Chapter 22 For her, it was just another day. For me? It felt like the edge of doom.

Lyn’s tail flicked playfully as she watched me slip and splat into the mud, clearly enjoying the spectacle. She crossed her arms, smirking as I fumbled my way back to my feet. 

"Oh wow, if there was an award for the clumsiest goblin, you'd win it without a doubt," she teased, her eyes dancing with amusement.

 "Seriously, do you practice being that uncoordinated, or does it just come naturally? Maybe I should get you a leash next time to keep you upright. With clumsy feet like that, maybe you should stick to crawling. You know, just to be safe."

When I called her a goddess, her laughter rang out, melodic but with a clear mocking edge.

 "Also, a Goddess? Me? Oh, that’s rich!" She flicked her ears, the grin on her face growing even wider.

 "Usually I just get called ‘annoying furball’ or ‘that cat who stole my lunch.’ But goddess? Pfft, you’re really trying to butter me up, huh? You think sweet-talking me is gonna help you walk in a straight line?" She shook her head, still chuckling, as if the idea of her being some divine figure was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard.

Leaning forward, she casually wiped a glob of mud off my forehead with the back of her hand, then flicked it to the side.

 "You know, with all that mud caked on you, you look more like a swamp creature than a goblin. Maybe you’re trying to scare the monster away with that goofy look? Is that your plan? Make ‘em laugh so hard they just keel over?"

 Her grin stayed wide, her tone light, but there was a sharpness to her words that made me squirm a little.

She took a step back, her tail still lazily swishing behind her, then tilted her head with a mock-serious expression.

 "But really, let’s talk about this goddess thing. If I’m your goddess now, what’s that make you, huh? My devoted little mud-drenched follower? What, you gonna start building temples for me in the forest? Offer up some twigs and dirt as tribute?"

 Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, but her teasing held a strange warmth like she found the whole situation absurdly entertaining.

Then her tone shifted just a touch, the playful edge still there but now mixed with genuine curiosity.

 "But all jokes aside, what are you doing out here, Hermit? You are all alone and far away from your breeding farm." 

Before I could even begin to answer Lyn's question, she raised a hand, cutting me off with a soft chuckle.

 "I know, I know, I asked you something, but listen, we gotta move first."

 She gestured toward the steaming pile of the defeated Flesh Golem, the stench of rotting gore filling the air. 

"This big hunk of rotting mess is like a dinner bell for all the nasties out here. And as much as I enjoy showing off, I’ve used up my transformation three times today. Running low on mana, and trust me, it’s a bit of a hassle to deal with another fight. We need to find a safe spot."

I nodded quickly, my head bobbing up and down like a fool.

 "Yes, yes! Safe is good, safe is... very good! But... uh, where can we find safe?"

Lyn gave a low, playful purr, her eyes half-lidded as she smiled at my panic.

 "Oh, I know a few safe spots. A couple of hidey-holes, you know?" She winked at me, then flicked her tail, her voice dropping to a teasing tone. 

"Just try not to slip in the mud again, little green. I might start charging you for entertainment if you keep it up."

My face burned with embarrassment as I hurried after her, trying my hardest not to trip over my own feet. I glanced nervously around the dark forest, the stink of rotting flesh still hanging heavy in the air. The thought of more predators coming made my heart race. But Lyn walked ahead, confident, graceful, with not a hint of worry in her steps, her tail swishing lazily behind her. For her, it was just another day. For me? It felt like the edge of doom.

"Stick close, Hermit," she called back over her shoulder.

 "I’d hate to lose my new little goblin friend to something with sharper teeth than me."

My mind froze. Did she just call me her friend? Did I hear that right? For a moment, everything around me - trees, mud, the smell of rotting flesh - faded away. She was concerned for me? Me, a pitiful goblin slave who was usually greeted with pain, suffering, and mockery? I’d only known torment and cruelty my whole miserable existence, and now here was this incredible being, a creature of grace and strength, showing me kindness. How can this be possible?

I tried to speak, but my throat felt tight, my nut-sized goblin brain spinning. My lips moved, but no words came out at first. Finally, I forced myself to find the courage. 

"F-Friend?" I stammered, my voice trembling.

 "Did… did you call me… your friend?"

I could barely believe the words coming out of my mouth. My legs wobbled, and my hands shook as I continued, "You're not mocking poor goblin, right? Are you serious? You speak the truth?"

