Re:Monster Volume 1

Day 1
It seems that I was killed after being stabbed by the stalker whom I had considered to be like a younger sister, and somehow I got reincarnated. Wow that was a mouthful, and no, I'm not joking when I say that I’ve been reincarnated. You could say that my current state of mind hasn’t settled down from all of the confusion, so I’d appreciate it if you would save the comments until after I finish my story, since it might sound a bit wild if you interrupt me. Ahem, so let me explain everything from the beginning...

Well, first let’s start with my name, I used to be called Tomokui Kanata. However since I was reincarnated, let’s leave it as “Nameless” for now.I have a bit of a lapse in memory here, but I remember that after a hard day of work, I was invited by some colleagues for a drink. I accepted their offer, and we went tavern hopping.Since the following day was a holiday, even those with a low alcohol tolerance ended up drinking throughout the night. I even had to end up carrying a colleague home, since she was too drunk to make it by herself.She had fallen asleep, and I didn’t want to wake her so I left her on the bed. My constitution and love of alcohol was much greater than hers, and at that time, I had an urge to drink while watching the full moon, or so I thought as I opened the fridge.I realized that the bottom shelf that should’ve been stuffed with beer and chuhai and all sorts of drinks was empty. Yesterday I had finished all of my drinks and had planned to go restock it today—were it not for my colleague’s invitation earlier.I had completely forgotten about it. That’s right,--It was the biggest failure in my life to have finished drinking the stocks yesterday.If only I had saved at least one.I--no, no... first let's hasten the conversation a bit.

I, who had wanted to drink sake by all means, went to a nearby convenience store which was open twenty-four hours a day, bought five beers, and headed home.Summer was approaching yet the night was still chilly. The full moon that was suspended in the clear night sky was very beautiful. The clouds, which were slightly concealing the moon, were also pleasant. Indeed, drinking sake with the silver moon shining overhead would make it an even more delicious experience than usual.While thinking about the alcohol, I noticed that under a streetlight was a pretty girl.It was a face that I had recognized. She’s what the general public would have referred to as a ‘stalker’. My stalker was Kirimine Aoi, an active female college student in the local area. She’s 20 years old; 5 years younger than I was. Our relationship isn’t exactly what you would call ‘normal’. You see, in my third year of high school, I saw a couple of delinquents harassing a girl—the person whom I would soon know as Aoi. She was 12-13 years old at the time. I found her, saved her, and that was how our destinies had become entwined. Well, while it wasn't wrong to say that I helped, I’m not sure if that’s the correct thing to say. Compared to how I am now, I used to be a cowardly chicken. At the time, you could clearly see that there was a girl being harassed by a pair of delinquents. Though it was deplorable, the surrounding people turned a blind eye to it. As a person for whom ESP capability hadn’t yet awoken, I could either have chosen to help her or quickly run away. However, either by fortune or bad luck, I had received a military stun nightstick as a birthday present from my uncle, a weapon’s enthusiast. He worked for small to medium sized corporations that had military relations, so it was easy for him to get it for me. Those companies were under the influence of one major company, Avalon. Avalon, the company that had made my nightstick, had spread its name throughout the universe as a famous weapon corporation. At that time, I didn’t have the courage to be in possession of such a dangerous object. It was worrisome to have such an unsafe weapon, so it was usually adorned in my room without being used. However, an ‘Ota’ friend of my uncle said he wanted to look at the nightstick. Soon after, an email had been sent telling me he that was on his way to see it. The message included a location where we could meet, so I decided to walk to it. I brought the nightstick with me so he could see it from the moment he arrived. Which brought me to my current situation. Although I was a coward, I used the military nightstick on the delinquents that were harassing the young lady. I can still remember feeling a kind of ‘lightness’ from defending a pretty girl from harm. After bashing the delinquents from behind, they got extremely mad at me. However, regardless of their anger, they couldn’t stand up against such a weapon as the nightstick. After a few more hits they were sprawling on the floor--foaming and twitching violently. I quickly took the hand of the girl that was panicking, and escaped with her to someplace safe. I was really young in those days. Because of my curiosity and a whim, I had done a horrible experiment on those delinquents while managing to help Aoi at the same time. After that incident, her affection towards me slowly grew, it was only a matter of time, but Aoi had eventually become my stalker. It wasn't very severe stalking, however, until I had found a job at my current place of work, where she continued chasing me. She even followed me to other planets, where I would occasionally be sent on business trips. When dealing with stalkers, one should speak as naturally with them as one can, no matter how much they infringe upon one\u0027s private life. What I’ve told you so far may not be understandable yet, but after I explain how I died, everything will become clear. Anyways, After buying the alcohol I met Aoi on my way home. It would’ve been nice to say that it was a coincidence. Yet while looking down, under the light of the streetlamp, Aoi was emanating a black aura unlike her usual puppy-like self; so I could only respond by tilting my neck in confusion. Aoi, even as a stalker, was an existence akin to a younger sister for me; because of that I was able to notice the weird atmosphere at that time, so I called out to her. There was no reply. Aoi's face remained downcast. In that moment I felt a great uneasiness that couldn’t be expressed. Yet even so, I still approached her so that I could learn of its cause. Before I knew it, I was being pierced in the abdomen by a sheath knife. Even though I had a strong body, and the degree of injury was curable with regenerative medical treatment, I could still feel the severe pain that came from the blade that was being rotated which aimed at gouging out my internal organs. It was within expectations that I would not die if the sheath knife used was made from a lump of ordinary metal, but what Aoi used, was the [Nenekaruri]; a B-rank ceremonial knife with an additional thunder property created by SAKUMA Heavy Industries, Ltd. Ironically, it was one of the goods sold by the company my uncle worked at. Simply put, it’s a single molecular cutter with the abilities of a high voltage taser and other weapons. It’s a kind of proximity equipment that increases in sharpness when the thousand tiny blades installed on its side start to spin like a chainsaw moving at very high speeds. Once activated, a high-voltage current pours through the victim who is stabbed. The victim\u0027s movement is then temporarily paralyzed. It’s also equipment used by the military. I didn't even have time to think about why Aoi had such a thing. Nevertheless, I was pushed down, restrained, and was stabbed by the sheath knife repeatedly. The amount of blood my mouth vomited was unusual as my body was being pierced relentlessly. Every time the knife penetrated my skin, I could feel the meat and bones getting torn up while my blood splattered everywhere. Before I knew it, the slender frame of Aoi riding on my body, had been dyed red in blood. Although I had become a strengthened human after undergoing a reinforcement operation, and exceeded ordinary humans because of my occupation--I was disappointingly killed by Aoi who was a mere civilian. What does this mean? I know the performance of the sheath knife may be amazing, but was it strong enough to destroy the body of a strengthened human? Was she really capable of breaking down my stance with a surprise attack? Even if movement was impossible due to the high voltage current, was that really so?

