The Brothers were the first to notice the light obscuring my body followed shortly by Hujarin and the rest of the Goblins. Food dropped out of hands and mouths alike as the Goblins collectively gasped in shock. All except for The Brothers and Hujarin, for they were old enough to know about the evolution process.

Once upon a time, they had gone through it themselves. Although evolution was different for each individual, the telltale signs were usually the same. The Brothers and Hujarin sat down and began a vigil waiting for the evolution process to complete itself. The rest of the Goblins soon lost interest, instead, their focus returned to stuffing their starving bellies.

Inside the obstructing light, my spirit and body continued to be racked with pain as the evolution process changed my body in ways I couldn’t possibly fathom. I couldn’t understand everything that I was experiencing, but I knew that I was changing at a spiritual and cellular level.

The evolution process seemed like it lasted an eternity, but it did not. Shortly after it started the light enveloping my spirit dissipated. My spirit seemed to glean with new energy. Without saying a word Chooftoof waved his hand and an ember floated from his hand toward me, piercing my chest.

My mind blanked as the pain overwhelmed my spirit. My spirit instantly disappeared as the pain snapped me back into my body. I came to slightly unhinged. The spiritual and physical pain compounded, driving me to the brink of insanity.

That lying bastard! Chooftoof you asshole! You didn’t tell me it would hurt this badly. Damn it! The pain slowly fades into a dull throb, it was then that I noticed the changes in my body.

My limbs were larger and no longer like limp noodles. I could feel the increased strength my body now possessed. It felt like my mind had gotten a boost as well, as my thoughts and processing speed seemed to be much faster.

I gasped, shocked that the magical energy around me felt tangible as if I could reach out and snatch it from the very air. All in all my body’s capabilities seemed to have increased by a significant amount.

It will have to be put to further test after I’ve created a home for all of us. It also seems like I’ve received some sort of System upgrade. Without exploring it further, the system had more options unlocked. Definitely need to check that out when I have time. Well, I suppose I should get the ball rolling on this whole Goblin Civilization thing.

“Spatial Storage!” I said.

The familiar portal to my spatial storage opened up in front of me and I walked in. I quickly made my way to the large collection of books I had pilfered. Peering at the books on the shelves, I scurried from shelf to shelf before finding what I was searching for. I grabbed a book on woodworking and a book on ancient construction. Well, let’s find out if my genius idea will work the way I think it will!

The evolution process granted me all sorts of fancy new options. I accessed the system and started looking through the list of new unlocked skill options. Some of these seem like they are extremely overpowered. Ignoring those for now I’m looking for one specific skill.

Scrolling through the skill list inside the system I finally happened upon what I was aiming for. Aha! There it is! Inspired Learning. Hopefully, the requirements are too steep. I need this skill for my plan to work, without it, my plan will crash and burn!

Inspired Learning – With the expenditure of experience points and skill points the user can translate a Tome of Knowledge directly into a useable skill. For example, using this skill in tandem with a Blacksmithing Tome of Knowledge will result in the user acquiring the Blacksmithing skill. This magic applies a massive amount of strain on the user's mind and body, so it can only be used twice a month. What did you expect? The spell is teaching you something that could take years to master in minutes.

Since when did the System become sassy? Eh, whatever… Wait why can’t I learn Inspired Learning? What the hell? Before I could finish the thought a burning sensation stirred in my chest. It was at this point that I remembered the ember that Chooftoof had pierced my chest with.

The point of contact started to shine with the light of a thousand roaring fires. Oddly enough it didn’t cause me pain, it was just the sensation of heat. The light and heat grew until I thought that they would consume me and then abruptly stopped. This enormous ball of heat and light finally burst and the remnants shot through my body. The fire in my veins slowly cooled as a system message popped up.

Chooftoof you amazing son of a bitch! This divine talent is insane! Let’s go ahead and try this out. Walking out of the spatial storage and setting the books in front of me I released the energy sustaining the portal. I sat down and grabbed a book in each hand. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and activated Inspired Learning.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Instantly my mind was overloaded with strange words and knowledge unknown to me. I gasped as I began to learn a plethora of ancient construction techniques and methods. I also began to understand the ins and outs of woodworking and many different harvesting methods. This is amazing! I can’t believe how easy it is to gain knowledge with this talent! I am going to become so overpowered no one will be able to stop me!

My jaw dropped as every muscle in my body tightened. Oh no! Did I speak too soon? Ugh… Discomfort flared through my being that soon turned to pain, as years of hard work and spent energy in the respective crafts condensed into a single moment that hit my body like a truck.

