Standing in front of this Mor Dax, I couldn't help but have a moment of self-reflection.
During my first life, I watched an old movie once called 'Goodfellas'. It's about gangsters and shits. I can't remember the entire movie, but the opening scene always stuck with me. I considered it to be a quote of sorts.
'As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.'
The truest words I ever heard from anyone across two lives and transmigration. In my original life, gangsters weren't just criminals. No, they were activists for freedom. Survivors from the trenches. The foundation of communities big and small.
A gangster is someone who took no shit, only what they wanted when they wanted it. But life as a rebel can be hard when the system wants to fuck you. So when I was reborn as a black American at an international school in Japan, I decided to be different. I had new opportunities and the like.
Even when I was summoned, I used what I knew to survive, but never to conquer. I adapted to my situation but never flourished. To be a gangster, no matter how much I romanticize it, no matter the world, it will always be considered a blight on society.
But here and now. On this continent of Atoria. In a society of Goblins that rape, pillage, and murder. I can see that this worm of a goblin, Mor Dax, is a gangster. Though he's a worm, he innately understands the concept of the 'forced deal'.
Most goblins would gut you and fuck your corpse. Not Mor Dax. He wanted what we had and what we would acquire in the future. He knew that it is our luck that brought us to the blood pool, not his. He wanted to wield this luck as his own by threatening us with destruction. A true gangster, but not yet a boss.
I was born to be a gangster. I know now that two lives, transmigration, and a body switch can't change that.
I chuckled sinisterly as I walked forward. "Don't care who you are. But never talk to my women and never threaten me again."
My hand flourished and my mana surged as the goblin's surprisingly lost control of their bladed weapons. They found them again, sheathed in the eyes of their comrades. A soft point that leads directly to the brain. Experience over strength is a beautiful thing.
Thud! Clang! Ding!
Half of the goblin's dropped, my system chimed, and Mor Dax smiled at me. Battle horny, I guess.
"Don't smile at me. I'm not your fucking friend. Nyx, end em all except Mor Dax. Sahyia, break his goddamn legs." I ordered.
Nyx moved like a shadow demon and slaughtered the remaining goblins. Sahyia appeared in front of the Level 25 Mor Dax. She was fierce and unfettered. Though she was level 23. Her based stats of 230 tripled after the blood pool. She was now on par with the average level 69 fighter.
Pah! Pshh!
Blood mist filled the area as Sahyia couldn't control her strength. Her single blow obliterated Mor Dax's legs.
Walking over to Mor Dax, I look down at him in agony. "Are you stupid, simple, or slow?" I asked.
"Group 1 finds a treasure. You wait for them to claim it. Then you try to extort them. But here's the twist. Group 1 has found a treasure. You should have killed us as we left the pool." I lectured. I then the stump on his head and it cracked like a melon spilling green and white into the dirt.
[Lvl 25 Mor Dax assisted killed, 450 Exp]
'Haiz, this is the downside of having help. Assists cost half of my exp.' I sighed internally.
For every kill, 50 exp is awarded. The Exp is then multiplied by levels above my own. As a level 7 fighter, Mor Dax was 18 levels above me. Killing him should have awarded me 900 Exp but I lost half because Sahyia assisted me.
"Throw the bodies in the blood pool," I spoke while leaving.
'I have to learn Geomancy fast. If this place is found, problems will surely arrive.'
Sometime later, I sat with Shaman Nox as he drowned me with information. By the evening, he started me on the mana transformation exercises. Without rest, I manipulated my mana, kneaded it, stretched it, transformed it.
In a way, it was simply another element. The morning of the auction, the Shaman entered the training room and discovered me in a meditative state radiating goblin magic. It emits thick and green.
Thud!
A book dropped in front of me. Opening my eyes, the slim book was old and tattered.
"Lvl 1 buffing spell. It should be simple. Every shaman should know it for the good of his people." Said Shaman Nox. "Auction is after midday. Be ready."
The Shaman left me alone. I then called my slaves to the training room to test the buffing spell. The Buffing spell increases the strength of the target by five percent. Naturally, I performed the spell abit crudely, but the system listed it as a Spell learned.
For hours, I used my ladies to practice. Slowly mastering the spell. Midday had come quickly.
In front of my five slaves, I stood confidently as I downed a mana potion to replenish my reserve. Moving my mana, transforming it, then applying it. I worked through the spell, conjuring a densely green magic circle.
At the middle of the circle, a ball of mist appeared, growing larger and larger. Pushing it forward, the ball of mist took to the air and erupted above my slaves. Mist rained down like a light shower and the slaves glowed with green radiance.
