The Villain Professor's Second Chance

We approached the registration counter, where the guild clerk greeted us with a nod. "Back from Lord Vardon's territory?" she asked, her eyes reflecting a hint of respect. "How did it go?"

"It went well," I replied, handing over the report. "We managed to neutralize the immediate threat, but there are significant governance issues that need to be addressed. The details are all in here."

She took the report, nodding. "Thank you, Dravis. Your efforts are appreciated. But there's something else happening right now." She gestured towards the notice board, where a large crowd had gathered. "There's news of a rising Goblin King in the north. It's causing quite a stir."

Sylvanna, beside me, rolled her eyes. "A Goblin King? Just what we need," she muttered, her tone carrying a mix of irritation and seriousness. "It's a pain, but those creatures are dangerous. What's the situation?"

The clerk leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Reports indicate that a Goblin King has emerged and is rallying goblin tribes under his banner. It's a serious threat—if left unchecked, it could lead to a large-scale war. The guild is calling for volunteers to join the expedition to stop him."

The urgency in her tone was clear. Goblin Kings were no ordinary leaders; they had the intelligence to strategize and the charisma to unite the otherwise chaotic goblin tribes into a formidable force. Their rise often signaled widespread devastation.

Sylvanna's eyes remained sharp, a calculating look on her face. "And what's the reward for dealing with this mess?" she asked, her voice tinged with interest. "Not that we're doing it for free, of course."

The clerk's lips twitched into a small smile. "The rewards are substantial. Any adventurer who participates and survives will be handsomely compensated, and successful completion of the quest will likely lead to significant rank advancements."

As the clerk spoke, I noticed the ripple effect her words had on the adventurers around us. The more seasoned ones were already forming groups, discussing tactics and logistics. The newer adventurers looked both excited and nervous, aware that this was an opportunity to prove themselves but also cognizant of the danger involved.

"The Goblin King," I mused, turning to Sylvanna. "This isn't something we can ignore."

She shrugged, a smirk playing on her lips. "It's a big risk, sure, but also a big opportunity. Plus, it could be a good chance to test out some new strategies on those goblins." Her eyes met mine, searching for my decision.

I agreed, but a part of my mind was already analyzing the broader implications. In the original game outline, a Goblin King event only occurred if certain early quests were left incomplete. It was a failsafe mechanism designed to challenge players and force the development of characters and regions. But here, in this world without players, the event's appearance meant something had been missed.

As we approached the notice board, we overheard fragments of conversations that only heightened the sense of urgency. "...entire villages wiped out..." "...captured and enslaved..." "...if we don't act fast, it'll be too late..." The gravity of the situation was clear, and it resonated deeply with every adventurer present.

One of the guild's senior members, a burly warrior with a scarred face, was briefing a group of adventurers. "The Goblin King's rise is no small matter," he said, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Goblins may be weak individually, but under a king, they become organized. They raid villages, capture and enslave people, and their numbers swell with every conquest.

We need to cut off the head of the snake before it grows too large."

A younger adventurer, his eyes wide with fear and determination, asked, "What happens if we don't stop him?"

The warrior's face grew grim. "If we don't stop him, we're looking at a full-scale invasion. Goblins will overrun our defenses, and countless lives will be lost. We've seen it happen before. It's not just about killing a monster—it's about preventing a war."

The room fell silent as the implications sank in. Sylvanna's hand tightened on her bow, her jaw set in a determined line. "We have to do this," she said, her voice low but firm.

I nodded, my mind racing. "We'll join the expedition," I announced, stepping forward. "We can't let this threat grow."

The clerk's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recovered, a look of approval crossing her face. "Very well. I'll register you both. Given your experience, you'll be a valuable addition to the team."

We moved to the registration area, where the process was swift but thorough. The guild was not taking any chances—they needed the best, and they needed them fast.

"Are you sure about this, Dravis?" Sylvanna asked quietly as we filled out the necessary forms.

I glanced at her, seeing the concern in her eyes. "We don't have much choice," I replied. "If the Goblin King isn't stopped, the consequences will be dire. Besides, this might be the challenge we need to push ourselves—and the world—forward."

The clerk returned with our registration documents. "You'll be joining the main force heading north," she said. "The guildmaster has also noted your contributions and capabilities. Upon successful completion of this quest, you'll both be promoted to A-rank. Good luck, and godspeed."

We nodded our thanks, the weight of the mission settling on our shoulders. As we left the guild, the reality of what we were about to undertake loomed large in my mind. The Goblin King's rise was a direct consequence of incomplete early quests—tasks I had somehow missed.

This event was supposed to drive character development and regional strengthening, but without the players, the balance had shifted.

The journey north was filled with a mixture of anticipation and preparation. Sylvanna and I discussed strategies, analyzed potential scenarios, and trained rigorously. The road was long, and the landscape gradually shifted from the familiar forests of Aurelion to the rugged, untamed terrain of the northern reaches.

As we traveled, we encountered other adventurers heading the same way. There was a sense of camaraderie, a shared understanding of the gravity of our mission. We exchanged information, shared supplies, and forged bonds that would be crucial in the battles to come.

At night, around the campfire, the conversations often turned to the Goblin King and the horrors associated with his rise. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows, adding to the tension in the air. A seasoned ranger spoke up, his weathered face illuminated by the firelight.

"I've heard they capture women from the villages they raid," he said, his voice low and grim. "Use them to breed more goblins. It's a fate worse than death."

A shiver ran through the group, and several adventurers shifted uncomfortably. A young archer, barely out of his teens, looked visibly shaken. "Is it true?" he asked, his voice trembling. "I mean, I've heard stories, but..."

The ranger nodded solemnly. "It's true. Goblins are cunning and brutal. They see humans as tools, nothing more. The women they capture are treated as breeding stock, forced to bear goblin offspring until they die from exhaustion or worse."

Another adventurer, a mage with a stern expression, added, "And their numbers grow with each victory. Every goblin we kill, ten more take its place. It's like fighting a hydra. You cut off one head, and two more grow back."

The young archer swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear. "How can we possibly stop them?"

A burly warrior, sharpening his sword by the fire, spoke up. "By cutting off the head of the snake. If we take down the Goblin King, the rest will fall into disarray. They rely on his leadership to stay organized."

Sylvanna, sitting beside me, listened intently, her face thoughtful. "Sounds like a nightmare, but also a challenge," she said, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of anticipation and determination. "Goblins are dangerous in numbers, but they're also a chance to test our strategies. We'll need to be smart and ruthless."

A veteran cleric nodded in agreement. "We've faced goblins before, but never on this scale. Their cruelty knows no bounds. I've seen the aftermath of their raids—villages burned to the ground, people slaughtered or enslaved. We must be prepared for anything."

The mage leaned forward, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "The Goblin King is more than just a leader. He's a symbol of power and fear for the goblins. If we can destroy him, we can break their spirit. But it won't be easy. He's smart, and he'll be heavily guarded."

I observed the group, noting the mixture of fear and resolve in their expressions. This mission was more than just a quest—it was a fight for survival. "We've faced worse," I said, my voice steady and calm. "We know what we're up against. We've trained for this. We'll hit them hard and fast, take out their leaders, and scatter the rest."

Sylvanna glanced at me, a faint smile on her lips. "You make it sound so simple, Dravis. But you're right. We've got the skills and the determination. We just need to stay focused and work together."