The angry kobold charged at Rowan, who flinched and ducked away.

Rowan ran sideways, trying to avoid the enemy’s attacks. He didn’t know how he’d become aware of his exact percentage of health. But he knew he’d be in trouble if he took even a single hit from this creature.

Rowan was face to face with a single kobold scout who was now striking the air in front of him, stepping side to side wildly. Rowan didn't feel ready to fight this kobold. It seemed tougher than the slimes or pests he just fought. And he was so low on health.

The tied up goblin called out to him. "Thanks for coming to rescue me. Here, eat this to recover your health!"

Then from seemingly out of nowhere the goblin pulled out a whole watermelon. The fruit was bigger than the goblin's whole torso, so Rowan couldn't figure out where it was hidden. But before Rowan could wonder about that, the watermelon was hurled right in his direction.

Rowan was knocked back a step when he caught the huge fruit. It was heavy. Did the goblin intend for him to eat it? The kobold looked ready to fight. It didn't make sense to sit slicing up a watermelon with an enemy kobold ready to attack. But Rowan figured he would take the goblin's advice.

Upon a closer look, Rowan saw some words popped up.

Watermelon Restores 50 HP

Rowan had to get used to words popping up out of nowhere. At this point, he wasn’t going to question this gift. It seemed eating it would set Rowan back to max health. When he tried to bite into the fruit, it shrank down and floated into his mouth. He felt rejuvenated. He was ready to fight this enemy.

The kobold charged at Rowan, swinging his sword. The creature was in a wild frenzy and did 3 damage, more than anything Rowan had encountered so far. He knew he could only endure such an attack two more times. He swung back with a slash of his own sword, and prepared for the kobold to counter. When the kobold swung, Rowan attempted to block the attack. He succeeded, but then the kobold spun in a full circle, swinging its barbed tail at him, dealing 1 damage.

The combat was still very straightforward at this point. The only option was to attack. Rowan slashed again, making another little “2” appear. But who knew how much total health the kobold had. Rowan failed to block the kobold’s next attack, dealing 3 damage and bringing him down to 3. This meant he couldn’t withstand another hit.

Rowan slashed with his sword again, making another little 2, but not defeating the kobold. Rowan braced himself. He jumped back, completely dodging the kobold’s attack, and quickly counterattacked. Another 2 appeared, a flash of light appeared and the kobold vanished from sight, leaving the text +6XP behind. Finally the kobold was defeated.

Rowan Levels Up

New Level

2

HP +2, 12 ATK +1, 2

Rowan felt new power surging through him, but he didn’t fully understand what was happening.

Rowan went to the goblin on the cart and freed him from his ropes. The goblin thanked him and praised him. Then introduced himself.

"I'm Scrumble, the wood cutter."

The goblin noticed how dizzy Rowan was. He knew exactly what was happening. A human came to goblin country for the first time, and had to adapt to the way things work. He noted that Rowan wasn’t much of a fighter, but saw room for improvement.

“Do you have any idea what just happened?” Rowan asked.

“I think I do. I hope I don’t have to spell it all out for you. It seems pretty self-explanatory to me.”

Rowan didn’t know what to say. But he invited the goblin back to his farm.

“Your farm?” Scramble said with indignation, “You mean they assigned that lot to a human? Well I never.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Were you using it?” asked Rowan, who couldn’t help being human, but wanted to keep a peaceful relationship with a goblin for once.

“Not going to lie to you chump. I’m an unhoused goblin. I’ve been hopping from place to place in unclaimed land. It’s technically under Baron Glumziel’s control, but he hasn’t been keeping too close a watch til late. Every time a new farmer gets set up I have to wander off somewhere else.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Rowan gestured with his ax, “Did you set up that tiny little shed I found?”

Scrumble seized the ax from his grasp. Or tried to. He held on tight and then slipped, falling to the ground. Even as goblins go, he was a small one. “Yes I made that normal-sized workshed. And I made those wooden tools you’re carrying. So if you don’t mind.”

Rowan pulled out his sword as well, “You really don’t want to let me hold onto them after I saved your life?”

“Those kobolds weren’t going to kill me,” Scrumble scoffed, “They wanted my craftsman skills.”

“You really believe that?”

“I don’t care if you believe it or not. I’m one of the most skilled woodcutters in Zyndak.”

Rowan saw an opportunity, “Well, I’d hate to kick you out of the place you’ve been staying. Why don’t you come back to the farm with me? You can help me suit it up.”

“Oh, so now that you’ve saved my life I owe you something? Is that it?”

Rowan had never saved someone’s life before, but he didn’t think this was the normal reaction. “Fine, do whatever you want to do. I’m heading back.”

