Chapter 9: Dominance

I didn't expect Narg to actually pull off a fireball.

Visually, it was really cool.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to do something like that myself.

But compared to my skills? It was quite mediocre.

Narg hurled the fireball straight at me.

It came fast, the flames crackling and twisting in the air, but I activated [Warp].

In an instant, I disappeared and reappeared right in front of Narg.

The sudden move startled him. His eyes went wide, and he jumped back, quickly summoning another fireball.

This time, I was ready. The moment he threw it, I used [Swap], trading our positions.

The fireball hit its original caster—Narg—dead center on the chest.

"AAARGH!"

Narg screamed as the impact sent him tumbling to the ground, his chest scorched and smoking.

The goblins watching gasped, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

Their awe-filled expressions told me everything.

Most of them especially those who weren't there when I killed the goblin, were more stunned than the others.

Narg groaned as he stumbled back to his feet, his chest still smoking from the fireball he'd eaten. His face was twisted in pain, but his eyes burned with stubborn determination.

This guy just didn't know when to quit.

"Did that hurt?" I asked, tilting my head with a smirk. "If it did, maybe you should give up now."

Narg scoffed, brushing off my words as if I hadn't just turned his own magic against him.

"Hmph... I've faced worse from the former goblin leader. Your tricks don't scare me!"

Sure, buddy. Whatever you say.

But his words did make me pause for a moment.

What kind of horrors did he face under the former leader that could be worse than catching his own fireball in the chest?

Torture?

Castration?

Or—wait, was it... staring at Flogga for more than a full minute?

The thought almost made me shudder. Poor guy.

As I looked more closely at Narg, I noticed the scars crisscrossing his green skin. They weren't random—they seemed like they told a story.

Torture it is.

"How did you get those?" I asked, pointing at the marks.

Narg frowned, his hand gripping the scorched wound on his chest.

It was clear my question hit a nerve, but after a moment, he answered.

"The clan chief did this," he said, his voice thick with resentment. "Made me go through hell to awaken this fire skill."

He punctuated his words by summoning another fireball in his palm, its flickering light reflecting the bitterness in his eyes.

Awakening a skill is that hard? I thought, glancing at my own hands.

I got my abilities simply by showing up in this world. Talk about unfair.

Narg's face twisted further. "I would've gotten my revenge when I got stronger, but... the leader died in battle before I had the chance."

"That's why..." Narg continued, his voice rising with emotion. "That's why I need to be chief now! To take his place, to claim his role. That is my revenge!"

Narg's words hit with force, and I couldn't help but widen my eyes.

Wow. His determination was seriously impressive.

I had to admit it—this guy had fire, both figuratively and literally.

He was putting everything into this challenge, way more than I was.

It wasn't just a fight for leadership; it was personal for him.

Respectable, sure, but...

I still believed I was the better choice.

Not out of arrogance—it wasn't about ego. It was just reality.

The clan was fragile, barely hanging on. If we were attacked again, it would be over.

No one here had the strength or skills to stand up to real threats.

Except me.

I wasn't proud of it, but it was true. If anyone could ensure our survival, it was me. That's why I had to be the leader.

"So..." I began, keeping my tone even, "you're saying you want to lead the clan just to get revenge? That's your goal?"

I needed to hear him confirm it.

His answer would decide how far I'd go in this fight.

"What about it?" Narg shot back, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. 

I sighed, watching him closely.

His determination was undeniable, and honestly, I admired it.

Revenge was a powerful motivator, and I could see how much it fueled him. 

I got it—he was upset, lost, and probably overwhelmed with frustration.

The former leader was dead, snatched away before Narg could settle the score.

That had to mess with him, leaving him with nothing but unresolved anger. 

But here's the thing: revenge wasn't enough.

Not for this clan, not now.

What they needed was stability, strength, and strategy.

Becoming the leader just to settle a grudge was selfish, and the clan couldn't afford selfishness right now. 

I met his eyes, my voice calm but firm.

"Then I'm sorry, Narg, but I can't let you become chief." 

His face twisted in bitterness.

Clearly, he didn't like my answer. 

Without a word, he summoned another fireball, the flickering flames reflecting his frustration and fury. 

And then, he charged at me. 

I didn't hesitate—I met his charge head-on, my adrenaline spiking. 

This time, though, I wasn't holding back.

Beating him up felt like the best way to teach him.

He needed to understand, deep in his bones, that he was too weak to lead this clan or get his revenge.

If pain was the only way to engrain that lesson, so be it.

As Narg charged, fireball crackling in his hands, I activated [Phase Walk] and instantly appeared behind him.

Before he could react, I drove my foot into his back with a powerful kick, sending him crashing face-first into the ground.

He scrambled to his feet, snarling with raw defiance, and lunged at me again.

But this time, I met him head-on, driving my fist straight into his gut.

The impact knocked the wind out of him.

He coughed, doubling over, wheezing as he clutched his stomach.

I didn't let up.

Another punch, square in the chest, sent him stumbling to his knees.

Even then, Narg wasn't ready to give up.

He grabbed onto my arms, gripping tightly, trying to pull himself back up.

I gave him credit for his tenacity—but this wasn't a fight he could win.

With a calm, deliberate motion, I drove my knee into his face.

The brutal impact echoed in the air as Narg's head snapped back. Blood trickled from his nose as he fell to the ground, dazed and defeated.

I turned to face the rest of the goblins, half-expecting to see shock or outrage on their faces.

But no—nothing.

It seemed like violence was just another Tuesday for goblins.

Narg staggered back, blood dripping from his nose. He swayed but didn't fall completely.

"Are we done?" I asked, half-expecting him to give up.

"Not yet," he growled, forcing himself upright despite the pain.

Groaning, he managed to steady himself on his feet, though his legs wobbled like they might give out any second. Slowly, he raised his fists, assuming a fighting stance.

I couldn't help but chuckle. He looked like he was about to say, "I can do this all day." Someone get this man a shield.

His resolve was admirable, sure. Honestly, it was cool. But let's face it—he was outmatched, and everyone here knew it.

I stepped toward him casually, almost pitying the effort he was putting in. Without hesitation, I threw a sharp, fast jab straight to his face. He didn't even have time to block.

The blow rocked him, but he somehow stayed standing.

"Still not done?" I asked, almost impressed.

He glared at me but didn't reply, so I yanked him forward by his arm and drove my knee into his gut. The impact was solid, and the air left his lungs in a wheeze.

To finish it off, I wound up for one final punch. My fist connected squarely with his face, and his body crumpled like a rag doll.

Narg hit the ground hard, eyes unfocused and blank.

Unconscious.

I sighed heavily, looking down at Narg's motionless body sprawled on the ground. The fight was over.

He gave it his all, but his all wasn't enough.

I then get a notification.

Ding

[Skill: Iron Fist had been learnt]

'Iron Fist.'

I repeated but before I could check it out, Zzok stepped forward, and for a second I wondered if he wanted to challenge me for chieftain post as well.

Then, with a dramatic thud, he dropped to his knees and raised his arms.

"Totem is the winner!" he announced, his voice echoing through the cave. "All hail the new chief of the clan!"

My name isn't Totem...but okay.

A ripple of agreement spread through the goblins, and Flogga then followed suit kneeling as well.

"All hail the esteemed Totem!" she called out.

The rest of the goblins joined in, Zahra as well, their voices overlapping in a chorus:

"All hail the esteemed Totem!"

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.

This level of attention and respect? Yeah, I could get used to this.

Then glowing notification popped up right in front of me, and I grinned.

Yep...there was no turning back now.