God Agent: All Hail The Great Kobold

Chapter 36: New Quest Unlocked: The Past Withers, The Present Blooms

Ka’z’s eyes slowly fluttered open and a long yawn escaped his mouth. For several moments, he simply stared blankly at the uneven stone ceiling above him while his mind struggled to shake off the lingering haze. Instinctively, his right hand reached across his body until his claws brushed against the cold steel of Shiki resting beside him. Only after wrapping his fingers tightly around the staff did the tension in his chest ease. Satisfied that no one had taken it away while he slept, he loosened his grip.

His vision remained blurry for a few more breaths before gradually sharpening. The familiar outlines of the underground chamber slowly emerged from the darkness. The rough stone walls glowed faintly beneath several dim mana lamps while the scent of medicinal herbs lingered heavily in the air. His gaze eventually drifted toward the figure sleeping quietly beside his haystack bed.

Za’r.

She sat slumped against the side of the bed with her head resting upon folded arms, breathing softly in her sleep. Dark circles hung beneath her closed eyes while strands of hair stuck messily across her face. Judging from how deeply she slept, she had likely refused to leave his side ever since they returned.

A complicated smile crossed Ka’z’s face. He tried sitting up but pain answered immediately.

Every muscle in his body screamed in protest as though thousands of heated needles had suddenly been driven into his joints. The sharp agony robbed him of his strength before he could even lift himself halfway. His arms buckled beneath him and he collapsed back onto the hay mattress with a pained groan.

"Ah... shit..."

His breathing became ragged as fresh waves of pain pulsed throughout his body. Even swallowing caused discomfort, and when he licked his dry lips he could still taste the metallic bitterness of dried blood lingering inside his mouth.

Only now did the full extent of his injuries truly sink in. He stared blankly toward the cave ceiling before letting out a bitter laugh.

"This is what you get when you play hero."

His words barely left his mouth before his attention shifted toward the corner of his vision where several translucent notifications remained patiently waiting for him.

The moment he focused on them, they expanded before his eyes.

[Quest: Uncover the Secrets of Runes]

[Sub Mission Unlocked: Defeat and Capture the Ashmork Battle Shaman: Boi]

[Mission Accomplished]

[Rewards Unlocked:]

[+30 SP]

[Path of A Magus added to System Shop]

Ka’z’s eyes widened slightly before another panel immediately appeared.

[NEW ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: MARKS OF A LEADER]

[Description: In one night you displayed the talent to lead spiritually through the prophecy you shared but was ignored. You also possess the talent to become a military leader by displaying might by defeating a Silver Core Shaman. Finally, you demonstrated the qualities of a capable Chieftain by placing the needs of your people above your own, sacrificing yourself to hold back a vastly superior opponent despite the overwhelming gap in strength. Congratulations. You have proven to the Kobold race that you possess the qualities of a leader. The question now is, what path of leadership will you walk?]

[Reward: +100 SP]

Ka’z’s brows slowly rose in shock. Did he just gain one hundred system points...

Before he could properly process that reward, another notification appeared.

[New Quest Unlocked: The Past Withers, The Present Blooms]

[Description: The Vaal’kor Colony is about to experience a sequence of events that will bring about the end of the old generation and usher in the rise of the new. During this journey, you must choose a path to walk. Remember, whichever path you choose will forever close the others.]

[Path of a Chieftain]

[Submission: Go and Speak to O’nil.]

[Path of an Oracle]

[Submission: Go and Speak to Tong’a.]

[Path of a Warlord]

[Submission: Go and Speak to Tud’or.]

[Time Remaining to Decide: 23:59]

As if refusing to let him catch his breath, yet another notification emerged.

Ding!

[Quest: Uncover the Secrets of Runes]

[Sub Mission Completed: Defeat and Capture the Ashmork Battle Shaman: Boi]

[Sub Mission Unlocked: Interrogate Boi and Extract Every Piece of Knowledge Regarding Runes.]

[Sub Mission Unlocked: Interrogate Rok and Extract Every Piece of Information Regarding the Ashmork Village.]

Ka’z rubbed his forehead while staring blankly at the endless stream of translucent panels.

