chapther 6

After months of a solitary and disciplined routine in the Nulkar Forest, Trogg had adapted to the brutality of his environment. Every morning, he would go out to forage for magical plants and hunt for level 1 beasts, always acting cautiously to avoid encounters with more powerful predators. The forest was unforgiving, and any mistake could mean his death. He knew this, and his cold and calculating mind ensured that he did not put himself in unnecessary danger. During this time, his mount, the black panther, began to show changes. Trogg had noticed that when he fed the panther level 1 beasts that he considered uninteresting for his cultivation, his mount began to accumulate traces of Qi in its body. The system confirmed his suspicions: "If the beast consumes enough, it will eventually reach the first stage of cultivation. However, the speed of this process depends on the quality and quantity of the Qi ingested." This only increased Trogg's respect for his mount's potential.

After months of patient cultivation, Trogg finally reached Level 3 of Qi Condensation. He could immediately sense the change. His control over Qi had become much more refined, and his physical strength had increased significantly. Ordinary Level 1 beasts were no longer a challenge, and even the weaker cultivating beasts seemed less threatening.

As he reflected on his progress, he muttered to himself, "The system told me that there are three main bottlenecks in the Qi Condensation stage: from Level 3 to Level 4, from Level 6 to Level 7, and from Level 9 to the next realm. These bottlenecks are not only a test of patience, but also of talent, resources, and strength."

Trogg paused, contemplating what he knew about these obstacles. The system had explained that passing through these bottlenecks was like crossing a raging river: only those with sufficient power, intelligence, and resources could cross it.

"The change that occurs in the body when overcoming these bottlenecks is absurd. It is not just an increase in strength, but a transformation that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary," he continued, a look of excitement shining in his eyes. "The system also said that only geniuses with exceptional innate abilities or powerful bloodlines have a realistic chance of defeating someone who has overcome one of these bottlenecks, even if they have inferior cultivation."

The excitement of power grew within Trogg. He had no bloodline or exceptional abilities at birth, but that did not stop him from seeking his place at the top. He knew that the only way to achieve his goals was to overcome all the obstacles that fate placed in his path.

"I must find a way to strengthen myself beyond ordinary methods," he thought as he fed his mount the carcass of a beast. His mind was always searching for strategies, and he knew that he could not rely solely on the Nulkar Forest to grow. Soon, he would have to explore more dangerous territories and face even greater challenges.

But for now, he took a deep breath and turned his attention to the present. Trogg knew that on the path of cultivation, every decision shaped the future. And he was determined to shape the world in his image.

______

Days later...

Trogg watched from the top of the hill, mounted on his black panther, as the small tribe of goblins fought in desperation. The sound of screams mixed with the deafening roar of the beast echoed through the forest. Below, destruction unfolded: a massive and imposing beast, a shadow bear, advanced relentlessly. Nearly three meters tall, its skin was black as the night sky, covered in glowing markings similar to stars. Its red eyes shone with savage fury, and each movement seemed to carry a destructive force.

The goblins, frail and poorly armed, tried in vain to push it away. Flimsy arrows thudded against the bear's thick hide without even scratching it. It crushed its opponents with razor-sharp claws, each blow claiming lives and spreading chaos.

Trogg sighed, assessing the situation. "Looks like they're doomed… Nothing they can do will stop this thing," he muttered, turning to leave. But before he could take the first step, the system interrupted his thoughts:

"New mission available:

- Help the goblin tribe avoid being exterminated.

- Kill the cultivating beast.

Rewards: Earn the tribe's loyalty and a martial skill."

The system's mechanical, impassive tone contrasted with the gravity of the scene.

Trogg narrowed his eyes. "Hmph… A goblin tribe is worthless, but a martial skill and loyalty… That might come in handy," he thought, his calculating side taking over. With a tap on the black panther, he ordered it to advance.

As he approached the battle, Trogg began to formulate his strategy. **"Level 3… A dangerous opponent, but not impossible. If I go straight ahead, I'll end up crushed. I need to be smarter. Let's see how this beast handles speed and precision."

