The wind continued to blow over the cliff, brushing against Jinra's face — a gentle breeze clashing against the weight of her thoughts. Seated alone, she watched the goblin village below, her eyes closed but her senses sharpened. Every gust of wind, every faint rustle, every creature's movement reached her with unnatural clarity.
Beneath her fingers danced the invisible threads of her magic. Her hobgoblin puppet, clumsily stitched together after being sliced apart, stumbled forward within the village. A sudden misstep, and the creature's arm tore off, thudding to the ground. Jinra grimaced.
"Ugh... damn it." She waved her hand, the strings tightened, and the arm reattached, albeit awkwardly. The surrounding goblins turned, curious, but the rigid hierarchy among them forced them to ignore the scene. The puppet resumed its march, swaying slightly but pressing on.
The village wasn't the barbaric lair she had imagined. With each step, she saw merchant stalls, neatly built huts, goblin children playing in the narrow paths. A crude society, yet one that thrived.
"They… they live like us," she whispered, a pang of sadness in her voice.
System: "Their leader is an intelligent creature. He does not seek war nor desires to seize the tower for power. He only wishes for his people to live in peace."
Jinra's heart tightened. "So… does that mean I'm the monster here?" she murmured.
System: "Unfortunately, yes. To them, you are the invader. The threat."
A heavy silence settled. Jinra's puppet marched forward, but every step felt like a burden. It reached the village's center, surrounded by goblin families sharing simple meals, rough laughter rising into the sky.
"Could I… negotiate?" she asked, a spark of hope flickering in her voice.
System: "Negotiation is impossible. Their leader is the Guardian of the Gate. You can only obtain the key through his defeat. And the entire village will protect him."
Silence, crushing and suffocating. Jinra clenched her eyes shut. The strings quivered under her fingers, shaking with the turmoil in her heart.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered. But her words were swallowed by the wind.
With a sharp motion, she activated her elemental mastery. The puppet's strings tightened, transforming into blades. A silent explosion erupted in the village's heart — a cloud of dust and flames engulfing huts, stalls, lives.
Jinra bit her lip, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
Screams echoed, sharp and desperate. Goblins scattered, some arming themselves, others frantically searching for loved ones in the chaos.
"Is this what it means to be a hero?" she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
System: "You are a Guardian. Your goal is to grow stronger. Emotions are an obstacle."
Jinra's hand trembled on the strings. She wanted to look away but couldn't. Each life she took burned itself into her mind.
"If this is what it means to be a Guardian… then I don't want to be one."