The First Flight

Ethan lunged, his body moving on pure instinct.

His punch shot forward like a bullet—fast, precise, deadly.

But the hooded figure was faster.

They sidestepped effortlessly, twisting away like a shadow slipping through cracks in the light. Then—

THUD!

A sharp knee slammed into Ethan's ribs. Pain exploded through his side, but instead of knocking him down, it only fueled the fire burning inside him.

He barely had time to think before his body moved again—ducking under another strike, twisting his foot, and lashing out with a kick of his own.

CRACK!

His foot connected with the hooded figure's side, sending them skidding backward.

For a split second, there was silence.

Then, a low chuckle. "Not bad," the figure muttered, straightening. "You really are waking up."

Ethan's breath came fast, his golden eyes burning. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, they lifted their hood slightly, revealing a glimpse of their face—sharp features, glowing red eyes, and thin, pointed ears.

Lena cursed. "Damn it. A full-blood."

Ethan's stomach twisted.

A full-blood goblin.

Not a half-blood like him. Not someone struggling between two worlds. This was the real thing.

And they were testing him.

The goblin smirked. "You'll find out who I am soon enough, half-blood." Their red eyes flicked to Lena. "And you... you should know better than to interfere."

Lena tensed, but didn't respond.

The goblin took a step back, their body fading into the shadows, dissolving into thin air.

Ethan's fists clenched. "Wait—"

Too late.

The attacker was gone.

Only the faint scent of blood and shadow remained.

The Aftermath

Ethan turned to Jason, who was still clutching his arm. His wound wasn't just a cut—it looked jagged, almost like claws had torn into him.

"What the hell was that thing?" Ethan demanded.

Lena exhaled. "A problem. A big one."

Ethan's jaw tightened. His entire world had just been turned upside down, and now there were goblins hunting him? Testing him?

He looked down at his own hands, still trembling from the fight. He had reacted like a predator, fought back without thinking. And it had felt... natural.

Maybe too natural.

Lena placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ethan... this is just the beginning."

He swallowed hard.

Somewhere deep inside, he already knew she was right.

And he had a feeling his ordinary life was gone forever.