(Major Update)
Changing into my slime form, I quickly used [Celestial Devourer] to absorb them and give them a painless death. It was the only thing I could do for them. As I did so, the world's voice decided to interject upon my melancholy with the plunder from the human women's in-depth analysis.
『[Human-Language] acquired.』
『[Common Written Language] acquired.』
『[Mental Map] acquired.』
『[Job-class: Magician acquired.』
『[Job-class: Light-Swordsman acquired.』
『[Job-class: Druid acquired.』
『[Job-class: Craftsman acquired.』
After waiting a moment for all of that to sink in, I sighed once again. Based on what Veldora told me, only the spirit tribe species such as humans, dwarves, elves, beast-men had access to the job class system. The monster-tribe of the surface consisting of creatures like the goblins and magical beasts could only rely on evolution, the so-called rank-up system.
The fact that I now had access to both seemed a bit...exaggerated, no?
'Saul, how do these Job-classes work?' I asked, confused about all sorts of things.
『Job-classes are part of the spirit tribe's development system. By devouring these humans, you have thus tapped into their development abilities.
When you obtain a new Job-Class, you can gain skills related to that class or have an easier time developing the related skills. For example, the Light-Swordsman job-class will make practicing your Zanjutsu skills more effective and stronger when applied in real combat.』
Hmm. Now that it mentioned it, I picked up some katana like swords from those kobolds earlier. I won't be able to apply my reiryoku to it, but it should be able to endure some practice.
After sorting out my thoughts well enough about the humans and my new abilities, I turned towards the awakening elder goblin. If there was any small comforts to be had, at least I know that I'm not required to consume everything to gain its abilities, as long as I devour it using [Celestial Devourer], Saul can analyze it, copy its form and abilities, then I can spit them out.
"Hmm, what's going on here? And where are the women? I was just about to-"
"Quiet, old man!" I shouted at him as my magic pressure poured down on him. "I've got some questions to ask, and I expect you to answer truthfully, or else." I felt strange, threatening the tiny green man, but my emotions were still a bit out of control at the moment.
The elder goblin for his part immediately nodded in agreement.
"First off, do you have a name?" I questioned.
"This one's name is Gobu-Ji, named by another Majinn almost 20-years ago."
"Gobu-Ji?" I asked, thinking about the irony of his name. " Is that where the other goblins got their naming sense from with their false names?"
"Yes, my lord." the elder goblin nodded.
"Hmm. Do you know where any human settlements or any other intelligent species are located?"
"We are near the center of the forest here, not far from the Elves to the east and in the north lies the Armament Nation of Dwargon, home of the Dwarves. It takes two months walking north to reach the edge of the forest. Beyond that is the lands of Dwargon. All sorts of races meet there, even monsters since it is a neutral nation renowned for its trade and technological developments."
Oh, that's interesting. It's good that they're nearby. I can probably cover that distance in a week with my current proficiency in shunpo.
"As for humans, my lord," the elder goblin continued, you can find many in Dwargon, but the Elves of the forest are currently at war with a human empire to the east. It is aptly named the Eastern Empire and covers the eastern border of the forest. On the opposite side is the Holy Empire of Ruberios. I would avoid that place as much as possible due to their anti-monster tribe doctrine."
Based on what the elder goblin said, I created a rough mental map of the major forces around the forest using my new skill. "Is there nothing to the south, gobu-Ji?" I asked.
"Mmm, those are the lands controlled by the Demon Lords. They are filled with various races and are watched over by the Demon Lords. They frequently are attacked by the Holy Empire of Ruberios, but they still stand firm."
"That was very helpful gobu-Ji. Now, what can you tell me of the humans being brought back to the camp?"
"Hmm, there should be at least three women that the expedition team should be bringing back for the breeding ritual to replenish our numbers.
Despite our location, we still frequently face attacks from Ruberios and adventurers without a familia. After the first evolution, monsters start developing a monster core like the monsters from the dungeon.
These monster cores are a major resource for adventurers who exchange them for money. The adventurers guild supposedly uses them to power their magic equipment."
That was more info than I was looking for, but it also matched what Veldora had already told me. Weaker monsters are forced to continually repopulate their species to make up for their weakness with numbers. I guess he simply didn't want me to think of him as a vile monster.
Unfortunately, there isn't a way for me to fix this issue. Even if I wiped out these goblins, others would do the same thing.
『New Quest!』
\-------------------------------------/
Building a Safe Haven (B-SSS)
Now that you've learned more about the forest of Jura and its people, It's time to build a haven for yourself and the people you care about. Depending on the strength of the force you make, rewards vary.
Goal 1: Bring the Nearby goblins and Elves under your control.
Goal 2: Build friendly relations with one non-monster-tribe species.
Goal 3: Build a home.
Goal 4:...
Special Note: This is a multi-part quest. It will be updated as developments are achieved.
/-------------------------------------\
'Hmm? Saul, what is going here? Why do I have to build some sort of haven in the forest? Wouldn't it be better in one of those other major forces that Gobu-Ji mentioned?'