I looked at her, wide-eyed, my heart pounding, half expecting her to laugh in my face like all the others.

Lyn tilted her head, ears twitching as her tail flicked playfully behind her. A mischievous grin spread across her face, and she let out a soft, amused purr. 

"Oh, little green, you really are slow, aren’t you? Of course, we're friends. Do I look like someone who’d waste my time joking about that?" She laughed lightly.

"Though, to be fair," she continued, her tone dripping with mock seriousness, "if I was mocking you, you'd never know until it was too late, would you?" She gave me a wink, teasing me.

 "But no, I'm not mocking you... unless you slip in the mud again, then maybe I'll reconsider."

Her grin widened as she added, "I mean, c’mon, you - a goblin - and me, a stunning cat girl with charm and grace beyond belief? What a duo! Friendship sealed with a slip in the mud. How romantic! Besides, why would I mock someone who looks this... adorable?” 

She poked my muddy face gently, smirking, then stood up straight, stretching her arms above her head like a lazy cat waking from a nap.

 “Now, let me tell you something, Hermit. You’re not just a poor goblin, you’re my poor goblin friend now. And friends don’t leave friends hanging out in mud like this.”

Her eyes gleamed mischievously as she added, "Wanna hear a joke?" 

Without waiting for a response, she continued, “Why do cat adventurers always carry a map? Because they don’t want to get ‘purr-anently’ lost!”

I stared blankly at her, trying to understand the joke. My brain worked overtime, but nothing clicked. Still, I couldn’t help but giggle, her lighthearted tone and playful nature lifting the heavy weight I carried on my shoulders, if only for a moment.

Lyn burst into laughter at my confused face. 

“Oh, Hermit, I see you didn’t get that one, but it’s alright! At least you giggled. Now let’s get moving before we end up like one of these flesh bags, yeah?" She winked and gestured for me to follow her, her melodic laughter echoing in my ears.

I sheepishly scratched the back of my head, still feeling the mud dripping down my face, but now there was something new inside me - a warmth, a joy I had never felt before. She called me her friend. A beautiful, powerful cat girl, and I... I was her friend. My heart raced as I stammered out, "Y-Yes, Lyn, we should... we should move on. We gotta find a safe spot."

 I paused, glancing up at her with wide, hopeful eyes. 

"I’d really like to... talk more with you. About... you know, stuff."

My face flushed as I said it, my usual nervousness creeping back, but I couldn't stop the little smile that tugged at my lips. For once, I wasn’t terrified or beaten down. I was excited.

“Maybe you can tell me more jokes? I don’t get them, but it’s nice to laugh,” I added, my cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and joy.

Lyn flicked her tail, a playful grin curling on her lips as she glanced back at me.

 “Sure, sure, when we are safe. We’re not too far from one of my favorite little spots. It’s perfect for a rest. I usually crash there when I’m out exploring or hunting in this forest. Nice and cozy… for someone like me. You, Little Green? Well, we’ll see. I mean It’s safe, at least safer than standing here smelling like rotting flesh." 

She wrinkled her nose, her ears twitching with mock disgust before letting out a soft chuckle.

Her words hung in the air, and I couldn’t help but feel like she was toying with me. My heart raced in my chest. She was actually worried about me, or at least that's what it felt like. A goddess of beauty, power, and grace, and here she was, talking to a miserable goblin like me. My mind was swimming.

Without waiting for me to respond, she started to walk ahead, her steps light, her tail swaying side to side. 

“I mean, I’d love to take you to my village - where all the cat people live. I bet you'd enjoy it. Meow, you’d probably be the talk of the place. A goblin wandering into a cat village, I bet you’d catch some eyes.” 

She laughed softly, the sound both light and teasing, like she was imagining something only she could see.

 "But… as much as I’d love to drag you there and show you around, I kind of burned through my mana this morning. Guess I got a little too excited." Her voice took on a sultry edge at that last bit, and I felt my face heat up, completely unsure how to respond.

She shot me a teasing wink.

 “Don’t worry, Little Green, we’ll get there. Just not today.”

I couldn’t help but stumble along after her, my mind a whirlwind of emotions I didn’t understand. Was she flirting with me? Was this some kind of joke? No, no, she couldn’t be serious. I’m just a goblin - a lowly goblin slave! Why would she ever… But there she was, calling me ‘friend,’ treating me like I wasn’t the pile of mud I felt like. The warmth that spread in my chest was both overwhelming and terrifying.