The Devouring Knight

"You did it," Skitz said first, his lips tugging into a rare warm smile. "You finally did it." His laugh came out rough but full of pride, so uncharacteristic that even the other captains raised their brows.

'They're closer than I thought,' Lumberling mused silently, watching Skitz's reaction. 'Skitz always dumps work on him, always pushes him… maybe he was preparing him all along.'

Krivex bowed his head, his voice steady. ""This step… I could never have taken it without you, my Lord."

Lumberling shook his head. "Don't get too humble now. Stepping into this stage isn't something just anyone can do. This is your achievement."

Krivex's eyes burned with quiet determination as he straightened.

Lumberling's gaze moved from Krivex to the other two.

"Prepare yourselves. You'll be taking in another."

Aren and Skarn both stepped forward, after seeing Krivix evolve, their eyes burned with resolve.

Without delay, Lumberling dragged two Quasi-Knight captives forward.

His spear pierced forward, essence flooding out. Lumberling split it with practiced control split between Aren and Skarn, guiding the streams with precise control.

Aren steadied quickly, his aura swelling like a rising tide, calm yet unstoppable. His eyes opened bright blue, a Hobgoblin Tyrant born like Krivex's.

The captains cheered, pride filling their voices. Aren gave a small, satisfied grin, rolling his shoulders as if testing his new strength.

But beside him, Skarn was still on his knees. His aura throbbed unevenly, his hands clutching his head. Sweat poured from his brow, and his growls were low and strained.

"He's hit his limit," Lumberling muttered, watching the struggle. "We'll try again next time."

But suddenly, Skarn's trembling hand shot out, gripping Lumberling's arm with surprising strength.

"My Lord… please," he rasped through clenched teeth. "Let me take another. I can endure it."

Lumberling's gaze hardened. "Skarn, listen to me. This could cost you everything. If I push more into you, you might lose yourself… you might not come back."

"I understand," Skarn forced out, his voice cracking yet firm. "Even so… I refuse to stop here. Give it to me."

For a long moment, Lumberling held his stare. He could see the fire in Skarn's eyes, burning hotter than the pain tearing his body apart. With a slow breath, he finally gave a small nod.

"…Very well. But know this, I won't be able to stop it once it starts."

Skarn's lips twisted into a grin despite the sweat and strain. "That's fine. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Lumberling gave a small nod. Then he pulled forward the last Quasi-Knight captive. With one clean strike, he ended him, channeling every drop of essence straight into Skarn.

The effect was instant. Skarn's body jerked as if struck by lightning. He bit hard into his arm to muffle his scream, but the sound still tore through. His whole frame shook violently, muscles twisting and spasming under the flood of power.

The other captains flinched, their worry plain. Some started forward on instinct.

"No one touches him," Lumberling ordered, his eyes sharp.

They froze where they stood, fists tight, hearts pounding.

Lumberling's gaze never left Skarn, his thoughts heavy.

'Hang in there, Skarn. Don't you dare lose yourself now.'

Seconds stretched into what felt like hours. Skarn's aura flared wildly, then sputtered, threatening to vanish altogether. His trembling slowed… then stopped. His body went still, slumping forward like a lifeless shell.

The air froze.

Lumberling's chest tightened. Even the other captains, hardened as they were, stared in disbelief.

"S..Skarn…" Takkar's voice shook as he reached a hand toward him, eyes wide with fear.

For that moment, the world seemed to collapse around them.

Then… Skarn's fingers twitched.

A heartbeat later, his aura erupted outward with a thunderous boom. The captains staggered under the sudden weight, their shock shifting into wide-eyed relief.

They had all thought him gone. But instead, they now witnessed something greater.

Skarn's presence surged, climbing higher, more savage than before. His arms thickened, and chest broadened. His skin darkened slightly, and faint red vein-like lines crawled beneath his arms, pulsing like fire.

At last, his eyes snapped open. A deep crimson glow burned within them.

He had reached it.

A Kobold Legionblood, born for war, standing tall at Knight First Stage.

The tension in the air broke at last. Relief washed over the captains, their shoulders loosening after the storm.

"You bastard, you almost scared us to death," Takkar said, his voice rough but lightened by a grin. Then he clapped Skarn's arm. "Congratulations, brother. You finally reached it."

Skarn managed a tired smile, but his eyes burned with pride. "Thank you. I'll be waiting for you too."

The air pulsed with the weight of three evolutions.

Lumberling allowed himself a small smile, though his voice stayed firm.

"Now… we finally stand one step higher."

The three captains stood tall before him. They bowed deeply, voices heavy with gratitude.

"Thank you, my Lord."

"We've finally crossed the line."

"We won't fail you."

Lumberling's gaze swept over them.

"Good job making it. From this battle onward, you won't just be captains, you'll be guardians. Stand tall, lead your soldiers, protect each other. From this point on, more lives rest on your shoulders."

Then Lumberling turned to the four remaining captains, Gobo1, Gobo2, Takkar, and Varn. His tone shifted. "It's an emergency right now, but we won't gamble again recklessly. Each of you will only absorb two captives each. Whether you evolve or not, we leave it there. You'll still have your chance next time."

The four exchanged glances, silent words passing between them. A quiet resolve settled, and they all gave a firm nod.

At last, Gobo1 stepped forward. He scratched the back of his neck before speaking up. "My Lord… we've already talked about this. The Knight captives, it's better if the vice-captains take them instead of us. We know it won't be enough for us to evolve. But for them, even a small rise could mean saving more lives."

Lumberling blinked, caught off guard. His expression softened as he let out a faint chuckle. "Very well."

He turned slightly. "Skitz. Call the vice-captains and sub-captains here."

Without a word, Skitz vanished into the shadows.

Moments later, he returned, and behind him came the vice-captains and the sub-captain.

Lumberling's voice cut through the air.

"Listen well. We do this quickly since time isn't on our side. We'll begin the essence transfer now. Vice-captains, Trask, step forward."

They obeyed at once, their faces tense, hearts pounding. Again, Lumberling's spear flashed, ending the eight Knight Apprentices one after another, guiding the fading essence into them.

The vice-captains stepped forward, their jaws tight with resolve. As the essence poured into them, their bodies convulsed under the strain. Veins bulged, teeth clenched, and guttural growls rumbled from their throats.

For a moment, it looked as if they might collapse, but then their breathing steadied. The chaos within them calmed, their auras settling into something sharper and heavier.

Gorrak, Vrak, and Rogar were the first to step forward. Once Hobgoblin Warlords, now they carried themselves with new weight. From Hobgoblin Warlords, they had risen into Hobgoblin Warmarch, beings who now carried the weight of Quasi-Knight strength.