NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Discussing With the Muge.
(Celia’s POV)
Muge, despite looking like a humanoid animal, was very sensible. That is to say, his intelligence wasn’t any less than that of a human. It would seem that I was somewhat wrong about this race…
Muge: “So… they are arrogant because they were once at least Gods and Goddesses?” He said with a thinking pose.
Celia: “That’s right. I, myself, was a Supreme Goddess. Most of them have lived for thousands, if not millions, of years with their power. Now, being a weak human due to the game, their arrogance is understandable.” I explain in reply.
Prior to the game, I didn’t become a Highest Goddess. The reason was simple, and not because I couldn’t get any more EXP to level up. Instead, it was due to our insider knowledge. Highest Gods and Goddess, and beings higher than them not living in Home, were decently rare.
As such, to keep the game fair, such beings were placed in their own bracket. This would have been a major disadvantage to me, so I didn’t evolve. Though, this meant that Ria and Zia were on their own…
Muge: “Interesting… Little cub, what is your name?” He asked.
Celia: “Celia.” I answer.
Muge: “Well, Celia. My group was currently leading you into a trap, but my mood was too curious to let you just die… Anyway, you can go.” He replied, waving his hands, which signaled to his men to disperse.
Celia: “You’re just going to let me leave?” I reply with a raised eyebrow.
Muge: “Of course! You’ve given me some great information, after all. Some might have a good head on their shoulders, such as you. But most will be like headless chickens. With this newfound knowledge, I will be taking advantage of it to the fullest. Who doesn’t like a free meal?” He answered, soon walking away.
Celia: “…”
Muge: “Oh, and, Celia. Do be aware. This forest might be mine, but just two miles away, in any direction, is the territory of another Kobold tribe.” He informed before vanishing.
I was thankful for his information, so I bowed in his direction. He told me two very useful things. One, their kind does like to trap their prey. And two, there was another tribe in this forest. With some information, I decided to climb up a tree.
The trees of this forest weren’t that tall, but there were a few taller ones. Getting on top of the tallest one near me, I then surveyed my surroundings. To my east was a large mountain range, and to my west was another large forest. Looking for a while, I got a glimpse of a decently sized fortress with walls that seemed to go on further, to the north.
Celia: “That might be my best bet…” I say to no one at all.
On top of that, it was to the left of the way that Muge’s tribe was leading me to. This meant that I was, hopefully, less likely to run into any of their traps. With a nod to no one, I jumped down from the tree, and then I went on my merry way.
Lots of Walking Later.
By now, I was starting to get hungry… I did run earlier in a way that didn’t use much energy, and fast enough to outpace the Kobolds, but energy was still spent to do that. As such, my hunger was now apparent to me. I had no food or water, though…
Whistle!
Dodging my head to the left, a spear had passed by it. I dodged more than quickly enough, so I didn’t get hurt by the spear at all. Who is it this time? Soon, more Kobolds had appeared before me.
The fur was different, though. With Muge’s tribe being red, this tribe was blue. How original… Shit… Did I accidentally wonder into the other tribe’s area without realizing it!?
Like with Muge’s group, I can only assume that Kobolds hunt in packs of ten. With grunts, and then one leader to order the pack around. Once more, I ran away without fighting. I could possibly win in a fight, but I really wasn’t going to take such a chance. That is, unless I was forced to do so…
Enough Running to Make Me Starving, Later!
Unlike Muge’s tribe, this one was led by someone that didn’t care about his curiosity. Instead, they ran after me, seemingly not even enjoying the hunt much. My speed was hampered a bit, as they would throw their spears at me, which I had to dodge in time.
Some would speed up ahead of me, blocking my path, and requiring me to block their attacks with my wimpy beginner’s sword. Thankfully, my training paid off many times. I was chased and endlessly attacked, but not a single mark landed on me, with my body being perfectly uninjured.
Celia: “…”
Truthfully, the most annoying thing… was how I was sweating up a storm. Which is something that I didn’t notice before, but it would seem that higher beings do not easily sweat. This must be the first time I’ve sweated in countless years…
Blue Kobold Leader: “The human cub is getting tired… keep up the chase!” He ordered with a loud tone.
His words would make one assume that their only plan was this. But it wasn’t. In truth, I could tell that, similar to Muge’s hunting style, they were leading me in a certain direction. This knowledge was an advantage that I shouldn’t reveal yet.
Celia: “Why even continue to hunt me!? I am so skinny… I won’t be a decent meal in the least!” I exclaimed while still running in the direction that they’re tricking me into.
Blue Kobold Leader: “Your meat is useless, but some silly human noble will surely pay a high amount for ownership of you!” He said with a disgusting tone.
Ah, so, unlike Muge, this dude was involved in the slave trade? Perhaps I was being overconfident, and they weren’t actually trying to kill me? Regardless of what was the truth, I kept running, and running.
Drop!
Blue Kobold Leader: “Nooooooo! This woman will be worth so much!! Someone save her!!!” He ordered with a worried tone.
Minutes Later, I had gotten to a place where the ground fell out from under me. The leader had screamed in shock, definitely not wanting such a high quality human to be wasted like this. Why? Because in this pit… was a countless number of sharp, wooden spikes…