LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 12 - Goblin (3)
Chapter 12: Goblin (3)
[You have used the Silver Bell.]
[Moving to the hidden space ‘Goblin Sage Hills.’]
Elthera Online was filled with numerous hidden spaces.
It was said that if all the hidden spaces were combined, they might surpass the size of the Elthera continent itself.
These hidden spaces often contained hidden bosses, hidden quests, and other unique content, with excellent rewards.
[You are the first to discover the hidden space ‘Goblin Sage Hills!’]
[Your stats have increased by 2 due to this incredible discovery.]
Elthera emphasized achievements, reputation, and unique actions over simple grinding.
Players were encouraged to grow through challenges and exploration rather than mindless hunting.
“The weather’s great.”
Goblin Sage Hills was a sprawling garden spread across a mountain ridge.
A gentle spring breeze flowed, a massive waterfall roared in the distance, clouds floated in the sky, and flowers bloomed across hills and fields.
Walking along the path for a bit, a house in an Eastern style appeared.
Clunk, thud!
The sound of a waterwheel spinning tickled his ears.
There were no signs of human presence.
Using All-Seeing Eye to survey the surroundings revealed that this space had been untouched and abandoned for an incredibly long time.
A single Eastern-style house stood in front of the waterfall and field.
If a painter or sculptor saw it, they might be inspired by its magnificent beauty.
Unfortunately, Yeonwol had no time for such artistic appreciation.
He headed straight into the house, where a voice called out from somewhere.
-Who are you?
Looking toward the source of the voice, there was a pot.
“The pot’s talking.”
-It’s not like I chose this form for fun.
The pot rattled as it approached.
‘Aren’t goblins usually inside a broomstick?’
As Yeonwol mused, the pot noticed the bell in his hand and began speaking.
-Ha, I gave that bell to my disciple. Did he finally die? There shouldn’t be any challengers capable of killing him yet.
It seemed this pot was the master of Zekkaliss.
-How did you acquire that bell?
“I came here at Zekkaliss’s request.”
-…That guy made a request of you? You look ordinary without any special powers. How curious.
The pot circled Yeonwol as it spoke.
In any case, you must have seen my disciple, then?
“Yes. He’s staying quietly in the Frost Prison.”
-Quietly, huh… That doesn’t suit him. He must hate humans fiercely by now, yet he spared you.
-That’s strange.
“….”
What would the pot say if it learned Yeonwol had died to Zekkaliss over a thousand times?
-…What is that damned disciple of mine doing now?
When the pot sage asked, Yeonwol hesitated briefly before replying.
“He’s worried that you might resent him.”
At that, the pot fell silent.
Yeonwol waited patiently, giving it time to gather its thoughts.
-…I see. So he’s become weak enough to have such useless worries. Rotting away in the Frost Prison must’ve dulled both his abilities and his personality. What level is he now?
Through the brief conversation, Yeonwol learned something.
This pot, presumably Zekkaliss’s master, was solely focused on inquiring about its disciple.
‘Resentment, my foot. It’s clear he’s still obsessing over Zekkaliss. Looks like I’ve got a message to relay.’
With a faint smile, he replied.
“499.”
-Ha, he’s dropped below level 500? He’s gotten so weak. Tsk tsk.
“Was his level higher originally?”
-Of course! My disciple was a monster among monsters, surpassing level 500. He even used to hunt dragons. Now, he’s just waiting to die.
It seemed Zekkaliss had lost much of his power while imprisoned in the Frost Prison.
It was common knowledge that monsters and NPCs could level up, but cases of their levels decreasing were rare.
-Alright, so he’s alive, and yet he entrusted you with the Silver Bell, his very heart?
“In a way, yes.”
-I don’t know what you did, but it seems you earned my disciple’s acknowledgment. You must’ve come here to receive my teachings, correct? Since you’ve entered this place with the Silver Bell, you’re qualified.
Ding!
[Will you accept the A-Rank Class ‘Goblin Sage’ advancement quest?]
As expected.
In his previous life, the player who obtained the Silver Bell was nicknamed ‘Cheong Dosan.’
