Xiao Yu got out of the mud pool and scanned his surroundings. A fire pit at the corner of the campground caught his attention. That seemed to be the Goblins' "kitchen". Right, fire! He trudged towards it and stuck his hands into the flame.
System: You have received 3 fire damage points.
A -3 popped up from above. Despite the meagre amount, the campfire was not just for display and would inflict damage to creatures.
Beside the fire pit, an old goblin was roasting some frog meat. He was called the Goblin Cook, and Xiao Yu ventured towards him.
"Hello, I want to learn the Bonfire skill. Can you teach me?"
"You want to learn Bonfire? It isn't easy—you need many years of learning and practice. I don't think you have what it takes to master such a high level skill," the Goblin Cook said scrupulously.
Xiao Yu was experienced at playing the Monster Mode, so he knew what the Goblin Cook was referring to.
"Here is my small token of appreciation, please take it." Xiao Yu handed over the dozen pieces of frog meat he had obtained.
The Goblin Cook's eyes shone brightly. "Mm, you seem to have the talent for it. Alright, I shall teach you."
System prompt message: Mastered skill, Bonfire.
One piece of wood was required to build the Bonfire. It could be used to roast consumables and used as a flashlight in the dark. The Bonfire would last for 30 minutes.
"Hehe, just as I expected, it will last for 30 minutes, the same duration as the mission." Xiao Yu pondered, but before that, he had to collect some wood. There was a pile of wood right next to the fire pit, hence he took a dozen pieces at once.
It would be a waste not to use a public good. He then made his way back to the mud pool. He formed a Bonfire and -3 damage was dealt when a frog hopped past. It had worked indeed.
Xiao Yu was excited, and he built several bonfires along the narrow mud path. The frogs' health bars were constantly depleted at the rate of 3-4 points, and he instantly burned a dozen of them. They soon respawned and then burned to death again. After ten minutes, the mud pool was littered with the frog corpses. Xiao Yu kept himself occupied by picking and storing the frog meat.
Half an hour later, Xiao Yu emerged from the mud pool after advancing to level 7. His backpack was filled to the brim as well.
"Ahahahahaha, this feels so good." Xiao Yu left the mud pool unwillingly when the time was up.
After checking through his loot, Shrek's jaw dropped. "Oh my God, I have never seen a braver warrior than you. You have killed so many frogs. Hang on, I have to report to the Chief."
"Is killing so many frogs considered brave? How useless are us Goblins?" Xiao Yu dissed himself.
The Goblin Chief looked alert and sized Xiao Yu up. His glance crept Xiao Yu out.
A thoughtful look fell onto his face when he noticed the burn marks on the frog meat when he inspected it.
"Very well, based on your magnificent feat, your wisdom is sufficient to inherit my legacy," the Goblin Chief said with elation laced in his voice.
Xiao Yu's wits were muddled. He had only killed some frogs, was that so great? However, it was still a good thing.
The Goblin Chief nodded at Shrek, and the latter walked towards Xiao Yu.
"Well, Eric, you can select among the following jobs. Please make your choice."
Goblin Slave: A normal Goblin without combat abilities, mainly in charge of camp ground construction and resource collection. Cannon fodder on the battlefield.
Goblin Scout: An agile Goblin that attacks with a short bow or dagger. Although these weapons are not powerful, they are still a threat to the enemy. After advancement, Accurate Strike can be mastered.
Goblin Warrior: The muscular combatant of the Goblin Horde, as well as the main attack power of the tribe. After advancement, Heavy Strike can be mastered.
Goblin Diviner (Advanced Hidden Job): A rare channeling job in the Goblin Horde. Able to cast simple spells. In the Goblin society, it belongs to the rank of the High Priest. After advancement, Secondary Fire Ball Spell can be mastered.
The four jobs were given based on the number of monsters killed by the player. The more monsters killed, the greater the number of options. If none had been killed, he would've probably ended up as a Goblin Slave. Goblin Diviner should be an Advanced Hidden Job that was available because he had killed too many frogs. The surprising part was that Goblin Fighter was not available, but it seemed like it had something to do with the way he had killed the frogs. If he had killed sufficient frogs with brute force, that job option would've popped up. However, Goblin Diviner seemed more ideal than Goblin Fighter, so he had no difficulty in making the choice.
"Goblin Diviner? Advanced Hidden Job? Haha, I knew that my luck was great. Alright, it will be you then."
Eric said, "I wish to inherit the Elder's legacy. I would like to be a Goblin Diviner."
Craigan (Goblin Chief) replied, "Very well. Finally, I have a successor. Come, I will pass down my secret skill to you. It is powerful and is the strongest magic that our horde can master. You must use it wisely."
System prompt message: Congratulations on advancing to a Goblin Diviner. Mastered new skill — Secondary Fire Ball Spell.
Secondary Fire Ball Spell: Fire a fireball at target, deals 11-14 flame damage, range of 30 yards, uses up 3 mana points.
Spell Introduction: Similar to the fireball spell. However, due to the Goblins' low intelligence, something went wrong during the mastering process. It resulted in a decrease in the fireball spell's power, hence it was called the Secondary Fire Ball Spell.
"Damn, I went through so much trouble just to master a defective spell. It is tough being a wild monster. It seems like the Advanced Hidden Job is not that special after all."
However, there were still some advantages after advancing. He immediately attracted looks of awe and admiration from the others.
"Come, accept your equipment," said Craigan.
A Tattered Sheepskin Robe and a long, wound-up wooden staff.
Tattered Sheepskin Robe: Protection +1.
Antique Staff: Spell Intensity +1.
After tidying himself up, Xiao Yu checked his current attributes.
Eric (Goblin Diviner):
Monster Category: Human-type creature (Normal)
Affiliated Forces: Mud Horde (Goblin Wanderers)
Monster Level: Level 7
Monster Talent: Recoil (Passive).
Health Points: 140
Mana Points: 40
Strength: 8
Endurance: 9
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 4
Spirit: 3
Skills: Bonfire, Secondary Fire Ball Spell.
Eh, what was up with this talent? This was the first time Xiao Yu had taken notice of the Goblin's talent. He took a closer look.
Recoil: You lack presence, resulting in your enemies overlooking you.
Effect: During an attack, there will be a 30% decrease in the enemy's aggro value.
"Alright, despite sounding insubstantial, the effect is pretty decent. Wait a minute, if all goblins have such a talent, it is the same as not having it, right?"
Xiao Yu felt as though he was being cheated.