Chapter : 4 : The Civilisation!

The dense forest thickened as Aiden and Luna were led deeper into its heart, their hands tightly bound behind their backs with thick ropes. The goblins surrounding them moved in an organized formation, crude weapons clutched in their green hands. Their guttural laughter and sneering gazes made Luna's ears twitch in irritation.

"Master..." Luna whispered, pressing herself against his side despite her restrained hands. Her voice was a mixture of worry and affection. "What do you think they're going to do to us?"

Aiden exhaled, keeping his composure. "Luna, don't worry," he whispered back, his voice firm yet reassuring. "I promised to protect you, no matter what."

Luna's blue eyes sparkled with warmth. "Master... You're the best!" she purred, rubbing her cheek against his arm.

Aiden smirked slightly. "And these ropes? We can break out of them whenever we want, can't we?"

Luna smiled knowingly. "Of course," she said confidently. "They're nothing compared to us."

One of the goblin guards, a burly one with jagged teeth and a rusted spear, suddenly jabbed the blunt end of his weapon at Luna's side.

"Move faster," the goblin sneered in its own language in a scratchy voice.

Luna flinched, her ears flattening against her head as she bared her fangs. A low, dangerous growl rumbled in her throat, her nails extending slightly into sharp claws. "You little—"

"Luna," Aiden warned, his voice calm but firm.

Her rage simmered, but she kept her composure. For now.

The goblin chuckled, enjoying the reaction. He poked her again, harder this time, causing her to stumble.

Aiden's aura darkened instantly. His expression turned cold and menacing, his blue eyes gleaming with restrained fury.

The goblin faltered, his smug look replaced by unease.

"You'll regret doing that again," Aiden said, his voice unnervingly quiet, like a predator preparing to strike.

A chill ran through the goblin's spine. He gulped, stepping back instinctively, his hands tightening around his spear.

Luna straightened herself, glaring daggers at the goblin.

Aiden shrugged. "People with weak resolve crumble when faced with real power."

Luna smiled adoringly. "Master, you're so cool," she whispered, leaning closer.

Another goblin snorted. "Hah! Stop talking and walk!"

To Aiden's surprise, he understood the goblin's words perfectly.

Wait… I understood that?

A translucent blue panel suddenly flashed before his eyes.

---

[NEW SYSTEM ABILITY UNLOCKED!]

Goblin Language: Activated

→ You have gained the ability to understand and communicate in the Goblin Tongue.

---

Aiden smirked. Convenient.

The same goblin from earlier, still shaking from Aiden's glare, foolishly jabbed his spear toward Luna again.

"Bad move." He said in goblin tongue.

Aiden's expression darkened once more, his killing intent leaking out like a suffocating fog.

"Master, you know their language?" Luna beamed. "You really are the best!"

The goblin whimpered, stepping back so fast he almost tripped.

Luna let out a small giggle, watching the goblin tremble. "Aww, are you scared of my Master now?" she teased mockingly.

Aiden sighed. "Luna, you alright?"

She turned to him, her face softening immediately. "I-I'm fine, Master," she said sweetly, her tail wagging slightly. "But this green fool won't be."

Aiden chuckled. "No need. I already made my point."

Luna pouted but nodded. "Fine… But if he tries again, I might accidentally rip off his arm."

---

The group continued their trek through the forest until they reached a massive cave entrance, its dark mouth looming before them like a gateway to the unknown.

Luna instinctively leaned closer to Aiden, her breath warm against his neck. "Master…" she murmured.

Aiden smirked. "Are you scared?"

Luna gasped, puffing out her cheeks. "Master, don't tease me! I'm not scared," she pouted cutely.

Aiden chuckled, tilting his head. "You look adorable when you pout."

Luna's blush deepened. "Master… You really think so?"

He nodded.

Luna blushed, her entire body heating up. The cold, fierce Luna who had just threatened a goblin now looked like a bashful maiden.

The goblins groaned. "Ugh! Stop flirting, humans!"

Aiden smirked. "Jealous?"

The goblins clicked their tongues, pushing them forward into the cave.

Inside, the air turned cold. The mana in the air was dense, almost suffocating.

Luna shivered. "Master… This place gives me the chills."

Aiden sighed. "Don't worry. I told you—I'm here."

Luna relaxed immediately. "Mmm… That's all I need," she whispered.

----

As they ventured deeper, they reached what seemed to be a dead end—a towering stone wall.

One of the leading goblins stepped forward and raised his arms. He uttered a strange word.

"Unhane!"

The cave trembled.

Luna yelped as the ground beneath them shook violently. She lost her balance and fell—straight onto Aiden's back.

Her full, ample breasts pressed against his back, the softness overwhelming.

Aiden stiffened.

Luna gasped. "M-Master!" she quickly pulled herself up, her face burning red. "I-I didn't mean—!"

Aiden sighed, "It's fine."

Luna smiled shyly. "T-Thank you, Master…"

As the shaking stopped, the stone wall before them split open, revealing a brilliant light.

Beyond it, a massive city sprawled before their eyes.

Their jaws dropped.

The sight before them was nothing short of breathtaking.

Hundreds of goblins filled the land, walking through streets lined with market stalls, stone houses, and towering structures made of wood and stone. The air was filled with chatter, the scent of meat wafting through the air. Blue sky above.

Goblin men worked at butcher stalls, chopping fresh meat. Goblin women carried baskets. Goblin children ran around, playing.

