AN: Just a quick clarification, this chapter is what occurred with Reyna while Percy was off to Dwargon. Timeline catches back up to where it was next chapter.

Wait, I reincarnated as a WHAT?!

Chapter 10

-Reyna-

"…Oh my." Reyna blinked in shock as she saw herself in the stream's reflection. She was bigger now and wasn't human either. She could still see familiar features shining through, the shape of her eyes, the natural curl of her hair, and even her Legion Brand still there.

Other features were distinctly new. She had cloven hooves, the horns of a bull, and even her eyes had changed with one being gold and the other silver.

"I'm…a minotaur?" Reyna worked to process the change, her mind racing as she worked to figure it out. The voice she'd heard as she died had said she was using the same reincarnation pathway that Percy had. It had taken her wishes into account for skills but had said right after the pathway that it was preparing her body. That meant that, for whatever reason, Percy was likely a 'monster' as well.

Still, she had to find him. And if she knew Percy then he was already in the thick of something. She didn't have the faintest idea as to what he was involved in, but she knew Percy was a trouble magnet of the highest order.

A roar, and subsequent high-pitched screams, had her moving in an instant, instinct and reflexes having been brought over to this new body. Barreling through the woods, Reyna forced her way through into a clearing where she saw dozens of small green creatures cowering in fear from a large bear that had metal blades growing out of its fur.

Seeing some of the little green people trying to shield children with their bodies, Reyna felt her blood boiling. Her mind flashed back to what had happened after the collapse of Circe's empire, what the pirates had done to her and her sister, how the two had been forced to try and protect each other while they learned how to protect themselves.

Letting out her own bellowing battle cry, Reyna charged the bear, the creature turning as she slammed into its chest. The animal let out a surprised choked cry as she hit it and kept moving, lifting the massive bear up into the air as she managed to slam it into a tree, the blades coming from its back imbedding into the wood.

Her training kicked in as Reyna kept moving, refusing to waist a moment or hesitate as one of her now giant fists rushed up, slamming into the bear, catching it under the chin. Another fist followed, up under the ribs. Then another to the shoulder, slamming the creature's arm into the tree to force the natural blade into the wood to pin it. Punch after punch flew as she kept the bear staggered and on the back foot.

"Miss Minotaur, here!" one of the little green people threw her a spear. It was small, for her at least, but would have been a long spear for their size. Regardless, it was still a weapon and would let her do more than just punching and relying on her enhanced strength through this new body and her 'Daughter of Battle' skill.

With the familiar weapon in hand, Reyna thrust forward, the simple stone spearhead going through the bear's eye and into its brain, the roaring beast going slack as red ran down the wooden haft of her borrowed weapon.

"You saved us!" the same one who'd thrown her the spear ran over, eyes wide with awe and gratitude "Thank you Miss Minotaur!"

"Y-you're welcome." Reyna flushed, silently glad her new minotaur form hid any blushing under a layer of fur. The sincerity was unexpected, especially with how Rome had been for her in the end. Pulling the spear from the bear, she flicked the blood off and offered the weapon back to the little…goblin? She was pretty sure they were goblins.

"W-what brings you out here oh mighty large one?" another goblin asked nervously, not showing the same courage as the one who'd thrown her a spear during the fight.

"I was trying to find a friend of mine when I heard the commotion, so I came to help." She explained, tugging the bear out of the tree, silently wondering if its blades could be used to craft a makeshift weapon for herself until she could get a proper one made "But what are all of you doing out here?" the group was too large to be a hunting party, especially if they couldn't fight predators like the bear which apparently lived in the area. That meant they were likely moving somewhere, something reinforced by how many packs and bags the group had with them.

"We're heading to the village of the Great One!" the bold one declared, "He saved another Goblin Village from being wiped out by Dire Wolves! Then he apparently took in the surviving wolves and gave every wolf and Goblin a Name!" the excitement at that action, and the reverence the Goblin put at the concept of a name, made it clear how important that information was. She had a vague understanding of 'names' in this world, Moros having tried to go over what basic information he could with her before she was sent here. But no amount of talking to Moros could have conveyed the sheer importance like hearing how the locals talked about it.

"That's quite the feat." She decided to play it safe, not wanting to expose her ignorance fully, at least not just yet "Do you need help getting there?"

"A-are you sure?" the more timid goblin wrung their heads, filled with nervous energy, "We wouldn't be interrupting you none? And…and we can't pay much."

"It's fine." Reyna shook her head, "Right now I'm wandering, trying to find a…a friend I've been separated from." Grunting, she slung the bear corpse over her shoulder "And as for payment, maybe just some supplies to turn one of these," she wrapped a knuckle against one of the bear's blades "into a weapon and we'll call it even."

"You're so strong, someone must have already given you a name Ma'am!" the brave little one happily bounced around her "Did they name your friend too?"

