Chapter 236 Chance at a New Life

Hermit, his emotional wounds still raw from the loss of his precious gems, couldn't hold back the flood of sorrowful sobs, each word weighed down by drowning sadness and crippling depression.

"M-master, Hermit thought... thought the gems were worth so much... They were my treasures, my life's work... Now gone. Everything gone. Hermit failed. Worthless goblin, worthless treasure. No hope for the kin. Waaah! Hermit tried so hard... Gems meant so much... But now... hurt... feels like crushed under a big rock... not fair... not fair."

Hermit couldn't hold back his emotions and mumbled through sorrowful sobs, "Hermit's feelings... hurt. Why did no one care? Goblins have feelings too. Gems... precious to Hermit. Not just rocks. Why mock? Why hurt? Hermit is sad, so sad. No one understands."

Suzuka, upon hearing Hermit pouring out his emotions, cruelly smiled, dismissing his vulnerability with a heartless tone.

"Goblins have no feelings, Hermit. You're just a monster. Enough with the dramatic act. Get your shit together. Those 'precious' gems of yours are barely worth anything. You're lucky I even bothered selling them. Don't act like you're a part of some grand drama. You're just a goblin. Deal with it."

Her words cut through the air, a harsh reminder that in Suzuka's eyes, Hermit was nothing more than a disposable creature. The gulf between their perspectives on emotions and worth widened, leaving the goblin in the shadow of Suzuka's disdain.

Hermit, overwhelmed by emotional turmoil, stood a lone goblin in the bustling guild hall. His fists were clenched so tight that his tiny nails dug into his palms. The frustration of his own powerlessness overwhelmed him. He felt the urge to run away, to scream his sorrow to the moon, but the fear of the consequences, of the harsh judgment from those who viewed him as nothing more than a monster, kept him rooted in place.

Tears trickled down Hermit's cheeks, his head cast low in an attempt to hide his vulnerability. He felt a crushing sense of powerlessness, surrounded by people who would gladly harm him if given the chance. The guild hall became an isolating space for the sobbing goblin.

His chest heaved with each suppressed cry, and the frustration of his own perceived weakness weighed heavily on him. In that moment, Hermit grappled with the harsh reality of his existence in a world that saw him as nothing more than a creature to be exploited and discarded.

The desire to run away, to escape the overwhelming pain, clawed at him. But he knew he was trapped. The townspeople, oblivious to his inner turmoil, were like predators waiting for any excuse to unleash their cruelty upon him.

The goblin's frustration and hurt welled up inside him, an overwhelming surge of emotions that threatened to consume him. The guild members went about their business, leaving him trapped in a sea of faces that could turn hostile at any moment.

Suddenly, the guild door slammed open, breaking the heavy atmosphere. A boisterous laugh echoed through the guild as Laughing Larry swaggered in, exuding confidence and cheerfulness. Larry swaggered in greeting his fellow adventurers in a friendly and lively manner.

"Hey there, mates! What's the news? Any epic tales to share? Larry's always up for a good story!" he bellowed, his eyes scanning the room. 

Larry noticed Hermit right away, standing in a corner, visibly upset. His usually jovial expression turned into one of concern as he approached the sobbing goblin. 

"Hey there, little green buddy! What's got you feeling down in the dumps?" he asked, his voice brimming with genuine care.

Hermit, sniffling, looked up at Larry, his tear-streaked face showing a mix of surprise and relief. Larry, with his usual charisma, tried to lift the goblin's spirits.

 "Come on, tell old Larry what's bothering you. Maybe a good laugh is just what you need!"

Hermit scuttled toward Larry with desperation and launched himself at Larry, seeking solace in the hope of finding warmth and understanding, his tiny green hands reaching out as if seeking refuge in the presence of the larger figure. He wrapped his scrawny arms around Larry, clinging to the big man as if he were a lifeline in the storm of his emotional turmoil. The goblin's convulsing sobs echoed in the air between his words, his embrace seeking the warmth of comfort that he yearned for.

"Hugsie, Larry! Bad things happen, too much hurt and mean words. Gobbie feels pain, needs nice Larry words, yessie!" Hermit cried, his words a jumble of goblin-like expressions and broken Common. The convulsing sobs punctuated his lament, his small form trembling with the weight of the emotional turmoil he carried.

"Larry, it was so terrible! Master Helen, she... she took my precious gems! All the shiny, pretty things I collected with so much love and care! She said they were barely worth anything! My heart aches, Larry! It aches! The world is too cruel for Hermit, too cruel for poor goblin like me. Larry, Larry, Master Helen, she mean, she mean and nasty, she being mean to Hermit, and Hermit sad, so sad. She tosses Hermit like a broken toy, hurting Hermit's feelings deep in Goblin's heart."

"Larry, Larry, goblin treasures, gone, gone, Master Helen took them, said they worth nothing, nothing at all. Hermit worked hard, worked hard to get shiny gems, for goblin future, for little gobbies. But Master Helen, laughs, laughs at Hermit, says goblins have no feelings, just monsters, just playthings for her fun."

