In the forest, the other goblins looked at Goban, who had now evolved into a hobgoblin.
"Leader evolved just by getting a name... If we can also get one, then..." one muttered to themselves, glancing at Goban in awe.
An opportunity to evolve was a priceless thing for any being—many died just trying to get close to evolution. Yet here they could evolve simply by being named.
"Yes..."
"Let's collect as many things as we can—wood, stone, and other stuff—so he becomes happy and gives us a name," another said. They all nodded in agreement.
Goban, who heard their murmurs, turned toward them.
"You fools!" he bellowed, his voice now deeper and more commanding. "Don't think names come to the lazy. Work harder! Prove you're worthy of the Master's blessings!"
The goblins flinched at his words but quickly nodded, their resolve strengthening.
"We will, Leader!" one shouted, slamming a fist to their chest.
"Yes! For the Master!" the others echoed, redoubling their efforts with determination.
...
Back at the camp, Leon was sifting through the loot he had obtained from the slave traders. As he searched, his eyes lit up when he found what he was looking for—a map.
Picking it up, he unrolled it and studied the markings. However, the complex symbols and unfamiliar layout made little sense to him. Scratching his head in frustration, he looked around until he spotted Elys nearby. Waving her over, he called out to her.
She noticed his gesture and approached him with a questioning look. "What is it?" she asked.
Without a word, Leon handed her the map. "Can you explain this to me? Like, the areas or landmarks on it?" He glanced at the map briefly before nodding to her, acknowledging her expertise.
They settled on a nearby stone as Elys examined the map.
"Alright," she began, tracing her finger across the parchment. "This section on the left is the Human Continent, and on the right," she shifted her finger, "this is the Monster Continent. We're right in the middle of these two continents, in the Greenlands Forest, which acts as a natural border between the two."
Leon leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "What about the continents? Anything important I should know about them?"
Elys nodded and pointed to the Human Continent. "This side is dominated by kingdoms, empires, and guilds. The main factions are always at odds with each other, but they manage to keep things stable enough to survive."
Her finger shifted to the Monster Continent. "This, on the other hand, is chaos. It's ruled by various monster lords, and territory changes constantly. Few humans venture there because most don't come back."
Leon frowned. "Sounds like a nightmare. What about trade between the two continents? Do they ever... cooperate?"
Elys shook her head. "Not directly. The Greenlands Forest acts as a buffer zone for a good reason. Humans and monsters rarely interact without a fight, but there's smuggling, black markets, and the occasional neutral ground for deals. Still, peace is fragile, and neither side really trusts the other."
Leon glanced at the map again. Weren't there five continents mentioned by the system? Why are there only two on the map? Are the people here not aware there are more than two? he thought but didn't say anything.
"So... in simple terms, this place is like a route for bad activities... and other stuff," he said.
She nodded.
...
Just as the sun was about to go down, the goblins started to return. Goban was walking at the front, with other goblins carrying bunches of wood and stones.
Seeing the goblins return, Leon turned his gaze toward the system panel to check how many resources they had gathered.
[Wood: +236
Stone: +312
Animal Hides: +78
Herbs: +26
Food Supplies: +12 ]
"... That's quite a good amount," he muttered as he looked at the total the goblins had collected. Well, they're not bad.
As Leon reviewed the resources, Goban approached him with a determined expression.
"Master," Goban said, bowing slightly. His new, deeper voice carried authority, yet there was respect in his tone. "The goblins worked hard to gather these. We will continue to serve you and bring more if needed."
Leon looked at Goban and nodded. "Good work. Keep it up, and don't push yourselves too hard. It's important to keep balance—work and rest."
Goban's eyes lit up at the acknowledgment, and he turned to address the other goblins. "You heard the Master! Rest for the night. Tomorrow, we hunt and gather more."
The goblins cheered in unison, their morale visibly bolstered.
Leon gestured for Goban to step closer. "Goban, come here. I want to discuss something," he said, his tone calm but serious.
Goban approached. "What is it, Master?" he asked, bowing his head slightly in deference.
"You did a good job leading the others, but I wanted to ask—how did you all end up here?" Leon inquired, his gaze steady.
Goban paused, his crimson eyes reflecting the flickering firelight as he gathered his thoughts. "Master," he began, his voice steady but carrying a faint note of anger. "Before this, I was a leader of a small faction within a goblin village. Our village used to have a goblin chieftain, strong and respected. But then, an orc came—a brute who challenged and killed our previous leader. He took over the village by force, turning it into his domain."
Leon frowned, leaning forward slightly. "And this orc? What happened to him?"
Goban's fists clenched at the memory. "The orc was ruthless. He demanded absolute obedience, forcing even the weakest to fight for his selfish goals. I tried to protect my people—the ones loyal to me—but his tyranny grew worse each day. One night, we decided we'd had enough. Me and my group of goblins—families, hunters, and gatherers—we fled under the cover of darkness. It was the only way to survive."
Leon nodded slowly, a thoughtful look on his face. "So you've been on the run, struggling to survive since then."
"Yes, Master," Goban admitted. "We wandered the forest, fighting off predators and scavenging for food. It was... difficult." He looked up at Leon, his expression filled with respect. "
Leon's gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained practical. "I see. It makes sense now. You've done well keeping your group alive under such harsh circumstances."
Goban's eyes shone with pride at the praise. "Thank you, Master."
"Do you know where the village is?"
Goban nodded firmly. "I do, Master. It's a few days' journey from here, deeper into the forest."