Leaving the stadium, I had a sudden thought and led my group back to the blood rock canyon. Then sent Nyx out to purchase a list of supplies for me. Sometimes the running and fighting isn't the best way.
Running through the clan would attract attention. The moment we step into the Rocklands it would be nothing but space and opportunity to surround and kill us all. Not to mention our enemies would increase astronomically at the mention of our treasures. The best solution I could think of is to hide in the only spot I know.
Nyx returned after sundown and told me all about the killing that happened after the auction. The Goblin race is truly as brutal as they come.
"Did anyone recognize you?" I asked.
"No. I managed to get everything on the list...But," Nyx paused.
"But what?" I asked.
"The Uhn's are looking for you. They even sent goblins to the Rocklands." Nyx appeared worried.
"Soon, everyone will be heading for the trade festival," I told her. " So we need to make a lot of money back when the time comes. And we have to do it in a way that overshadows the current auction. Replace a wave of blood with an ocean of blood."
"Master, how can we do something like that?" Rema asked.
I held up the sack of items that Nyx purchased for me. "We're going to introduce a new elixir to the market. The Goblin Strengthening Potion."
"If anybody can do it, Master can." Dahlia sang.
I smirked slightly. " You five are all I have in this world. I have two days to complete this potion. I need you five to protect me with all you have."
"Yes, master!" they replied in unison.
I gave them a firm nod then pulled my new furnace from my storage ring. I then prepared all of the herbs needed for a strengthening elixir. I then prepared the Crimson Orchids with much reluctance.
Once finished, I remembered the conversation between Shaman Nox and myself about Goblin Magic. It was the key to goblin alchemy. Taking a deep breath, I performed my first fire spell since I became a goblin.
Red flames were conjured and slowly I twisted my mana and the flames turned blackish green.
[Host has learned Shamanic Flames!]
Guiding the fire to the furnace, I began to warm it. Time slowly passed. Hours turned to a day. When the furnace bottom was hot red and warmed the canyon, I tossed in two portions of Wild Gingseng.
It slowly cooked until melted into medicinal liquid, next followed Dead Honey, Silver Wintergreen, Cold Licorice, Spirit grass, Midnight Dew, and finally Crimson Orchids.
Then can became fragrant with the smell of medicinal liquid. I then began the priming process and the fragrance turned pungent. My shamanic flames had corrupted the liquid.
I then merged the liquids forming one pool. Decreasing the temperature to simmer, I slowly stirred in Syrup of Zephyer.
The last day of my wager with Phele arrived. My furnace still burned and cooked my elixir to perfection. A few hours after noon, my furnace opened and a greenish-blue cloud of smoke escaped. As the liquid went into bottles, I captured the smoke, surged my flames, then condensed it. Like artificial rain, blue droplets were added to the bottle before they were caped off.
I watched patiently as the colors of the elixirs changed and finally settle on a deep pink with a golden hue.
[Quest 'High Stakes: Phele' Complete]
[Host has achieved Goblin Alchemy!]
[Alchemy and Goblin Alchemy have merged!]
[Alchemy has been upgraded to Classification, Tier 4 Alchemist]
[Shamanic Flames has reached Mastery! To Upgrade reach Level 20 or acquire Fire Souls]
"Yes!" I shouted happily. I had regained my previous level of alchemy before becoming a goblin. Alchemy was one of the only skills I could train while hiding my true potential in the Hero Alliance.
The girls gathered around when they heard my excitement. They looked at the elixirs with eyes of wonder and Nyx practically lost her mind when she realized that the strengthening potion was Middle-Grade Teir 5 potion.
Many alchemists could usually create a tier above their level. Those that couldn't are destined to fizzle out. It happens to everyone, it's just that timing is always different.
"Alright, I'm not finished yet. I need to increase the quality and use the remaining Crimson Orchids. Parties should be leaving soon. When that happens, we'll disappear in the crowd." I spoke to my girls while writing a note.