The panther advanced silently through the vegetation, until Trogg jumped from its back. He landed gracefully on the ground, drawing his sword with a gleam of determination in his eyes. The goblins, upon seeing him, stopped for a moment, confused and surprised by the appearance of a warrior of their own race.

"Retreat and stay alive. This is my problem now," ordered Trogg, his voice cold and authoritative. Although frightened, the goblins obeyed, retreating into the shadows as they watched their unlikely savior.

The shadow bear, noticing its new adversary, let out a roar that seemed to shake the very ground. Its sharp claws slammed against the ground, releasing a wave of dark Qi that swept the surroundings.

Trogg smirked. "Come on, beast."

He activated his Adrenaline ability, feeling twice as much strength course through his body. The price in stamina was high, but he knew he needed this early advantage. The beast charged forward with a furious roar, but Trogg dodged nimbly, rolling to the side and slashing with his sword, using the Qi Launcher skill. An arc of spiritual energy sliced through the air, striking the bear's flank.

The attack opened a shallow wound, but only served to further enrage the beast. The bear rose on its hind legs and delivered a devastating blow. Trogg jumped back, but the impact was so strong that it cracked the ground where he stood.

"Speed is my only advantage," he thought, circling the beast. He used the Qi Explosion skill to propel his movement, slashing again with precision, this time at the bear's hind legs. Black blood flowed, but the beast remained standing, spinning rapidly and nearly hitting Trogg with a paw charged with dark energy.

The fight continued for long minutes. Trogg's every attack was meticulously calculated, targeting vulnerable spots while he used the panther as a distraction. The mount lashed out with claws and fangs, forcing the bear to split between them.

But the bear wasn't just brute strength; it carried a dark Qi that distorted the environment. At one point, it released a wave of energy that slammed Trogg into a tree, striking him in the ribs. The goblin fell to his knees, but a cold smile spread across his face.

"You're tired, aren't you?" He could see the beast's heavy breathing and the wounds beginning to take their toll. Trogg focused his remaining energy, gathering Qi into his sword. With a war cry, he charged forward, dodging the bear's final blow and driving the blade deep into its chest.

The bear roared in agony, but Trogg gave no quarter. He activated the Qi Launcher again, sending a blast straight into the beast's body, finishing the job. With one last roar, the shadow bear fell to the ground, motionless.

Trogg, panting and covered in blood, looked down at the fallen body and muttered, Mission accomplished.

The goblins emerged from the shadows, looking at him with awe and reverence. They knelt, acknowledging him as their savior and perhaps their new leader. The system chimed again:

"Mission completed. Rewards:

- Loyalty of the goblin tribe.

Shadow Step

- Level: Intermediate.

- Description: A martial skill that allows the user to blend into the shadows around them, moving extremely silently and almost unnoticeably. When activated, it drastically reduces the chance of detection by enemies, even those with heightened senses, and increases movement speed while the user remains in shadowy or dimly lit areas.

- Effects:

1. Utter Silence: The user's footsteps and movements produce no sound while the skill is active. 2. Speed Boost: During activation, the user's speed is increased by 30%, allowing them to flow through shadows efficiently.

3. Partial Camouflage: In dark or shadowy areas, the user becomes difficult to spot, even for higher-level cultivators.

4. Duration and Cost: The skill consumes a moderate amount of Qi per second. The duration depends on the amount of Qi available and the user's control.

Evolution Potential:

As an intermediate-level skill, it has room for improvement. At higher levels, the user can:

- Completely disappear into shadow areas, becoming invisible.

- Combine the movement with devastating surprise attacks.

- Extend the effect to nearby allies.

Trogg immediately recognized the strategic value of this skill. With it, he could ambush opponents, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and explore dangerous territories with greater safety. He thought to himself:

"A skill like that is not only useful for combat, but also for survival. This forest... and the world... just got a little easier to conquer."