My body ached and my muscles screamed in agony. I collapsed from a sitting position and lay there while wave upon wave of pain crashed against me. Eyes clenched right I lay there wondering what was going to break first, me or the waves of pain. This Divine Talent sure has one hell of a demonic drawback. No wonder that shithead Chooftoof kept his mouth shut. You got jokes, you sick bastard!

I heard that! Little shit, talking all that trash. Anyway, you’re fine. It’s not like you would have heeded my warning anyway. It’s a great talent and should be used. That drawback you were complaining about is in place to protect you. If you put yourself through that kind of strain too many times too quickly it would destroy you. Your body would be left broken and disfigured and your mind would shatter. So you best be careful how you use it.

If this is how it happens every time then I definitely won’t abuse this divine privilege. I have to hand it to you Chooftoof, this is a really useful ability. Now I need to see if I can put this new knowledge to use the way I planned. I’ll see you around, Chooftoof!

Take care, my Chosen. Be vigilant and make Goblins Great Again! Now continue your Divine Quest! Restore faith in me and the powers you can obtain will magnify beyond your wildest dreams!

Chooftoof went silent after that final message and in the ensuing moments, my body and mind recovered. Relaxing my aching and strained muscles I opened my eyes to Hujarin, The Brothers, and my Golem looking over my prone body.

As I sat up a groan escaped my lips and betrayed my current condition to my people. Hujarin stared at me with a concerned look, the Brothers nodded to each other that I lived and then they both offered me a hand to get back on my feet. Clapping their hands I hauled myself up with assistance and more groans of discomfort followed.

My Golem flashed that hard metal smile at me and then clapped his hands. After getting back on my feet I dusted myself off and smiled. Now to put my plan to the test. I quickly went orders through the mental link to my skeletons.

To me my skeletal underlings! We have a job to do. I’m going to open up my spatial storage and when I do, you are to walk inside and grab axes and woodworking tools. You’re all going to be lumberjacks for a little while. Golem you are to help haul the wood. Finishing up my orders I proceeded to access my spatial storage.

“Spatial Storage!” I chanted.

The entrance to my spatial storage snapped open and in marched the skeletons, two by two. The procession took quite a while, but soon enough every skeleton had entered. Moments after that the skeletons went marching by two by two, exiting the spatial storage, bony hands gripped axes and all sorts of woodworking tools. It was quite a ridiculous sight to behold but nowhere near as ridiculous as the events that happened next.

The skeletal lumberjacks entered the forests and began chopping wood with tremendous speed and efficiency. Holy shit! It worked! Chooftoof you glorious deity! If they can build with half of this speed then we will have a sprawling village built in no time. Every day my choice of Necromancy gets more validated. It proves its usefulness time after time.

The trees fell, as my Golem transported them to a clearing set aside for carpentry. Each load the Golem dropped off was almost immediately transformed into wood planks of varying lengths and stacked aside awaiting their role in constructing the village.

After a short time has passed, the forests around the ideal location for the village have been cleared away. We had ocean access for building docks and a nice fishing industry, we also had enough space from the remaining forest to have ample time to notice any ambushes. It was the perfect location.

The last of the felled trees were brought over and turned into construction materials. Alright now skeletal construction workers let’s build a village. The skeletons rushed to and fro according to the image of the village they had received through the mental link.

It’s a good thing that we scavenged almost everything we could from that pitiful human settlement. Once the village is built according to the grand plan I will work on getting a mine up and running. I will help our tribe create strong weapons. But that’s for another day, let’s get building.

The Goblins slept and ate, ate and slept. Their days between eating and sleeping were filled with Hujarins teachings, and combat training from the Brothers. They quickly transformed from weak filthy little goblins into passable warriors, the Brothers were efficient and driven.

Soon enough they would be deadly warriors capable of raiding and defending against almost anything. While the Goblins learned and trained, the Skeleton crew were building a village. They had no need for rest or food, they toiled the days away unwavering.

The Skeletons started by building a very large housing zone, with enough room to upgrade when the time came. It took a few days for them to finish the housing zone, it was a wondrous event to witness. The houses were large and well-constructed.

Once finished with the housing zone they voraciously tackled the rest of the village, quickly building a market square full of various shop stalls. Shops are to be filled later, of course. We have to start small after all.

One after another the Skeletons hastily constructed building after building. The village now has everything it currently needed including buildings that could be converted into any future need at a moment's notice and plenty of space for new buildings as the tribe expands. All in all, I think what they’ve accomplished is amazing!