<h4>Volume 1, Chapter 44: Mad God</h4>
[Race] Goblin [Level] 5
[ss] Lord; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld (Altesia) [Attributes] Darkness; Death
[Subordinate Beasts] High Kobold > (Lv1) Gastra (Lv1) Cynthia (Lv1)
[Abnormal Status] >
Focusing my consciousness, I searched my own status.
[Skill] > The strength of your followers will be raised. Charm toward those of the same tribe will also increase.
[Skill] > When fighting with the leader of another horde, magic power 20% UP, damage received 20% UP, and in exchange, damage dealt 30% UP.
The > has a good effect both for me and the horde.
The charm part definitely means that it will now be easier for adherents to appear. Meaning, on top of my subordinates’ strength being raised, I’m also going to get more magic power. What more could I ask for?
As for the > it can basically be summed up into a skill catered towards a short conclusive duel. It’s a skill that kind of gives off a kill or be killed feeling.
It is true though that if the respective leaders of two opposing hordes could finish their duel faster, less lives will be sacrified.
It applies even for human opponents.
After I finished checking my own status, I went to see how my subordinates were doing. I feel bad for Reshia, but I’ll need to have her work for a bit.
As I thought that to myself, I walked.
I stopped moving for a moment to view the vige that had managed to pass the night.
“Horrible…” I muttered.
I have heard Gi Za’s report, but I still can’t help but be surprised seeing the damages with my own two eyes. But on the bright side, the threat from the west has beenpletely dispersed.
With the threats from the west gone, the only thing left to threaten the survival of the goblins are the wild orcs and the spontaneous giant spiders. There won’t be any more raids to the vige; a fact worthy of celebration.
Having a safe ce to run to when things go south is really assuring. It makes it easier on the heart when going out to hunt.
We paid a price for it, now I must make something out of it.
As I forcibly made myself agree with that line of thought, I continued to check on the vige’s situation.
“King.”
What called me was a blue skinned goblin.
“Lord Gi Go has evolved.”
Kneeling before me, it was the former leader of the vige, Gi Gu.
In the previous battle, I had him takemand as my right-hand man. And naturally, being the former leader of the vige, he was able to do a good job. He is a noble ss goblin, the highest ss next to me.
“There are also others who have evolved into a rare ss. Would you like to see them?” he asked.
They’re what we received in exchange for 20 goblin lives. I have to go and see them.
“Report,” I ordered.
“As you will,” Gi Gu replied.
Summarizing Gi Gu’s report, the one who evolved into the noble ss is the samuraish Gi Go. While the number of goblins that have sessfully evolved into a rare ss is 6.
I’ll have to think of a name. What a pain…
“What are your instructions regarding the newly evolved goblins?”
Right… It’ll probably be fine to go and see them together. Besides, I need to properly check up on them. I also have to think how I’m going to make use of them.
“Call Gi Go,” I ordered.
“And…” he seemed to want to say something more. “Is there still something?” I asked.
“No… there’s nothing.”
After sending off Gi Gu, I continued to go around the vige.
◇◆◆
After a short wait when I got back to my house, Gi Go came.
I took a peek at Gi Go’s status.
[Race] Goblin [Level] 1
[ss] Noble; Sub Leader
[Possessed Skills] > > > > >
[Divine Protection] Sword God (Ra Baruza) [Attributes] None
His swordsmanship skill is quite high. If it’s this high while he’s still a noble ss, then won’t he surpass me once he goes up another ss?
> will cause his growth to take some time, but in exchange, he’ll get more bonuses once he evolves up.
> will keep his opponent’s critical rate in check. Enemy critical rate reduced by 30%. Moreover, when fighting at the frontlines, physical strength 10% UP, agility 10% UP, and damage received 20% DOWN.
> will increase his charm toward fellow goblins by 20%.
> is the same as Gi Ga.
And then, the one that I’m most interest in, his [Divine Protection]. It’s my first time seeing a goblin other than me be blessed with a divine protection. His divine protectiones from the Sword God (Ra Baruza).
