NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Kalia
The panel floated over my claw. Meanwhile, Val kept talking about something, but I barely heard him.
I was too busy watching the runes shift and rearrange themselves.
When it stubbornly refused to vanish, I jabbed it with a claw. The thing reacted like I'd startled it.
A line popped up:
[System Tutorial Available Open?]
I rolled my eyes. "Finally."
I hesitated before hitting yes, mainly because I was afraid that this "tutorial" would involve some monster fighting.
Instead, the system reacted instantly, its voice neutral and almost bored:
[Delivery System: Explanation Mode Activated]
Great, a talking system.
[This system's focus is delivery. The user will receive quests primarily related to transporting goods, items, or resources.]
"So I'm a delivery kobold now," I exhaled. "You know it's not a bad job at all, especially with the market right now."
Val looked at me. "What?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
The system ignored us and continued:
[Current range: Local World Only
Future range: Multiversal Delivery once the user reaches required strength]
My steps slowed, the sense of crisis building slowly in me.
"…Multiversal? Like… other worlds?"
"No way! What if I went to an eldritch reality, or even worse, a world filled with spiders," I screamed internally.
I've hated spiders since I was a little kid, mainly because they have too many hairy limbs and eyes.
[Correct], the system said in a non-negotiable tone.
Okay, I had to admit that part was cool.
Like, imagine going to a world with only women and though, who knows, maybe some girls are into fluffy guys.
"Alright system, you've managed to convince me here."
The system didn't reply and continued.
[Receivers may rate your service. The higher ratings increase the quality of rewards.]
"Ratings, huh" I said with a sigh.
Honestly, I hated being rated, mainly because I hated that some shiny stars would define my worth.
[Some deliveries have no deadline, such as your current quest. However, special deliveries may require completion within a time limit.]
We left the forest and walked out to an open field.
A large camp appeared, wide, bustling with all kinds of sounds.
Small kobolds chased each other between tents. Playing what I think is hide and seek?
Meanwhile, adults were sharpening weapons and chatting in groups about their recent hunts.
"Man, it feels warm here" I said, Even though they were monsters, they acted like one big family
My chest tightened for a moment. Ragnar must've had deep memories in this place.
Val walked ahead proudly, waving his massive arm at the adults.
"We're back!"
A few kobolds turned their heads. When they saw us walking towards them, their expressions became bright.
"At least the brat didn't become wolf food…" they said, laughing it off. I know they didn't mean it, because here, in the kobold community we all cared about each other.
I smirked. "Thanks for searching for me."
Meanwhile, at the entrance, stood the kobold chief, an old kobold with deep scars on his nose and dark brown fur.
Beside him stood his wife Kalia, the tribe healer. She was a young 30 year old woman, and beside her stood her daughter, Sarah.
The wife rushed towards me, checking my body for any oblivious wounds.
Her reaction was understandable, the original Ragnar was always the quiet and polite kid, which made him likable by many in the tribe.
And the one who liked him the most was the chief's wife, because of an accident in the past.
One time, Sarah fell for a grave illness, and needed a cure.
That cure could only be made using a herb that grew in dangerous cliffs.
Ragnar, hearing that, didn't hesitate even once and rushed to get it for her. After three days, he finally came back with the herb.
Since then, she always liked Ragnar's kindness and self-sacrificing nature.
"Ragnar, dear, are you alright?" Kalia asked, brushing her hands against my fur. It was both soft and warm.
I had to focus and keep my eyes on her face. She was… well, hot for a kobold.
She clearly liked me too and gave me green signs many times.
You see, in this world, kobolds were open-minded about their needs.
Plus, her feelings for me had been accumulating since I was a little kid, bound to burst at some point.
Then I looked at her. Kalia had a curvy body, tight cloth wrapped around her chest and hips, and her skirt was so short that it barely covered her ass cheeks.
I made a promise to myself. Once I evolve, I'll finally approach her properly, and see what happens.
"But for now, let's stay calm" I mumbled to myself.
She looked back at me, the same way a woman would look at a man and said.
"I heard you went missing last night," she said. "We were worried. We thought something might have happened."
I nodded calmly. "I'm fine. Just… lost my way back to the tribe."
Her daughter stood behind us, her arms crossed.
She had sharper features than her mother.
Her body was fiery, with a slim waist coupled with wide hips. She gave a model vibe.
Sarah stared at me. "You shouldn't walk alone at night."
I shrugged, my shoulders relaxing. "I've learned that the hard way."
The chief watched us with a stern face. "Good. As long as you're alive. Go rest. Kalia will come to you and check your wounds."
The moment those words fell, I saw Kalia smiling at me.
But before she could say something, Val walked past her, and pulled me with him.
After walking for a good time, we reached an old hut, which was our home.
Inside, a kobold woman sat at the wooden chair, peeling onions while sniffing.
She was our aunty, not a blood relative, but a kobold who took care of us after our parents death.
She had a gentle look with a softer expression. Not flashy like Kalia, but comforting in a warm way.
She sat there on a chair, and I could tell she had wide hips from the way her flesh spilled out from both sides of the chair.
Her eyes locked on me, she shouted, "Ragnar! You came back!"
I didn't wait for her to stand up, and walked towards her, pulling her to a tight hug.
"I'm fine, Nothing happened" I whispered in her ears.
Her arms wrapped around me in return, squeezing me gently.
"You scared me," she mumbled.
I pulled away and sat down, my eyes darting towards the floating system panel.
The quest was still the same one from before:
Deliver 30 Valva to the Goblin Clan.
But something caught my attention, a new line at the bottom. So I pressed it:
[Items Prepared: 30 Valva]
Makes sense. I can't deliver something I don't have.
As for the way of delivering to them… I know someone who can help me.
Aria, the goblin chief's daughter, a mighty female warrior with a renowned reputation.
She was responsible for the negotiations department in the goblin clan.
Once she hears about my plan, I know for sure she will accept.
I leaned my back on the wall, my claws tapping the table rhythmically.
Val looked at me. "What are you thinking brother?"
I smirked slightly, "A plan to change our lives"
My eyes slowly drifted outside the window, toward the dense trees. The goblin village was a little far, with a river separating our two tribes.
After moments of gazing, I muttered, "Hmm, decent plan," I was convinced my plan was bulletproof.
But little did I know, Aria's reaction would be totally different.