"Hermit feel lost, feel lonely. No one cares for Hermit, no one cares for Goblin's heart. Hermit tries to be a good goblin, but Master Helen, she not nice, not nice at all. She says goblin dreams are silly, say goblin dreams are not important. But Larry, Larry, dreams mean everything to Hermit, dreams like little lights in a dark cave."

Larry listened to Hermit's exaggerated lament with a patient and understanding smile. His eyes held a gentle warmth as if trying to convey empathy for the goblin's perceived woes. Despite the absurdity of Hermit's claims, Larry maintained a composed demeanor, choosing not to reveal his skepticism.

"Hermit cry, cry for lost dreams, cry for goblin heart shattered like glass. Goblin life is hard, so hard. Goblins are born in dirt, in filth, but Master Helen makes it worse. Hermit want's warmth, and kindness, and wants to be more than just a goblin."

"Goblin heart not just stone, not just cold. Hermit feel, feel deeply, feel pain, feel sorrow. Master Helen, she not see, not see goblin heart. But Larry, you see, you know. Help Hermit, help goblin find new dreams, new paths, help Hermit find sunshine, find warmth. Goblins deserve more, more than pain and hurt."

"Hermit hug you tight, hug for comfort, for warmth. Master Helen, she cold, cold like stone. But Larry, Larry, you warm, you kind. Help Hermit, help goblin heal, heal from broken dreams. Goblins not just shadows, not just pain."

Suzuka's eyes widened in disbelief as she witnessed Hermit's theatrical lament to Larry. She couldn't fathom how the goblin managed to conjure such an outrageous tale filled with exaggerated sorrow and accusations. Hermit's performance had taken an unexpected turn, leaving Suzuka utterly shocked.

She exchanged a puzzled glance with Larry, trying to gauge his reaction. As Hermit continued to wail and express his grievances, Suzuka struggled to maintain her composure. The sheer audacity of the goblin's words left her momentarily speechless.

Finally finding her voice, Suzuka interjected, "Larry, I don't know what kind of dreams this little goblin is weaving or shrooms he ate to hallucinate such things, but let me assure you, it's a work of fiction. I've been nothing but kind and patient with him."

She shot Hermit a stern look, her eyes narrowing with a mix of disbelief and irritation.

 "And as for his 'treasures,' they were a bunch of common gems. I gave him a fair deal, considering their quality. I didn't break his spirit; I simply told him the truth. And all of the funds that we got will be going to the goblin district to shelter all of his fellow goblins, just as we agreed. This little crybaby is just throwing a hissyfit because his imaginary priceless treasure turned out to be a pile of ordinary crystals."

 Larry finally spoke, his tone calm and reassuring, "Well now, Hermit, it sounds like you've been through quite the ordeal. I appreciate your honesty and sharing your feelings with us. Helen, I see you healed him from his mishap with the window, haven't you?"

Larry's question was directed at Suzuka, and she nodded in confirmation. He continued, "It's not easy being a goblin in these lands. But, Hermit, I want you to know that we're here to help. Helen has done a commendable job looking out for you. She helped you many times to recover from injuries no one expected you to survive and that says something. Hermit, if she truly didn't care about you, she wouldn't have bothered to save your life each time you were on the brink of death. Sometimes, our feelings can get a bit tangled, and that's okay."

Suzuka couldn't help but smirk, recognizing Larry's ability to see through the goblin's melodramatic performance. Larry continued, "Helen is a good person, and I've known her for some time. She's not the type to harm anyone, especially not a little goblin such as you. I believe you may be misunderstanding things. Sometimes, our fears and past experiences can cloud our judgment."

Larry sighed, a mix of sympathy and understanding etched on his face as he hugged the sobbing goblin before him. With a gentle pat on Hermit's back, he began to speak in a soothing tone, "Now, now, little one, there's no need for all this fuss. Helen has done a lot for you and your kind. You might not see it now, but she's working towards something much bigger than any of us."

He leaned down to Hermit's eye level, maintaining a reassuring smile, "Think back to the breeding farms, Hermit. The daily torment, the cruel treatment. It's not a life any creature should endure. Helen is trying to change that. She's building a place, a haven, where goblins like you can live in peace and happiness. Away from the daily suffering you've known since the day you hatched."

Larry's voice took on a comforting cadence as he continued, "Your contribution, your precious treasures, they're not just useless stones. They're the key to that better future Helen is striving for. Your sacrifice, Hermit, is not in vain. It serves a purpose, a greater good. Your fellow goblins will have a chance at a new life, a life without fear and torment."

He patted Hermit's head gently, offering a warm smile, "So, wipe those tears, my friend. Helen may be stern, but she has a heart for your kind. Remember, this sacrifice is for the well-being of all goblins. You're playing a part in something much bigger than yourself. And rest assured, she will deliver what she promised."