Cheong Dosan, an E-rank mage class player who surpassed level 450, was one of the top Royal Rankers.
He had been so captivated by this class that he abandoned all his skill proficiencies to reclass.
People called him crazy.
Skill proficiency was incredibly difficult to build up, so how could a 450-level Royal Ranker throw it all away, even for an A-rank class?
After becoming a Goblin Sage, he suffered for a while due to weaker stats.
But later, he mastered all aspects of nature, rising to become one of humanity’s strongest.
‘It was an insanely overpowered class.’
Flying on clouds, summoning thunderstorms, calling down rain, triggering earthquakes, and causing volcanic eruptions—he seemed invincible.
After the ‘Synchronization Incident,’ Cheong Dosan used these god-like abilities to kill countless people.
He became a target for extermination, and his head was eventually severed.
But by then, it was too late.
Too many comrades who shared life and death with him had perished, and one of humanity’s core bases had been completely obliterated.
Humanity was forced to abandon even its last remaining city.
‘He was a walking disaster. It’s fortunate I can prevent him from taking this class.’
Now that Yeonwol had the Silver Bell, Cheong Dosan’s future reign of destruction was averted.
That didn’t mean Yeonwol had any intention of taking the Goblin Sage class himself.
He had far greater ambitions.
“Sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”
[You have rejected the A-Rank class. All stats increase by 5.]
-Hah, you’re rejecting it? Isn’t this the A-Rank class you human players covet so much?
“I’ve learned that one must not be swayed by immediate greed if they aim for higher goals.”
-You’re quite something.
The pot clicked its tongue in genuine admiration before muttering regretfully.
-Then why have you come here?
“I only came to deliver news about your disciple.”
The pot fell silent again.
If it had a face, its emotions might have been visible, but unfortunately, it had lost its physical form.
-Ha, I see… Thank you. If I were in my original form, I could have taught you various arts without requiring class advancement, but in this state, I’m powerless.
While Yeonwol hadn’t come expecting a reward, he couldn’t help but feel it was a pity to leave empty-handed after meeting the Goblin Sage.
However.
The pot continued speaking.
-While I can’t teach you my arts, I can set trials for you to learn them yourself.
[You have triggered the skill quest ‘Goblin’s Trials.’]
A hidden skill quest!
Did the previous Silver Bell holder receive this quest in his past life?
Even if he had, he likely failed.
Since no information about the quest ever became known, he must have been too embarrassed by his failure to share it.
Considering only one person could attempt it, there was no reason to hide it otherwise.
“I’ll do it.”
Hearing his response, the Goblin Sage floated into the air.
-You seem to have an unusual understanding of life and death.
-While all players brush against death, you are particularly unique.
He had died over a thousand times in this life.
Even multiplying the lifetime deaths of an average player by ten wouldn’t come close to that number.
-There’s a place that suits someone like you perfectly.
The Goblin Sage flew somewhere, and Yeonwol followed.
After a long run, they arrived at a massive cave beneath a cliff.
The cave was so vast that two or three trains could fit inside side by side.
As he entered, blue flames suddenly erupted.
These are the souls of goblin wraiths, formless and devoid of intelligence.
Touching them will make you feel the searing pain of real flames.
Fwoosh!
When his fingertips lightly touched the flame, they were singed, but curiously, his HP did not decrease.
-You won’t die from the soul flames. However, the pain will be unbearable.
“…….”
-Understand the pain. Understand and accept the lingering resentment and sorrow of the deceased. Only then will their flames not consume you.
So that’s the nature of this trial.
With flames spanning nearly 50 meters, enduring them conventionally was impossible.
The proper method was to reduce the pain by understanding and accepting it.
‘This is definitely not a skill just anyone can acquire. Even if everyone in the world were given the opportunity, 99% would fail.’
Yeonwol began walking boldly through the flames.
Fwoosh!
When the flames surged violently, he hesitated momentarily but soon walked as if it was nothing.
-Oh!
The Pot Sage was utterly astonished.
Could he already understand the lingering resentment of the goblins?