Sahyia stamped her foot on the ground and the earth splintered. Dahlia swung her sword and split a High-Grade mid-level dummy in half. Nyx demolished one next. Finally, Rema struck and Clarissa managed to destroy a level 17 dummy of her own.
[You have mastered Basic Buff (Goblin Magic).]
[Host has achieved Intermediate Buff (Giblin Magic) Lvl 1/10]
[Quest 'High Stakes: Prax' Completed]
[Quest 'High Stakes: Gigsa' Completed]
A smirk appeared on my face. I was happy as I could be. With two and a half days to spare, I learned goblin magic and performed a level 1 spell. But I didn't have time to surf the system, as I rushed out of the training room.
I had been doing that a lot lately, rushing.
"Young One, the Shaman is already gone. He asks that I lead you to the auction." A guard, half a foot taller than me speaking.
About fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the auction. It was held in a pre-colosseum gladiator-styled arena. The Shaman and his sons had their own box. It was nothing special, just a section of the stadium for personal use. It didn't protect privacy as everyone could see us.
Taking my seat next to the shaman, the ladies stood behind us with the other slaves.
"Hmm, calm and sharp like a fresh blade. You've mastered the buff. How talented." The Shaman's weary voice traveled, and those in the both gasped.
Before my arrival, the Shaman had delayed the auction a bit and told his guest about his niece's newest apprentice. He explained how I couldn't manage goblin magic a day ago and have never attempted a spell.
So to succeed in a day's time to the level of mastery was shocking.
"Gniqee seems to have a good eye." A man spoke with mild contempt.
"Better than yours, Eldest brother." A woman followed up.
The Shaman's lip twitched at the sound of their voices.
"No is not the time. Kane, these are my apprentices, Ubba and Ren. Next to them are their chief disciples." said the Shaman.
"I'm Kane," I replied.
A peal of light laughter came. "Kane from where and of who?" The young goblin beside Ubba spoke.
"Raider Kane Uhn, Chief Gor Uhn's nephew from the southern border," I replied, then focused on the podium at the bottom of the arena.
"I'm…"
"I don't care who you are." I cut him off. "Shaman Nox, what can I expect of this auction."
The shaman chuckled as he replied, "Treasures of value to many goblins. Heavenly Treasure, gear, magic tomes, martial skills, and slaves. In that order. You must know that the Goblin race value these things the most with heavenly treasures being the least important."
"Is that so," I muttered.
"Hmm. How much Ahng do you have?" the Shaman asked and many waited. Some silently mocked and expected very little.
I waved my hand, and Nyx spoke, "5,000 squares and goods to exchange with the honorable shaman for his backing during the auction."
Many of the goblins didn't pay much mind to Nyx. However, Ren's eyes showed interest as she spotted a bit of the slave mark beneath the leather collar that I put on Nyx before the auction.
"Grade and Tier?" the Shaman asked.
"High Tier. The grades vary." I replied. Receiving more gasps from the guest.
"Raiders usually don't sale such gear," Ubba spoke.
"I'm more than a raider and I have no need for the gear at the moment." I replied, "And I'm not selling, I'm using it as goodwill"
"Bid freely, young one. The auction is about to start." The Shaman spoke, causing Ubba and Ren to sweat.
A few breaths passed before an old man appeared on the stage with a large broadsword. His power then erupted to quiet the arena. His sword grew larger. My eyes went wide the moment it hoovered and the old goblin sat on it.
"That's a human skill," I said.
"That old one got that skill 100 years ago during our last raid. He has cultivated it quite well." The Shaman spoke.
The old man on the stage cleared his throat, and he spoke with a booming voice with little effort. The entire arena heard him, and it was clear that he was somewhere above the middle levels.
"Welcome to my Black Claw Auction. Like always, fighting isn't permitted. You bid to win. If you lose, handle your problems elsewhere." said the old man.
The auction then began with a few heavenly treasures that I didn't care for. It wasn't until the end of the section that a familiar flower appeared on stage.
"You all know of this Heavenly Treasure. It's the most coveted amongst men and women. To reshape the body. Men get a bigger cock and produce more fertile spunk. Women become more alluring, gain a charming scent and a magnificent cunt that can break the minds of men. I present the Star Glazed Carnation. The bid starts at one square."
Everyone immediately knew that this bid would be between the upper echelon, as the poor goblins usually had a few squares at most. But I really couldn't believe that goblins would use such a heavenly treasure to aid their profane needs.
I, on the other hand, needed this flower urgently. It's why I hadn't leveled up. The Star Glazed Carnation is the main binding ingredient of the Elemental Establishing Pill for mages under level ten.
"10 Squares!" Ubba bid
"20 Squares!"
