My name is Grizzlethorn, and you are?

With each step toward the goblin-guarded entrance, the voices in my head grew more chaotic, a tumultuous mix of curiosity and thriller.

"Alex, what are you doing? You don't know anything about these creatures," I cautioned myself.

"But what if they have answers? What if this is the way out of this labyrinth?" I argued back.

My thoughts stirred as I continued to approach. A goblin near the front of the group turned its small, sharp eyes toward me. Its primitive weapons and wary stance reminded me that I was outnumbered.

Another voice in my head chimed in, "I have to act cautiously before them and should try to communicate with them. Communication might be the key here."

I nodded to myself, attempting to muster an air of confidence even as my broken leg protested each step. "Greetings," I called out, uncertain of their language. "I mean no harm."

The goblins exchanged glances, their guttural speech unintelligible to me. Tension hung heavy in the air. Would they see me as an intruder or a potential nobody?

The cliffhanger of their response loomed, uncertainty and anticipation intertwined as I waited for their next move.

As I clenched my makeshift staff, the goblins readied their crude weapons, the air filled with an impending sense of conflict. I focused on my inner power, preparing to invoke my fire skill, "Pyroblast."

The dual tension between us, goblins and me, reached its peak, our actions hanging on a ridge, ready to tip either way.

My resolve was unshaken; I would unleash my skill if they made a move.

But before chaos erupted, a commanding voice thundered through the cavern, "Stop! Stand down!"

My spell hung frozen on the brink, and the goblins lowered their weapons, eyeing me warily.

I turned my gaze toward the source of that authoritative voice, and my eyes fell upon an old-looking goblin, his appearance distinctly different from the others. His wrinkled skin and eyes held a sense of wisdom.

The two of us shared an intense, silent conversation at that moment. His eyes seemed to say, "I can understand you, unlike them," while my gaze questioned his intent.

The dialogue in my mind raced: "Who is this goblin? Why did he stop the attack? Can he help me find a way out?"

In turn, his intelligent eyes held an unspoken promise of communication, a chance to bridge the gap between our worlds.

The old goblin nodded and gestured for me to follow him. He spoke in broken but understandable Common language. "It's better we chat inside. My name is Grizzlethorn, and you are?"

"Alex!"

I introduced myself as Alex, not as Demon King, and followed Grizzlethorn into the heart of the goblin village.

The inside was a revelation, defying every story I'd ever known about goblins.

I saw goblin children playing, goblin families bidding each other farewell, and even goblins practising various crafts like carpentry and painting.

'Fuck those authors who kept saying goblins were sex creatures. ' (Alex)

The village was bustling with activity. Small shops lined the streets, and there were larger houses made of wood, each one reflecting the personality of its inhabitants.

The heart of the village was dominated by a grand, wooden structure that looked like a higher-up's house, majestic even in its simplicity.

It was a stark contrast to the one-sided description of goblins I'd read about on Earth.

In this world, they were a thriving, complex community, bursting with life and individuality.

It made me question the brains of all those Authors who had painted them in such a negative way.

Grizzlethorn ushered me into the heart of the goblin village, where the grand wooden structure, awaited.

Inside, we sat in a circle on rough-hewn wooden seats, and I couldn't help but marvel at the complication of the carvings on the furniture.

As we settled down, Grizzlethorn's eyes bore into me with a curious intensity. "So, Alex, how did you get hurt so badly? It's not often we see outsiders in our realm, especially in such a sorry state."

I paused, my mind racing. The truth was far too complex to explain, involving virtual reality, a labyrinth, and a broken leg. Instead, I decided to offer a simpler version.

"I was exploring these caverns when I was chased by a beast and when fighting with it I got injured this badly."

Grizzlethorn nodded, his expression a mix of understanding and concern. "Hmm... These beasts present in this cave can be dangerous. We've had our share of accidents too."

A wave of relief washed over me as I realized that my vague explanation seemed to satisfy him.

'But, wait! Anybody before me came here, I thought this place was secluded from the outside. ' I thought.

"Grizzlethorn did anybody come before me here? " (Alex)

Grizzlethorn's wrinkled face tensed up with a touch of nervousness as he spoke. "Ye-yes! There were some people before you who came here but you're fortunate that you found us in time. Let's not waste any more time and treat you immediately."

"But-" Before I could complete my words, Grizzlethorn began to shout.

Grizzlethorn called out, "Gobler! Gobler!"

Grizzlethorn shouted, and a peculiar-looking goblin shuffled into the room, wearing a pair of round spectacles and carrying a leather bag full of herbs and remedies.

He arrived with an anxious demeanour, I was taken aback by their unexpected actions. Confusion furrowed my brow, and I couldn't help but wonder about their motives.

Grizzlethorn had been welcoming and seemed genuinely interested in helping me, but now the situation was taking an intriguing turn. I leaned in and asked, "Why did you call him? And who is he?"

Gobler, the goblin doctor, hesitated for a moment before stammering, "We need to treat your injury immediately. It's quite severe and he is the village only and my doctor."

I nodded in agreement but pressed further, "But why the urgency? And Grizzlethorn, what's your role here in this village?"

Grizzlethorn interjected, his expression earnest, "Oh Alex, sorry I forgot to introduce myself, I'm the chieftain of this goblin village. And We couldn't leave you in that state without help. This is Gobler, our best healer."

"Hello." (Alex)

"He-Hello." (Gobler)

As Gobler began to attend to my broken leg, I couldn't help but notice his trembling hands and the palpable tension in his eyes.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I inquired, "Why are you so nervous? What are you doing to my leg?"

Gobler tried to offer a reassuring smile, though it appeared more strained than comforting. "It's my first time treating an outsider and I am preparing a medicinal paste to aid in your recovery. Our methods may be different from what you're used to."

As Gobler worked on my leg, my unease continued to grow.

'Why do I feel there is something wrong with them?' (Alex)

Something didn't quite add up, and their behaviour left me with more questions than answers.

After the treatment was nearly complete, Gobler abruptly halted and declared, "I'll need to continue this every day until you're fully healed. It's a delicate process. And I need to take your blood".

I nodded reluctantly, then hesitated before asking, "Why do you need my blood? Is it part of the treatment?"

Gobler took out a small vial, his hands shaking slightly as he did so. "Yes, it's for treatment purposes. We have our methods."

Just as I was about to consent to the blood sampling, Grizzlethorn reentered the conversation, attempting to alleviate my concerns. "Alex, you're in capable hands. Gobler is the finest doctor in our village. Rest assured."

"I see." (Alex)

However, my intuition couldn't ignore the signs.

When I locked eyes with Grizzlethorn, there was an unmistakable nervousness in his gaze.

And when I turned my attention back to Gobler, he was practically sweating and appeared ill at ease.

The tension in the room was noticeable, and the mystery deepened. What were they truly hiding, and why did they need my blood?

"Ok, I get it, carry on." (Alex)

I decided to play along, for now, choosing to accept Gobler's treatment and the blood sampling.

But I couldn't help but feel that I had stumbled upon a secret within this goblin village.

-----------A\N-----------

Hope you liked the chapters.

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