When I woke up, I tried to move but my body felt heavy and trapped. I was lying with my arms spread wide and for some reason I couldn't feel them. I tried to figure out what was happening, looking to my left and right. When I looked to my right, Gobumi-chan was there sleeping on my arm and when I looked to my left I found Redhead sleeping on the other.
Yeah, this is the so called 'arm-pillow'. There was a faint sense of pain that came from my arms due to the two heads disturbing the blood flow in each of them for a long time.
How did it turn out this way?
Truthfully I wanted to move my arms which started going numb, but I couldn't bring myself to wake those two who were sleeping soundly. What I'd like to ask is, when did Gobumi-chan enter my bed? When Redhead snuck into my bed I was half asleep, yet I remember her slipping into the bed, so I can understand her being here.
Could it be that Gobumi-chan had developed a powerful [Hiding] ability that my [Sense Presence] ability could not sense her? No, there's no way that could happen.
Most likely, if the one approaching doesn't have any bad intentions or hostility towards me, then the signal is weak and, because I was sleeping, I missed that weak signal.
I was thinking, "For the time being, I'd like to do something about this situation…" when Hobusei-san happened to pass by. I pleaded for her help with my eyes, but she just chuckled and picked up one of my favorite books from my toolbox [Introduction to Magic — Basics of Magic vol 2 of 3] then went away gracefully.
Crap. She'd better return that.
After that, Gobukichi-kun passed by while heading for morning training carrying his crescent axe. I pleaded with my eyes just like with Hobusei-san. He seemed troubled for a little while, but ended up pressing his hands together in prayer and left. I bitterly watched his apologetic smile as he did so.
O~i, we're friends aren't we? Please help me.
After Gobukichi-kun, a yawning Gobue-chan followed. Recently she'd developed a hobby of collecting beautiful gem-like [Spirit Stones]. She even seemed to have formed a [Spirit Stones] mining group together with other goblin girls. She was holding a pick, so she was probably going to mine some before the morning training.
I imploringly pleaded with my eyes, because she smiled wryly as if saying "It can't be helped", I thought "Finally someone is helping me", but then she saw something and broke into cold sweat. While I was thinking "Huh?" she hastily went away.
Help me…the sense in my arms is gradually…
My plea for help didn't reach anyone, and I was left like that.
There were some guys who sporadically came over to check on me, but none of them offered me any help.
Then, approximately one hour after I woke up, the two finally opened their eyes. As one would expect it was starting to turn dangerous for my arms, so the reason they woke up was probably because I was trying to save my arms by doing some stealthy and very slight movements.
Frankly speaking, having your arms used as pillows for the entire time you're sleeping is severe, especially when it's both of your arms. For some time, I couldn't even feel them.
Once I ate the breakfast the sisters prepared for me, I began the morning training.
Everyone were training very hard with great enthusiasm today.
Eh? Well, since the higher post was suddenly thinned out with the death of the former hobgoblin leader - who was one of the highest ranked members - , the goblins understood that the only way to grab it is to become strong like me and the only way to become strong is by earnestly training to overcome your own limits. I got this information after putting together what Gobukichi-kun and the training goblins told me.
Yes, that's right. I didn't say it before, but since the goblins number had increased considerably recently, I began taking the role of the supreme commander of our group.
Gobukichi-kun became the commander of a unit consisting of those with high offensive and defensive abilities, their role is to engage the enemy from the front. This unit became our heavily armed corps, it's called « Anger ».
The last hobgoblin to be introduced is called Hobusato-san who became the commander of a unit consisting of goblins with high offensive abilities and with more mobility, specializing in "hit and run" tactics. This unit became our lightly armed corps that specialized in offense and mobility, it's called « Hatred ».
Gobumi-chan became the commander of a unit consisting of those who were bad at close range combat and had good affinity with long ranged weapons. This unit became our long-ranged corps armed with short bows and crossbows, it's called « Regret ».
Gobue-chan became the commander of a unit consisting of those who I judged to be lacking the required combat ability to belong to any of the above corps, this unit's members' training will focus on polishing their defensive power enough to defend themselves, in addition, they'll be focusing on support, cooking, fixing broken equipment, etc. This unit is our logistical corps, it's called « Pleasure ».
For now Hobusei-san was the only one, with the exception of me, who could use magic. Nonetheless, she became the commander of our magic-wielding unit, it's called « Agony ».
By the way, if the all of the different units are added together, they number 59. 39 from our generation plus 28 from the older generations minus the 8 I killed during my torture.
For some reason no one wanted to be my sparring partner, even though I would be using a wooden sword.
Well, I can easily win even with a handicap anyway.
But if I were to fight 1 on 1 against Gobukichi-kun, Gobumi-chan or Hobusei-san, it would be close. If I used my abilities I can win a fight alone against everyone together, but that would be in opposition to the original purpose of the training, which is to increase the basic strength of the participants.
After that it was time for the afternoon hunt. This time everyone had things to do so I went out alone. Gobukichi-kun was asked by the goblins under his leadership to continue training with them during the afternoon, Gobumi-chan was still teaching the goblins who couldn't remember things like ranks, the continental Alphabet and the simple rules I decided on, and Gobue-chan was mining accompanied by the members of her [Spirit Stone] mining group.
After departing, I first found a Demon spider.