Putting my pencil down, I folded the note and gave it to Nyx. "Take this to Shaman Nox and only Shaman Nox."
After Nyx left, I continued to refine more strengthening elixir and drinking bottles of Mana Replenishing Potion to keep myself going.
Days passed slowly and elixirs were made. Before I knew it, the day of the trade festival was here. Parties were moving out in droves. Venders and merchants were the first to leave. As the sea of goblins flowed, we flowed with it. After an hour on the road, my slaves and I vanished.
Sometime later, we appeared in the opposite direction of the travel parties. We waited in a stone circle for nearly an hour before Gniqee, Phele, Prax, and Gigsa arrived with five of my strongest goblins and a few others from my raiding party.
Next, Shaman Nox and his two sons appeared with matching Warhammers. Shaman Nox laughed when he saw me. But he quickly turned his attention to his niece.
"Uncle, Gniqee is back," she said.
"Haha, I'm old, but not blind, little girl. Better late than never." Shaman Nox replied as he crossed the distance and embraced the daughter of his late sister.
"Ahh, you've found a good apprentice. He's helped me a lot and he has a good aptitude for magic." Shaman Nox complimented me.
Gniqee giggled. "I know. That's why I brought these three, the lost a wager to the little genius."
Shaman Nox looked over my apprentice sisters and his eyes stopped on Phele.
"Great-uncle." Phele began to greet him but he waved his hand, cutting her off.
His eyes narrowed as he noticed Phele's condition. "Passed by two juniors and still a Tier 2 Shaman. It's that mule blood in her. You should have…"
"Uncle!" Gniqee barked, "Not now."
"Hmm," Shaman Nox settled. "Boys! I can't go to the festival, make sure you take care of your blood and her people."
"Yes, father" The two sons replied before Shaman Nox vanished in a puff of smoke.
When he was gone. The two sons ran to their little cousin and showered her in affection. They even shared their love with Phele who looked more at ease after meeting her cold Great-uncle.
While the family spoke, I walked past them and my apprentice sisters.
"Warriors greet Raider Kane." the warriors smashed their fists to their chest to salute me.
"Five strongest, stand aside," I commanded.
Two giants, a tall lanky goblin, and a short nimble goblin stood to the side. My eyes then fell on a party of eight.
"You must all be here because you completed my tasks," I said.
"Yes, Raider!" they replied.
"Raider Kane, We lost many brothers capturing the class four monsters." One of the large Goblins spoke.
"How many?" I asked.
"This is all that's left besides the fifty still in the Yordal." the short nimble Goblin spoke.
'To be expected. The strength of the Yordal is only average.' I thought.
"Hand over the monsters. And keep your eyes open during the festival. I promise to reward you all." I said.
After taking the monsters. Gniqee looked at me with a big smile. "You did good, young one. Your senior sister can perform level 5 spells as a Tier 4 Shaman. You surpass that and the chief apprentice position is yours."
My system chimed, updating quest information.
"Now what are you planning?" She asked.
"I'm going to sell everything I have in preparation for the raid in two weeks. Doing that, I need protection. My goods will shake the entire festival." I replied.
"What are you selling?" Gniqee was suspicious.
"Good stuff from the outside world," I replied.
Two days later.
Arriving at the Botong Clan, the central hub of the trade festival that lasts a week-long, Gniqee led us to rent out a dig for our stay.
Afterward, we set up a stall and I sold the lowest grade gear, magic tomes, and martial skills that I had. Naturally, after the first hour, my stall was crowded.
The next day came and the clan began to change as demons, High-level Goblins, and Beastfolk appeared from the Uhmaks, the Royal City, and the outside world. Displaying items of higher quality and increasing the prices, I sold until I was all out. But I kept the crowd with me as I spoke of the fabled Crimson Orchids.
Everyone thought I was full of shit.
