Part-1 “A Wild Demon Lord Appears”
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84LZAcXrY1
We reach a staircase leading up into the forge. Warzheil motions for me to follow, and we emerge into a dimly lit hallway. The forge is alive with activity—goblins hammering away at crude weapons, their guttural voices echoing through the corridors.
“You go to the third-to-last room from here,” Warzheil instructs. “I’ll gather the materials we need. Meet me back in five minutes. The longer we stay, the riskier it gets.”
We separate, and I make my way to the storeroom. I slowly open the door, revealing a dark, dusty interior. I close the door behind me and use the tip of my spear as a makeshift torch. Time is of the essence.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy8JUgm5cW
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmtTwLzxNC
“Boy this place is filled with webs bigger than my spear.” Just as I whisper this, a big spider falls on my left arm which reminds me of Geolard so I flinch and l lose balance trying to get it off me. Just before I fell on things and made a ruckus, I use the spear as a support to steady myself.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDVFrVrJR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzgmZCEqo7
God that could have been a disaster, imagine an army of goblins waiting for me outside the room if I fell. A chill runs down my spine when I run stimulations of possible events in my head.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMhAYtoyx9
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuiqsxSe8x
I spot small pockets similar to Warzheil’s and test one. It can store anything!267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh0ILtzyfr
“Jackpot!”
I think probably grinning like a madman too.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WARmzBh7D
But just when I was getting happy, a strange T symbol burned on the pockets, and then the pockets turned into light and went straight into my right eye.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M2eAlXtkv
“What?”
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYrADTqLPV
I ask almost hitting against a big mannequin dawning a full armour.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYyT6hgAmL
I Quickly grab it before it fell.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsct3XFniE
Last thing I want is Warzheil laughing at me on being a sloppy assassin.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIXnDXbv0I
“But if the pockets went into my eye, doesn’t that mean….” I think as I reach out my hand toward the mannequin, and surely enough it vanishes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrLIITBQaj
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH8eOlbi3s
I almost reach out my arm again to try takin git back out but realise that if it fell and made a sound I can be a goner. So I leave the testing for later.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLVhEO9TMu
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgsDgci6ML
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn2pfdj2Id
Finally, I spot a plain-looking tome with a symbol resembling my eye etched on the cover I take out the book I had from before and they both resemble each other, suddenly the books starts to pull towards each other and combine into one big book. This day and my abilities are getting questionable by the minute.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYsynRSlcL
The book glows faintly. Some of its previously inaccessible pages now shimmer with visible text, still written in Sanskrit. It feels as though the book has unlocked another layer of itself. But I have already wasted enough time, so I focus on the book and it vanishes too, possibly stored in the pocket that went into my right eye.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xDAS15G5a
Still Curious, I glance at my plasma spear. The same ‘T’ symbol burns onto its surface, and the weapon begins to hum with newfound energy.
“What is this power?” I whisper, feeling a mixture of awe and unease as the reality of my strange abilities sinks in.
Wow, I really need a guide on what my powers are.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy7gWmneKk
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsi2n4zK2L
I start Using my storage ability to make more weapons and things vanish, and since I cannot use my spear here, I vanish it too, instead taking two daggers. Just as I finish, the sound of heavy footsteps outside sends me ducking behind a crate. A group of goblins trudges past, their guttural voices echoing through the storeroom like low growls.
“Why… why us guard?” one of them grunts, its words slow and clipped. “King feast and mock lich. We... stuck here. Always us!”
“Quiet,” another growls, its deeper voice laced with irritation. “Better here... than surface. Goruk’s group… dead! Blade—bright… cut through!”
“Hah! Stupid humans,” the third one sneers, its voice rough and raspy. “Blade… no help. Smash skull, they die… all same.”
The deep-voiced one lets out a low rumble. “Champion say... mana-less freak… strong. Near river. Kill goblins. No magic… still kill. Weaklings!...Lich say”
The first one snorts, baring jagged teeth. “Mana-less? Bah. Lie! Goblins dumb. Always fall easy!”
“Gut them!” the raspy one barks, slamming its fist into its open palm. “No talk. No fight. Just gut!”
“Enough!” the deep-voiced one snaps, its tone sharp. “Dwarf first. If no answers... champion feed us to king. Now move!”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnRfrvIxmv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcajJzq7dM
“Wait, Dwarf? That old man just can’t sit still for once, huh?” I think as I fear that Warzheil is captured.
I try my best to stay low, letting them pass before silently following them down the dimly lit hallway. Every shadow, every faint noise puts me on edge, but my movements are deliberate—silent, efficient, trying to recall the days of my prime.
