Life Before Becoming an Omniverse Entity

"Correct, smart-ass," Renan admitted shamelessly before vanishing from his spot, his speed incredible. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared above the goblin, his katana raised high above his head, ready to strike.

Just as Renan's blade descended, the goblin's necklace shone brightly. In the next instant, a saber materialized in his hand, and he swung it toward Renan in retaliation.

*CLANK!*

Their weapons collided.

*BOOM!*

*CRACK*

The ground under the goblin cracked and caved in, but Renan remained in the air, their blades pressing against each other.

"Not bad," the goblin spoke, his voice carrying both amusement and confidence. "But against me, you would still lose."

With those words, the goblin planted his foot firmly into the cracked ground, pushing up with immense force. He roared, the sound reverberating through the forest, and with a mighty heave, he forced Renan's blade back.

Since Renan was in midair, the sheer strength of the goblin's push sent him flying backward at high speed.

*SWISH*

Renan twisted his body in midair, expertly rotating to regain control, and landed gracefully on his feet.

*THUD*

The moment Renan's feet touched the ground, he sensed a rapid movement—his instincts screamed at him. In an instant, the goblin was already upon him, his massive figure looming like a dark shadow.

"Raor!" the goblin roared, his enormous saber raised high, then came slashing down with overwhelming force, aiming to cleave Renan in two.

Renan reacted swiftly, gripping his katana, which shifted form in an instant, morphing into a heavy sword. His expression tensed as he exerted his full strength.

*BOOM*

Their weapons collided with a deafening crash, the impact shaking the entire forest. The sheer force of the clash sent a shockwave rippling through the surroundings, rattling trees and causing loose debris to rise into the air. The two combatants were forced back, their feet dragging through the dirt as they absorbed the immense force of their collision.

This time, however, the goblin did not attack immediately. Instead, he studied Renan with an appraising look and spoke, "That weapon of yours... it's truly remarkable. To withstand my saber which is crafted from the bone of a dragon—it's no ordinary blade."

"Huh?" Renan muttered, momentarily confused before realizing the goblin's misconception. "Oh..." he said simply, not bothering to correct him. In reality, his weapon was merely composed of fused rock, strengthened by the strange power he had been feeling ever since he hold the katana and his near-breakthrough. It wasn't the material that made it strong—it was something else entirely.

The goblin continued, his tone shifting slightly, "Even though you killed my kin, I shall grant you the honor of knowing my name before I end you."

A flicker of recognition flashed in his eyes, as though acknowledging Renan as a worthy opponent.

"I am a goblin who has evolved beyond the ordinary. I have ascended to the rank of Lord Goblin! My name is Vargok, the Dre—"

Before the goblin could finish his sentence, Renan cut him off with a deadpan expression.

"Who asked?" he said bluntly, looking at Vargok as if he were an idiot.

The goblin's words halted abruptly, his face blank with shock.

Renan continued, unfazed, "And you really like to yap a lot, don't you?"

The goblin's stunned expression slowly twisted into one of fury. Though angered, he remained in control, refusing to let himself slip into a blind rage.

"Good... Good," Vargok muttered darkly. "Since you wish for death without any last words, I shall gladly oblige."

The next instant, he vanished—his speed incredible for a being of his size. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared at Renan's left side, his saber slicing through the air toward Renan's neck at breakneck speed, aiming to decapitate him in one clean stroke.

But Renan had already predicted his movement.

Taking a single step backward, he narrowly avoided the goblin's strike. The saber, instead of slicing through flesh, met the ground with devastating force.

*BOOM*

The impact shattered the earth, sending chunks of debris flying as a thick cloud of smoke engulfed them.

Through the swirling dust, Renan's sharp eyes spotted the goblin's arm still extended from the swing, his massive hand gripping the saber. Instead of slashing it off in one fluid motion, Renan made a different choice.

With precision, he drove his katana straight through the goblin's arm, pinning it to the ground. Then, using his earth element, he reinforced the hold, ensuring Vargok couldn't pull free.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

The goblin roared in agony, his body twisting in pain. He immediately attempted to yank his arm back, but the moment he did—

*BOOM*

A brutal punch smashed into his face, turning his head with the force of the blow.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

One punch after another, Renan pummeled Vargok's face relentlessly. The goblin's nose shattered, blood spurting from his mangled features.

With each strike, Renan's punches grew stronger, his knuckles sinking deeper into the goblin's flesh.

"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?" Renan mocked, his fists still pounding away.

Just as he prepared to deliver another crushing blow—

*SWISH!*

The goblin was suddenly flung backward as though an invisible force had thrown him.

"Huh?" Renan muttered, confused. He looked down and saw his katana still embedded in the goblin's severed hand, which remained stuck in the earth. "Oh..." he nodded in understanding before shifting his gaze to where Vargok had landed.

The goblin staggered back to his feet, swaying slightly before steadying himself. His face was contorted with fury as he glared at Renan, his remaining hand clenching into a fist.

Then, his necklace shone once more, and from its glow, a small glass bottle filled with a red liquid materialized in his grip.

"Huh? What's that?" Renan questioned, watching the goblin retrieve the mysterious substance.

'It's a healing potion,' Elaris answered in his mind. 'Depending on its potency, it could even restore someone on the brink of death.'

Renan's eyes narrowed. 'Where did he get something like that? Are humans working with him?'

'Most likely not,' Elaris replied. 'He probably stole it from adventurers—just like that necklace.'

'I see...' Renan muttered internally, his expression remaining neutral.

As their silent exchange concluded, the goblin wasted no time, gulping down the potion in one swift motion. Renan didn't bother stopping him. After all, he already knew he was stronger—no matter how many potions Vargok drank, it wouldn't change the outcome.

"Huuh,"

A deep breath escaped the goblin as his severed arm miraculously regenerated, his face healing completely, leaving no trace of his previous injuries.

"It was my mistake to underestimate you even after you slaughtered my kin," Vargok admitted. "I should have gone all out from the start."

Renan's brow twitched. "Huh?" Then, in the next instant, he realized what was happening. "Tch... Well, what's done is done."

As he sighed, Vargok's body suddenly radiated an ominous energy. His green skin darkened into a deep crimson, his already towering frame expanding further.

"Now..." Vargok's voice rumbled, distorted with newfound power. "Let's begin again. I can't wait to drink your blood to honor my fallen kin."

Renan exhaled slowly, gripping his katana. In one swift motion, he pulled it free from the goblin's severed hand and took a combat stance.

Both fighters locked eyes, their muscles tensing.

And in the next heartbeat—they vanished.

*BOOM!*

The second round began.