[Divine Protection] Sword God (Ra Baruza). Reinforces the growth of one’s swordsmanship. If the receiver of this divine protection can
reach Swordsmanship A+, then usage of the [Skill] > will be possible.
Using a weapon other than a sword will cause the receive to lose the divine protection.
After seeing Gi Go’s status, I began thinking of a way to make the most of it.
Gi Gu also received the ‘Sub Leader’ title when he evolved into a noble ss, but the impression Gi Go gives off is different.
Gi Gu is the type to lead the other goblins with skill, whereas, Gi Go is the type to lead others through his charms. Gi Gu’s way is more refined, but there are many amongst the faction of Gi Go who admire him.
Regarding the > skill, I can make the most out of it as long as I have Gi Go fight in the frontlines all the time. The skill will also keep his opponent’s criticals in check, so losing to a weaker opponent would be unlikely. He’ll alsost longer against stronger opponents.
Right… If I’m going to make the most of him, it’s got be the frontlines.
“Gi Go, you did a wonderful job in our battle this time. As reward, I grant you this sword.”
I picked a sword out of the piles of loot we looted from the orcs, and then I handed it to Gi Go.
“Please excuse this one, but…”
As he continued to kneel down with his head down, Gi Go shook his head.
“I would prefer a curved sword rather than a straight one.”
Well, that slipped through.
“My bad. Right… The Sword God (Ra Bazura) is watching over you after all.”
Then in that case, I should give him the same type of weapon.
He did receive the divine protection from polishing his technique with the curved sword to this extent. So, I guess it’s not strange at all that he might not want to use a different weapon even if it is also a sword.
Well, as for me, I would hate it if he lost his [Divine Protection] after finally seeing another goblin receive one.
Picking out a curved sword that’s still in good condition from the heaps of loots, I bestowed it upon Gi Go.
“I gratefully ept!”
As Gi Go happily epted the curved sword, the surviving, stubborn old goblin ordered for the next goblin toe in. This time it was a rare ss.
“The next goblin has defeated three orcs despite being only a goblin.”
Three orcs?
Impossible.
“Excuse me.”
The goblin that entered was a rare ss goblin that was a size bigger than Gi Go and Gi Gu.
[Race] Goblin [Level] 1 [ss] Rare
[Possessed Skills] > > > > >
[Divine Protection] Mad God (Zu Oru) [Attributes] None
If I recall correctly, this should be a goblin that was born after I became chief.
But the face of this goblins ispletely different from before the fight. The once peaceful face has gone, wounded by war, and reced by this face that doesn’t have a drop of charm to it. His gaze is twisted by hatred, shooting strongly against even me as if I’m considered an enemy.
Focusing my consciousness, I delved into the goblin’s skill further.
> aim at the target’s vital point.
> Due to receiving the divine protection of the Mad God (Zu Oru), it will no longer be possible to use any skills. But in exchange, physical strength 40% UP, agility 40% UP, and damage received reduced by 40%. Status abnormalities will also be lifted.
Isn’t this divine protection too strong?
Even without checking it with my own divine protection, I know that divine protections generally give some power in exchange for some side effects. In Gi Go’s case, he yearns for curved swords so much that he would even go against my will. In Reshia’s case, her body will sometimes be taken over her goddess… and so on.
Hmm… I wonder if this goblin is having his mind influenced by the god who gave him his divine protection.
As I felt sympathy for him due to the simrity of our circumstances, I asked him a few questions, and then just as I was about to give him a name…
“Chief, please… let me hunt… Please… together.”
Even without activating the Red Snake’s Eye, I know full well that the > has already been activated. But as for whether he activated it, or it was activated, I don’t know.
“Alright.”
If I leave this goblin like this, he’ll be a danger to the horde.
I’ll have to save him.
After all, I’ve finally gathered some good men. It’d be a shame to lose them right under my nose.
“We’ll end here. The rest… I’ll deal with tomorrow.”
As I dered that to the old goblin, I went out to the forest with the goblin that has been consumed by the Mad God.
Author’s Note:
Gi Ga’s fate will be revealed next chapter.