"Ahhhhhh!"
A long and lazy scream escaped Uriel's mouth as he stretched, feeling each bone in his body crack in sequence. The sensation was satisfying, as if he were freeing himself from the stiffness of sleep. He blinked a few times, adjusting his vision to the dim light of the cave, before letting out a sigh and murmuring to himself:
"It's time to start leveling up..."
His words carried a mix of anticipation and determination. Without wasting any more time, he rose and walked toward the cave's exit. The cold air immediately enveloped him, a sharp gust from the snow-covered mountains. The sun had already begun to rise, painting the sky with soft shades of gold and blue, as the light reflected off the vast white landscape surrounding him.
Uriel moved forward, his paws sinking into the soft snow with each step. The cold bit at his claws, and the wind hissed through the frozen valleys, scattering tiny flakes through the air. Looking around, he saw nothing but the monotonous landscape of untouched snow.
"Just snow... How am I going to find prey here?"
He grumbled, his voice laden with frustration. No matter where he looked, all he saw was a white, silent desert. There were no tracks on the ground, no signs of movement. It was as if the entire world was asleep beneath that icy blanket.
However, something broke this monotony.
"Hm? What's that?"
Uriel narrowed his eyes. At a certain distance, a black dot stood out against the blinding white of the snow. Small, but visible. He froze for a moment, focusing his vision, until the silhouette began to take shape.
---
Name: Goblin Scout
Race: Goblin
Level: 6/8
HP: 200
MP: 150
Statistics:
- Strength: 4
- Speed: 8
- Intelligence: 3
- Vitality: 4
- Defense: 3
Abilities:
- [Explorer] – Has an exceptional ability to memorize terrains and recognize new areas. Ideal for finding territories and tracking other beings.
- [Natural Breeder] – Capable of impregnating any female, regardless of race.
- [Cowardly Alert] – An instinctive sharpness for danger. When sensing risk, his speed doubles, allowing him to escape efficiently.
- [Minor Knife Handling] – Although still a beginner, he has more skill with knives than someone without training.
Equipment:
- [Moose Fur Coat] – A thick white coat made of durable fur. Protects well against the intense cold. Created by a goblin tailor. (+2 Defense)
- [Moose Fur Pants] – Comfortable and warm, ideal for withstanding the cold temperatures. Another creation by a goblin tailor.
- [Old Rusty Knife] – The metal is worn and corroded by time, but it still has a sharp enough blade to be lethal in skilled hands.
---
"A goblin..."
Uriel muttered to himself, watching the creature from a distance. Its small green body contrasted with the surroundings, but the thick fur coat and pants it wore helped camouflage it a bit. The goblin seemed alert to the path, but unconcerned, walking briskly with a small knife strapped to its waist, swinging with each movement.
"[Cowardly Alert] will be a problem... If he senses danger and runs, I won't be able to catch him in a race."
Uriel's eyes gleamed with a flash of calculation. He needed to be strategic. Simply running after the goblin would be a mistake.
"Maybe an ambush will work? But could I catch him by surprise? Also, that [Explorer] ability means he knows this area well... If he escapes, he might even report me to other goblins."
Uriel narrowed his eyes, his mind spinning as he assessed the situation. The goblin continued on its path, unaware of the predator watching it.
He needed to decide quickly.
"I'll have to camouflage myself, my scales are as pale as the snow, maybe he won't see me," Uriel murmured to himself, feeling the weight of tension rise inside him. His eyes carefully observed the goblin drawing closer. He then buried himself in the soft, cold snow, leaving only his head and the tips of his claws exposed. His camouflage was nearly perfect. The scales, as pale as the snow around him, blended seamlessly with the icy scenery, creating near invisibility. He wasn't sure how long he could remain hidden, but he trusted his ability. There was no room for mistakes.
"He's coming this way, great," Uriel murmured, excitement building as the goblin drew nearer. A little snow entered his mouth, cold and sticky, but he didn't mind. The sensation was almost negligible compared to the need for absolute silence. His eyes, fixed on the goblin, were half-closed. He didn't know their color, but he felt that any movement could give away his position. He kept them barely open, just enough to observe the enemy's movements without being seen.
The goblin, with its green skin and small body, advanced with quick, cautious steps. Its eyes were fixed on the ground ahead, its head slightly tilted as it held a piece of leather in one hand, and with the other, it ran a piece of charcoal over it. It seemed absorbed in its task, unaware of the danger approaching. The wind hissed around, making snowflakes dance through the air, but the goblin seemed unfazed by the environmental cues.
Suddenly, it stopped. The movement was abrupt, and its eyes widened in instinctive alertness. It seemed to have sensed something, a shift in the air, an invisible presence that made it hesitate. It looked around, its eyes sweeping the landscape for anything, but all it could see was the vast white blanket stretching in every direction.
Uriel, attentive to every gesture of the goblin, knew this moment was coming. He tensed, his body taut like a bowstring ready to release. When the goblin stopped, Uriel moved without hesitation. In one swift motion, he leaped from the snow, fluid and fast. His mouth opened, and in an instant, Uriel's claws sank into the snow as he charged with his head aimed at the goblin. The small creature had no time to react. Fear and surprise overtook its eyes, but it was too late.
Uriel's mouth closed with force, his sharp teeth sinking into the goblin's head. The flesh gave way with a muffled sound, and the head was torn off with a brutal pull. The goblin had no chance to scream. Only a faint gurgle of pain escaped its throat before life drained from it. Uriel, with the creature's head in his mouth, pulled with force, completely severing it from the body. The scent of fresh blood mixed with the cold air, making him feel invigorated.
[You dealt a critical hit of 400 damage]
[You leveled up]
[You leveled up]
[You've reached the maximum level available]
[You may begin an evolution]
---
Name: Uriel Redstone (Miguel Ramos)
Race: Dragon
Age: 0 (28)
Maturity: Newly Born
Level: 5/5
HP: 500
MP: 300
Statistics:
- Strength: 9
- Speed: 7
- Intelligence: 6
- Vitality: 10
- Defense: 9