Noticing Gebu La's appetite, Gobulo was taken aback. Wasn't this guy only level one? How could he eat so much? After a moment's thought, he tore off another large piece of meat from the wild boar. This chunk was nearly as big as a leg, and to his surprise, Gebu La devoured it all right in front of him.
Gobulo watched in disbelief. Gebu La's eating capacity was almost on par with his own.
"Are you full?"
"I'm full, I'm full!" Gebu La nodded quickly. In truth, he wasn't completely full, but he feared saying otherwise might earn him another hit from Gobulo.
"Are you really full?"
"Rea..." Gebu La began but paused, eyeing the remaining wild boar meat in Gobulo's hand and swallowing hard.
Seeing that look, Gobulo understood immediately. This guy wasn't full yet. He handed over the last leg: "Keep eating! Finish it all if you can."
Hearing this, Gebu La almost lunged for it but recalled Gobulo's earlier slap. He carefully took the meat and began eating in large bites.
Watching this, Gobulo was pleased. It seemed Gebu La could be taught well.
Before long, Gebu La had finished all the meat, his belly noticeably rounder.
"Burp~"
"Are you full this time?"
"I'm full, really full." Gebu La assured him. This time, he wasn't lying; he was genuinely full.
Gobulo was secretly surprised. Despite being smaller, Gebu La's appetite was nearly as large as his own. Did he have a special bloodline?
Even if he didn't, his ability to eat more than an average Goblin already made him more formidable. With the Devour skill, the more monster meat one consumed, the faster one's strength increased.
"How does it feel to be full?" Gobulo asked.
"Very good, very comfortable. I've never felt this good before."
"Good. Stick with me, and keep our actions secret. I'll make sure you eat your fill every day."
Hearing Gobulo's promise, Gebu La nodded quickly, acknowledging Gobulo in his heart. Despite the occasional slap, Gobulo fed him well, a feeling he cherished. As long as he stayed full, Gebu La was willing to follow Gobulo's lead.
Although satisfied for now, Gobulo wasn't giving up on hunting. His current strength was too weak, and he needed more simulations to grow stronger.
First, though, he needed subordinates. Monster corpses shouldn't go to waste.
"Let's go back," Gobulo told Gebu La.
"Oh."
Soon, they returned to camp, back to the cave. Gobulo noticed that ninety percent of the Goblins were asleep, while the rest were in a daze, not exercising. He understood why: these Goblins had only recently been born and, aside from speaking Monster Language naturally, they had learned little else and acted on instinct alone.
Seeing their lethargy, Gobulo felt grateful for his modern understanding of 'no pain, no gain.'
As they entered the cave, a few dazed Goblins glanced at them but quickly looked away.
Gobulo was busy selecting potential subordinates. Despite the cave's darkness, a Goblin's vision wasn't impaired, so he could see clearly.
His criteria were simple: anyone who seemed dumb enough to be easily manipulated. Yet, everyone looked equally foolish, making the selection tough.
Just as he was about to choose randomly, he sensed movement behind him. Turning, he saw it came from the Troll's cave. The Troll seemed to be waking, so Gobulo hurriedly led Gebu La to hide.
Luckily, the Troll was slow to rise. By the time it was fully up, Gobulo and Gebu La were well hidden. As expected, the Troll headed towards the Goblins' cave.
Curious about the Troll's intentions, Gobulo watched from the shadows. The Troll roared, startling the Goblins awake. Several of the largest ones quickly exited the cave, followed by the rest.
The Goblins' terrified expressions brought a smug grin to the Troll's face. It seemed pleased with their fear.
Then, it punched the thinnest, smallest Goblins, flattening them. The gruesome scene scared many Goblins.
Gobulo, hidden, was shocked by the Troll's strength. Crushing a Goblin with one punch was terrifying. Though unsure of its exact strength, it had to be above level ten.
"A bunch of useless creatures. Your hunting is pathetic! If food keeps dwindling, you'll end up like them!" the Troll barked, gesturing at the flattened Goblins.
The Goblins quivered in fear. The Troll's presence was overwhelming. Satisfied with the display of power, the Troll left.
Watching from the shadows, Gobulo's determination to kill the Troll and take charge grew. He didn't want to live in constant danger.
His plan shifted. Forget recruiting Goblins for now. Instead, he'd secretly improve his strength, avoiding detection.
"Gebu La, let's go hunting."
"Okay," Gebu La agreed, despite being full, knowing better than to defy Gobulo.
They returned to their hunting grounds. By now, Gobulo understood why humans hadn't discovered this place in his seven simulated years.
The Goblin territory lay in a vast valley, its entrance concealed by thick vines. The vines grew so naturally that without careful inspection, one couldn't find the valley's entrance.