Day 14:

Commotion this morning as two strange creatures appeared right in the middle of our sleeping area.

They were about the size of the average teenager, one had the same shade of green skin as we goblins while the others was black. They both had a full head of hair and looked very human like.

Some of the older goblins were inching towards the treasure room, hopefully they were going for some of the weapons stored there, myself and the rest of the awake goblins made a move to slowly grab our weapons as well.

We were all almost ready to go when

“Are you really Goburou??”

“Well, yeah, more or less …?”

The green asked the black one.

As soon as they heard that the tension in the room eased, I can sort of see it now. The naïve look on the green ones face. Yup, if you squint you can tell its Gobukichi. So this is the result of [Rank Up].

We had calmed down a bit but Gobujii almost had a heart attack when he saw the two.

Still stunned he started to rattle off explanations to all of Goburou’s questions but most of it was just him babbling. The basics of it seemed to be that the two of them had cleared the conditions to become Hobgoblins and because they look so close to humans, many choose to live in human settlements though most end up there as slaves.

The differences in skin tone is probably because Goburou is a Blessed variant species.

There seems to be some special types of [Rank Up]’s and sometimes you can gain the Blessing of one or more of this worlds Gods.

The last interesting thing the elder said before he went for a rest was that out of our parent’s generation only three goblins became hobgoblins and it usually takes a lot longer to do so.

He left still shaking his head in disbelief.

Most of the others goblins had gotten over the initial shock and headed out to hunt while me and Gobumi stayed to listen in. She looks a little saddened to have been left behind.

I left myself just as Gobukichi gave a wide grin.

The sound of the two sparring echoed down the cavern, Gobumi was sitting quietly stitching some new clothes.

The first thing I had to do was get myself a new weapon after a failed ambush yesterday cost me my last one.

I was surprised to find how long it took in the forest till I found a decent branch. I was just getting a feel for it when a bush to my right shook violently and out leapt a Horned Rabbit.

Unfortunately I was already in a good position just to knock it out of the park.

My branch caught it in the side of the head and I felt the subtle caving of its skull a moment after impact. I punted the poor creature into the thick trunk of a nearby tree which ended it with a satisfying squelch.

I held down the urge to fist pump just long enough to collect my trophy: my first kill.

Playing back the image in my mind it occurred to me that the critter wasn’t lunging at me but rather leaping away from something.

Prize in one hand, stick in the other I moved some of the obscuring leaves out of the road a little. My heart froze as I caught a glimpse of those smooth black scales. There was a slight hiss as I slowly lowered the leaf curtain and fled for my life.

When I stopped running and my heart beat had returned to normal I found myself back at the cave.

As I was already here I decided I may as well call it a day.

Like the others I offered part of my kill to Goburou, everyone was doing it so... peer pressure, before eating the rest.

He seemed a little dissatisfied that all they were bringing him was Horned Rabbit. Meats meat don’t be picky. As a Hobgoblin and the most powerful person in the cave he has been granted the right to use anything in the treasure room.

Anything!

After hitting the skull with a rock a few times finally I had a horn knife of my own.

[Gobuiro has acquired [Medium Animal Horn]]

But it would definitely be my back up weapon, everyone else seems to be developing their own habits and styles. I passed the afternoon savioring the flavour and watching the two Hobgoblins model the upgraded armour they had made. Even Gobumi got a slightly gaudy top of seven coloured bat wing leather.

I definetly need to get myself some protection.

Day 15:

The horn knife hanging from my ragged loincloth seems to be a symbol, like a rite of passage, as today I got invited to accompany a couple other Goblins from my generation on their hunt.

They each only had one horn knife and are similarly dressed in rags.

I guess we are the weakest of the group.

But when I checked my level it was at least sitting at [Lvl. 13]. Just goes to show you how weak I was before if a single lowly rabbit could boost me 12 levels. No wonder those two who have been eating Horned Rabbits since day 4 were able to rank up so quickly.

The other Goblins in the group are all male but I’ve seen them around and they're all decent guys.

Our bachelor circle passed the trio on their way to hunt as well. Decked out in their new improved armour. Goburou had a face of focused determination, Gobukichi looked like he was about to explode with a big grin across his face and Gobumi gave us a polite smile and nod as they disappeared deeper into the forest then I’d even thought to go.

The guys and I tightened our resolve and after a couple hours, several failed ambushes and a few minor scraps we were rewarded with two horned rabbits. We shared one and kept the other as we decided to go after a third.

That evening we gave Goburou a whole horned rabbit, the other we ate amongst ourselves.