As I trail the hobgoblins, a smaller goblin rounds a corner ahead, its crooked form carrying a crude axe. It pauses mid-step, its nose twitching furiously as it sniffs the air, almost like it’s caught my scent. Blood would be a dead giveaway to the hobgoblins, and I can’t risk alerting them.
Before it can react, I dart forward, swift and silent. My hand clamps over its mouth to muffle any noise I wait for the hobs to make some distance and notice them taking a turn in the corridor, I use my strength to restrict the goblin’s movement, as they turn I twist the goblin’s neck sharply. The sickening crack echoes briefly in the silence, and the its body goes limp in my grasp. I carefully lower it to the ground, ensuring no sound escapes to betray my position.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHlrtK73HL
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGi56SYNcU
The faint twitch of the goblin’s nose stops as its life fades.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7a59IX6Fx
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUImi3Vc6h
Leaving no trace of blood that might draw attention Spilling blood right now will only alert the goblins, but maybe I can use that for my advantage.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQWkVwkBkg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRtPk1Ysi9
I glance down the corridor, ears sharp for any sign of movement, before slipping back into the shadows to continue my pursuit.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K3zoLlwKg
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUpt0jXvgQ
I take a few breaths to reset my hormones to not go crazy from the disgusting smell of these filthy goblins.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYaxuflVEI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqCA2cP89e
Slip into a darker alcove as another goblin stumbles out of a side room, scratching its head and muttering to itself.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zVbDHSKAH
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqCrJQlb6o
Its mismatched Armor clinks with every step.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRca5d7cfA
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPL5vxhEGV
Without hesitation, I grab a nearby metal shard, hurling it with precision.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh84yv4eto9
The shard strikes its temple, the goblin collapsing in a heap.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHIV5Rs4eN
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoivjVLyBj7
I move quickly to drag its body into the shadows,267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB3Wc2WDy5
ensuring no trace of my presence is left behind.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFurGKmHJU5
Two more goblins come patrolling as I reach the turn in the corridor, their guttural chatter filling the air.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALVTDruJkR
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRztEEsnnMr
I scale the wall, finding handholds in the rough stone, and perch above them. As they pass below me,267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9E2pEy2GM
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzQOIwEdgy
I drop down, driving the daggers through the back of one while snapping the neck of the other with my free hand.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakOg1mL2i3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYJj3Fvfrx
The entire encounter took only seconds.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziuFwOvBVU
Silent. Deadly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ545VcSJVv2
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8tuqXKEn2
Soon they will surely notice the smell of blood,267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XhkWfz4Qo
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ysoEG7p9M
We need to make our exit before that happens,267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfQqWgpiP3
it’s all that Oldman’s fault, getting caught in such dire mission.
Every action I take is calculated, born from years of training and practice.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkWAeSacuT
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjZxJRPOI2
My hitman instincts kick in, the familiar rhythm of combat flowing effortlessly.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FSUs1ywec
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XBydQoqrk
Hit hard. Hit fast. Leave nothing behind.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXAjJt9M7g
There are many rooms in the corridor, I use my ears as if focusing them as I try to assess the sounds from each door I pass.
By the time I reach the rooms where 4 hobgoblins have Warzheil, no trace of the goblins I’ve eliminated remains.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWF1UsPR9e
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10tCTZOuP9
Their bodies are hidden, their deaths quick and unceremonious. I steady my breathing, preparing for the next move.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVx1YtEswf
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SxQMX9VTX
I find the room where Warzheil is captured and put on my mask to hide the glow from my left eye to avoid getting caught as the room is very dimly lit.
The hobgoblins’ guttural voices reach my ears, their threats loud and raw. I peer into the room, assessing the scene and waiting for the perfect moment to Slide in as I use my knife to loosen the hinges, yet they make some sound, one of the Hobs look back over his shoulder but I slide into the shadows into few barrels near there using my suit’s anti-light property.
Warzheil glares at the hobgoblins, his voice steady despite the danger. “You lot talk too much. Poor bastards, normally you would just kill your victim, but since your king told you not to, you are stuck doing torture, something which you don’t know shit about.”
As he says this, his eyes flicker to the shadowed corner of the doorway, just for an instant. It’s subtle, almost imperceptible, but it’s enough to let me know he’s seen me.
A grin spreads across his face, slow and deliberate, his entire demeanour shifting. The tension in his shoulders eases, and he leans back in the chair as if he’s entirely unbothered by the three hulking figures surrounding him.
The largest hob narrows its eyes, confused by the sudden change in the dwarf’s attitude. “Why you smirk, daarf? You think pain funny? We kill, we powerful” he says as he flex his muscles.