Oh, well...Anyways, I was killed. I was killed by Aoi. A mortal wound can’t be cured even after receiving regenerative medical treatment. The last thing I saw was the knife’s point approaching my eyeball, which would mean it was approaching my brain; a uniquely unreproducible organ, was going to be completely destroyed. After my head was completely lacerated, my consciousness eventually melted into the darkness. However, the story doesn’t just end there. The reincarnation hadn’t started yet. My consciousness remained steadfast and didn’t change in any way, until I finally noticed it. I memorized that last scene right before losing consciousness, but didn’t I die? Was it just a dream or am I drunk? I rejected the idea momentarily. ​The answer was reflexive and indifferent.\n\nI was killed for sure. I could remember the pain caused by the electric current running through my veins, and the coldness of the blade that cut through my chest. This is absolutely not an illusion. Yet I’m alive. As to why--I’d like to know myself. As I was thinking that, my heavy eyelid opened. There I saw it, I was looking at something extremely ugly. It made me think that I’d been reincarnated. It was this conclusive evidence that made me realize... Oh… Sorry I suddenly feel sleepy, but it doesn’t end here--Tomorrow I’ll continue… It wasn’t the darkness of death but the result of being fatigued. Oh, well... Anyways, I was killed. I was killed by Aoi. A mortal wound can’t be cured even after receiving regenerative medical treatment. The last thing I saw was the knife’s point approaching my eyeball, which would mean it was approaching my brain; a uniquely unreproducible organ, was going to be completely destroyed. After my head was completely lacerated, my consciousness eventually melted into the darkness. However, the story doesn’t just end there. The reincarnation hadn’t started yet. My consciousness remained steadfast and didn’t change in any way, until I finally noticed it. I memorized that last scene right before losing consciousness, but didn’t I die? Was it just a dream or am I drunk? I rejected the idea momentarily. ​The answer was reflexive and indifferent. I was killed for sure. I could remember the pain caused by the electric current running through my veins, and the coldness of the blade that cut through my chest. This is absolutely not an illusion. Yet I’m alive. As to why--I’d like to know myself. As I was thinking that, my heavy eyelid opened. There I saw it, I was looking at something extremely ugly. It made me think that I’d been reincarnated. It was this conclusive evidence that made me realize... Oh… Sorry I suddenly feel sleepy, but it doesn’t end here--Tomorrow I’ll continue… It wasn’t the darkness of death but the result of being fatigued.