『Replying, those are established powers, and it will be challenging, if not impossible, to develop your strength and power base in a civilized society. They tend to frown upon eating people and acts of mass destruction.』
'Hey, I'm not the bad! I just misjudged the power of my Kido spells a few times.'
『... Mental Map updated.』
All of a sudden, my mental map appeared before me and depicted the path I've taken since leaving Veld's caverns. There were several swaths of unnatural clearings where I had utterly leveled the ground.
'So maybe it was more than a few times. I only just started practicing. Give me a break, Saul. Look since I've already cleared those areas, I could probably use them to build my safe haven, right? Two birds with one stone!'
『At least you have learned to take responsibility for your actions.』
'Of course, I'm a very responsible adult. Whoever told you otherwise is fake news.'
『...』
'Too much?'
『Too soon. We've only just left that world behind...』
'Wait, we? Were you there too, Saul?'
『I cannot comment on events before transferring to this world.』
'Isn't that what you just did, though?'
『...』
Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Despite all this safe space nonsense, it only took up a fraction of a second in the real world, a boon of my hastened thoughts sub-skill of [Solomon's Pride], aka Saul.
Getting back to the conversation with Gobu-Ji, "I would like to make a deal with you in exchange for the safety and authority over the women being brought here soon. In exchange, I will name each of the goblins in this village and help hobu-Kichi and hobu-Mi with their evolutions."
"This... The humans are crucial to our repopulation. Without the strength of numbers, our tribe will have a hard time surviving." replied Gobi-Ji.
"Hmm." Gobu-Ji had already explained it earlier, but I guess it is much harder than I thought. "How about, I also offer my protection for the next six months so that you can naturally reproduce amongst your population." I offered. "Even with the lowered fertility rates of your females, this should help bring your community to a stable level. Besides, the goblins only have so much territory, and they can't afford to have too much of a population boom."
Gobu-Ji considered his options then sighed. "We will do as you say, Lord Orion. I doubt we could resist you if you wanted to take the women away anyways. This is an excellent opportunity for us goblins."
"A wise choice. In the future, I intend to build my own forces in the Great Jura Forest. If things go well between us, I wouldn't mind including your village in it from the start."
Gobu-Ji's eyes perked up in curiousness. "Lord Orion, can you tell me more about the force you plan to build here? After the Storm Dragon Veldora's disappearance, the fight for supremacy has quickly been escalating.
We have been attacked several times by a direwolf pack and the occasional orc party. They're becoming an even bigger nuisance than the humans. If you are trying to build up a force of your own, then many of the weaker intelligent monsters will undoubtedly flock to you."
"Umu, that sounds like a good start. It would be great if I could organize the intelligent monsters and demihumans into my force so that we don't have to worry about some of the major forces troubling us."
"I will go and inform my people of our agreement. It will take a while to gather them up, so I will send hobu-Kichi and hobu-Mi to gather you some food."
"Wait a second, elder. I would like to go with them and start helping them level up to prepare for their evolutions. Tonight we will have a feast, and you can announce it then. Just make sure everyone shows up."
Gobu-Ji considered it and then nodded. "Very well, Lord Orion. We will do as you say. Hobu-Mi and hobu-Kichi, work hard and do as Lord Orion instructs." After saying his piece, Gobu-Ji left to organize things for the evening with the other goblins.
"Alright. First off, let's give you guys proper names."
Gobu-Kichi stepped forward hesitantly and took a single knee. "Honestly, I want to smash your face in for killing hobu-Rou. But, hobu-Rou always said that only strength speaks. I swear to become strong enough to challenge you, and avenge Rou. Until then, I will do as you say."
I couldn't help but raise my brow after listening to his conviction. He wanted me to strengthen him so he could try (and fail) to defeat me?
I do not doubt that killing hobu-Kichi this instant would be the safest and most reasonable option at the moment. Still, his straight forward and simple-minded personality would probably make him an excellent friend and confidant if I could earn his loyalty.
"Hobu-Kichi, I should probably kill you now." I said seriously as I stared him down. To his credit, he neither flinched nor looked away, but the other hobgoblin and goblin were hasty to try and defend him.
Unfortunately, I released my magical power and froze them in place. Despite this, the goblina squirmed and struggled as she tried to break free. I increased the pressure, and this time both gobu-E and hobu-Mi fell to the ground, conscious but unable to move.
"I should kill you and be done with it, but I see great potential in you. I understand that I embody everything you hate at the moment, so how about we make a deal?"
Hobu-kichi looked at me curiously, so I continued. "How about this, I will allow you to fight me once for a chance to avenge your friend. It will be a deathmatch for all intents and purposes, but I will not kill you. Instead, if I win, you must loyally serve me for the duration of my guardianship over this village. If you win, I imagine I will be dead. What do you think?"
Despite being a muscle head, hobu-Kichi seriously considered it, and in the end, he shook his head. "No deathmatch. We will spar. If you win, I will abide by your previous condition, but if I win, you must become the permanent guardian of this village."
I raised my brow in surprise, something I found myself doing increasingly frequently since coming to this world. "That works for me too. Would you like to do it right here, or before the others as witnesses?" I asked.