"1 square. One bottle. One time only. But you have to drink it here and now." I said.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves. Hesitation about purchasing the mysterious elixir.
"I'll take it!" A young demon woman spoke. She was an otherwordly beauty that made my heart palpitate. She was dress in fine clothing of crimson and silver, golden jewelry, and armed with a double-bladed polearm. Around her were ten guards that even my 'Apprasial' skill couldn't assess. It was obvious that they were in the middle levels or close to it. While the demon girl was only level 30.
"My lady…" a guard spoke.
"Buy it," she ordered.
"But…"
"I said, buy it. Or your spot in the Dragon Hunt is gone." she threatened.
My body filled with shock as it was the first time that I heard about the Dragon Hunt in the Rocklands. I looked at her guards again and then I glanced at my slaves and warriors. I needed them to get strong because like the young woman, I planned to use the servant loophole to bring back up with me during the hunt.
Once threatened, the guard purchased the Exlir and frowned at me. He then looked at the elixir and then at the young woman before drinking the elixir himself. The young woman cried out in anger.
But she didn't act and waited to see the result. The guard was unphased until his body began to heat up and cried out in pain. Falling to his knees, the guard sobbed on the hard earth as he held his body desperately.
In an instant, nine guards appeared around my stall. Gniqee erected a barrier and her two cousins gripped their war hammers, ready to fight.
"Wait!" I shouted, "This is a part of the process. He'll be fine in a moment!"
The Young woman stared at me with fuming killing intent. As long as her guard was crying, he was alive. Her father had told her before coming to the Rocklands to not cause unnecessary trouble. Stifling her rage, she waited.
Minutes passed. The guard soon stopped crying and the pain turned to euphoria. The heat became cool and his body became stronger.
Climbing to his feet, he examined his body with excitement. "My lady, it works!" he shouted, "It really works. Not only my strength and mind but my tendons and constitution!"
"You look more handsome as well." the young woman growled. Her eyes darted to the nearest guard. In a flash, the man was cut down. The demon woman was one guard short, but she was happy about it.
"That's the punishment of theft." she hissed. She then looked at me, and I didn't waver.
The woman sighed and asked, "How much is it now?"
"Its effect is ten percent of your base. And it can improve your beauty. Two bottles, 10,000 squares a pop. However, I'm sure the lady isn't the only one interested. Especially because it's more effective on goblins. So, I'll allow bidding, and the elixir is sold in a set. If you want one, then you have to buy two."
Now the tension was high. More so for goblins than any other race. Ten percent increase of power is already a lot. But if it was more effective on goblins, then what to expect? Eleven, twelve, fifteen, twenty percent increase? No one knew, and it made the value of the elixir skyrocket.
"Hmm," the demon woman scuffed. "This princess doesn't care about prices. I'll pay you 40,000. Hand them over!"
"Hahaha, Princess Ar'iur must be joking." A humanoid tiger with black and orange fur appeared. "50,000 for both."
"In my lands, no one can take what I want. 100,000 squares." a purple-skinned goblin appeared with a heavily armed guard.
The magic barrier dropped. Gniqee then took me by the head to bow along with every goblin present.
" Shaman Gniqee greets the Eighth Prince!"
"Hmm, Shaman Gniqee, you're the niece of Master Shaman Nox and mate of Gor Uhn." The Eighth Prince replied. "That explains the mysterious elixir. Such an astute bloodline. Everyone rise."
As we rose, I looked at the Beast and Demon with pleading eyes. Anyone but the prince had to take the elixirs. He was the enemy closest to home. How could I possibly sharpen his little fangs?
"Little Goblin, I can't go against the prince, but I can help you make a profit.' words penetrated my mind from the Beastman.
"110,000 squares," he spoke with a toothy grin. "Seventh Prince Bai Yi greets Eight Prince."
I rejoiced internally.
"130,000 Squares." the woman spoke as she opened her fan to hide her snickers. "Third Princess Ar'iur Baal greets Eighth Prince."
