The next morning, Leon stood in front of the captivated goblins, their leader staring at him intently.
"Do you have a name?" he asked, scanning the others. Now that the sun had risen, he could see them clearly. They were around 3-4 feet tall with green skin. They didn't look as frightening as he had read in stories; in fact, they seemed pretty calm.
"No... No Name," said the goblin leader.
Leon paused for a moment. "Well... I've got a name for you."
"Goban," he said. Just as the words left his mouth, a stream of golden light erupted from Leon's body and moved toward the goblin.
"What's happening?" Leon muttered.
[The Unique Skill: Name activated.]
[Goban has been named. A soul bond has been established.]
"Wait, what?" he murmured, confused.
[Did you forget you had a skill called Name?]
Leon blinked at the message. Yes, he had received a skill named Name as part of his rewards, but he had completely forgotten what it did. Now that he remembered, he quickly opened the system panel and checked it.
[Unique Skill: Name
Description: Forms a soul bond between the namer and named. Significantly strengthens the named using the energy of the namer. since the host is from another world is not compatible to the world laws, the energy is drawn from the surroundings and conducted through the host's body. Overuse may cause the host's body to collapse.]
Leon absorbed the information. "So... I just made him stronger? He won't betray me, right?"
[Most probably, no.]
Leon let out a relieved sigh upon hearing this. At that moment, Elys appeared beside him and noticed what was happening. Just as the goblin, Goban, opened his eyes, he dropped to his knees.
"MASTER!" Goban cried, his voice filled with awe. "I am about to evolve."
Leon looked at him, a bit confused. "Evolve?"
Elys explained, "When a creature reaches its peak, they evolve. A goblin can become a Hobgoblin... or even an Orc if they continue growing."
"Ah," Leon muttered, understanding now.
As he watched, Goban was surrounded by a golden energy, enveloping him like a cocoon. It didn't take long for the cocoon to dissipate, revealing a now much larger form. Goban stood at around five feet, with a more muscular build, his power clearly increased.
When Goban opened his eyes, he dropped to his knees again.
"Oh, Master! Why didn't you tell me sooner? You are so mighty! I evolved just by you giving me a name. Oh, mighty Master," Goban said, slamming his head on the ground.
Leon waved his hand, "It's nothing."
He then tossed a hatchet toward Goban, and pointed to the remaining weapons for the other goblins.
"Goban, can you take these other goblins with you and gather resources? Wood, stone, herbs... anything useful."
"And remember, if you all work, there won't be any need to worry about food," Leon added.
Goban's eyes shone with determination as he nodded vigorously, gathering the tools. "You can count on me, Master!" he said, then motioned for the others to follow him.
The other goblins looked at each other, nodded in agreement, and picked up pickaxes or hatchets before following Goban.
As they left, Leon's gaze turned towards the tribe members. Well, it won't hurt to have non-humans in the tribe, he thought.
"Elys, what do you think I should do next? Now we have workers, food, and everything settled... What do you think should be done next to expand?" he asked.
Elys, standing beside him, hummed thoughtfully. She paused for a moment before replying, "I think you'll need to train the others how to defend. You were the one handling them today... If not for you, the goblins would've easily overpowered us. First, they need to learn how to defend themselves, and then, we can work on turning these huts into something more sturdy."
Leon glanced at her, not expecting much but noticing how capable she was. She wasn't a normal civilian, and her intelligence proved that.
He studied her face for a moment; it was really pretty. "I really want to know your past," he murmured.
She shook her head. "I'll tell you when I think the time is right."
Leon sighed and shifted the subject. "By the way, Elys, do you know if there are any cities nearby?" he asked.
She shook her head again. "No, this is Greelands Forest. There's no city close by. Most are probably at a very long distance," she finished, turning to walk away.
"By the way," she said as she was about to leave, "tell me what you'd like to eat today?"
"Whatever you make," he replied.
As he said this, she turned away and walked off with a huff.
Once she was gone, he turned toward the system.
"System, any unlockable blueprints for sturdier structures?"
[There is no need for that; you can directly upgrade the structure you have built. There are different levels of upgrades for each, but for basic shelter huts, they have 7 levels. Currently, it is at Level 0. To upgrade it to Level 1, you will need 3,000 stone and 9,000 wood to upgrade it to a Small Cottage.
Levels are as follows:
Level 0 – Basic Hut
A simple structure with a thatched roof and basic wooden walls. Barely protective against the elements, offering just enough shelter for a small group.
Level 1 – Small Cottage
A sturdier wooden structure with better roofing, offering more comfort and space. The roof is now weather-resistant, and there's room for basic storage.
Level 2 – Simple House
Expanded in size, with separated areas for living and storage. Some insulation is added to keep out the cold, and basic windows for ventilation.
Level 3 – Sturdy House
With reinforced wooden walls, this house provides more security against wind and rain. A fireplace is added for warmth, and better space planning allows for sleeping quarters and a simple dining area.
Level 4 – Stone House
The structure is upgraded with a stone foundation, which improves durability. There's a larger storage area, a stronger roof, and windows made of glass or shutters.
Level 5 – Comfortable House
The design becomes more refined, with designated rooms for living, storage, and sleeping. The roof is solid and insulated, ensuring a comfortable environment during all seasons.
Level 6 – Well-built House
The structure is nearly fully self-sustaining with improved ventilation, a proper layout, and additional features like a basement or attic for storage. The walls are stronger, possibly incorporating bricks or stone. It provides both comfort and safety.]
"I can also directly upgrade the structure..." he muttered, looking at it, but 3,000 stones... and 9,000 wood is quite a lot.
"Let's see how much the goblins bring back today, then I'll see what to do."
"By the way, system, how do I get, you know, metal tools?"
[Just like how you got stone tools... Do missions, unlock the blueprint, find a Blacksmith, and get the resources to build metal. Then, once you have the metal, refine it. Unrefined metal won't work.]
Leon scratched his head. Is it so hard? Well, he would have to manage it somehow. If he could get his hands on metal tools, then gathering stone and wood would multiply just like that.