It’s been a few weeks since I took over the Kobold settlement. Most have gotten to their usual routine despite the change in leadership. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to suddenly make a lot of unnecessary changes and was pretty content with simply conquering our settlement for now anyway. The main focus for the time was to secure our survivability with stable nourishment. Thanks to my loyal henchman and my [Dimensional Box] that proved quite easy, with daily runs of hunting and storing the meat. As a bonus I found that my storage ability had the extra effect of stopping time as well so there was no worry of spoiling.

During that time, I decided to check my overall stats. I try not to make it a habit to constantly check it but it’s still good to check every now and again.

Vladimir

Race

Red Kobold

Attributes

[Health] F

[Spirit] D

[Strength] F

[Dexterity] E

Abilities

[Game Screen] (Rank F)

(Progression: 15.5%)

[Dimensional Box] (Rank E)

(Storage Size: 5/5)

(Progression: 02.96%)

[Kobold Adaptability] (Rank E)

(Progression: 59.94%)

[Mining Mastery] (Rank D)

(Progression: 00.20%)

Skills

[Material Forge] (Rank G > F)

(Progression: 10.00%)

I was quite satisfied with my progress; it seems the constant use of [Dimensional Box] had drastically increased its progress and had just recently ranked up. Now that I noticed, it was strange I didn’t get a notification this time or for my other rank up for it compared to when I got it for [Mining Mastery]. I’m still trying to figure out how my [Game Screen] works so there may be some conditions I would need to fulfill to receive a pop up. I assume maybe for the first rank up the pop up appeared because I was concentrating on that, that’s the only difference I could think of.

For now, I put it to the back of my mind as there was something else on the screen that I had noticed that really surprised me. One of my attributes had finally ranked up!! I was worried it would be impossible to ever rank up those stats since it didn’t show any progression. Even with all the work I had put in all this time it didn’t yield any results. There must be different conditions to meet to increase attributes compared to skills and abilities. Thinking back on it, it must have been during my fight with Mordred! It was all still a bit of a blur at the end of it, but I think I remember pushing past my mana limit. Maybe that’s what I would need to do, though I kept it at that. Even if it turns out that was the condition it’s not like I could easily recreate it.

Instead, it was time to start on the next step of my conquest, it’s time to expand my territory! ~ “One step closer and the world is mine! Veehahahahaha!!"

…

“Welp… there goes the chief again…”

“Still can’t believe we’re taking orders from this guy…”

“I can’t believe that Minotaur willingly follows him. I mean look he’s worshipping him right now!”

Indeed, right behind me Mordred was also sharing in my enthusiasm. “Oh, is it time to make the rest of this cavern yours, boss!? I can’t wait to see you in action!!” Mordred pounds his chest in excitement, his tail swaying along side to side. The three kobolds could do nothing but nervously laugh, they really didn’t want to get too much attention but were too cowardly to defy them.

Noticing their worry, I chuckled “Don’t worry, I don’t plan to have anyone who doesn’t want to join in my territory expansion. After all, if I did make you, you would just run away Veehahahahaha~”

The three stayed silent, trying to avoid saying anything as I continued my preparations with the first thing to do being to increase the [Dimensional Box] storage limit to 10. I’ll probably be grabbing additional materials so it was definitely a must.

Next was equipment, luckily for me my own wasn’t too worn out so I did some quick repairs to it. For the few kobolds who decided to join us I made some [Iron Daggers] using the extra [Iron] I had stored to make the blades and used the materials from the [Wooden Club] to help make the handles. As for Mordred, I used the [Wolf Fur] to create some clothing to cover the essentials as well as a nice fur wrap to go around his shoulders as I plan to ride on there more often and would like a comfier seat and used the [Wolf Hide] to create some leather harness to help sheathe his ax as well as a belt. All that equipment gives Mordred an awesome barbarian look which seems fitting for him. I also took the chance to take a look at Mordred’s stats as well.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Mordred

[Race]

Minotaur

[Attributes]

[Health] B

[Spirit] G

[Strength] B

[Dexterity] F

[Abilities]

Minotaur’s Pride (Rank D)

(Progression: 20%)

Bloodthirsty Loyalty (Rank F)

(Progression: 00.15%)

[Skills]

Bull Stampede (Rank D)

(Progression: 52%)

Bloody Rage (Rank D)

(Progression: 61%)

His stats had stayed the same as before, as to be expected since he seems the strongest one in these caverns. Though now I can see his abilities and skills, probably because he became my henchman. I’ll have to make sure to take the time later to learn what they all do. For now, I checked on everyone and how they felt about their new gear.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the new equipment and after making sure everything was in order, we set off for my territory expansion. The immediate area was a breeze as it only consisted of Giant Rats and Goblins, just one look from Mordred was enough for them to run off. So, the next target was the deeper parts of the cavern where I had faced off Mordred.

