The Return

He finally wakes up, sore from sleeping in a weird position. The sun is setting at the distance. 
(Oh, I passed out.)

It's not the first time he passes out from getting too much adrenaline. It has happened before in his home world for the stupidest things. At least here it's worth something. He gets up, cleaning himself. It's about time he returns to the village. He begins to make his long walk back. Normally, travelling through this part of the forest would come with its fair share of danger. But not a single goblin in sight. As if they all just vanished. Are they mourning their king? Are they going to elect a new one? What's gonna happen to them without a leader? There's probably someone who knows better. After a small while walking back, he finally reaches what he can now call "home".

With this kill, with his new levels, he's truly the strongest player so far. It's great to think about, but also awful. It means that those watching him probably have much higher expectations of him. He also disbanded the bandits and the goblins. If he were to die, how will they farm experience? It feels like he absolutely has to succeed or his prowess will doom the ones following his footsteps.
The more I progress, the bigger the weight on my shoulder.

Walking through the village, he notices people staring at him. Did he do something wrong?
Getting closer to his new home, he notices Chloe running toward him, looking very worried.

"Where were you?"
"At the goblin place. I was fighting."
"It's been an entire day. People thought you maybe wouldn't be coming back."
"Oh.. I'm sorry. I'm safe, I'm not injured."

She sighs. "Thank god."
"Why are you so worried? We don't know each other that much."

He's not lying. They haven't talked enough so to even be considered friends. He's nothing but a stranger. Why would she care that much?

Her expression darkens. She looks down, then away, visibly bothered.
"I just don't want anyone to die anymore."

Oh I fucked up. She probably went through more losses than what we've seen live.
"I'm sorry I said that."
"It's ok."

Yet another moment of silence. 
"Let's go" She says as she turns around, returning home.
He silently follows her without saying anything else.
(Am I too insensitive?)

Entering the warm home, he was welcomed with smiles and praises. Just happy he came back alive. His heart feels warm. He smiles a little to himself. 

"How many goblins did you get today?" Asks Trevor.
"Uhhh... Like around 14 maybe? I killed the Goblin King."

Moment of silence. They look surprised.
(I guess it would be weird if they weren't surprised.)

"That thing has been there since 50 years or so. Did you actually kill it?"
"Yeah, it's dead."

(I technically didn't confirm the kill. But considering I blew up its brain..)
There's no way that thing can be alive, right?

Trevor takes a deep breath.
The wife looks at him, worried.
"What's wrong honey?"
"Please, you can eat without me. I must warn the others."

Warn? Why warn? Doesn't he mean tell? Celebrate?
"What do you mean by "Warn"?"

Trevor gives him an heavy look.
"The Goblin King gone means no new goblins will appear. Those news are tremendous. But goblins are also socially bound by hierarchy. With nobody to rule them, they'll return to their primal desires. To raid and pillage."

Wait. So the only reason they had a territory is because the King decided so? Is that why they never left that place?

"So they're going to raid this place?"
"They'll invade given the first opportunity."

Without saying anything else, Trevor quickly rushes out.
(I don't know if I did a good thing anymore or not. Almost feels like I messed up. I should've killed all the goblins before coming back.)
He sighs. 

"Before you do anything Saito, please eat something. I'm sure it took a lot out of you."

Oh it sure did. 
"Okay."

I can't waste time. I have to prepare with them. I have to kill as many goblins as possible before they reach the village. I'm strong now. Much stronger than them. If someone should be fighting, it's him. He caused this. It's his mistake. It's up to him to fix it.

Sitting down at the table, he'd quickly eat and drink down his cup.
"Thank you for dinner."
"Wait Saito, I-"

Without giving her time, he rushes outside, closing the door behind him.
I'm sure she'd want him to stay safe. That he did enough. To also rely on others.
He does rely on them. But not like this. This isn't right.
Of a quick pace, he walks through the villages. 
Residents of this area are now building barricades around the village, grabbing weapons, readying defences. A good couple of them with bandages from their past altercations with the bandits.
These people already are injured. Some of them even died trying to defend their homes from them. Twice in two days? Nope. 

Reaching the final home before the woods, he notices fences made of wood with spikes planted into the ground facing outwardly toward the woods. He hops the fence, a voice calling him out.
"Are you doing this alone?"

He turns around. Trevor is standing there.
"I can do this." Replies the young man.
"I know. I'm sure you can. But sometimes, you can't avoid all injuries. We can't treat everything. You can help us hold place. Fight with us. It's hard to see in the dark if you leave Glowvia."

It's been a while since he's heard that name. Glowvia is the name of the village. People on the net just refers to this place as "The village". As if nobody bothered to remember that pretty name.

"If I think I need help then I'll come running, I promise."

He nods, satisfied with that answer.
"I better see you later."
"Yeah, you will."

He walks onward, leaving Trevor behind, entering the woods as the night's embrace surrounds him.