"I…haven't been given a name actually." Reyna admitted, knowing just saying she was 'Reyna' wouldn't make it so, at least not with how this world worked. The Goblins though were in awe at the mention that she was as strong as she was without a name.

"So, tell me about this 'Great One'?" she asked as the group of Goblins started moving again.

"We don't know much." One of the other Goblins admitted sheepishly, "But we did learn their name, it's Perseus Thýella." Reyna stiffened at that.

"I…is there something wrong Miss Minotaur?" the brave goblin, who she was pretty sure was still a child, looked nervous at her suddenly stopping.

"I…I think that might be the friend im looking for." Reyna's demigod mind instantly translated the word from her world "I don't recognize the last name of Thýella, but my friend is named Perseus." Looks like luck might be on her side.

-Rigurd-

Grunting, Rigurd slammed his axe into a log, taking advantage of his new muscles to chop plenty of firewood for his village. Lord Perseus had trusted him to oversee the village while the merchant group was away.

"Rigurd!" hearing the voice of Haruna, Rigurd looked over to see the young Goblina running over, "There's a group approaching the village!"

"What kind of group?" he demanded, already moving to follow Haruna while his wolf partner leapt from his shadow.

"It's hundreds of other goblins alongside a Minotaur." Haruna sounded nervous at that last part, and he couldn't blame her. Minotaurs were powerful beings. He was sure Lord Perseus could handle a fight with one easily but those still in the village would likely lose.

Haruna led him to the other side of the village where he saw most of those not out hunting were forming a nervous line. The Minotaur, a truly massive woman, was standing calmly outside their fence line, a makeshift sword on her back with parts that looked to be from a blade bear, and several hundred goblins behind her.

Several were goblins he recognized "I know those three!" he stepped forward, recognizing chiefs of other goblin villages they'd traded with in the past.

"C-chief?!" one of those he recognized gaped when they realized who he was, eyes going up and up and up as they took in the majestic new form that Lord Perseus had given him.

"Indeed!" Rigurd grinned, flexing his impressive muscles "Upon being granted a name by Lord Perseus I transformed into the remarkable specimen you see here!" he'd hoped that the sight of a bigger than normal hobgoblin with his build might have made the minotaur at least somewhat hesitant, but she seemed more amused than anything ese.

"We came hoping to receive the Great One's protection." One of the chiefs he'd worked with the most stepped forward "And you don't need to worry, she's a friend." They pat the minotaur's ankle, not able to reach anything higher "She saved us from a Blade bear."

"Then my thanks for saving my friends." Rigurd nodded, trusting his fellow chief "But what brings you out this way?"

"I'm looking for a friend of mine." The Minotaur woman spoke, having a shockingly regal and refined cadence "We…we've been separated and last I heard he was in this area recently. I think he might be the 'Great One' who named you."

"Might?" Rigurd blinked, not sure how that would be a matter of confusion.

"My friend is named Perseus," she explained as he perked up upon hearing their protector's name "but when I last saw him, he didn't have the last name 'Thýella'."

"So, you're wondering if he is the same Perseus, you know or if it is a coincidence." Rigurd nodded, realizing what she meant.

"Exactly." The woman nodded "Can I meet with him?"

"He's not here at the moment." Rigurd admitted as the goblins all wilted, "He's off trading but should be back soon…ish."

"If you're willing to let me wait until he returns, then I can help out around here." The woman gestured to the village "I happen to have an Architect skill, and one called 'Healing Hands'."

"Architect?" Rigurd wondered how it would work, the other one being rather self-explanatory.

"I can demonstrate if you'd like." The woman waited for his gesture to enter as she moved toward the piles of stone nearby, gold and silver eyes began to glow. After a few moments, she held out a hand as a transparent building appeared. It didn't look like any building he'd ever seen but the Minotaur began picking up pieces of stone and putting them into the strange illusion, the stone staying in place even with nothing supporting it above or below. Almost like filling in a mold, a small building was soon created, the residual illusion shattering into motes of light to reveal a fully constructed building in its place.

"Anyone can work on finishing a building once I've 'projected' the outline." The Minotaur explained "So long as they can pick up the materials anyway."

-Reyna-

Hearing the cheers of the various goblins, hobgoblins, and goblinas, Reyna straightened, wiping the sweat from her brow. Over the last few days, she'd been moving swiftly, using her Architect skill to make buildings with the help of the residents to move the materials. She'd shown the local chief, Rigurd, her Legion Brand and he'd mentioned their Perseus had one just like it but with a trident symbol, so she was positive it was her Perseus, now she just had to wait for him. Although that wait was likely over if the cheering was any indication.

Building materials still in hand, she made her way to the gate where the jubilant crowd was, seeing a figure talking to Rigurd. They turned as she locked gaze with a familiar pair of sea green eyes.

"Reyna." They breathed out as she felt golden light explode out from her body.