I stared at the huge gray Goblin genuflecting in front of me. This is G1? Turning into a Hobgoblin? What?

In my confusion, I blurted, “Is that really you, G1”

The Goblin nodded, holding its respectful position.

I looked back at Bria, disbelief and confusion mixing in my mind. “If that is really G1, when did he become so... subservient?”

Bria chuckled. I figured she found my confusion fascinating. I knew I wouldn’t be getting a reply from her. At least not immediately. To my surprise, a deep voice, almost sounding like a growl, butted in, “This form is strong. It’s thanks to you, master. G1 offers loyalty to you. G1 will do your commands to the last huff.”

That caught me off guard. Instinctively, I whipped my head towards where the voice was coming from. It was G1, who was still genuflecting. I blinked once, then twice, then thrice in hopes to bring back my senses. Alas, nothing changed. “Di-- did you just talk?” I stammered.

The soft chuckles finally erupted to a full-blown laughter. Bria, whose pale silver skin was slightly glowing pink, clutched her stomach as her boisterous laughter filled the air. I had learned that Bria finds two things amusing: new knowledge and seeing me confused, dumbfounded, or both at once.

After a full minute, she finally composed herself. Wiping a tear from her eye, she explained, “Monsters who reach a certain rank and level gain enough knowledge to speak the common tongue.”

I turned towards Rihoku, whose blade-like horn had fully emerged, and thought loudly, “Does that mean Rihoku will also learn how to speak?”

Bria, who was still battling the urge to laugh, nodded. “Yes, given that he is to become an Alpha Nighthowl.”

“He still isn’t?”

“No. Not yet, at least. He is still in the process of being an Alpha, similar to G1 still is in the process of turning into a Hobgoblin.”

“Huh, so they’re in the same stage then? How come Rihoku still can’t utter a single word?” I turned my gaze towards Rihoku, who had taken out his trump card -- the puppy Nighthowl eyes. I gave in and patted his head.

“Due to their form, Kaito,” Bria replied like a teacher patiently lecturing a student lagging behind. And for some reason, I felt embarrassed. It was like not knowing common knowledge. I swallowed my embarrassment. I didn’t want to give Bria another reason to laugh. Fortunately, she just continued her explanation, “Humanoid creatures acquire the common tongue faster than beasts. Primarily, it’s due to the similarity of anatomy. Those who looked more human tend to learn the common language earlier than those who don’t.”

I nodded, absorbing the newfound knowledge. I turned back to G1 and gestured for him to stand up. We needed to get back to business. After all, We came back not just because we missed G1’s hideous face, but because the adventurers in Castel were already making a move.

“Okay, I get it,” I replied, putting an end to the previous topic. “So, how’s it going with the village G1?”

“G1 fought others. Others follow G1. Everyone fight. Everyone get strong. Weak Goblin level 13. Strong Goblin level 20. Other Goblin special. Everybody follows master.”

Listening to G1 made my head spin. All that talk about intelligence and common language suddenly made sense. Despite the dizzying speech, I managed to understand the gist of his report.

“Oh, yeah. Where is the other Goblin?” I asked while scanning around to look for the other Goblin.

“Here, master,” another almost-growling voice said from behind G1, which caught me off guard.

Goosebumps broke out of my skin, and the sound of failing to stifle a laugh rang beside me. I decided to ignore Bria’s mockery. Peeking my head behind G1, another dark mossy green Goblin appeared. It took active attention to adjust my vision to see it. It's entire body was slightly translucent, perfectly camouflaging to its environment like a chameleon.

“You are…. Err…”

“A Golek. Another Goblin species,” Bria supplemented. The laughter in her voice was gone.

That was fast. She didn’t enjoy herself too much mockine me, huh, I thought. Usually, it took Bria a minute at least laughing at my faults.

I stared at Bria. The last tinge of mockery on her face had vanished. Instead, her usual look when having a new realization was plastered on her face. “A Hobgoblin and a Golek. Both of which used to be unremarkable goblins. The only similarity is…” Her voice trailed off as she mumbled to herself.

I turned my attention to the Golek before I lost it from my sight again. Besides, Bria had entered her own world to muse whatever realization she just had.

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“Very well,” I started, trying to regain my composure. Having a unique skill, it couldn’t remain unnamed. It at least deserved being called something other than a Golek. I furrowed my brow, thinking hard of a name that suits it. I clapped my hand in realization, then said, “G4. You’re G4. What’s your level?”

“G4. My name G4. G4 level 22, master. Almost G1 level.”

I clasped my chin. A village ranging from level 13-20 with two outliers: a level 23 Hobgoblin and a level 22 Golek. I clicked my tongue. Not including the Golden Sun, that force was barely enough to fight adventurers half our number.

“You did well, G1, G4. Do what you can to increase the others’ levels.”

After knowing their status, we’d met our goal. There was no point in staying, so I waved G1 and G4 back to the village. After which, I turned to the others and said, “Let’s go visit the other villages.”