Warzheil chuckles, his confidence growing. “Since, you fools are such bad torturers, I tell you this, I did not come here alone. I have a friend who will soon come and save me.”
The first hob snarls, its claws flexing. “Lies! No one coming for you. You alone!”
The second hob glances at the doorway, suspicion creeping into its tone. “Why you so calm? You think you escape? We capture your friend too. Eat him infront of you. Haha, Oguda, king tell, one more with the dwaaf.” He orders a hobgoblin to leave.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FU24Ybkyy
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WtVoP2h1H
I thought I would get captured, but thank fully night is already around the horizon, and with darkness, their sight is as good as gone, at least that’s the only reason I can find, why else would he not see me.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdo3eoiwkG
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQCbXFFZZ
Warzheil’s grin deepens, and he leans forward slightly, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Escape? Who said anything about me escaping? I’m right where I need to be. It’s you three who should be looking over your shoulders.”
The hobs exchange uneasy glances, their earlier bravado faltering.
The third hob growls, its voice tinged with nervousness. “What you mean? No one here. You bluff, dwarf. I break your arm!” one of the hob gets furious and moves toward Warzheil.
Warzheil seem awestruck by how well I am hidden in plain sight, It took me years to get so good at this. And my suit has light cancelling features, although it is torn from some parts, its enough to be better hidden in dark. I can completely erase my presence despite being in plain view, all it requires is controlled breathing of 2 breaths per minute. The lack of mana gives me an edge, but even without this advantage, I am confident in my mastery of stealth and positioning. But I can’t let the hob goblin do as he wants.
The hobs, oblivious of their impending deaths, continue their threats.
Warzheil smirks. “Oh, he’s here. You’re just too dumb to see him.”
As the hobgoblins scan the room in panic, I take the right moment to strikes.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiMYh80Izn
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejdSXOckQE
From Warzheil’s perspective, Ronin moves like a shadow given form, using daggers like a seasoned fighter, The first hob barely has time to gasp before the silver lining of blade pierces its head, cutting cleanly through skin and bone. The creature crumples to the floor in an instant, lifeless.
The second hob turns with a guttural roar, its crude axe raised to strike. But Ronin is faster. His hand arcs upward in a controlled, deadly sweep, severing the axe and slashing deep into the hob’s throat. Blood sprays across the dimly lit room as the hob collapses, clutching at its neck.
The third hob, the largest of the group, stumbles backward, its wide, bloodshot eyes darting between Ronin and Warzheil. “How…? No mana! What are you?” it snarls, desperation tainting its voice.
Its gaze locks onto Ronin’s figure, Then, as if a realization dawns, its expression twists into something between fear and rage. “No… You… You’re him!” the hob growls, its voice trembling. “The mana-less freak! The one the champion spoke of!”
Ronin remains silent, as he takes a measured step forward. The hob’s grip on its weapon falters, and it stumbles again, nearly tripping over the body of its fallen companion.
“They said you… impossible to sense,” the hob continues, its words spilling out in a frantic rush. “Kill squads wiped out. Champion says you ghost… a shadow with no mana, no scent, no fear!”
Warzheil, now freed, glances at Ronin with a raised eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Sounds like you’re getting quite the reputation, lad.”
The hob snarls, backing toward the wall as its trembling hands raise its weapon in a feeble attempt at defence. “Stay back! Champion will crush you! You not a god, just flesh and bone! Just a human!”
Ronin’s expression remains unreadable as he moves in. “And you talk too much,” I say Thinking what to say to Warzheil about getting captured.
Before the hob can react, I thrusts forward, one dagger piercing its chest another in its head in one clean motion. The creature’s eyes widen in shock, its weapon slipping from its grasp as it collapses to the ground, lifeless.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXM1tFzXEn
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHg2wyBLOD
“Tch, I don’t like daggers, their reach is so limited.” I say as I throw them away and close my eye to summon a different spear, which magically appears out of one of the weapons I put in my eye!
Warzheil is shocked beyond belief. “What did you do Lad? What was that just now?” he ask267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsPr4enVQ3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wjfATaSLz
“A trick I learned a few minutes ago.”
Ronin glances at the dwarf, his expression calm but his voice carrying a hint of dry humour. “You are lame for getting your as captured by them and expecting me to save you know that Oldman, this was supposed to be a clean infiltration.”
