Six hundred years ago.
Demon Domain, edge of the Endless Great Forest.
Entrance to a small Goblin settlement.
"Pack your things and hurry, follow me!"
Babayak poked his head out from a suddenly appeared spatial rift and shouted at the busy Goblins in the distance.
The Goblins were all stunned when they heard him.
Then, their gazes shifted back and forth between Babayak's skeletal golden mask and the purplish-black ore fragment clutched in his hand.
Only after a long while did a quick-witted Goblin react, crying out in surprise:
"Eh!? Isn't that Babayak?"
With someone taking the lead, the other Goblins immediately began chattering away:
"Didn't Babayak go to the Great Tribe with Lord Li Yun? Why is he back already?"
"Yeah, yeah, where's Lord Li Yun?"
"What's that blackish-purple stone he's holding? Are there stones like that in the Holy Domain?"
"I've never seen one, anyway. It looks pretty incredible..."
Seeing that the Goblins were merely talking and that not a single one had come closer, Babayak became even more anxious and roared:
"Stop dawdling! If you want to live, pack your things and come with me!"
"If you leave too late, you'll all die here!"
His harsh, urgent tone gradually made the previously unconcerned Goblins realize the gravity of the situation.
"What exactly happened, Babayak?"
A Goblin who usually considered himself fairly close to Babayak spoke up to ask:
"Why do we have to leave? Isn't it nice living here?"
"And where is Lord Li Yun? Why didn't he come back with you?"
"If we leave and Lord Li Yun comes back afterward but can't find us, what then?"
Babayak froze, a troubled expression appearing on his face.
He truly had not considered how to explain it.
Fortunately, he had already put on the [Gold-Eroding Mask].
The mask