If Yeonwol didn’t comprehend their emotions at all, an ordinary human wouldn’t be able to walk through those flames!
-Astonishing, truly astonishing. A person worthy of becoming my disciple… Hmm?
[You are enduring the searing pain of the Goblin Wraith’s Soul Flames! Magic defense and fire affinity have increased!]
The Pot Sage noticed something strange.
While Yeonwol’s expression remained calm, sweat poured down his face.
Though his face appeared peaceful, the Pot Sage, observing him from above, was left utterly shocked.
-That madman… He’s simply enduring the pain of being burned?
If the Pot Sage had a mouth, it would surely hang open in disbelief.
‘The pain of burning… It’s not easy.’
Even Yeonwol, who had died before, found the trauma of burns—the most excruciating pain known—difficult to endure.
However, perhaps because of the countless deaths he had experienced before, even such horrendous pain had become bearable.
Seeing that scene, one couldn’t say Yeonwol understood the goblin wraiths’ pain and resentment.
That wasn’t understanding—it was sheer brutality.
The violence of pain and resentment!
Eventually, Yeonwol reached the end of the flames.
Just one more step forward, and the trial would be over.
But Yeonwol didn’t take that step.
Instead, he stopped, turned around, and looked at the blue flames.
-…Why don’t you move forward? You must be in great pain.
Indeed, that was true.
The pain was so severe it felt like death.
Yet Yeonwol was curious about these “lingering spirits.”
What had tormented them so deeply that these goblins continued to ignite flames even after death?
He closed his eyes and listened.
He focused his mind.
“…It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Had he grown accustomed to the pain?
No.
The Pot Sage had said that if he understood their resentment, he wouldn’t feel pain.
“I can hear their voices.”
-It hurts. It’s unbearable.
-I hate this. Why did I have to die?
-I want to be born too.
-If we were born only to die, why were we born at all?
These flames were the essence of goblins who had died without achieving life or form.
In other words, they were goblins who perished the moment they were born.
-You’ve heard the voices of the little ones. This place is special; it accumulates mana, allowing resentment to manifest.
Though the Pot Sage’s expression couldn’t be seen, it must have been bitter.
-Most goblins die the moment they’re born. They inhabit objects, gaining self-awareness, but that can’t be called “living.”
The death of infant goblins was as common as kicking a stone on the road.
That was what the Pot Sage explained.
-In my original form, I could have sent these children to the afterlife, but in this state, I can do nothing.
Born only to die, without form or mind, these goblins had no way to be helped.
Yeonwol didn’t know how to appease the goblins’ spirits.
But.
Was appeasing them the only right way?
Yeonwol reached toward the flames.
Now he could see it.
The flames were reacting to his every move.
“Come here.”
-What? What? What?
-Why? Why? Why?
“You asked why you were born. You asked what purpose there was in being born only to die.”
Yeonwol opened his palm.
“I’ll give you a reason to live. Come to me. Attach your souls to mine. Even though your consciousness and individuality may fade when you leave this place, I’ll carry the purpose and will to live on your behalf. So, come to me.”
Fwoosh…
The blue flames flickered.
Though they seemed unable to fully comprehend his words, they understood his intent on a spiritual level.
Gradually, the blue flames gathered.
The flames swirled around Yeonwol’s body.
-T-This is…!
The Pot Sage recoiled in astonishment.
Even he, with his vast years of life, had never witnessed such a sight.
-…Thank you.
-For giving us a reason to live.
-I entrust myself… and us… to you.
[You have successfully completed the skill quest ‘Goblin’s Trials!’]
[You have acquired the B-Rank skill ‘Goblin Soul Flame!’]
[You completed the ‘Goblin’s Trials’ at a level below the recommended difficulty! Additional stats have increased!]
It was hot and agonizing.
The blue flames gradually faded until no trace of their hue remained in the cave.
[Goblin Soul Flame (B)]
Proficiency: 1%
Description: Imbues a weapon with the resentment of goblins who died before achieving life.
Converts a portion of inflicted damage into health.
Effect: Absorbs 1% of damage inflicted as HP.