It wasn't just a city.

It was a full-fledged Goblin Civilization.

Luna gasped, her grip on Aiden tightening. "Master… What is this place?"

Aiden's eyes narrowed.

Whatever this was—this was much bigger than he expected.

----

Aiden and Luna walked side by side, their hands still bound behind them as the goblins escorted them through the bustling market. The civilization was alive with activity—small wooden carts carried fresh fruits, dried meats, and crude trinkets, while stone and clay huts lined the pathways.

As they continued walking through the goblin market, Aiden's mind buzzed with thoughts. The goblins spoke in their own tongue, and while he could understand them thanks to the System's translation, Luna remained unaware of what was being said.

System, Aiden thought. Can you activate the Goblin Language on Luna as well?

---

[SYSTEM RESPONSE]

[Yes. You have permission to share learned languages with bonded partners.]

[Would you like to activate "Goblin Language" for Luna?]

→ YES | NO

---

Aiden didn't hesitate. Yes.

The moment he confirmed, a faint golden glow flickered around Luna, so subtle that no one else seemed to notice. She blinked, her ears twitching as if she had just heard something strange.

"…Master?" she whispered, tilting her head. "What was that?"

Aiden smirked. "Try listening to the goblins now."

Luna's eyes widened. She focused on the murmuring goblins around them—suddenly, the once indecipherable words became clear.

"What?! I can understand them now!" she gasped. "Master… did you do something?"

Aiden nodded. "Yeah."

Luna stared at him in awe. "Master… You're amazing!" She pressed closer to him, her tail wagging. "You always do these mysterious things… it makes me love you even more!"

Aiden chuckled. "Glad you like it."

Luna beamed, but then her expression darkened as she turned her gaze toward the goblin who had poked her earlier. Now that she could understand him, she clenched her fists.

"Oh… so that's what you said…" she muttered, baring her fangs.

Aiden sighed. This might be a problem…

Yet, despite the lively scene, the attention of every goblin was now fixed solely on them.

Goblin men stood frozen, their eyes narrowed with suspicion. Goblin women whispered among themselves, their gazes shifting between Aiden and Luna with a mix of curiosity and unease. And then, there were the goblin children.

"Mom! What are those?!" one child pointed with a tiny green finger, his wide yellow eyes full of wonder.

"They're humans, little one," his mother answered, pulling him closer. "Stay back."

"Humans?" Another child tugged at his father's sleeve. "But aren't humans supposed to be bad?"

"Shh," the father hushed him. "We don't speak of such things loudly."

Luna's ears twitched as she overheard the hushed conversations. Her blue eyes darted toward Aiden, and she leaned in, whispering, "Master, do you hear them?"

Aiden nodded subtly, his crimson gaze scanning the watching crowd. "They don't seem immediately hostile… more like wary."

Luna's lips pressed into a thin line. "Still… they keep looking at us like we're some sort of rare creatures."

Aiden smirked. "Well, we kind of are, Luna. I doubt many humans have walked through here alive."

Luna pouted slightly. "Master… that's not funny."

He chuckled softly. "Sorry, sorry. But we should be careful. Let's observe for now."

Ahead of them, a group of older goblins stood near a fruit stall, whispering among themselves. One of them, an elder with deep wrinkles and a hunched posture, squinted at Aiden.

"They walk too calmly for prisoners," he murmured to his companions. "That boy… he carries himself like a leader."

"Perhaps they are not mere captives," another elder mused. "Perhaps they were brought here for that."

Luna's sharp ears picked up on their words. She leaned even closer to Aiden, her soft breath against his ear. "Master, they're saying strange things… Something about you walking like a leader."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Interesting…"

At that moment, one of the goblin guards roughly pushed Aiden forward. "Keep walking, human!"

Luna's expression darkened instantly. "Hey!" she snarled, her blue eyes flaring. "Don't touch him!"

The goblin sneered. "What? He your mate or somethin'?"

Luna's tail bristled. "Yes, he is!" she declared proudly.

The crowd gasped at her words. The murmuring grew louder.

"A human and a beastkin?!"

"That's unheard of!"

"Could they be… bonded?"

Aiden sighed. Luna, you're making a scene…

The goblin who had pushed Aiden let out an amused chuckle. "Hah! A beastkin in love with a human? That's rich!"

Luna bared her fangs. "You're pushing your luck, green man," she growled, her claws twitching against the ropes.

The goblin, still laughing, reached out to poke her forehead with his finger.

But before he could make contact—

Aiden moved.

Even with his hands bound, he twisted his body, stepping between the goblin and Luna. His gaze was sharp, his stance unwavering. "Touch her, and you'll regret it."

His voice was calm—too calm.

The goblin's laughter died instantly. Aiden's presence became suffocating. The sheer weight of his unshaken confidence made the goblin stumble backward.

Luna's heart fluttered. Master…

The surrounding goblins whispered among themselves again.

"This human… he's different."

"He's not afraid of us?"

"Maybe he's powerful…"

The goblin guards, clearly unnerved, quickened their pace. "Move! No more talking!"

Aiden and Luna exchanged glances.

"Master," Luna whispered. "This place… something feels off."

"I know," Aiden murmured. "They're hiding something."

Their journey through the market continued, but one thing was now certain—

This goblin civilization was more than just a simple underground settlement.

And Aiden intended to find out exactly what secrets it held.

---

END OF CHAPTER : 4 : THE CIVILIZATION!