"So much..."

His mind struggled to process everything at once. The rewards alone were enough to leave him speechless.

Between the system points he already possessed and the newly acquired rewards, he finally had enough to purchase the Warfare Module from the System Shop.

That alone would have been enough to occupy his thoughts for an entire day. Instead, the system had casually dropped several new quests on top of him.

The leadership quest bothered him the most.

"...Isn’t this a little too early?"

He couldn’t help frowning. They had only recently turned two years old. By kobold standards they were barely more than children, nowhere near adulthood, let alone capable of leading an entire colony. Yet the system was already asking him to choose the path that would define the rest of his life.

It felt rushed. Far too rushed.

After staring at the three options for several moments, Ka’z slowly exhaled before dismissing the panels.

"I still have twenty four hours."

There was no reason to rush such an important decision.

His immediate priority lay elsewhere.

Gritting his teeth against the pain coursing through his battered body, Ka’z slowly pushed himself upright. Every movement felt like dragging broken bones against one another, but eventually he managed to stand. He glanced toward Za’r, who remained asleep against the side of his bed, and gently slid one arm beneath her knees while supporting her back with the other.

She stirred faintly as he lifted her.

"Mmm..."

Her eyelids fluttered weakly, but the exhaustion etched across her face prevented her from waking properly. She simply shifted instinctively against him before relaxing once more.

Ka’z carefully laid her upon the hay bed before pulling one of the woven blankets over her shoulders.

"...Rest."

His gaze lingered upon her for another moment. Even without using Dragon Eyes he already knew the state of her core. She probably emptied herself healing the wounded.

Without another word, Ka’z quietly turned toward the cave entrance. Outside, the dim tunnel remained almost silent. Only a single figure sat against the stone wall nearby.

Kurg.

The timid kobold had somehow fallen asleep while sitting upright with his back against the tunnel entrance, his head drooping awkwardly to one side while soft snores escaped his mouth. Even in his sleep he still clutched his crude spear tightly across his lap.

Ka’z stopped walking. For several seconds he simply stared at him, then a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"...You’re still useless. But... thanks." He chuckled softly.

Perhaps it was selfish, but he truly felt grateful that Kurg had stayed behind during the raid. He had already seen enough familiar faces disappear in a single night. Ka’z wasn’t sure he could have handled losing one more.

Using Shiki as a walking stick, he slowly made his way deeper into the underground tunnels. Every few steps sent another wave of pain through his battered body, forcing him to pause before continuing onward. The farther he descended, the colder the tunnels became until the lively sounds of the colony gradually faded behind him.

The prison chambers occupied the deepest part of the settlement. Unlike the upper tunnels bustling with workers and children, this area remained heavily guarded. Veteran kobold warriors stood watch at every intersection with weapons already drawn.

As Ka’z approached, something immediately caught his attention. They were looking at him differently. It wasn’t the respectful curiosity reserved for the Child of Prophecy. Nor was it the gentle affection older kobolds usually showed toward younger hatchlings.

This was different, their eyes carried genuine respect. The same quiet reverence they showed whenever Tong’a passed by.

Some straightened instinctively upon seeing him approach. Others lowered their heads ever so slightly. One even stepped aside before Ka’z reached him.

No one questioned why an injured child was wandering the prison tunnels.

Instead, one warrior spoke first.

"Do you require assistance?"

Ka’z blinked.

"...No."

The warrior nodded respectfully.

"If you’re looking for the prisoners, continue straight. Third chamber on the left."

"Thank you."

The kobold simply bowed his head.

Ka’z continued walking, the rhythmic tap of Shiki against the stone floor echoing softly through the tunnel.

His curiosity regarding runes had long since surpassed the boundaries of the system’s quest. This wasn’t merely about completing another mission. Nor was it about earning more system points.

It was about possibility. If he could uncover the flaw within goblin rune magic and solve it, then perhaps the greatest weakness of the kobold race could finally disappear.

A future where every kobold could wield magic no longer sounded impossible. If that dream became reality, the fate of the Vaal’kor Colony and perhaps the kobold race itself would change forever.