The days in the village had taken on a gentle rhythm. For the first time in their lives, the goblins laughed freely, and even the wolves carried themselves with a calm pride. But beneath that calm, an unease lingered. The news of humans wandering near the forest's edge weighed on Luminus like an invisible chain.
He told himself there was no need to worry yet. The humans were far, and the goblins were safe. Still, the thought of them—heavily armed adventurers, eager for glory or coin—gnawed at him.
Would they see us as people? Or as prey?
That morning, Luminus gathered the goblins and wolves at the village clearing.
"Today," he said, his slime-body glowing faintly, "we take our first step outside this forest. We need to know what lies beyond before someone else decides to bring trouble here."
Murmurs rose among the goblins. Kairn, the tall warrior, stepped forward. "You mean to… leave the forest, Great One?"
"Not all of us," Luminus replied. "Just a small group. Enough to scout safely." He paused, then added, "I'll be going myself."
The crowd gasped, though it was more awe than fear. For most of them, the idea of their protector venturing beyond their little world felt like a story from old tales.
Rugo padded forward, his great wolf form radiating power. "Then I go with you. Where you move, I move."
Luminus chuckled, the sound echoing oddly from his body. "Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
The next few days were spent in preparation. Tarin sharpened his hunters' weapons until they gleamed. Mira packed dried meat and herbs into satchels, though she fretted over whether they had enough. Sera weaved rough cloaks to disguise the goblins' features—humans, after all, weren't known for welcoming monsters with open arms.
When all was ready, Luminus selected the group: himself, Rugo, Kairn, and two other goblins—Tarin and Mira. The rest would remain behind to defend the village.
"Keep the fires burning," Luminus told them before leaving. "We'll be back soon."
The goblins cheered, though their eyes betrayed worry.
The journey through the forest was both familiar and strange. Trees stretched high above, their leaves whispering with the wind. Rugo padded ahead, ears twitching, while Kairn's sharp eyes scanned the underbrush. Tarin kept his spear ready, and Mira carried a pouch of herbs at her side.
It was the first time most of them had ventured so far from the village since Luminus's arrival. For the goblins, every new glade felt like forbidden territory.
By the second day, the trees began to thin, and the air grew warmer. From a hilltop, Luminus gazed out at a sight that took even his strange new body aback—rolling plains, dotted with farms, stretching as far as his senses could reach. And there, in the distance, the faint shimmer of a town.
"That…" Mira whispered, her voice trembling. "That's the world outside."
Luminus pulsed with quiet wonder. In his old life, he had known cities and crowds. But to see it now, after so many days in the wilderness, filled him with something like nostalgia.
So that's where the humans live.
They made camp in a small grove near the forest's edge. Tarin lit a fire while Mira brewed a stew that smelled faintly of wild onions. Kairn sat at the edge of the camp, eyes fixed on the plains.
Then, Rugo's ears flicked. He growled low.
"Someone's coming."
The goblins froze. Luminus slid forward silently, extending his senses. He felt them before he saw them—four humans, armed, moving cautiously along a dirt road. Adventurers.
They were young, their armor mismatched, their weapons gleaming with new polish rather than age. A novice party, most likely. But the way they moved—the tension in their shoulders, the constant scanning of the shadows—spoke of wariness.
"They're just passing through," Kairn whispered. "We should stay hidden."
But one of the humans suddenly turned his head, eyes narrowing at the grove. "Wait. Did you see that? Something moved."
The group halted. A girl with a staff raised it, muttering. A boy with twin daggers stepped forward cautiously.
Luminus cursed inwardly. They'd been noticed.
"Stay calm," he told the goblins. "Do not attack unless they strike first."
The adventurers approached, pushing past the brush until they stood only a few feet away. Their eyes widened.
"Monsters!" the dagger-boy hissed.
His companions tensed, weapons raised. The staff-wielder muttered another spell.
Luminus moved forward, placing himself between his goblins and the humans. His body glowed faintly, voice carrying calm authority.
"Wait. We mean no harm."
The humans froze. For a moment, the only sound was the crackle of the fire.
"Did… did that slime just speak?" the archer whispered, lowering his bow in shock.
The dagger-boy narrowed his eyes. "Slimes don't talk. It's a trick."
"No trick," Luminus replied evenly. "We live in the forest. We hunt, we build, we protect our own. We're not your enemies unless you make us."
The staff-girl hesitated, lowering her staff slightly. "You… you really can talk. And those goblins…" She glanced at Mira and Kairn, noting the cloaks, the weapons. "They look different."
The dagger-boy still scowled, but his grip loosened. "Even if they're different, they're monsters. Adventurers don't get paid to chat with monsters."
The archer nudged him. "But think about it. If word gets out we met a talking slime… that could be worth more than coin."
The group fell into hushed argument. Luminus stayed silent, though his mind churned.
So this is how it begins. Humans, suspicious, divided, unsure.
Finally, the staff-girl spoke again. "We won't attack. Not today. But others won't be so kind. If you stay near the roads, stronger adventurers will come. You should… stay hidden."
With that, the humans backed away slowly, weapons still raised. Then, without another word, they retreated to the plains, their voices fading on the wind.
When they were gone, the goblins exhaled in relief. Tarin still gripped his spear tightly, while Mira trembled, her stew long forgotten.
"That was too close," Kairn muttered.
"Yes," Luminus agreed softly. He stared at the fading figures of the humans. "Too close. Which means it's only a matter of time before stronger ones come looking."
He turned back to his people, his glow steady despite the weight in his voice.
"We'll need to prepare. The world beyond the forest won't ignore us forever."
The goblins nodded, resolve settling over their fear.
For the first time since his rebirth, Luminus realized the truth: he was no longer just building a village. He was building a nation.