Walking toward the goblin clan felt like walking straight into a wolf den with a sign that said "We hate kobolds."
But I had a delivery to finish and a plan forming in my head, so turning back wasn't an option.
Their camp sat between scattered trees and a narrow river, hidden enough that most races avoided it.
Still, goblins had good hearing. The moment my feet stepped past a dead log, I saw movement.
Green bodies popped out from behind rocks, bushes, and a small wooden wall. Twenty at least.
Every one of them had a club raised like they were ready to smash my skull in.
I lifted my hands slowly. "Wow. Warm welcome."
The goblins growled, but none attacked. Their eyes all focused behind them as someone walked forward.
That "someone" was her.
Aria.
Daughter of Kalmar, the goblin chief.
She held a long spear in one hand like it was light as a twig. Her hips swayed with every step, her armor hugging her curves tightly.
She was tall for a goblin, almost my height, with smooth green skin, sharp eyes, toned legs, and a chest that strained her armor more than I expected from a warrior.
Hot? Yes.
Slutty? No.
She gave off the vibe of a dangerous beauty who would stab a man through the throat the moment he annoyed her.
Her squad didn't dare look at her backside even once.
Everyone knew if she caught someone checking her out, that goblin would get a spear through the knee.
When her gaze fell on me, it wasn't warm. It wasn't curious. It was "why is a kobold breathing my air?"
I stepped forward anyway.
"Aria, daughter of Chief Kalmar," I said. "I've got an offer for you."
She scoffed, shifting the spear on her shoulder.
"What offer can a kobold possibly bring me? You're lucky I didn't tell them to crack your head already."
The goblins behind her snickered. The noise around us grew, whispers, muttering, someone cracking his knuckles.
I didn't blink. I kept my posture calm, confident, and steady.
"Orcs," I said simply.
Everything went silent.
Not quiet.
Silent.
The goblins froze. A few swallowed hard. One lowered his club with trembling hands. I saw anger flash in their eyes, anger born from loss.
One goblin spat on the ground. "They killed my brother."
Another clenched his fists. "They burned our farms."
Aria's cold expression didn't change, but her grip on her spear tightened.
She stepped closer until she stood only a few steps from me.
"Speak," she said. "But not here."
She turned around and walked off. No hesitation. No warning. Just expecting me to follow.
I did.
Of course I noticed her big, firm tail and her perfect hips swaying in front of me. I'm a kobold, not a rock.
But I barely let my eyes wander for two seconds before I felt it,
A killing intent aimed straight at my head.
I choked on my spit and looked away immediately.
"I wasn't checking you out," I said quickly.
She stopped and tilted her head with suspicion. "Really?"
"Yes. I was looking at your armor."
Her eyes narrowed for a second, then softened slightly. Just slightly.
"My armor?"
I nodded. "Your plates are shaped for mobility. No heavy shoulder guards. Shorter side skirts. That's why you can move fast with the spear."
She stared at me with genuine surprise now.
"How did you know that?" she asked.
"I pay attention."
Her lips curved slightly. Not a full smile, but she looked amused. And impressed.
We reached a quiet spot near the river, away from her squad.
The water was clear, running over smooth stones. Aria planted her spear into the ground and crossed her arms.
"Alright. Say your offer."
I took a breath.
"Orcs aren't harassing you for fun," I said. "They need resources. They smell food. Water. Land. Anything they can take."
Aria didn't interrupt. She listened, eyes sharp.
"And everywhere orcs go turns barren," I continued. "You know that."
She clicked her tongue. "Obviously."
"So we use that."
She raised a brow. "Use what? Their stupidity?"
"Exactly."
I pointed behind her, toward a distant shape on the horizon. A tall, dark mountain. Smoke rose lightly from its top.
"Your hidden 'resource-rich' area is there," I said.
Aria blinked. "The volcano?"
"Not actually rich. But the orcs don't need to know that. They hear 'resources,' they rush in. And once they go in…" I shrugged. "They deal with the volcano."
Aria stared at the mountain, then at me.
And then she laughed.
Not a soft laugh. Not a polite giggle.
A full, bright, entertained laugh that echoed across the river.
"You're insane," she said between breaths. "And unique. I've never seen a kobold think like this." She leaned closer, eyes gleaming. "I like it."
…Alright, that wasn't expected.
She stepped forward and poked my chest with her finger.
"You're coming with me," she said. "I need my father to hear this. I want to see how he reacts."
"What, right now?"
"Yes."
Before I could argue, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me back toward the camp. Stronger than she looked, actually.
Her squad saw us walking together and their jaws dropped. Their expression basically said:
"What in the world did that kobold just do?"
I gave them a tired half-smile.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered. "I know. I'm going to your camp. What's the worst that could happen?"
Aria shot me a smirk. "Plenty."
Great. Perfect confidence booster.
As we walked into the goblin village, a sharp ding echoed in my head.
[System Notice:
Host, remember, once they accept your plan AND you deliver the goods, your quest will be complete.]
I muttered under my breath.
"Oh, I'm definitely using that evolution chance…"