'Fuck yes!' my heart screamed with joy. The Eighth Prince was fuming.
"150,000 squares, and you can be my servant for the Dragon Hunt." the eighth prince countered.
My heart lept. Bai Yi noticed the twinkle in my eyes as a new and more fruitful plan formed in my mind.
"Haiz! The Eighth Prince is truly great. I must stop here." Bai Yi spoke and turned to leave.
'Little Goblin, you owe me. The Dragon Hunt is an auspicious event. So auspicious even this Prince will be in danger once it begins. Come find me after your stall closes.' Bai Yi mentally transmitted his message.
'Thank you, Prince Bai Yi. I, Raider Kane Uhn, will definitely repay you tenfold.'
"200,000 squares!" Said Princess Ar'iur.
"Fuck." I cursed. I looked at the princess. Silently pleading for her to shut up.
She only smiled at me mischievously with sadistic eyes.
"Haiz! To rich for my blood. Congratulations, Princess Ar'iur." The Eighth Prince fanned his robes then left like a ghost.
'Tapping the blood is terrifying.' I thought.
The eighth prince looked more human than the goblin. And his phantom skill was obviously a skill of night creatures. I then cried on the inside as my chance to win big during the Dragon Hunt left.
I put on a sad smile and handed the elixirs to the princess. She gave me the squares, but I never hated money as much as I hated my newly acquired 200,000 squares.
'Little Goblin, that's for having eyes bigger than your stomach. Consider this a warning. Princess Ar'iur isn't known for being forgiving.' she spoke mentally.
Whatever skill these royals were using, I needed it. The only people I could communicate with telepathically are my slaves.
With crowd dispersing, Gniqee packed up the stall and drug me away in a hurry. Naturally, we returned to our dig and hid for the rest of the day. She feared the Eighth Prince.
When night came and everyone slept. I slipped out of the dig and searched the city for Bai Yi. A few hours later, one of his guards found me before I found him. The Beastman was seven feet tall, a few inches shorter than Bai Yi. His fur coat was grey and black with deep blue eyes that glowed in the night.
Escorting me through the Clan, we arrived at an inn marketed towards Beastfolk and demons.
"Little Goblin!" Bai Yi shouted when he saw me.
I then felt a strong paw pat my back telling me to go on. Walking towards Bai Yi, I was guided into the booth he occupied and the man who escorted me sat at the end. Just like that, I was shielded from curious eyes. A small pebble surrounded by mountains.
"Little Goblin, Sorry about the bad luck. I heard that crazy bitch pushed the line, and you lost out on your chance to get into the Dragon Hunt," said Bai Yi.
I still had time to level up. But as time went on, I had to decide if I wanted to level or create a world-shattering foundation. Not to mention my first Blood Tapping is coming up. I had no idea what was in my genes and what bloodline I wished to use as a catalyst.
Bai Yi took my silence as hurt, and he continued nonchalantly as to pass the subject. But his words snatched my attention. "You should be close to level 10. Have you decided on a catalyst?"
I looked surprised, and Bai Yi laughed. "I've been to many goblin lands. The Rocklands is the poorest. So tapping the blood is something I learned about ages ago. It's only a luxury here."
"To be expected of a prince," I muttered.
"But goblins interests me a lot. Especially their history." Said Bai Yi, "You owe me. Though you lost the Dragon Hunt. I got you 200,000 squares."
"What do you want?" I asked.
Bai Yi smiled and gave one of his guys a nod. Soon a map appeared on the table. "I need you to be the goblin to get us into a tomb. Very dangerous, but beneficial for you. If you help us and survive, besides the treasure that we choose, everything is yours. And if you make it to level 35 somehow before the Dragon Hunt, you can be my servant."
To say I was excited was an understatement. But it was soon replaced with shock because the system didn't turn the tomb raid or the Bai Yi's offer for the Dragon Hunt into a quest. And the more I thought of it, even in my first body, I never received a single quest related to the Dragon Hunt.