I killed it the usual way and tore off its carapace. A Demon spider's carapace is useful because it's light and sturdy, in addition, I can further increase its toughness when equipping an armor made out of it by using [Shell Defense]. In fact, I've already integrated one into my armor.
[ Goburou acquired [High-quality Carapace] !! ]
After putting the carapace in my backpack, I ate all of the spider's body. Since Demon spiders aren't edible, the taste wasn't very good.
Ability [Expanded Field of Vision] learned
Because I felt good about acquiring a new ability, I turned a blind eye to the lacking taste.
Next, I found another Triple Horned horse. This time, unlike the last, there was only one. It was a perfect opponent to test the power of my [End] magic on, so I started casting my magic.
To successfully invoke magic, generally speaking there are three steps that must be completed.
The first is the chanting of the [Spell] to interfere with the laws of the world.
Second, [Internal Mana Control] to collect the necessary amount of magical power inside the body.
Thirdly, [External Mana Operation] to control the formation of the magic itself in the environment using the internal magical power outside the body — that is, releasing the magical power into the air, then constructing the magic.
Also, because the third part [External Mana Operation] is several times more difficult than the other two parts, it is typical to use a casting aid device such as a magic staff when casting a spell.
However, I already have the abilities [Internal Mana Control] and [External Mana Operation], so having a staff makes no difference when handling magic for me.
I constructed a black lance created with magic - a first tier spell from the [End] magic system called [ Spear of The End (Gendihi)] - , then I threw it.
After aiming my black lance landed successfully and hit the Triple Horned horse right on its fat neck, where it cleanly gouged a hole 20 cm in diameter.
The body that had its flesh torn off with a tearing sound stood still for a moment, then its body went limp and suddenly collapsed on the spot. I was genuinely shaken from the impact of the scene. 'I didn't know this magic possessed such a ridiculous amount of power' I shuddered while thinking that.
You see, since I became a [Variant], the incantations for basic magic has become embedded in my memory, I think I already mentioned that, but until now I didn't know how powerful this lance was.
I understood that magic was strong from trying it on a Green slime before. However, to think that as long as I don't miss the target it's an instant death attack even when used against creatures as strong as Triple Horned horses, magic is amazing.
Or maybe the [End] magic system is just too strong compared to the other systems? Moreover, there are 10 tiers for each magic system and this spell is only a 1st tier spell. Well, the power of this spell is so high, so I'll use it only as a last resort, otherwise it won't be a laughing matter if some accident were to occur, I thought so whilst dismantling the horse.
I sliced off all 3 of the horse's horns, tore off the scales, cut off one leg as a souvenir and bled it and ate the rest of the horse in the meanwhile.
Ability [Armored Scale Formation] learned
Ability [Strong Frame] learned
The ability to grow scales on my body. It is extremely powerful, however, because I'll look kind of gross, I decided to refrain from using it. Well, as a test I used it once, then black scales grew closely packed on my arm…
It isn't something that I can show to others.
For an instant I felt like I had turned into a lizardman. Although it'll be fine as long as I get used to it, however, as expected the appearance of the arm I tried the skill on is slightly hard to swallow.
I began to move around searching for prey in order to fix my mood.
This time I found a Green slime. I fried it till it became crispy then popped its core in my mouth.
Ability [Metamorphosis] learned
I am able to change my arms to make them function as whips with this ability. You see, when you talk about Green slimes it's just a lump made up of mucus. So bones don't really matter when changing their body shape, once you know this it's easy to understand.
This ability allows my bones and the other tissue to have the consistency of a slime's body thus, using this ability, I can change my body's shape to a certain extent and move similar to a slime. I can even turn my body into a puddle-like form copying the shape of a slime and, to test this, I enveloped a Horned rabbit in my body, using [Self Body-Fluid Control] I changed my body fluids into acid, and the Horned rabbit was, in this way, turned into nourishment.
Besides, if I turn my limbs into slime form before receiving an attack and then take the part that got blown away into my body afterwards, it seems I won't even receive an injury. Though I think it's an extreme method to use. This ability is almost like cheating, though it has some limits of course. It's not like I feel bad for obtaining such a useful ability, however, I should be careful of whom I show this to.
The nightfall was close and I was already satisfied with my spoils, so I was about to return when I found, or to be more exact encountered, it.
A huge looking rock covered with red hair, is what the [ Red Bear ] looked like with its large frame.
From a quick estimation, it was more than 4 meters long when standing. You could tell that the Red bear is bad news with just a look from a distance, an existence not to be messed with, everyone could see that it was a born warrior.
I doubt if even my halberd could easily slice through its red metal-like fur and, even if I were to pierce it, the thick flesh below the fur would easily stop the rest of the strike's momentum.
In such a situation, one would normally flee. Running away at the first sight of it. That's the only sane choice when facing such a being.
However, before I realized it I already went into hiding while observing it and started to devise a plan on how to kill the Red bear.
Well, even though I haven't fought a dangerous opponent of this level since my reincarnation, I have already fought and killed far more dangerous guys before reincarnating. Each time, I killed and ate them.
That is probably the reason why I really wanted to fight this guy.
I want to devour it and get its abilities, my instincts were whispering this to me.
Well, with such feelings, I prepared everything I could use to kill the Red bear, and so, the fierce battle began.