***

We went to G2 and G3’s village next, and what greeted us were two paling gray Goblins. This time, I planted my foot on the ground and stopped my instincts to draw Gale. Although G2 and G3’s skins had started to pale to silver, a large part of green was still visible. I guessed, and confirmed with Bria, that they were still in the early stages of turning into Hobgoblins.

When I asked for reports, G2 explained their status with a firm and resolute tone. G3 added with the same tone that their Goblins had also reached the same level as G1’s village. The previous hesitance in their eyes was no more.

More than keeping the village in check, I was more relieved that my gamble paid off. It felt like something was lifted off my shoulders.

I smiled at them, then nodded. “Good.” It wasn’t everyday things go according to how I imagined them.

With that, I also waved them off with the same task as G1 and G4. After that, we went to check on the Kobolds. For the Kobold villages, I left a newly subjugated leader to lead them. Of course, Shiki helped me choose which to subjugate, while Bria casted a charm spell on them. Still, it was a risk to leave an entire crowd to someone I appointed, albeit stronger than most. But it was a risk that needed to be taken. We didn’t have the luxury of hesitating and slowly building our forces. Plus, there was no other choice since the original leaders immediately went berserk.

Just like the Goblin villages, we gave the other villages a visit. Each of the Kobold villages had 35 units. But unlike the Goblin villages, they’re strength didn’t increase. The weakest was level 10, but there were a couple level 20s. Majority, however, fell in the 14-17 range, and the Kobold Chiefs were level 23 and 24. Still, the fact that they managed to control their units was a win on its own.

Although the Goblins and Kobolds were pretty much subservient, Bria gave me a warning about the War Orcs. The War Orcs, according to her, were far above both the Goblins and Kobolds in terms of strength, shown by the slight discoloration of their fur. In addition to that, the same could be said regarding their ferocity.

The moment we stepped near the rotting high woods, thunderous roars echoed, causing the birds to fly like some sort of horror movie. My hand glided to my side, grabbing Gale’s hilt on instinct. Ten huge green figures exited the woods, huge axes in hand.

The Nighthowls growled, and Rihoku went to my side, baring his fangs. I gave him a gentle pat and turned towards the orcs. “Stop! Do you not recognize your master?!” Despite shouting that with quaking voice, I kept my hand on Gale’s hilt, ready to draw.

“Gorda does, master.” The one in the middle dropped its weapon, but the others merely growled. Unlike the Kobolds and the Goblins, the leader of the War Orcs didn’t have a certain distinguishing factor. I could only differentiate the leader from the rest thanks to the blood marks on her face.

After hearing her profess her loyalty -- at least that’s how I heard it -- a wave of relief and courage coursed through me. I slowly let go of Gale, but just then, the War Orc beside her growled at me and raised its weapon. In an instant, my hand found its way back on Gale’s hilt.

Even though my subordinate was acknowledged as the leader, that didn’t imply that the others were my loyal subordinates. After all, I was the one who killed their previous leader. Plus based on what little I remembered from Bria’s lectures, War Orcs recognize strength in choosing a leader. If defeating their previous leader wasn’t enough to show my strength, I thought that that was just because they hadn’t been on the receiving end of my Crescent Slash.

I was about to draw Gale when the War Orc that growled at me was knocked into the air. My subordinate raised her axe, then glared at her companions. With a roar louder than before, I could feel that the aura around her had changed. It became heavy and dominating. It was like watching a lion keeping its pride in line.

With that, I was certain I could at least safely approach them. I removed my hand from Gale and started walking towards them. In response, the War Orcs lowered their axes, albeit a few still snarled. But with a single glance from Gorda, they hushed, I presume from fear of meeting the same fate as the first one who didn’t heed her growls.

“Great. I believe the last time we met wasn't the best conditions. How can I be sure of your loyalty?” I asked as confident as I could muster. It came out well, but I could feel my back being covered in sweat.

“War Orcs respect strength. Gorda doesn't remember the fight, but Gorda lost. Gorda recognizes her weakness.”

I chuckled, bemused of Gorda’s simplicity. “Hahaha. That’s great! I like you, Gorda! Do tell me how strong your War Orcs are.”

Gorda nodded, her yellowish tusk pointing towards me. “Gorda is level 27. Others level 24-25.”

“Really!” I exclaimed, almost jumping in excitement. That’s more than capable of handling an adventurer or two!

But looking back at them, my excitement became short lived. There’s only ten of them. They can’t face an army of Castel’s best adventurers on their own…

I turned to Bria, my pillar of wisdom. “Bria, with our forces, what’s our chances of winning?”

“Our battle force doesn’t hold much, but we do outnumber them. If we can gain an advantage, say the element of surprise, we have 50 percent chance of success.”

I bit my lip. Fifty percent isn’t good enough. We need more men. But not just numbers, we need power.

“Gorda, gather your tribe. Prove your strength.”

Bria trodded beside me. “Where are we going, Kaito?”

Still in thought, I muttered, “Hunting. Strong ones. Spiked Firebears.”