"35 Squares!"
"100 squares!" Ubba shouted.
A woman across the arena laughed. "Ubba, My Uhn family's young master is becoming a raider soon. This Star Glazed Carnation can help him conquer the best slaves. As you know, goblin men are quick. Without a treasure like this, how can you men possibly capture slaves?"
The arena became loud with whispers. It was common knowledge that goblin men were quick lovers until their level was high enough our they got their hands on heavenly treasures. This is why it was hard to become a Raider, as acquiring a slave was the requirement. Only after victory in sex can the slave seal be bestowed, power of bloodline aside.
Ubba growled. The Uhn are cousins of the Royal Uhnoks. Many of them had great backings, power, wealth, and so on. There's only one Uhn in history that lives in poverty, Chief Gor Uhn.
"This little Uhn is very interested in the Star Glazed Carnation. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to tear your face to shreds. 300 squares!" I projected my voice and the arena went silent.
"Uhn?! How dare…"
"Hush! Old bitch! This little one is the son of Kor Uhn and the nephew of Cheif Gor Uhn. Fix your lips to question my heritage, and I'll rip them off." I growled with killing intent.
"Gor Uhn? That waste. 500 squares!" the woman hissed.
"The waste is the young master Uhn that needs flowers to fix his little dick. 1500 squares! See me if you dare!"
The woman was fuming, and the arena was laughing. It may be common to be quick, but it was uncommon and shameful to be born with a tiny shaft.
"1500! 1500! 1500 Squares for the Star Glazed Carnation!" The old goblin spoke. Green mist then carried the flower to my box, and Nyx handed over the payment.
Ubba then laughed and thanked me for saving his face.
"Huh?" I was confused as I put away the flower. "That wasn't for you. This treasure belongs to me. Who told you to stop bidding?!"
Ubba choked on anger and was hit by a fit of coughing. I threw salt on wounds as I muttered, "Peasants..."
The next category was gear, which I didn't need, but I purchased a superior grade middle-tier furnace for 4000 squares, beating Ren.
Magic tomes followed. I had many spells in my mind and didn't look twice until a brown tomb of refining appeared. It was an ability that I never received because the system shop and adventures guild wanted all my limbs to purchase it. Refining is a difficult occupation with a status above alchemy.
However, here in the rock lands, I paid three squares for it. Thinking about it. Becoming a goblin might be the best thing that has ever happened. My foundation is 10 times stronger than my original body, that's for sure.
The next category was Martial Skills. It was a hot one as the average sell was no less than 2000 squares an item.
"Now, before we enter the most awaited category. My Black Claw auction house has a bit of a surprise." The old man spoke as a familiar spear and tome appeared on stage. Next was a set of recognized flying daggers and a foot-long scroll.
"Quite recently, a couple of heroes had the gull to venture into our rock lands. Many of our kin died because the battle was fought on the plain and not in the caves. Our Honorable Shaman was forced to intervene and slay the trash humans!"
The arena erupted with cheers and praise for the old Shaman.
"Thanks to the Honorable Shaman's respect for our friendship. He has gifted me these items. Two sets of weapons and tomes. Buy them together or don't buy them at all! The bid starts at 5000 squares!"
I knew it. The flying daggers belonged to the school slut, Grace. The spear belonged to her cuckold boyfriend, Kai the Green Gaint. Kai was 6'2" and built. But none of that mattered because his place was at Grace's feet, sucking her toes while she had a cock in each hand and one in her throat.
I hated the bitch and her boyfriend. The loser thought he was hot shit once he got a Tier 5 system. It wasn't the strongest, but it was ranked three in our class, while Grace was ranked four.
Hero systems are ranked from Tiers 1 to 10. Only two people in my class received Tier 9 systems. The summoners thought it was odd that no one received a Tier 10 system. Naturally, that's because I lied about mine.
After a month into training, Kai received the Wind dragon spear for his 'wind lord' system. He also received the Vanishing Dragon Spear technique. He easily matched the guys with Tier 9 systems until they received their rewards from the kingdom.
Grace received the set of flying daggers and the ten thousand mind technique to complement her 'Esper System.'
The biding had quickly raised to 10,000 squares as I pulled out the best gear that I had. The Shaman looked at my wares then gave me a nod.
"20,000 squares!" I doubled the price without hesitation. Only I knew the true value of the items presented, and I had no intention of letting them go.
With the slaves trade coming next, the other bidders let me win. After the Shaman paid, I gave him more half of my gear and took my prize.
"Young One. You should leave. It'll be dangerous if you wait around." said Shaman Nox.
I thanked him for his help before casting the buff spell on my slaves. Then we fled.