Chapter 37 - 36
The next day, a small commotion stirred among the goblins and kobolds. Lumberling approached the gathering, curious.
"What’s going on here?" he asked.
"My Lord, look!" Gobo2 said, eyes shining. "The little goblin—he’s evolved! He’s become a hobgoblin!"
The newly evolved hobgoblin stepped forward. He no longer looked like the scrappy runt from before. He dropped to one knee.
"My Lord," he said, voice steady, "I have lived up to your expectations. Please, bestow this servant a name."
Lumberling smiled. Gone was the nervous, approval-hungry gaze. What stood before him now was someone steadier—confident not from pride, but from earned self-belief.
"In the eyes of your kin," Lumberling declared, "you have shown strength not just in blade, but in resolve. From this day forward, you shall be known as Aren."
The name rippled through the gathering like a spark. Murmurs of "Aren..." echoed among the goblins and kobolds.
Aren rose and met his Lord’s gaze. "My life is yours to command. I accept this name—and will become one of your sharpest blades."
"I look forward to it," Lumberling said, placing a hand on Aren’s shoulder.
"We welcome a new captain to our ranks!" Gobo2 announced.