Naruz and Maui were in the open, deep in conversation as they had no idea how they were going to get Byung ready for his fight tomorrow when his body wasn't even at 100%.

Naruz was visibly anxious and who could blame her, her massive orc frame hunched forward, still talking with Maui. While Maui stood with arms crossed, her seven-foot height making the goblins around her feel like anon characters. They turned as Byung approached, and shock hit Naruz's face like a slap. She had no idea who that was at first but upon closer observation.

Naruz's eyes widened first, her tusks parting in disbelief as she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.

"Byung...?" Naruz whispered, rising slowly. But she got over it quicker than most—her warrior's instinct kicking in, assessing the new strength in his build, the sharper jaw, the deeper yellow eyes flecked with gold.

"You... grew." A grin split her face, and she wrapped her arms around him in a crushing hug, lifting him slightly off the ground. Byung's entire face buried into her chest, the soft, warm pressure enveloping him, the scent of pine and sweat filling his nostrils. He felt the steady thump of her heart against his cheek, a comforting rhythm after the chaos. Byung had no idea he would receive this level of admiration in his entire life but this world had given him a gift.

Maui shook her head, a mix of amusement and concern in her eyes, but she joined in, her giggle low and rumbling like distant thunder. Naruz's laughter followed, light and relieved, the two female orcs sharing a moment of joy amid the tension. Byung, still pressed against Naruz, couldn't resist—he copped a feel, his hand brushing the curve of her breast. Naruz didn't pull back; instead, she hugged him tighter, her giggle turning into a playful growl. A brief thought flickered in the back of their minds—Maui and Naruz exchanging a quick glance: was his body the only thing that grew? The idea was fleeting, tinged with curiosity and a moment of perversion, but Maui pushed it out fast. They needed focus. She stepped back, shaking her head with a big smile on her face.

"Enough of that. We've got work." Naruz knew she had to remain focused. Even though she liked Byung touching her, her body was proof of this as her nipples became slightly harder.

Byung knew the downside to his growth as he disentangled himself: he would no longer fit comfortably in their chests for hiding or comfort, outgrown the safety of those warm embraces. It was a small loss, but it stung—a reminder that change came with costs and now his stress balls could no longer be enjoyed as a sleeping bag.

Drekk watched from a distance, lurking in the open but in their blind side. His eyes widened in utter shock at Byung's new form—the taller stature, the human-like refinement blended with goblin edge.

"No way..." Drekk whispered. But the scent was unmistakable. Drekk's belief was confirmed: this had to be the Goblin King of legend, reborn.

A hidden smirk creased his face, the thrill of prophecy made real sent a shiver down his spine. The king had returned.

Byung turned to Maui and Naruz, his eyes narrowing because he knew why he was here.

"The Chieftess is back. I felt it. She's the one who healed me—kept me alive so I could survive what that orc did to me. If my heart had stopped, it would have been over," Byung said under his breath. Maui nodded, her tusks glinting.

"She's waiting for the duel. Tomorrow at dawn, the one you have agreed to. If you were alive when it passed, she would have taken your heart anyway. It is a part of the pact," Maui told him and Byung wondered what kind of weird ritual this was.

However, Byung wasn't surprised. He agreed without hesitation, a cold gleam in his eyes. Even if he wasn't at 100%—ribs still tender, muscles aching from the transformation—he wanted this. To test the limits of his new body, the surge of power that made him feel invincible. And to confirm a theory he had: does entering a near-death state force the system to evolve him further, pushing his half-mutation toward something even more evolved than this. The risk was worth it.

Byung knew he needed a strategy but the truth was, the Chieftess had no idea what he was capable of but something told him she wouldn't be holding back either.

Byung couldn't wing this and needed to prepare himself, he needed to practice to get his body up to speed.

"Naz and Maui, follow me," Byung told the two orcs.

They looked at each other with confusion but wondered if this was Byung's way of requesting a threesome as tomorrow might be the last day of his life.

Maui had no idea why she believed Byung would be fine despite the odds stocked against him, he had always found a way to get out of these situations even death couldn't take him.

Byung pulled Maui and Naruz aside. The air was thick with the scents of sweat, goblins chattering around them in low, reverent tones. "Somewhere more seclude," Byung added.

They followed without question, weaving through the area until Byung led them to a remote chamber deep in camp. The space was empty save for a few dusty broken branches. Byung turned to face them, rolling his shoulders to test his new body's limits.

"I need a quick spar," Byung said, straight to the point.

"The duel with the Chieftess is tomorrow. I'm not at full strength, but I have to test this... body's limit. See what I can do now," Byung informed them.

"You sure? You're still healing. One wrong hit—" Maui was cut off.

"I'm sure," Byung cut in, his eyes cold but focused.

"No holding back. I need to know my limits," Byung knew with his strength maxed out, maybe this new body could contain it.

Naruz grinned, cracking her knuckles with pops that echoed off the walls.

"Fine by me. Let's see what the 'king' can do."

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