Warzheil smirks, picking up his hammer from the corner of the room. “I gave you perfect chance to show of those assassin skills of your, didn’t I?”267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJQsyMhPz3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0hO7yueXm
Suddenly there is a big ruckus In the hallway.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgW2BHBSdx
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU1ZAm0IZG
“Let’s chat later. We need to get out fast.” I say as I signal Warzheil to hop on my back.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAnSFIir2p
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW39065cMz
“Ugh… next time you tell me I am slow, I will smash a hammer in your face.” He says as he hops on my back.
“Fine, now tell me where to go as I run.” I reply.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4PwTY9mNF
“Did you see a book in there?, I was supposed to give it to you, Drax said it’s the 2nd half of a book he made.” Warzheil asks267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvTw7lbWI3
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsnYHijnmV
“It’s well…. Technically I did get it. But first lets get out of here.” I say with an awkward tone which raises questions in Warzheil but the doesn’t speak anymore about the book.
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1iDswxfL8
I see the parameter in the hallway, there are normal goblins in the way I came from but thankfully we don’t need to go that way as the sewer connects to a passage to the opposite side too.
As I run in the opposite direction of where we can from in the hallway, a humanoid figure shrouded in black and red aura approaches us.
“R-run! Run, Ronin, as fast as you can! That’s the Devil,” Warzheil warns.
I start running faster toward the underground passage, but the demon lord speeds up as well. It seems we’ll intersect at the passage based on our speeds.
As we close in, the demon lord summons a demonic claw made of dark energy. I dodge it and use the opportunity to strike at his legs while dodging using my the temporary spear I summoned. The old man joins in, using his lightning to strike the demon lord’s backside.
“Take that, you demonic Son of a Witch! Heehaw!” Warzheil exclaims.
“Hey, what am I, a horse to you?!” I retort.
But something’s off. I can see the demon lord’s skeleton, so, I close my right eye, it turns out to be the lich.
“I don’t understand. From what I know, he was supposed to be in the demon castle right now,” Warzheil says, confused.
“Hey, calm down. It’s not the demon lord; it’s the lich disguised as the demon lord,” I explain.
“What? How are you… don’t tell me your eye can see through illusions too?” Warzheil asks, surprised.
“I just discovered it myself. The lich can’t catch up with my speed without his dragon, I think we can escape.”
“You are out of this world, lad.” He comments
“You are spot on” I say as adrenaline rushes and I sped up.
As we make our escape, I notice a giant goblin, almost three times my size, approaching us. I react instinctively, using all my strength to block the goblin’s attack. The impact sends us flying into a horde of goblins. I hit Warzheil’s left foot as I fall with him on my back.
The attack fractures my hand, but I heal quickly. I pick up Warzheil and run over the goblin’s head, which is coming towards us.
I summon some daggers and throw them at the brute’s eyes. Which he grabs but at least we can escape.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbdUnEKdNI
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcz5851vy0
“You think I twisted my left foot? It’s killing me,” Warzheil says, wincing in pain.
“Its not severe, right?” I ask.
“Don’t sweat it; I would rather not take a direct hit from a champion goblin.” Warzheil says, chuckling.
“So that was a Champion huh? I still feel slight tingling in my arms, if it wasn’t for my healing, I would have been done for.” I say “Have you fought them before?” I ask.
“Well when I was younger and still traveling through different lands, still learning things, I did fight 3 of them, I got few minor fractures at that time. But won.” Warzheil replies, grinning.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ100PniAP30
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5I69YHzV8
“And you got captured by Hob goblins huh?” I ask267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBJmwCa8j4
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAIY7rlcyM
“I have my reasons ,Lad. But after we get out of here you must tell me about your new abilities, ok?” he asks267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz8W0KPgdw
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzeqBYF8Mx
“I can only tell you what I know. But in return you must tell me about your travels and reason for getting captured.” I say267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOesgYvQknd
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4MbVnqC8p
“I will take you up on that trade, lad.” He replies267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6DKFAGkBv
267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDowrR4byWd
As I run, I hear a whistling sound above us, but there’s nothing there. I feel like something is wrong. The riddle said, that the night is threatening while specifying me, but I don’t see anything threatening to great extent or something that I would consider a threat, I might just be over reacting, but I have a bad feeling about this.
Dear Reader, be kind enough to leave a comment in the chapter about it, as it inspires me to keep improving and doing better. And like if you enjoyed this chapter.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwmeB61LYb
It hardly takes a few seconds to write "Good", but it boosts the confidence of us authors.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ752iiRmjya
;)267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CPsvJFzVe
Join my Discord server If you want sneak peeks or early access to chapters of Cosmeta series. Discord Server link: http://discord.gg/Q27uA8vnfu267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSdWm0ESzI
Dive into hot discussions with the creator, meet fellow story fans. Theory crafting, story creation, all sorts of things.267Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVkQoNQUG1
