent kobold. Instead, I replaced one with terrible night vision, worse footing, and basically no survival instincts, the weakest kobold in existence.
Though, I doubt anyone would write a fanfic about a kobold like this.
Then it fell on me. So I took a sneak peek at my little brother down there, and it looked HUGE.
I guess it wasn't a big loss, but still. Could anyone explain the situation here?
As I kept thinking, the big kobold finally let me go, then he stepped back with an embarrassed sniff.
"Ragnar… the elders will be relieved. Come on, let's go back," he tugged my arm gently, like he thought I'd vanish again.
It was really adorable. This big kobold was really wholesome. My memories told me that this Kobold was named Val and he is my brother.
But then my attention snapped back to the floating panel. It had finally finished loading.
[First Delivery Mission Generated]
Deliver 30 Valva to the nearby Goblin Clan
Rewards:
20 Tomado
5+ Interaction Points
1 Evolution Chance
Deadline: 3 days.
My heart hammered against my ribs reading those words.
"Deliver fruit… to goblins… that hate us… Right." My voice kept fading with each word.
Valva and Tomado were forest fruits that the kobold clan usually traded. Valva was sweet and common, goblins especially loved it. Meanwhile, Tomado was rarer and valuable.
So if I delivered thirty Valva to the goblin clan, I'd get an evolution chance?!
But… a delivery between us was basically impossible.
It was extremely difficult, like one man vs 100 gorillas, each with laser beams in their eyes.
Meanwhile, my brother, noticing my reaction, tilted his head at me and said "What did you say Ragnar?"
"Nothing. Just the pain's going away." I blurted hurriedly, masking my discomfort. Hearing my words, he looked relieved.
I wasn't sure what the original Ragnar acted like with him, but I could fake it
I looked back at the panel, seeing the most important reward.
Valva… NO, I meant that 1 Evolution Chance.
That alone hooked me. Evolution was a huge deal for monsters: more strength, better magic resistance, even stamina.
And honestly it sounded fun to evolve and unlock new skins, you know like a game. Maybe I would even sprout draconic wings!
But to get my draconic wings, I had to finish this ridiculous quest first.
I paced a little, thinking. Goblins and kobolds hated each other, sure, but I remembered one crucial thing
Recently, the goblins were getting bullied by a group of orcs that wandered near their territory, too dumb to raid, strong enough to beat goblins senseless for fun.
Everyone heard their complaints, even the kobolds.
I tapped my claws on my arm. If the goblins are desperate… they'll negotiate.
And If I misstep, the goblins could attack. or refuse entirely. Every move I make now is a gamble with my life on the line.
My brother's ears twitched. "What are you mumbling?"
"A plan," I said. "A really good one." I added, smiling.
He really didn't get it, but he nodded anyway.
A small grin crept onto my face.
"Brother," he said quietly, "we were really scared last night. Why did you run into the forest? Did something chase you?"
I glanced at him. "Should I tell him Ragnar died because he tripped over air?"
"Yeah, nope. No way. I was starting my new life with that."
"I'll tell you later," I said. "Right now, we're going home because I need to prepare something."
"Prepare what?" He looked at me puzzled.
I smirked. "A delivery."
He blinked at me, then nodded with complete trust. I didn't know if he was just goofy or trusted me too much.
Then we walked back toward the kobold settlement under the heavy rain.