chapter 108 royal training grounds
Kakeith stood motionless, the weight of the small metal badge in his palm feeling heavier than it should. His mind, usually sharp and calculating, was now working at an accelerated pace—analyzing, dissecting, and predicting the consequences of this single moment. It was as if time itself had slowed, allowing him to process every possible outcome.
The Royal Training Grounds…
A place of forbidden power, hidden deep within the Goblin Kingdom. Not just a battlefield, but a sacred proving ground where the goblins honed their warriors into elite killing machines. A land where monsters of his level roamed freely, perfect for combat without the usual risks of player interference. A place that, under normal circumstances, was locked away from outsiders.
But now, he had access.
This badge in his hand was more than just an invitation—it was a key to power. Three full days inside the Royal Training Grounds meant unlimited combat, experience gain, and skill refinement. In the right hands, three days in such a place could mean the difference between an average player and a powerhouse.
And Kakeith was not an average player.
Then came the memory of his past life—a pivotal moment in the game's history.
A first-rate guild had once managed to obtain access to the Royal Training Grounds, just like this. At the time, no one paid much attention—after all, they weren't a super guild. But then, two super guilds noticed their rapid growth and approached them with offers of an alliance.
The first-rate guild had refused.
What followed was a war unlike anything the game had seen before.
One super guild was annihilated, wiped off the map completely.
The other was crippled, left broken and struggling to recover.
The reason? Every single elite player in that first-rate guild had spent their time in the Royal Training Grounds, sharpening their skills, increasing their level, and mastering combat mechanics to a degree no one had anticipated.
That war had changed the balance of power in the game. All because of access to this place.
Now, he held the same opportunity in his hands.
His grip tightened on the badge as the realization set in. This wasn't just a simple favor from Valtar.
This was a weapon.
With this, Kakeith could skyrocket his growth, reaching a level that would put him ahead of anyone else. No outside interference, no guild politics—just raw, uninterrupted progress.
And once he walked out of the Royal Training Grounds, he wouldn't just be stronger.
He would be unstoppable.
Slowly, he looked up from the badge, his expression still unreadable. Across the chamber, Prince Valtar sat back in his throne, golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He had been watching Kakeith's reaction closely, his smirk widening ever so slightly.
"Ah… I see you understand," Valtar mused, his voice smooth and knowing. "Good. Then let's see how well you use it."
Goblin Palace – Throne Room
The air in the chamber was thick with tension, the dim green torchlight flickering against the stone walls, casting eerie shadows across the throne room. The scent of damp earth and old blood lingered, adding to the suffocating atmosphere.
Kakeith stood still, his grip tightening around the royal badge, its cold metal pressing into his palm. His mind was still processing the weight of what had just happened—the access to the Royal Training Grounds, a place that could change his fate.
But then, Prince Valtar leaned forward, his golden eyes gleaming with unreadable intent. His clawed fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne in a slow, deliberate rhythm.
"You've done well, Kakeith," Valtar said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "But I require more from you."
Kakeith didn't respond, waiting for the goblin prince to reveal his true intentions.
Valtar's smirk deepened.
"I want you to reach Level 5."
The words hit like a heavy stone dropping into still water, sending ripples through Kakeith's mind.
Valtar was giving him a task, but it wasn't just some casual request. The way he spoke, the way his eyes watched Kakeith so intently—this was a test.
"Once you reach Level 5, return to me," Valtar continued, reclining slightly in his throne. "I have work for you—something that will be worth your time." His smirk widened. "Consider this your first step toward true power."
The air around them seemed to shift. Kakeith knew an opportunity when he saw one, and this was far bigger than a simple level requirement. Valtar was playing a long game, and Kakeith had just been pulled into it.
Then, suddenly—
DING!
A notification flashed before his eyes.
---
[Epic Quest: Goblin Prince's Gambit – Part 1 completed]
Quest Type: Epic Quest (Chain)
Objective: Reach Level 5 and report back to Prince Valtar.
To receive Epic quest part 2
Rewards:
Invitation to the Royal Training Grounds (3 Days)
10,000 EXP
---
The moment he accepted the quest, a surge of power rushed through his body. His experience bar shot forward, filling rapidly as the system processed his reward.
---
[Level Up!]
You have reached Level 2.
---
Kakeith felt the shift immediately. His body felt stronger, faster—his stats had improved in a subtle but undeniable way. He exhaled, flexing his fingers as he adjusted to the surge of power.
Prince Valtar let out a low chuckle. "Good. Now, don't keep me waiting too long."
Kakeith looked up, locking eyes with the goblin prince. The message was clear—this was only the beginning.
Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and strode out of the throne room.
The heavy stone doors groaned as they closed behind him, sealing the chamber once more in shadows.
His goal was clear.
Reach Level 5.
And once he did, he would return to Valtar.
Whatever task the goblin prince had for him, Kakeith intended to complete it.
Kakeith's Departure – A Silent Oath
The throne room was eerily silent, save for the rhythmic tapping of Prince Valtar's fingers against the dark stone armrest. The flickering green torches cast shifting shadows across the chamber, illuminating the stolen treasures, exotic furs, and bloodstained banners of fallen enemies that decorated the underground palace.
Kakeith's grip tightened around the royal badge in his hand. Its cold metal pressed into his palm, grounding him in the moment. The significance of this opportunity wasn't lost on him—the Royal Training Grounds were a place of legend, a battleground where only the strongest could train undisturbed.
And now, he had been given access to it.
Prince Valtar's golden eyes gleamed as he studied Kakeith's expression. A smirk played on the goblin prince's lips, as if he could already predict what was running through Kakeith's mind.
"Good," Valtar murmured. "Now, don't keep me waiting too long." His voice was smooth but carried an unmistakable weight.
Kakeith took a slow breath, his mind running like a supercomputer, calculating every possible move from this point forward. The invitation to the Royal Training Grounds was more than just a privilege—it was a game-changing advantage.
A first-rate guild had once obtained this access in his past life. Their refusal to submit to two super guilds led to an all-out war—one that crippled a super guild and wiped out another. The sheer power gained from training in those grounds had turned the tide of an entire war.
Now, that power was within his grasp.
Kakeith clenched his fist around the badge, then slowly exhaled.
His next goal was clear: reach Level 5.
And when he did, he would return.
Lowering his head slightly, Kakeith bowed. It was a precise, calculated gesture—one of respect, not submission. He wasn't just showing gratitude; he was acknowledging the weight of the opportunity.
Valtar watched him with an amused glint in his golden eyes, but he said nothing. He simply tilted his head slightly, accepting the silent promise.
Straightening his posture, Kakeith turned sharply on his heel. His footsteps echoed against the stone floor as he strode toward the towering palace doors.
The goblin guards flanking the entrance moved aside without a word, their sharp eyes tracking his every movement.
As Kakeith stepped past the threshold, the massive stone gates groaned, inching shut behind him. The dim torchlight inside flickered one last time before the throne room was sealed in darkness once more.
Standing just outside the entrance of the Goblin Palace, Kakeith exhaled, feeling the cool night air against his skin. His gaze lifted toward the Ragged Fang Mountains, their jagged peaks silhouetted beneath the moonlight.
His path was set.
Level 5.
Then, he would return.