Trogg was thoughtful for a moment, digesting the information as he looked at the tribe gathered in the distance. He then spoke in a cold and calculating tone:

"Keng, with only 10 cultivators at level 1 and the rest being ordinary goblins, your tribe is weak. If it weren't for me, you would have been exterminated. This will not happen again while I am in command. Understood?"

Keng immediately knelt down respectfully, his forehead touching the ground.

"Yes, supreme leader Trogg! From now on, we will follow all your orders without question!"

Trogg gave a brief nod and began walking towards the center of the tribe. There, the ordinary goblins looked at him with a mixture of fear and admiration. Many whispered among themselves, clearly aware that he had saved their lives.

"Listen up everyone!" — Trogg's voice echoed across the small clearing, drawing the attention of all the goblins. "You were weak today, and it almost cost you your lives. That will not happen again. From now on, this tribe will have a new leader, and you will train, fight, and grow. Under my command, we will go from being prey to predators. Understood?"

The goblins responded with murmurs of acceptance, some more excited than others, but all aware that they had no choice.

Trogg then turned to Keng.

"Your tribe needs organization. Start by dividing the common goblins into training groups. Teach them the basics of fighting and survival. As for the cultivators... I will train them myself to ensure that they advance faster. I want you to learn how to hunt and explore the forest efficiently."

Keng nodded energetically.

"Yes, supreme leader! We will not disappoint you."

Trogg then opened his spirit bag, taking out the corpse of the beast he had defeated. He lifted the beast's imposing body and declared:

"This cultivator beast will be the first meal of our warriors. Its blood and flesh contain Qi. Consume it, grow stronger, and prove that you can thrive in this savage world."

The cultivator goblins advanced with respect and reverence, ready to share the beast's flesh.

Trogg watched as the tribe moved under his new orders, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

"This is just the beginning..." he thought as he formulated plans to expand his influence.

--

Trogg called Keng aside for a private conversation. After they had walked away from the tribe, Trogg turned to him, his eyes cold and appraising.

"Keng, tell me what you know about the Nulkar Forest, about the other goblin tribes, the enemy tribes around us... everything."

Keng, with a serious and respectful expression, began to speak:

"Supreme Leader, the Nulkar Forest is vast and dangerous, full of deadly creatures and regions that even we goblins avoid. We occupy only a small part of it. There are other goblin tribes scattered around, some peaceful, but many hostile. The Red Skull Tribe, for example, is extremely aggressive and often raids neighboring territories in search of slaves and resources."

He paused, observing Trogg's expression before continuing:

"In addition to the goblin tribes, there are clans of orcs and even humans who occasionally enter the forest to hunt or explore. The orcs are a constant threat, especially the Black Axe Clan, which controls much of the areas with the highest concentration of Qi. They consider goblins easy prey and rarely leave any survivors."

Keng took a deep breath, the tension visible in his expression.

"As for the beasts… there are many of them of a higher level, especially in the depths of the forest. Some beasts have already reached the Qi Stabilization Stage and rule entire territories. We avoid these areas, but rumors say that there are precious resources there, such as rare magical plants and spiritual minerals."

Trogg remained silent, absorbing the information as his mind calculated his next move.

"What about our tribe? What resources do we have?" he finally asked.

Keng bowed his head in submission.

"We are a small tribe, supreme leader. We have few weapons, mostly made of stone or wood, but some of basic metal that we obtained from defeated tribes. The goblin cultivators are few, as I mentioned, but with your guidance, I believe we can grow stronger quickly. The biggest problem is the lack of food and spiritual resources. We are limited to hunting and some basic plants."

Trogg narrowed his eyes. The situation was precarious, but there was potential. He knew he needed to act quickly to transform this tribe into something worthy of his ambition.

"Interesting...", he murmured, his mind already devising strategies to strengthen the tribe and consolidate his rule. "You did well to inform me, Keng. From now on, the tribe will follow my absolute command. Prepare yourself, because things will change."

Keng nodded vigorously, the respect and admiration in his eyes becoming even more evident.

"Yes, Supreme Leader! We are ready to follow your lead and claim our place in the Nulkar Forest!"