11 An Emotional Elf

Dick stepped into the otherworldly portal, his eyes widening as he faced a choice that would shape his next adventure:

1. A Village Girl from Desperate Flesh

2. A Mysterious, Charming Banshee

3. A Female Warrior Adventurer

4. A Forest Elf with a touch of madness

5. A Rat-Man, heavy with multiple offspring

Dick pondered his options, his fingers drumming on his chin. He had re-entered this simulation numerous times, each time seeking to bolster his strength, but now he craved a different experience. The notion that the state of his birth mother could influence his success in the simulation intrigued him.

With a determined nod, he selected the Forest Elf, a figure who, he assumed, saw her offspring as the key to survival, likely to be fiercely protective.

"Please select your birthplace," the system prompted, offering options like Goblin Lair Construction and Goblin King Lair.

Dick's brow furrowed at the mention of 'Goblin Lair Construction.' "What's this about?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

The system explained, "This Goblin lair is yet unestablished, lacking a true king, and is smaller in scale than a typical lair."

This seemed like a safer choice to Dick, a place where he might avoid the attention of any Goblin Slayers around and have room to grow. He could survive longer this time.

Before entering the simulation, Dick took a moment to care for Lily, a blond girl with a pale face and a troubled past. He ensured she had enough to eat, then prepared himself to dive in.

...

Simulation Host: Dick

Category: Ordinary Goblin

Status: Child

Current Situation: Thin

Physical Attributes: Weight 24 kg, Height 41 cm

Combat Rating: G+

Skills: Life Absorption, Tool Making, Archery Specialization, Playing Dead

Evolution Points: 341/400 (earned through hunting)

Birth Mother: F+ level Forest Elf

Dick opened his eyes in a new reality, finding himself in a damp, smelly cave, cramped with only a few adult goblins and a dozen youngsters. It was a fledgling goblin lair.

[A rebirth as an ordinary goblin is complete. Please select a skill from your birth mother's race.]

A virtual page popped up, and Dick swiftly made his choice, familiar with the process.

[Skill Acquired: Plant Growth from the Forest Elf lineage]

[Plant Growth: Wood magic allows you to summon and control seeds in the soil through a short chant, causing them to grow rapidly.]

[Your current life mission has been issued.]

Task 1 (Goblin Leader): Develop this Goblin nest into a full-fledged lair with over 20 adult Goblins and 50 younglings, ensuring a reproductive capacity for ten females.

Task 2 (Mother-Child Bond): Protect your birth mother from leaving the Goblin lair and find a suitable habitat for her, ensuring her psychological wellbeing throughout.

Dick's eyes widened in disbelief as the system presented the revised tasks. This mission diverged sharply from the usual killing evolutions he had grown accustomed to. Now, two new objectives stood before him: constructing a goblin nest and safeguarding his birth mother, guiding her to a safe haven.

Before he could ponder these tasks further, a distressing scene unfolded. His birth mother, a forest elf, was being accosted by a dark green, adult goblin. The goblin's sinister grin was disturbing as it neared the elf, whose feet were bound to a wooden stake with coarse ropes. Her eyes, once filled with despair, flickered with a faint glimmer of hope upon glimpsing her goblin child.

"My baby..."

Dick felt a surge of determination. "This must be my birth mother. I cannot stand by and let this happen," he muttered to himself.

With a swift invocation of wood magic for plant growth and grabbing a discarded bow and arrow, Dick expertly shot the adult goblin through the head. The goblin collapsed, its menacing smile replaced by the stillness of death.

"What have you done, you traitor!" the other goblins exclaimed in shock and anger, glaring at Dick with murderous intent. They couldn't believe one of their own would commit such an act. Enraged, they armed themselves with daggers, intent on killing Dick.

However, they underestimated Dick, who was now armed with multiple skills. As they charged, vines sprang from the ground, ensnaring their feet and halting their advance. This unexpected display of power left the goblins awestruck, whispering amongst themselves. They realized that Dick was no ordinary goblin, but a shaman – a being of immense magical prowess, revered and feared in equal measure.

Realizing their position, the adult goblins quickly shifted their demeanor, kneeling and paying homage to their newfound leader.

Dick, slightly taken aback but understanding the situation, turned his attention to the forest elf, his simulated birth mother, who looked at him in astonishment.

"Cover yourself," he said softly, handing her his cloak.

"Baby..." she murmured, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. Despite her weakness, she managed to kneel and embrace Dick tightly, repeating the word 'baby' over and over. It was clear the trauma inflicted by the goblins had deeply scarred her.

As Dick held her, he understood the gravity of her ordeal and resolved to heal her. Meanwhile, the goblins, still kneeling, recognized his strength and pleaded, "Great King, with your shamanic powers, lead our scattered kind to forge a mighty nest!"

Dick looked at their greedy, malevolent faces. He knew their intentions were not pure; they likely sought to exploit other races for their own gain. With a fierce snarl, he revealed his true intentions.

"I must eliminate you elders and establish a new order under my control!"