"So?" Bai Yi asked, pulling me from my mind.
"Yes." I readily agreed. This tomb could be related to or give me clues to my 'Ancient History' quest.
"Good! Good!" Bai Yi roared as he slapped a document on the table. At first glance, I could tell it was a Death Note.
Death Notes are common among all races except Humans. Humans lie too much. But for the other species, Death Notes are contracts that must be fulfilled or only death awaits. Body and soul, completely destroyed.
Looking over the contract, I only had one thing to add. "You can't betray me. Indirectly or directly. That means you're goons can't make a move to off me in the tomb."
"Same for you. And I hope you see the clause that's about absolute silence. So you can't share this with any of your goblin buddies or your slaves."
"Deal. But I have to be educated on the job. Tomb's owner, era, history, suspected treasures inside. The more I know, the safer I am when I enter. By not educating me will be considered indirect harm." I explained.
Bai Yi exploded with laughter. "See! I told you this little goblin is smart!"
He bit his thumb and dragged it across the page. All of our amendments were magically add to the Death Note as we spoke. I then cut my thumb with my nail and dragged it across the page. The Death Note shinned, levitated, then rolled up like a scroll before Bai Yi's blood and my own merged to form a seal identical to a wax seal.
"Now that's that." Said Bai Yi.
His storage ring shined, and a scroll appeared on the table. "Crowned Prince Anon Uhnok. He was alive 10,000 years ago. He stole a lot of shit from everyone. The last piece of his tomb's seal will be on auction on the final day of the Trade festival. That's why the demon princess and the Eighth Prince are here."
"So, what did he steal from you?" I asked.
"Tiger God's Wings. They're part of an armament that I want to complete before the Dragon Hunt." Bai Yi answered honestly.
"Does the Eighth Prince have a piece of the seal?"
"Nope. Only the princess and I. Three parts only. That scroll is about Anon's life. Read up." Bai Yi then left the booth, and I didn't sit around alone.
When I returned to the Dig, Gniqee was the only one up, and she was waiting on me.
"Where were you?" she asked.
"I went out for a drink. You waiting on me?" I asked in turn.
Gniqee frowned as she tossed me a square. "Three things make goblins special. Not to be confused with gifts from Uhnok that are innate in Rockland Goblins. The first is our ability to birth goblins no matter our mate. The second is our ability to Tap the Blood. Finally, the benefits of Ahng. For fighters, it's used to strengthen their bodies. In turn, it increases the power of their martial skills. For shamans, it can make our Mana pool bigger."
"How does it strengthen martial skills?" I was curious.
"No one knows. But the body becomes stronger, blood gets thicker, and martial skills stronger. No one cares about the why so we never tried to find out. Sit down."
I took a seat in front of her, and she looked at me with complete seriousness. "The princes are just as mad as their father. Your father and brothers are crazy and powerful. Whether you're crazy or not, I don't know. But I do know you're weak, and we might have offended your Eighth Brother."
"That's why you're teaching me how to use Ahng?"
"Yes. Even if your level is low, at least you can increase your mana reserve. The auction entry closes tomorrow. The auction will then be held on the last two days of the festival. I'll take Nyx tomorrow to put your goods up for auction. That gives you two days to practice and collect your earnings from your apprentice sisters."
"Apprentice sisters? Is that really important now?" I asked.
"For the chief and I, yes. Just do as we say. And if a slave seal isn't on them in two days. You'll pay for it."
Something told me things in the Yordal were about to change soon. But I just couldn't figure out why the shaman wanted me to enslave her apprentices.
"Ahh, Shaman Nox said…"
"I know what he wants. You do your jobs right this week, and everyone will win. Now, let's start."
Gniqee and I then practiced. She taught me how to take in the energy and expend my mana reserve. That's when I was introduced to the second hidden energy of Atoria.