Everything started when men began turning into half-monsters, and goblins started spreading massively across all regions — west, south, east, even the most remote lands.
The cause? Still unknown.
Because of that, many talented young groups went out to challenge these dangerous areas…
That group was called "The Stars from the Far East."
One of them said confidently,
> "I'm a fighter — beating goblins is easy."
That fighter's name was Zeni.
Even though she was talented and always relied on, she was still very young — and often made reckless mistakes.
Meanwhile, a mage in the group tried to stop her — her name was Qaqa.
With worry in her eyes, Qaqa said,
> "We better not go there. Even though they're goblins, there's something weird in the algorithm I'm sensing — something completely different! We should call the seniors to help us!!"
Zeni frowned, clearly disappointed.
> "Huh? Seniors?? All they ever do is talk! What's the point of bringing them along? They're not even better than us! We should prove ourselves — that our group is the one that's truly amazing!"
Hearing that, the others — Ani (an assassin) and Kale (a support) — agreed with Zeni, leaving Qaqa with no choice but to follow the group decision.
They always acted based on majority rule.
Still, Qaqa secretly contacted one of their seniors, asking for help in case things went wrong.
Zeni raised her hand with excitement, shouting:
> "Alright then, let's GO! Qaqa! Use your teleportation magic to get us there!"
Qaqa tried to stall, hoping the senior she called would have time to arrive.
> "Hmm… I think my mana's a bit low right now. How about we walk there first? Hehe…"
Zeni and the others looked slightly disappointed, but they knew teleportation magic consumed a lot of mana, so they agreed.
Zeni, still pumped up:
> "Fine then… LET'S MARCH!!!"
Kale and Ani, looking unamused, sighed.
> "O–Okay... -_-"
---
Halfway through the journey,
As they went deeper, they easily defeated every goblin that came their way.
Zeni even started to underestimate them — convinced there was nothing dangerous ahead.
She turned to Qaqa with a smug look.
> "Hah… is this what you were so scared of??? Qaqa, are you sure this is supposed to be hard? Or maybe you've been partying too much with men, huh? Always being protected — that's why you don't trust women's strength?? Seriously, look at us! We can handle this!!"
Qaqa stayed silent, her face blank. She didn't answer — but deep inside, she knew her senses were never wrong.
Still, for the first time, a small doubt crept into her heart.
She thought,
> "Could I be wrong… this time? …No… no, that's impossible…"
Before Ani or Kale could mock her again, a strange sound echoed from the shadows.
Something appeared.
It looked like a goblin — but wasn't.
Its skin glowed faintly red, its eyes burned like molten rock.
Then, in an instant, it attacked.
They didn't even have time to react.
All four — Zeni, Qaqa, Kale, and Ani — were badly wounded.
But something was off…
Their wounds couldn't heal.
Qaqa gasped.
> "What is this…? Why can't I heal myself? Is this some kind of debuff? Kale! Heal the others, quickly!!"
Kale moved fast.
> "On it!!!"
But when she tried — nothing worked.
Even her strongest healing combos failed.
Zeni, still half-conscious, tried to identify the monster.
> "Wait… isn't this… a lava-type monster? But… they're passive creatures — they never leave their nests! B-but this… it's not just lava—it's like… a goblin?? How's that even possible?! A goblin… turning into a lava beast??? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
Zeni couldn't believe her eyes.
The others tried to defend, but their attacks barely scratched it.
Normally, only fighters could counter debuff-type monsters — but Zeni was too shocked, trembling, unable to fight back.
Qaqa yelled in panic, still not realizing what they were truly facing.
> "Zeni!!! Come on, fight back!! Isn't this the kind of monster you always beat?!"
Kale shouted back, panicking.
> "No! This isn't the same! It's… it's something new — it looks like a goblin but feels… different!"
Then Ani screamed, voice trembling.
> "HEY! Are you all blind!? That's a GOBLIN!!! Can't you see its skin?! It's still goblin flesh — just… mutated! Since when can goblins transform like this?! They're supposed to be low-tier monsters!!!"
Before anyone could answer, the lava goblin lunged.
It smashed through them, hitting Ani the hardest.
It was as if Ani's scent enraged it.
She screamed, blood splattering everywhere, reaching out desperately.
Her last words before being crushed were pleas to Qaqa and Kale — begging for healing that wouldn't come.
Qaqa and Kale froze in horror.
They couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
Even their magic circles refused to activate.
Zeni fainted.
And the goblin turned its gaze to Kale — drawn to the scent of potions and herbs she carried as a support.
Qaqa, trembling, tried to cast again — but every time she did, she received another debuff. Her mana drained, her body weakening.
She screamed in frustration,
> "NOOOOOOOO!!! DON'T HURT HER!!!!!!!"
The goblin didn't respond.
Its glowing eyes fixed on Ani's broken body.
Drool dripped from its mouth — a disgusting, hungry sound.
Qaqa's face went pale.
She knew what that monster was about to do.
It wasn't just going to kill Kale.
It was going to violate her.
But before it could—
A voice thundered through the battlefield.
> "Qaqa!!! Use your teleportation magic — NOW!!! Head straight to the royal capital! We have to report this!!! Leave Ani to me!!!"
It was Medi, their senior — a high-ranked mage who had once trained Qaqa personally.
She arrived just in time.
Her staff glowed with burning light as she faced the creature head-on.
Medi shouted,
> "GO!!! I'LL HOLD IT OFF!!! THIS ISN'T A NORMAL GOBLIN — THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE ENTIRELY!!!"