One of the other groups even managed to take down an armoured tanuki. There was the promise of armour to motivate us as the cave filled with the delightful smell of cooked meat.

I noticed Goburou was using a flame at the end of his finger to grill some of the meat. When did he learn magic!

It’s impossible to catch up to that guy by now isn’t it?

Near him Gobumi was nibbling on a freshly charred rabbit’s foot and Gobukichi was arm wrestling several goblins at once. They seem in high spirits but apparently today Gobukichi pulverised something called a Kobold. His ridiculous strength is scary. The wooden club has menacing looking dry blood stains on it. Scary!

After they went to sleep the rest of us gathered together to have a meeting.

They have their own private area away from us goblins so we wouldn’t disturb them with our chatter.

Day 16:

The results of our meeting last night was this.

We prostrated ourselves at Goburou’s feet and begged him to teach us more about the Art of Killing. While I’m not against it as there is a correct time and place for a sincere dogeza. Thankfully one of the few female goblins was chosen to represent us.

Us your feminine charms.

After a few moments of face down silence I heard him speak. Truly it was only to set the terms but that was a huge step forward.

Good job Gobue, good job.

With negotiations complete he gathered us round and began something that can only be called Spartan Style Hell Training. He asked if we were ready and when we nodded he leapt at the nearest goblin and gave him a light judo throw. Seeing the smile on his face I suddenly realised that this was the long awaited ‘stick’ and tried to back away as a barrage of punches and kicks were dished out at an Goblin in range.

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder and I turned in horror to see Gobukichi, who just gave me a look that said ‘you ate the meat too’ before giving me a small shove. Unfortunately he still doesn’t seem to be able to control his new strength well as I practically flew into Goburou.

I was quickly put into a camel clutch and could do nothing but tap out.

Every time I did he would loosen his hold until the moment I relaxed before tightening it again.

After several minutes of this he let me down and I watched from a heap on the floor as he continued his assault. Any that tried to escape he hit from behind, some got well placed mid kicks and the few brave or foolish enough to try to attack were easily countered.

But he didn’t discriminate and soon enough male and female Goblins, as well as both Gobumi and Gobukichi were groaning on the floor.

The demon gave a triumphant look and headed off.

He said something about making us armour or getting us dinner, maybe both but I couldn’t tell as the blood was pumping in my ears and my sight was blurry.

Near us Gobumi was proudly show off her cute clothes and necklace, the other females were praising it as she blushed with pride to which they all started to giggle. Ah, that innocence I can feel it healing my soul.

I think I blacked out because when I came to there were several piles of meat near us. Some of those awake were already trying to crawl towards it. Inch by inch I joined them, every part of my body hurt like hell and the delicious meat is so far away. Goburou you demon!!

Day 17:

I was woken by the mournful cries of something in an incredible amount of pain. Surprisingly my joints didn’t hurt as much. Is this the curing power of meat or cuteness?

When I eventually joined everyone else we found Gobujii cradling one of the corpses in the treasure room. It seems all of them passed away in the course of the night. Guess until we find more this will be the last generation. Calmly Goburou took charge of the deceased, he directed those of us awake to collect as much fire wood as possible. Looks like he’ll be cremating the bodies.

It was a sombre mood in the cave, death is always a difficult thing but most of the males my age seemed more despondent about never getting to use them. My bachelor circle colleagues especially so. A couple of the older female Goblins tried to comfort Gobujii but he just wept,

“N-not the same, not the s-same.”

He was really broken up about it.

When Goburou passed me in tunnel he had a serene expression on his face. The next thing I heard was a loud cry of surprise.

“Ehhhhhhhhhh!!!”

I guess he just caught a glimpse of Gobumi.

Seems during the night she also ranked up into a regular Hobgoblin. When I passed her this morning she was trying to find some clothes that still fit.

She has the maturing body of a JK.

Gobukichi didn’t seem nearly as shocked but I wonder how much gets passed that muscle brain.

To take their minds off of our lose I gathered the guys and we hit the forest. It was a rewarding day and we returned that evening with three Horned Rabbits and even an Armoured Tanuki. During the day we managed to knock a couple of small birds out the sky and they served as lunch.

When we placed the spoils down to ask if Goburou could skin them from us I noticed that his latest craftwork was of a surprisingly high quality.

I’ll settle for just a decent set though.

He tossed what we brought him onto the pile of other kills next to what looked like a half finished shell sword.

Or long stick with shells tied to its length. He caught me looking and scowled at it so I guess it was a failed project.