As a venomous snake, I evolved into a god through devouring.

The morning breeze of late summer blows from the forest, carrying moisture from the morning mist.

Robin opened his eyes, tiptoed out of bed, and rolled over his brother's outstretched legs. His mother was already up and pouring water into the earthenware pot.

As for my father, he went to Broken Blade Town a few days ago.

"Adventurers are gathering, and more people means better business. Let me see if I can sell more items so I can buy you and Dalton some more clothes."

Before leaving, his father patted his head with his rough, calloused hands.

"Robin is 12 years old now, a little adult, right? When Dad isn't home, take good care of your little brother and help Mom with chores, okay?"

of course I know.

Robin put on his faded linen shirt, tied an old leather belt around his waist, and pushed open the wooden door.

We've been running low on food lately, so our already meager breakfasts have been skipped.

He was starving and not in good condition, but he still went to the back of the house and, like his father, picked up an axe and chopped firewood.

As the sun rose higher, the woodpile gradually grew taller.

Robin put down his axe and gently moved his sore wrists.

This kind of work was too heavy for his young and underdeveloped body, so much so that Robin had to get up and rest for a while every now and then.

His aimless gaze wandered around, but he happened to catch sight of a limping figure outside the fence.

Good morning, Uncle Cohen!

Upon hearing the call, the figure stopped in its tracks.

He leaned on a cane with one arm, while the other sleeve hung loosely at his side. His eye patch was faintly visible beneath his long brown hair.

Cohen turned his head and smiled when he saw Robin greeting him.

Working again? What a diligent little guy.

Good morning, Robin.

Robin jogged up to Cohen, his eyes filled with a hint of reverence.

Cohen was once an adventurer, unlike the villagers who had lived their entire lives in the village; he was a man who had truly seen the world.

Robin was completely captivated by the adventure stories that flowed from his lips.

Despite the fact that many of his peers in the village looked down on and mocked this disabled man who was missing an arm and a leg, Robin still respected him very much.

Not only because he insisted on patrolling the forest near the village to guard against any potential threats, but also because he had once saved his brother Dalton's life from a coyote.

Robin opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a clear rumbling sound came from his abdomen.

Upon seeing this, Cohen smiled slightly beneath his beard.

He pulled something wrapped in oil paper from his pocket and handed it to Robin. Robin opened it and saw a fist-sized piece of yellowish cheese.

"Take it. It was given to me by a merchant who was passing through last time."

"No, I can't accept that."

"Don't mention it. I came here to see you. I have a favor to ask you to do."

Cohen pushed the other person's hand back.

"Come with me to the forest near the village."

"Why a forest? Isn't it nearby?"

Robin was taken aback.

"The few adventurers left the village, so we'll expand the patrol area a bit so we can react in advance if anything happens."

Cohen gave a brief explanation, then paused.

"So? To go or not to go?"

"Yes, but I need to tell my mother first."

Cohen nodded and watched Robin run into the house.

The latter did not keep him waiting long, and soon returned, carrying a sheathed short sword.

The two continued along the main road of the village until they reached the village entrance. They crossed a small bridge over the river and stopped in front of the forest.

"Once inside, you must do as I say. Don't touch anything unnecessarily. We can pick the berries when we come back, understand?"

Cohen gave serious instructions to the child beside him.

"clear!"

Robin nodded emphatically and followed Cohen deeper into the jungle.

This wasn't his first time entering this area; he had to go into the forest to pick berries and gather firewood, but his mindset was completely different now compared to before.

Previously, he carried a basket on his back to survive, but this time he wore a short sword at his waist, as if he were about to embark on an unknown adventure. Unconsciously, his palms were sweating a little.

"Don't be nervous. This is just a routine inspection."

Cohen, sensing Robin's tense demeanor beside him, spoke to her.

"I'll take action immediately if anything happens."

Robin didn't find the statement funny, because he had personally witnessed Uncle Cohen using his iron-tipped cane to send a coyote flying nearly ten meters away.

With Cohen's reassurance, Robin gradually calmed down.

"There are many monsters in the forest, but most of them are not strong and are not difficult to deal with."

He suddenly stopped and pointed at the ground with his cane.

"For example, these are the footprints of a forest cat, a small, agile monster that occasionally comes out from the depths of the forest to find berries. If you encounter one, don't run away immediately; just keep your eyes on it and slowly back away."

Robin secretly memorized what Uncle Cohen had said.

At the same time, his gaze kept scanning the surrounding area.

He wanted to find some clues about monsters, just like Uncle Cohen, but he lost his footing and fell backward, rolling all the way down the slope to a ravine before finally stopping.

"Robin!"

Robin rubbed his slightly dizzy head. Above him, Cohen, leaning on his cane, strode swiftly through the deep and shallow forest, arriving in front of him in no time.

"Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, I just feel a little dizzy."

When Robin looked up as he answered, he caught a glimpse of the man's suddenly serious expression.

Cohen gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed on the ground beside Robin, causing the latter to look in the same direction.

It was a footprint that looked no bigger than the palm of your hand. Judging from its depth and size, its owner was short and thin, and not strong.

But this made Uncle Cohen, whom Robin admired, feel like he was facing a formidable enemy.

"Let's go back!"

He grabbed Robin and, without a word, started heading back towards the village, leaning on his cane.

"What is this?"

Robin quickly followed Cohen, whose barely concealed anxiety made him uneasy as well. He couldn't help but ask.

"These are goblin footprints."

Cohen's tone was heavy, tinged with anxiety.

"Judging from the condition of the soil, this footprint was left two days ago. Furthermore, the footprints didn't come from the same goblin. This means that a goblin pack of at least ten has already set its sights on the village!"