Resource Consumption: 1 MP per 3 seconds.
Conditions: Limited to melee physical attacks.
“This skill…”
If ranked, it was an outstanding skill.
While it wasn’t a damage-increasing skill, its direct connection to survival made Yeonwol rate it highly.
Survivability was immensely valuable in this game.
-The little goblins have become your will. They will cut down foes that stand in your way and protect your life as your weapon.
Truly, this is an ideal outcome.
Yeonwol smiled contentedly.
-Haha, seeing you so pleased, I can’t help but feel gratified myself.
“Thank you. I am deeply grateful.”
-No, I should thank you. You brought peace to the children in my stead, and now, even a fragment of my magic remains in the world.
Yeonwol took a deep breath, preparing to leave the flames.
However.
A lingering sense of unease kept him rooted in place.
‘Something’s strange about this space. There are no magic stones or talismans anywhere.
Could it be a leyline?
Even so, why are such natural phenomena occurring here?’
The Goblin Wraiths’ Soul Flames.
The mysterious phenomena in this world could be dismissed as “just a game,” but most had a reason behind them.
At first, Yeonwol thought it was the Pot Sage’s magic, but that wasn’t the case.
Something here was generating these natural phenomena.
‘Leylines often cause mysterious events, but in this case….’
Could it be?
With a serious expression, Yeonwol pressed his ear to the cave wall.
Drip, drip… The sound of water flowing made his heart race with a sudden realization.
“What’s behind this?”
-Haha, if you’re curious, why not find out for yourself?
Yeonwol looked around.
Long stalactites, most glowing blue, hung down.
Unlike Earth’s limestone stalactites, these were infused with pure mana.
Climbing over them and descending further using stalactites as steps, he finally saw something entirely glowing blue.
“That’s…!”
At the very back, Yeonwol stopped in his tracks, frozen as he stared at the glowing object.
‘There’s no doubt.’
There was no need to check the information or use All-Seeing Eye.
It was something so famous that ignorance of it was impossible.
“Blue Lantern Flower…”
-Hoho, you recognize it, do you?
Yeonwol approached it as if entranced.
‘Why is this here? How could it be?’
The Blue Lantern Flower is known to grow in the cracks of mana-flowing leylines, absorbing morning dew for centuries.
It is a flower that only appears in legends.
In his previous life, there had been records of its discovery, but only two were ever found, and both ended up in the hands of mage-class players.
And… they became significantly more powerful than they were before acquiring it.
The effect of the Blue Lantern Flower is simple.
When brewed into tea or processed into a pill, it drastically increases the maximum MP of the user.
But its true effect lies elsewhere.
‘Permanent increase in mana regeneration rate.’
In this world, the means to recover mana were extremely limited, making mana-related hidden pieces extraordinarily rare and valuable.
Especially if it concerned “mana regeneration,” even a mere 1% increase could easily be worth billions in real-world currency.
His heart pounded wildly.
The Black Soulgrass he had previously found and consumed?
It was indeed an excellent, top-tier medicinal herb.
But the flower before him was so precious it couldn’t even be compared.
A single blue flower of legend, forever hidden, rarely revealing itself to the world…
-Do you desire it?
As Yeonwol stared blankly at the Blue Lantern Flower, the pot suddenly approached and asked.
-Then take it.
“…!”
At those words, Yeonwol’s eyes widened in surprise, and the pot laughed heartily.
-Hahaha! In this body, I can no longer do anything, and only someone with the bell can reach this place. In other words, everything in this space is essentially yours!
At the pot’s declaration, Yeonwol stepped toward the Blue Lantern Flower without hesitation.
Handling it with utmost care, as if cradling a newborn, no—more delicately than that—he carefully harvested the Blue Lantern Flower.
After brushing off the dirt, he held the flower in both hands, and it shone like blue moonlight, radiantly welcoming him.
[You have acquired the ‘Blue Lantern Flower!’]
[You have discovered a legendary and mystical herb! All stats increase by 5!]
With trembling hands, he carefully cradled it to his chest.
“I’ve struck gold…”