## Chapter 3 – The First Growth
The forest had become quiet again.
Too quiet.
Ronan stood among the corpses of the goblins, his chest slowly rising and falling as he caught his breath. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the damp smell of soil and leaves.
Moonlight filtered weakly through the thick canopy above, casting pale shadows across the battlefield.
Seven goblins.
All dead.
Just a few minutes ago, they had surrounded him like hungry wolves.
Now their bodies lay scattered across the forest floor.
Ronan looked down at his hands.
They were trembling slightly.
Not from fear.
From excitement.
Then—
**DING.**
The cold mechanical sound echoed once again inside his mind.
Dark particles slowly rose from the fallen goblins like drifting smoke.
Seven streams of shadowy energy floated through the air before rushing directly toward Ronan.
The moment they entered his body—
A surge of warmth exploded through his muscles.
Ronan gasped quietly.
His heartbeat accelerated as power spread through his entire body.
It felt as if his muscles were being tightened and reinforced from the inside.
The system voice spoke again.
**[Weak Assimilation Activated.]**
**[Goblin Bloodline Trait Strengthened.]**
**[Physical Strength Increased.]**
**[Agility Increased.]**
**[Endurance Increased.]**
The warmth slowly faded, but the changes remained.
Ronan flexed his fingers slowly.
His grip tightened around the metal pipe.
Stronger.
He could clearly feel it now.
This wasn't imagination.
His strength had genuinely increased.
And not by a tiny amount either.
Ronan swung the metal pipe through the air.
Whoosh.
The sound cut sharply through the silent forest.
His movements were noticeably faster than before.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So it really stacks…"
Most people would have laughed at the name **Weak Assimilation**.
It sounded useless.
Pathetic even.
But Ronan now understood something important.
The ability itself wasn't weak.
It simply started weak.
And unlike other talents…
It had no obvious limit.
Every monster he killed could potentially make him stronger.
His eyes slowly moved toward the pile of goblin bodies.
Seven monsters.
Seven upgrades.
If he kept going…
Just how strong could he become?
The thought made Ronan's heart beat faster.
But before he could think further—
Rustle.
Ronan's head snapped toward the bushes nearby.
His grip on the pipe tightened instantly.
The forest had become quiet after the fight, but now something was moving again.
Another rustle.
Leaves shifted.
Branches snapped softly.
Something was approaching.
Ronan slowly stepped backward, positioning himself between two thick trees.
Better defense.
Better visibility.
He waited.
Seconds passed.
Then—
A small green head peeked out from the bushes.
A goblin.
But it wasn't alone.
Another goblin appeared beside it.
Then another.
Three.
Four.
Five.
More creatures slowly crawled out of the shadows.
Their yellow eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
Ronan's expression hardened.
This group looked slightly different from the previous ones.
Their bodies were larger.
More muscular.
And some of them carried crude iron weapons instead of stone tools.
One of them stepped forward.
The creature was noticeably bigger than the others.
Its shoulders were broad and its skin carried several old scars.
In its hand was a rusty iron sword.
A Goblin Warrior.
The monster sniffed the air.
Then its eyes landed on the dead goblins scattered around Ronan.
Its lips curled back, revealing crooked yellow teeth.
The creature let out a furious screech.
"SKREEEEE!"
The other goblins responded immediately.
"SKREEE!"
"SKREEE!"
Their eyes turned toward Ronan.
Murderous intent filled the air.
Ronan slowly exhaled.
Six goblins.
One stronger than the rest.
Dangerous.
But not impossible.
He rolled his shoulders slightly.
His muscles felt lighter than before.
Faster.
Stronger.
This fight would test his new power.
The Goblin Warrior raised its sword.
Then it charged.
The other goblins rushed forward with it.
Ronan didn't wait.
He moved first.
His body dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant.
CRACK!
The metal pipe smashed into the first goblin's skull before it could react.
The creature collapsed instantly.
But the others kept coming.
A goblin lunged from the left.
Ronan twisted his body and kicked it in the chest.
THUD.
The monster flew backward and crashed into a tree.
Another goblin jumped toward his back.
Ronan ducked low.
The creature flew over him.
Before it could recover—
CRACK!
The pipe crushed its ribs.
The goblin screamed before collapsing.
Three down.
But the Goblin Warrior had arrived.
The creature swung its rusty sword downward with brutal force.
Ronan jumped backward.
The blade slashed through the air, barely missing him.
"Fast…"
The goblin attacked again.
This time with a horizontal slash.
Ronan stepped inside the attack range.
Then—
CRACK!
The metal pipe slammed into the monster's forearm.
A loud crack echoed through the forest.
The Goblin Warrior howled in pain as its arm bent unnaturally.
But it didn't fall.
Instead, it roared and charged again.
Ronan's eyes narrowed.
"Persistent."
He waited.
The goblin raised its sword again.
That was the moment.
Ronan stepped forward.
Then he swung with everything he had.
CRACK!
The metal pipe smashed directly into the monster's temple.
The Goblin Warrior staggered.
But it was still standing.
Ronan didn't hesitate.
He swung again.
CRACK!
This time the skull shattered.
The large goblin collapsed heavily onto the ground.
Silence returned.
The remaining goblins hesitated for a moment.
Fear appeared in their yellow eyes.
Then—
They turned and ran.
Ronan didn't chase them.
Instead he stood still, watching their retreating figures disappear into the darkness.
Then—
**DING.**
Dark particles once again rose from the corpses.
The energy streams rushed into Ronan's body.
The warmth returned.
Stronger than before.
The system voice echoed inside his mind.
**[Goblin Bloodline Trait Strengthened.]**
**[Physical Strength Increased.]**
**[Agility Increased.]**
**[Endurance Increased.]**
Ronan slowly inhaled.
His muscles felt incredibly alive now.
The difference compared to earlier was enormous.
He looked at his hands again.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Interesting…"
But just as he was about to move—
A distant roar echoed through the forest.
It was deeper than any goblin's voice.
Much deeper.
Ronan froze.
The sound came from far deeper within the dungeon zone.
Then the ground trembled slightly.
Ronan's expression slowly changed.
Because whatever made that sound…
Was much bigger than a goblin.
And it was coming closer.
Ronan tightened his grip on the metal pipe.
His eyes turned toward the darkness between the trees.
Something was approaching.
And for the first time tonight—
Ronan felt real danger.
But instead of fear…
Excitement slowly spread across his face.
"Perfect."
If goblins could make him stronger…
Then what about something bigger?
The forest suddenly became silent again.
Then heavy footsteps echoed in the darkness.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Something enormous was walking toward him.
And within seconds…
It would step into the moonlight.
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