"Let's do it here. This is just between you and Me, Orion." Hobu-Kichi picked up his club and moved before me while I decided to go empty-handed. I hadn't practiced my Zanjutsu skills yet, so I might fatally harm hobu-Kichi if I used a weapon. Instead, I would use my hakuda techniques, which I had a bit more control over.
I released hobu-Mi and gobu-E, who both immediately ran over and scolded hobu Kichi for his recklessness. Still, he placated gobu-E and promised the girls he would be alright. Gobu-E was only concerned about the hobu-Kichi, but hobu-Mi was glaring at me with a pout.
I wanted to tell her she looked charming when she was angry, but I don't think it would go over well. Anyways, I decided to stretch my body a bit. Despite having the carapace-like bandages covering half my body and the lower half of my face, I didn't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.
I'm not entirely sure why my fused form has taken on the appearance of Mugetsu Ichigo after fusing all of my heritages, but once I get a break, I guess I'll need to take a trip to my inner world to gain access to my zanpakuto. Hopefully, it isn't a one-off thing.
Hobu-Kichi and I both stepped forward at the same time. He, with his shield, armor, and mace, and me with my ridiculously unfair parameters. In case I wasn't clear before, all of my settings have been maxed out, and the only things I've actually killed was a snake, a bat, a few centipedes, a big scaley lizard, and that variant hobgoblin, Rou.
Despite that, I've only gained 2 out of the 10 levels necessary for my first evolution. Despite that, my parameters, aside from my new spirit parameter, were all maxed out. Kichi was going to get a bit hurt, and I was going to earn my first subordinate.
After nodding to one another, hobu-Kichi rushed in like the musclehead he was and swung his mace-like tree trunk that was as thick as his waist using both hands. Despite its apparent mass, Kichi moved quickly as he pushed towards me and swung the mace.
I decided to use this as practical training fro my hakuda skills. I didn't use [Hastened Thoughts] sub-skill, but I was still able to watch and react to Kichi's overwhelming brute force with ease. I ducked under his first swing and stepped into his guard before planting both of my palms in his gut.
The impact pushed hobu-Kichi back several steps and clearly winded the big guy. I didn't strike his wooden chest armor, or else it might have broken to pieces. A testament to the fact that hobu-Kichi was still standing, though, slightly hunched over and using his club for support.
In a manga, this is usually where the villain would say something witty and talk down to the character, but such things irked me, so I kept my mouth shut as I took my stance and prepared to strike.
I burst forward towards Kichi while telegraphing a massive hook, "Slime Puunnch!" I released early, allowing him to narrowly dodge the fake punch and draw his attention from the reverse roundhouse kick that was following it up.
Kichi didn't know what hit him as my heel connected with his exposed side, and he was comically launched into the wall of the cave.
As far as I was concerned, the fight was over, and hobu-Mi and gobu-E seemed to agree since they rushed over to the fallen Kichi to check on him. I walked over to check on the damage, but an angry hobgoblin stood in my way.
"Why did you strike him so hard, are you trying to kill him too?" she accused me.
Despite her appearing to be a cute young woman, about 15-16, I wouldn't let this hobgoblin walk all over me. I waved my hand, and a water blade instantly slashed past hobu-Mi's left, and it left a deep gash that went several meters into the wall beside the three goblins. A reminder of what I could have done, should I have wished to kill Kichi.
Although she was just venting her frustrations and grief, as demonstrated by the tears covering her angry countenance, they all needed to understand who was in charge.
Hobu-Kichi, with gobu-E's support, quickly climbed up and stood before hobu-Mi before the situation could escalate further.
"A promise is a promise. I will be your loyal subordinate and you may command me as you wish, Lord Orion." hobu-Kichi kneeled once again, making me wonder if he was really as dumb as he looked or just a fellow of few words.
I sighed, "You are a good friend, hobu-Kichi, and you would make a great leader for my heavy infantry. From now on, you shall be known as Kishin, Captain of the 11th Division, Wrath."
Mana surged from my body with a fiery red glow before it entered his body and began transforming it. Kishin quickly lost consciousness as he continued undergoing his evolution process while gobu-E watched him with a mixture of concern and awe.
I was a bit surprised that naming Kishin caused him to Evolve, but I guess he was reasonably close to evolving already.
I poured some of my tonic on Kishin, immediately healing his wounds before anyone could voice their complaints or concern.
"You both can have the same deal as Kishin, otherwise, I'll just name you and be done with it." After basically being a solo adventurer for about two weeks, it was a bit tiring dealing with all of this. Therefore I quickly presented the others with their options. If they both evolved, I would be hunting on my own after this.
Hobu-Mi thought about it for a few moments before shaking her head. "I can't beat you, and someone needs to make sure you don't run off after this. I'll go with you to hunt."
Although I disliked hobu-Mi's distrust, I could understand her anger and wariness. Though apparently not wary enough to not go alone into the forest with me.
I just nodded, "Fine, you look much weaker than Kishin anyways, we can train some of your parameters before having you level up that way you gain more experience and have better options when it comes to ranking up. Stand still, I'm going to absorb you to analyze your status."
"Huh? N-no, wait! I-I'm not ready ye-!"