As is before there were packs of Wolves prowling around only this time we were tailing them, with multiple packs prowling around I had a suspicion that there was some kind of Alpha leading them all. It was proving kind of challenging to follow them as their sense of smell meant we had to keep a certain distance. We had actually failed a few times and were forced to fight them…well it was mainly Mordred but well he works for me, so it was the same. We did finally succeed and found ourselves in the wolf’s den strictly speaking.

We took a peek inside their den and found many Wolves resting and relaxing only to react to our presence. They gave off a menacing glare towards us as we intruded their home. Among them was a rugged and slightly larger wolf with some scars on its body, it was clear it was the alpha wolf. It got up and slowly approached us as we entered their space. It growled at the others to back off and then at us, it was clearly challenging us to a fight.

I was ready to send out Mordred to fight for me, feeling confident in his success in my name. But just as I was thinking that I found myself suddenly grabbed from behind and lifted up.

“I’ll leave this up to you, boss!”

Without even a moment to respond I found myself suddenly tossed towards the alpha wolf. My body landed on the ground before the wolf, who looked ready to fight me. Damn that Minotaur, I was ready to chew out Mordred for his actions and opened my mouth to argue with him when…I saw those look of admirations…. fuck alright seems I don’t have a choice...

I brandished my [Silver Dagger] ready in a battle stance as the alpha wolf approached me. Everyone else has given us some space, providing us with a battlefield as they all watch. I took the moment to inspect the wolf’s stats before we started.

Unnamed

[Race]

Wolf

[Attributes]

[Health] E

[Spirit] F

[Strength] E

[Dexterity] C

[Abilities]

???

[Skills]

???

As I expected I’m unable to see its abilities and skills just like with Mordred. As for its [Attributes] they almost all outrank mine, so it definitely wasn’t going to be an easy fight, especially its [Dexterity] which was 2 higher ranks than mine. So, avoiding his attacks will be next to impossible and I’ll have to rely on my [Material Forge] to keep up.

The second I was done inspecting him the wolf had already started to pounce with claws at the ready, I just barely dodged but it still managed to graze at my shoulder. Even just that was enough to hurt like hell! Blood trinkled at my shoulder as I held the wound down with my other claw. It didn’t give me much time as it went in for another attack, this time with its fangs. I barely had time to react and used [Material Forge] to make a rock wall as a shield. Its fangs don’t reach me, instead ending up gnawing at the rough, rocky surface. That gave me the moment I needed as I pulled out my dagger and sliced it at its front leg, the silver material adding an extra edge to the attack. I know this was the same tactic I used on Mordred, but it was effective before, and I needed to do something to reduce its speed if I hope to have a chance.

Though it seems I only gave it surface damage as it faces me once more and continued its pursuit. It charges at me once more and I was ready to conjure another rock wall when I noticed that its movements were a bit different. Sensing this I took the chance to run knowing I wouldn’t be able to outrun it, despite the fact that it kept its distance as if gauging what I would do next.

Not feeling up to disappointing I forged some [Rock Needle] in my hand and tossed it. It of course managed to dodge that though not before I created rock spike right where it landed. The sudden appearance of a spike as it springs in creation upward was enough to pierce through the beast, but not by much as it immediately jumped back. The look on its face was of fury, it must have felt humiliated.

It went after me once more, its speed seemingly increased. Going for another lunge at me I prepared my next creation but right when I was ready to activate it the wolf had disappeared before me. Before I could process its disappearance, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my cut arm, I had managed to ignore the pain earlier but there was a new stingy feel coming at it. As I looked at my arm, I saw the familiar set of fangs sinking into it; the alpha wolf had managed to gnaw its teeth into me when I was distracted for the moment. I screamed in pain; it was hard to keep my focus as more blood trinkled into its fangs. It had a look in its face, confident that it had won…

But I refused to give up! With one last plan in mind, I lunged my dagger toward its body, seeing this it added more pressure to its bite. I howled more in pain, the reach of my dagger too short to reach in time, but I used [Dimensional Box] to pull out the grinded up [Iron] that I had stored then used [Material Forge] to reshape my dagger to extend the blade right towards the wolf’s chest, piercing it with the tip coated in silver. It yelps in pain, but I could tell it wasn’t done yet. With another use of my mana the tip of the blade changes shape, growing new sharp edges at the base like the stem of a rose.

With the last of its breath the wolf falls limp, its fangs’ grip loosens off my arm as we both lay on the ground. At that moment I knew I had won.