22. Evolution

The logic was simple enough. If I could raise his level, his maximum HP would increase. And who knew? I might get lucky and this world might follow the classic rule of “fully healed upon leveling up”!

With that hope in mind, I immediately checked the new skill after purchasing it from the shop.

[Lord’s Blessing]

• Description: Spend Points to enhance a citizen’s level or even upgrade their skills!

When I activated it on the little goblin, a set of options appeared before me.

I could raise his level from eight to nine for ten Points. Alternatively, I could increase the level of one of his skills. There was no option to directly raise his stats, unfortunately.

Still, that was plenty useful.

The most straightforward solution was obvious—boost his Regeneration skill and let his body handle the rest.

…Or so I thought.

For some reason, the option was greyed out.

Frowning, I looked closer and soon found the reason.

[Skill: Regeneration — Level 1]

• Upgrade Requirement: Reach at least Level 10 and complete the first evolution into a stronger variant.

(Oh. Damn.)

(So these guys could evolve once they hit level ten?)

(Hell yeah. That is very good to know!)

Without waiting any longer, I clicked the level-up option twice, pushing him all the way to Level 10. The jump from nine to ten cost more Points. Twelve, to be exact.

So the higher the level, the more expensive it became.

That was fair enough.

The goblin’s eyes snapped open in shock as his body began to glow.

“RAAAAAARR!”

A powerful roar tore through the room, startling the goblin girl beside him.

Then the light faded.

The goblin lurched upright, suddenly full of life, and let out a joyful shout.

(Haha. Looks like it worked!)

He was practically buzzing with energy now, like he had just been flooded with raw power.

I quickly checked his status again.

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He was still bleeding, but at least he would survive. With his increased maximum HP, he finally had enough of a buffer to endure the full duration.

The goblin turned toward his sister, who was still frozen in shock and confusion, and shouted something at her, probably explaining what he had just experienced. A moment later, her expression broke into joy.

She jumped up, and the two of them began an awkward little dance, laughing and hugging each other.

Watching that, I couldn’t help but feel like a rather good ruler.

Bringing happiness to my citizens… yeah, that felt nice!

Now then…

As I checked the goblin’s status again, a thought crossed my mind. Earlier, it had mentioned evolution. That probably meant turning into those taller, muscular goblins who had attempted to raid my castle not long ago.

But how?

(Do they have to, like, do a quest for evolution or something? Or I have to give them some kind of special item? A magic stone? Evolution pill?)

As it turned out… none of the above.

The goblin began to glow again.

His little sister stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes, frozen in awe as light poured from his body. His silhouette stretched upward—taller… broader… larger by the second. Muscles thickened. His frame expanded.

And then, boom!

EVOLUTION!

“Yaraaaaaa!!!”

He threw his head back and roared, his voice deeper and far more powerful than before.

The light shattered like broken glass, revealing his new form.

[Congratulation! Your citizen (No name) has successfully evolved!]