Free Web NovelChapter 10: Becoming A Vaal’kor Colony Hunter
That night, a strong wind swept across an open clearing within the Vaal’kor Colony’s territory. The darkness of the surrounding forest seemed deeper than usual, as though the ancient trees themselves had gathered to witness the occasion.
Along the perimeter of the clearing stood dozens of wooden stakes crowned with animal skulls. Torches burned from within the hollowed remains, causing crimson light to spill through empty eye sockets and jagged teeth. From above, the arrangement formed the shape of a giant skull staring toward the heavens, bathing the entire ritual ground in an eerie glow.
At the far end of the clearing stood a naturally formed stone platform spiraling upward from the earth. Time and weather had shaped the rock into a twisted structure resembling the shell of a gigantic beast.
Tong’a stood atop it with a skull mask covering his face, making him appear less like a kobold and more like a spirit from ancient legends. Beneath his feet lay the corpse of the massive bear they had slain. Its throat had been opened completely, allowing rivers of blood to flow down the grooves of the spiral platform. The crimson liquid cascaded downward like a grotesque fountain, gathering in carved channels surrounding the ritual site.
Kneeling before the platform were Ka’z, Tu’ka, Kurg, Za’r, and Ru’k. Each held a carved skull cup filled with the bear’s blood. The liquid reflected the firelight, making it appear almost black beneath the night sky.
’Is this really necessary?’ Ka’z thought as he stared at Tong’a.
The shaman stood with his arms spread wide toward the heavens. In one hand he held the bloodied heart of the bear while the other gripped a jagged bone dagger stained crimson from repeated sacrifices. The sight would have terrified his former human self. Even now, after nearly two years as a kobold, part of him still struggled to accept how normal such rituals seemed to everyone around him.
"Oooh Greater Kobold!" Tong’a cried out with the passion of a fanatic. His voice echoed through the clearing as though the forest itself carried his words. "Today these hatchlings bring this sacrifice as they begin their journey as hunters of our great Vaal’kor Colony. Grant them protection, strength, and wisdom to navigate this dangerous world!"
The surrounding kobolds lowered their heads reverently. Some whispered prayers while others struck their chests with clenched fists.
A few even smeared blood across their scales.
Unlike human religions built on faith alone, the Greater Kobold had left behind blessings, relics, and undeniable proof of its existence. To these people, their god was as real as the ground beneath their feet.
The moment Tong’a finished speaking, everyone except Ka’z lifted their skull cups and drank.
Ka’z hesitated.
The metallic scent reached his nostrils and his fingers tightened around the cup.
He had lived more than twenty years as a human and only two as a kobold. No matter how much he adapted, certain habits refused to die completely.
Still, refusing now would only create problems. Closing his eyes, he tilted the skull cup upward and swallowed.
The warm blood slid down his throat and surprisingly, it wasn’t unpleasant. It was not nearly as disgusting as his human instincts had expected.
The moment he finished drinking, a familiar notification appeared before him.
Ding!
[Congratulations on acquiring your first title: Hunter]
[Title: Hunter]
[Description: As a hunter of the Vaal’kor Colony, you can finally explore at will without restrictions. Your story finally begins.]
[Reward: +10 System Points]
[Name: Ka’z]
[Race: Kobold]
[Aether Core: Iron] [Low]
[Elemental Affinity: Earth & Fire]
[Bloodline: Draconic Lineage]
[Bloodline Tier: High]
[Bloodline Purity: Dormant] [5%]
[Soul Stage: Awakened]
[Status: Healthy]
[System Points: 50]
Ka’z’s eyes brightened briefly.
The ritual itself meant little to him.
The rewards did.
Over the last fifteen months, he had steadily accumulated points whenever he reached important milestones. The first ten came from taming a dire weasel. Fifteen more followed after successfully reaching the Iron Core stage. Another fifteen arrived after his first successful hunt two months earlier.
Now this final ten pushed him to exactly fifty.
’This should be enough.’
His thoughts immediately shifted toward the system store. More specifically, toward the module he had wanted for months.
Without hesitation, he made the purchase.
Ding!
[Combat Module I Installed Successfully]
[Foresight Function Unlocked]
[Description: Helps trace enemy movement, making them predictable and giving host an edge in physical combat.]
A pleasant sensation washed over his mind. Almost like a new sense had awakened somewhere behind his eyes.
Ka’z resisted the urge to immediately test it.
Now wasn’t the time.
His attention returned to the ceremony just as Tong’a raised both arms once more.
"From today onwards, you are hunters and huntresses of the Vaal’kor Colony. You are the last line of defense against powerful foes and the brave scavengers who travel far and wide to bring valuable resources back to our people. You have become part of the colony’s elite force. Praise the Greater Kobold!"
"Praise the Greater Kobold!"
The response erupted instantly.
Every hunter bowed deeply and every observer followed after. Even Ka’z lowered his head alongside the others.
The ceremony officially ended and the celebration began.
The atmosphere transformed almost immediately. The solemn ritual vanished beneath laughter and excitement.
The bear carcass was dragged away and butchered with impressive efficiency. Groups of kobolds washed the meat while others built larger bonfires. Soon enormous slabs of bear flesh were roasting over open flames.
The smell spread through the entire clearing. Children ran between the adults while warriors challenged one another to contests of strength.
Musicians began beating drums crafted from stretched hide and hollowed bone.
Soon dancing erupted around every fire.
The private initiation ceremony transformed into a full colony celebration. Everyone wanted to honor the newest hunters. Tu’ka was immediately surrounded by younger kobolds asking endless questions about the hunt.
Za’r and Ru’k accepted congratulations with proud smiles.
Even Kurg somehow found himself surrounded by several females despite everyone knowing he was a coward. The young kobold flexed his arms dramatically while exaggerating every detail of the hunt.
At one point, Ka’z watched him describe himself wrestling the bear personally.
The girls looked impressed.
Ka’z almost laughed.
Almost.
Instead, he quietly separated himself from the celebration. Finding a tree overlooking the clearing, he leaned against the trunk and observed everything from a distance.
Old habits.
Even as a human, he had never enjoyed large gatherings. His gaze drifted across the dancing figures.
Eventually, it settled upon two individuals seated at the head of the celebration. Two large stone thrones had been dragged from the cave network for the occasion.
Upon one sat Tong’a.
The shaman remained draped in ritual decorations and bone ornaments while occasionally accepting offerings from passing kobolds.
Beside him sat the colony chieftain.
O’nil.
The old kobold looked ancient even by kobold standards. His scales were cracked and weathered. His beard hung almost to his waist. Age had robbed his body of strength long ago, leaving him frail and thin, yet nobody present dared disrespect him.
The old chief’s eyes remained sharp.
He wore a ceremonial robe fashioned from the ugliest collection of materials Ka’z had ever seen.
Animal pelts.
Dyed feathers.
Scales.
Bone charms.
Pieces of monster hide.
Everything had been stitched together into something so hideous it somehow circled back into becoming impressive.
As Ka’z watched, O’nil raised a cup of fermented berry wine and laughed loudly at something Tong’a said.
This was his new life.