Scrumble followed behind, but not too closely, not wanting to seem like the two of them were walking together.

When they arrived at the farm, Rowan noticed the insane rate at which his crops had grown. He had planted the corn seeds earlier that day, and already they were over half finished. The combat had passed some time, but not enough to grow crops like this. Rowan guessed the rumors he heard about the goblin soil were true. It wouldn't be long before he could start reaping the rewards of his harvest.

Though the crops were growing quickly, several of them were surrounded by crows. Rowan had to shoo them off. Fortunately only a few of the crops were damaged, but this was a warning. Rowan would have to be more vigilant to keep pests away.

Scrumble noticed the human’s amazement at the size of the crops, and the sad flailing he performed in a pathetic attempt to shoo the birds away. He tutted and shook his head. Maybe he had an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

The goblin noticed Rowan's broken hoe, and noted his sword had taken some wear and tear.

"I'll offer my services to help you out. For a small fee of course. I guess since you rescued me from those kobolds it'll be free at first. If you bring me some wood I can craft them into tools."

Rowan followed Scrumble into his shed, “Oh so you’ve changed your mind about helping me?”

“Help you? Sure. Help you help me. You bring me some wood so I keep crafting. Bring me some of the food you grow. And bring me some money, because of course I can’t work for free. But yes, I’ll make some tools for you or whatever.”

He didn't think the goblin was very appreciative. He didn't know what the normal reward for stopping a kidnapping is, but he figured it was usually valued more highly than a single service of wood carving. Nevertheless, Rowan accepted he’d have to pay whatever the goblin charged. He needed help out here. He couldn’t be picky about who he did business with. Rowan nodded in agreement, and said he would pay whatever it cost. He needed more tools if he wanted to keep farming.

Scrumble smiled, “Good. First thing’s first, you’ll probably want another ax, yes? To collect lots and lots of wood.” The goblin scooped up some of the wood Rowan had collected earlier. The little guy set to work straight away. "You can sell me any excess wood you collect. Or you can give it to me to make more tools. I bet you'll want another sword to do some more Kobold bashing."

"Actually, what I really need is another hoe. I'm a farmer primarily. I don't plan to make a habit of fighting."

Scrumble gave a skeptical look. "A human trying to make his way in goblin country without fighting? Very optimistic. I like that. Okay, your ax should be done in a bit. I can make a hoe next when I'm done. I'll need 4 pieces of wood and 10 coins."

Rowan held up his hands, “Woah, slow down a second. I don’t have any goblin currency yet. I only just got here, and everything I brought with me was ripped away in an instant. I barely escaped with my life. And then I was almost executed. The only reason I’m still alive is the goblins want me to farm for them. And as soon as I fail at that, they’ll kill me. All that to say, I don’t have even a single coin, let alone 10.”

Scrumble shook his head, somehow looking disappointed, “If you run out of money, you can always sell me some wood. But I think you do have some gold coins. Did you even check your bag?”

Rowan was surprised to find a bag fastened to one of his belt loops. How long had it been there? Perhaps it appeared while he was fighting. So many crazy things had appeared that he was distracted, and the bag didn’t seem to have any weight, so it made sense that he didn’t notice its appearance.

He reached in and found a few things. He found two slime droplets, two insect parts, and some leather strips. He also found 12 gold coins.

“Huh… How did that get there?”

“Not very aware, are you? That’s okay. You’ll become more aware as you grow stronger. Those slimes you fought dropped slime droplets. That worm and that beetle dropped some insect parts. All that can be useful for potion brewing and a few other things. Not my area of expertise. Maybe hold onto them in case you run into someone who knows that magic craft. I guess that kobold dropped some leather strips. I know a few leather workers, but goblin crafters are disappearing by the minute.”

Rowan was concerned. This wasn’t just paranoia. The goblin sounded sincere and heartbroken. “Disappearing?”

“Why do you think the kobolds were after me? Wanted to rob the goblin nation of another skilled craftsman. They’re not very intelligent creatures, but something smart is leading them. They’re behaving with real strategy. King Gorbek should be more concerned, but I guess he’s a little preoccupied with the human war.”

“Oh, you haven’t heard? The war is over.”

“Sure it is,” said Scrumble as he made the finishing touches on the wooden ax. He handed it over. “Like I said, first one’s free. Now you want to pay for another tool? A hoe?”

Rowan had enough coins, so he sighed, and handed them over. Even though he had just discovered the money in his possession, it felt painful to part with it so quickly. At least he still had two coins left in this mysterious bag.

“Do you have any idea where this bag came from?”

The goblin chuckled and carved away, “Get used to seeing strange stuff silly human.”