Frank stood and watched the goblin kid who served as herald and the older goblin as they kept up their talk. Frank realized quickly that the strange shine on the button of the kid's hat was actually some sort of enchantment or magic effect. It was so subtle he didn't think it was anything but a really shiny decoration until they pressed it a certain way to turn it off, whatever it was supposed to do.

He didn't know what they were saying, but he had a feeling the conversation was less formal now. The tone the kid used when he came in was different from the tone he used after. Maybe the herald lived here when he wasn't doing this job? He would know this goblin, probably an elder of some kind. Frank took the risky move of pulling out his phone to take a picture of the two of them, his phone covered by the initial burst of [total invisibility] when it took effect. He could study the picture later to see if there was anything special he could take from the photo, some marking or sign of authority one of them may have had.

The herald seemed to be getting up to leave, and Frank's stealth skill still had a few minutes left in its duration. If he was going to get a grasp of how things worked around here, what better way than to lean on the guy who controlled the slave labor? It was a risky gamble, but if this guy was more friendly to the orcs and fallen than to his fellow goblins, it couldn't hurt to kill him. He was cutting a head off the hydra in that case, even if it was a lower one.

Frank made a simple [teleport] jump into the goblin's office. He could take his time here, so slowly crept his way over to the older goblin, whose head was held low. Whether he was thinking or praying didn't matter to Frank, he didn't need an appointment.

He pulled the goblin's head back by his hair and put Gahnol's knife to his throat, then looked into his eyes to start a link for [limited telepathy].

Frank began, and the startled goblin sat tense where the blade touched his throat. But only for a moment, as a calm expression washed away the tension he had in his face, save for his neck.

"Na, Bostrik Hurasha yamu?" the small being spoke aloud in a hushed voice.

Frank responded

The goblin gasped and wriggled trying to get a better view of Frank, not aware that he was invisible still. Frank let him look around, something about the body language the elder goblin gave suggested curiosity rather than fear.

The goblin thought as he looked around, then settled back into his chair,

Frank tightened his grip on the knife, unsure if the goblin was playing some sort of trick

The goblin smirked and lightly smacked his legs with restrained excitement.

He puffed with indignation and Frank could feel some tension leave his wrinkled face, as if he were finally saying something he had wanted to get off his chest for a long time.

Frank smiled behind his skill's cover. So, this guy wasn't a pawn put in place by the orcs to be a slave driver. He seemed to be more of a village elder sort.

Frank asked, eager to learn something new

the elder responded, sending forth his thoughts of birik, images Frank received as large black, white, or brown furred animals that resembled bison, but sporting long muscular tails that end in a thick club-like structure.

Frank easily slipped his interrogator mask, a bit too easily. He knew going in that it was likely this goblin wasn't friendly to the invaders, but he felt his curiosity was making him come across as too open.

As willing as Frank was to exchange information, he had a job to do if he wanted to get home.

Frank felt bad hearing the defeated tone Brotlaavi gave him as he tried to justify his cowardice. But then again, Frank wasn't sure things would be different on Earth if the Awakened failed. Without superpowers from the System, how long would normal people be able to hold out? Sure they could probably defend against waves of goblins, but what capabilities did the orcs have? What magic powers did higher ranking invaders have? If Gahnol had a Hellraiser-esque torture spell as a gift, he'd hate to see what the higher-ups were keeping to themselves.

the scout asked.

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Again, Frank thought back to home. How would a normal human match up against a normal goblin? A normal orc? He wasn't sure what exactly a hobgoblin was, whether they were an exceptional warrior class amongst goblins or a distinct species altogether wasn't clear from description alone. But it was clear the goblins were in a bad spot, and needed someone to push back for them.

Frank thought of bison and cows, then sent the thoughts clearly to Brotlaavi. The elder goblin gasped, his eyes going wide.

Brotlaavi seemed particularly interested in this detail.

Frank wasn't sure where the goblin was going to go with this, he sounded like he had something to follow up with.

Frank checked the time he had left on his invisibility, it was running out fast. The large stained glass window looking from the office out into the walled-in shanty town below quickly became a concern. If anyone looked up and saw Brotlaavi talking to a tall stranger, there might be trouble.

Frank took the knife from Brotlaavi's throat, and the goblin quickly hopped from his chair and went to go unfasten the curtains beside the window letting in the noon light. He quickly scanned the room looking for Frank, and failing to find him he drew the curtains.

The room was much darker now, barely any light was being let in from out in the main area of the building and most importantly there was no light coming out of this room to leave impressions against the stained glass. Frank watched Brotlaavi stagger back to his desk and wait patiently. Frank dropped [Total Invisibility] and stood in front of Brotlaavi's desk in a show of trust.

Frank put Gahnol's knife away, the goblin elder gulped quickly, a hint of recognition traced his features.

Brotlaavi grinned hearing that, then frowned a few moments later.

Frank nodded relayed Gahnol's final moments to a bewildered Brotlaavi.

Frank pulled his handgun out from its holster and casually pulled the slide back enough to make a show of checking his ammo, then looked Brotlaavi in the eyes. The brown and white orbs looking at him with a determination that didn't fit the feeble being sitting in front of him.

Frank held out his hand, and Brotlaavi stared at it confused.

The peace keeper smiled and took Frank's hand, which was several times bigger than his own, and Frank returned his smile with the handshake. The two men came to an agreement, and the System popped up with a new quest.

[New subquest: Stolen Souls

Track down the location of the fallen goblin's hideout, kill all enemies.

Reward: +2 attribute points, spiritual power bonus for every slain enemy, a favor from Brotlaavi. Variable rewards pending actions taken.]

'That's more like it, there's something in it for me after all' Frank thought to himself

Brotlaavi's face turned grim, a serious subject being brought back to the forefront.

Frank asked

Frank smiled at his wordplay, but something must have gotten lost in translation as Brotlaavi tilted his head at Frank.

Brotlaavi nodded, understanding dawning on him, even if he didn't gather what Frank originally intended to say.

Frank blinked at Brotlaavi, it was his turn to misunderstand.

The old goblin smiled at Frank's praise.

Frank cleared his throat, having not spoken the entire day.

"Human" Frank spoke aloud, and just like Gahnol, Brotlaavi repeated it back. This time, the smile was genuine rather than the sinister one the dead goblin captain gave back then. Frank couldn't promise he would save every true goblin from their pitiful existence under the orcs, but if he found a way to help a few of them from their bonds, Brotlaavi had all but convinced Frank they might be worth the extra effort.