Goblin King: My Innate Skill Is OP

”CHIEF!”

Zarah yelled as she burst into the room, but her eyes barely caught a glimpse of Eli before he vanished with a scream.

Her heart skipped a beat.

What the hell just happened?

Earlier, the clan had spotted a troop of twenty to thirty goblins from a neighboring tribe heading toward their cave. If they were found, there was no doubt they would be attacked. Their food would be stolen, and they’d be taken as slaves.

She had come to warn Eli—but now he was gone.

Zarah scanned the empty space, tense and uncertain. Something felt off. She hesitated, then turned back toward the gathering, where the rest of the goblins were already chattering nervously.

”Where is Totem?” Narg asked.

”Didn’t you wake him up?” Flogga added. ”Where is he?”

Zarah shook her head.

Everyone turned to her, expecting an answer.

”He disappeared all of a sudden,” she said. ”I don’t know where he went.”

”He disappeared? Why would he disappear?” Flogga asked, frowning.

”I don’t know,” Zarah replied, sounding defeated.

Narg headed to the room to check, returning moments later with the same confused expression.

”Maybe he went to face them?” Zzok suggested.

”He’s been asleep since he got back from killing the Mooncat,” Zarah said. ”I doubt he even knows what’s going on.”

Then, after a moment’s pause, she added, ”I think it has something to do with his abilities. The way he vanished—it was different.”

He didn’t usually scream or react when he disappeared. This time felt... unnatural.

”But what do we do now? We need him here,” Narg said.

”Are we sure he hasn’t gone to face them?” Zzok asked again.

”We can’t be sure,” Flogga said grimly.

”I’ll go confirm,” Zarah offered.

Without waiting for approval, she hurried out.

Flogga opened her mouth to stop her, to suggest someone else go instead—but she stopped herself. Zarah was the fastest and most agile among them. If anyone could scout and make it back alive, it was her.

The young troll Eli had rescued began to follow, but Zarah held up her hand.

”Stay. I’ll be back,” she said, patting its head before leaving.

...

Zarah returned minutes later, her expression grim. It was worse than she expected.

There were at least twenty-five to thirty goblins—not counting the two large hounds they had with them. Their leader carried a staff and radiated an eerie, oppressive energy.

A shaman.

If they fought... they didn’t stand a chance.

”What did you see?” Flogga asked.

Zarah spoke quickly. ”He’s not there. And the enemy is getting close!”

Panic erupted among the goblins.

”That’s bad,” someone muttered.

”Maybe they won’t find us,” Thok suggested. ”They could just pass by.”

”No. They’ll find us,” Zarah said firmly. ”They’ve got wolves with them. And with all the meat we butchered recently, the scent of blood will draw them right to us.”

”What do we do then? Chief isn’t here,” Narg asked, but no one had an answer.

”What if we ambush them?” Zzok offered. ”We might win if we surprise them.”

Zarah shook her head. ”No... They have the numbers. And worse—they’re being led by a shaman.”

”A shaman?” someone gasped.

”No!” Thok cried, placing a hand over his head.

The goblins broke into murmurs, voices heavy with fear.

”A shaman...” Flogga whispered, stunned. That was worse than she feared. Goblin shamans were cruel, often sacrificing or experimenting on their own kind. If they got caught, that would be their fate.

”We’ll definitely lose without the chief,” Zarah muttered.

”What if we lead them away from the cave?” Zzok suggested. ”I can go with two others and draw them off.”

Zarah looked at him, surprised. ”That’s... a good plan.”

Flogga’s breath hitched. She didn’t like this plan.

”No!”

”Why not? We get their attention and lure them away. They won’t notice the cave. And even if they come back, Chief should be here by then. It might work.”

”I’m not saying it won’t,” Flogga replied, ”but why not let Zzok handle it?”

”No. I’m the most agile, and I know the forest better than anyone,” Zarah cut in. ”I can make sure we all return in one piece. Without me, there’s a high chance more of us will die.

”Or all of you die,” Flogga said bitterly.

”We cannot afford to lose anyone anymore. We have to take risks,” Zarah said calmly.

Flogga shook her head, torn.

”Let’s just wait for Totem to return.”

”And what? Sit here and hope they don’t find us?”

”At least it’s not a suicide mission.”

”But it’s not a good plan.”

Flogga bit her lip.

She hated to admit it, but Zarah was right.

Zzok’s plan had the better odds... even if it put Zarah in danger. She could be killed—or worse, captured. But waiting here came with its own risks. If they were found, they’d be cornered with nowhere to run.

Flogga sighed, the weight of the decision heavy on her chest.

Why did Eli have to disappear now?

”Grandma,” Zarah said gently.

Flogga exhaled. ”Fine.”

Zarah turned to Zzok, and immediately, he knew what to do.

He picked two of the most agile goblins, and they immediately went to grab their weapons, their hands trembling. A part of them wished Zzok had chosen someone else.

”Ready,” Zarah said, then turned to Flogga, who watched her with worry etched deep on her face.

The young troll nuzzled up to her. She patted his head.

”It’ll be fine. I’ll return,” she said—speaking more to her grandmother than the troll.

Then she crouched and placed a hand on the troll’s shoulder.

”Protect the others while I’m gone, okay?”

The troll nodded solemnly.

”And don’t eat anyone.”

The troll nodded again.

”Alright then. Let’s move,” Zzok said, stepping out. Zarah followed close behind.

”Be careful,” Flogga called out.

Zarah nodded once and left.

The others watched silently, hearts heavy, as the four disappeared into the forest.

Flogga sighed as she watched them leave.

She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to Eli?

Why was he gone now, of all times?

The clan needed him, and yet his location was unknown.

He had vanished without a word.

Now Zarah was in danger.

Flogga sighed once again, her grip on her walking stick tightening.

She could only hope that Eli comes back before everything falls apart.

Before it was too late.