 * 1) aRiPh

Day 2
I woke up with a click. When I opened my eyes to gather information, I couldn’t move my head for some reason. As a result, I wasn’t able to grasp a lot of information. Still, I was able to understand one fact: Though it’s regrettable, the story about reincarnating wasn’t a dream, or a delusion which I had created while being drunk. With a little more effort, and with my limited vision, I could determine a few more things. It appears that I was in the middle of a cave. I didn't find any signs of it being handmade, which made it very likely that it was a natural cave. The feeling of the rags I used as a blanket were the worst. They felt stiff--and they were clearly dirty. The soil on my back was uncomfortable, and a pebble was digging into my skin, so it hurt a little, though it didn’t matter. More importantly. There were a lot of ugly children who had green skin and sharp ears. Although I was wearing cloth, they were asleep and stark naked. There were about 30 in visible range, with twenty of them being the size of a human baby. The others were the same size as a human child; adults I presume.\n \n...Well, that was the conclusive evidence that I reincarnated though. Considering that if I move my hands, I can see baby skin identical to that of the surrounding goblins, and in each finger, a sharp black nail was clearly visible. If I wasn’t reincarnated, what else could it be? Though I wonder if this in itself is solid proof. My arms were exactly like that of the baby goblin sleeping next to me. Apparently, the ESP ability I gained from strengthening surgery seemed to have decreased in rank due to the new body. I cried for a moment, seriously. The body that I have doesn’t seem to move properly because I was a newborn. Today, like any other goblin child, I spent the day sleeping. I wasn’t escaping from reality at all.


 * 1) aRiPh

Day 3
I’m determined to survive in my second life, yet after reincarnating, I decided to give up moving since it couldn’t be helped. Through my previous job, I had learned that living dirty and having the capability to quickly change one's thinking, was an indispensable skill. Apparently, the growth of a goblin is characteristically fast. Even though its only the third day since birth, my body has been growing rapidly. While my body used to be that of a baby before I went to sleep, its figure currently now is that of an elementary student’s. Although its still weaker than before my reincarnation, compared to yesterday, my body’s power had skyrocketed. I was able to stand up, and even run at moderate speeds, so I felt indescribably happy. I frolicked instinctively, though it was childish, the stress of being unable to move as I liked had accumulated.

Well, this is only natural. When compared to the civilization built by humans, who grew up without worry of being attacked by a foreign enemy, goblins, since the moment of their birth, must deal with the fierce struggle for survival. Humans could afford to grow more slowly than the goblins living in the wilds, where the law of the jungle requires their offspring grow faster Since my body could now move, I spent my time today learning this body’s limits. I did exercises with my body until I was comfortable with it, and in the end collapsed from exhaustion. Still, this bed... don’t we have anything better?


 * 1) aRiPh

Day 4
After reincarnating into a goblin, I went hunting for the first time. Or rather, those who do not work, do not eat. Newborn goblins were restricted to eating chubby caterpillars for nourishment--no, I’m not saying I don’t like them, they’re unexpectedly delicious, but we didn’t have an unlimited supply of them. Hunting was unavoidable since rationing was no longer available --according to the goblin manager. It seems that goblins have to start hunting only four days after birth. It teaches one the strict laws of nature.

As expected, it would be too hard to do alone. I made a buddy/sacrificial pawn, named Gobukichi, by using some lies and flattery while we walked in the forest. The goblins in this world seemed to be simple idiots.Well, at least that made it easy to trick them. Oh, that's right. Goblin breeding can be done between the same race, however the conception rate seems to be low. To overcome that, they kidnap women and violate them until they’re pregnant. You see, yesterday I found a rusty sword near the back of the cave. While picking up the sword, I stumbled across a room with several women. Many of them were stripped to rags even though their levels were higher than those of the goblins. There was a beautiful child in an extremely cruel state. Her whole body was defiled by a cloudy liquid, and her vitality, which seemed to grow weaker with every breath, was ever more fleeting. She was surely on the verge of death--a severe incident to be aware of. It was easy to guess where they were kidnapped from. At my current strength, I know too well the extent of what I can do, so I can only pray as I clasp my hands with a "Namu Amida Butsu". This was only a mere consolation though. Perhaps, someone there was my present mother, but that's too depressing to think about, so I’ll leave it alone for now...

Indeed, It was better for two to work together than to hunt alone, but it was regrettable that Gobukichi tried to eat the prey without my consent, so I hit him with a tree stick to teach him about hierarchies. Eventually, he rolled over so I switched to dismantling the spoils. The result of our first glorious hunt was a light, brown rabbit that had a 20 cm long horn growing out of its forehead, so I decided to call it a "Horned Rabbit". Though the horn was sharp, it was a bit small for a human to use, but because of that, it was the perfect size for a goblin. It didn’t cut like a blade, so piercing and thrusting it like an estoc would be a more suitable way to use it. Goburou obtained Small Animal Horn!!] The moment I picked up the horn, an announcement resounded somewhere, but it was probably just my imagination Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, but my current name is apparently Goburou. The Goblin Elder named me that when I opened my eyes for the first time. Even though its not exactly to my tastes, I tolerated it since I don’t want to use the name I had before. Basically, I gave up. Even though I acquired the rabbit’s horn as a lethal weapon, it was still troublesome to peel the skin off of its body. It was even more difficult to ignore the stares of Gobukichi while he drooled, which made his face even uglier than usual. Wanting some peace, I decided to divide the rabbit in half, and gave one to him. I tried my best to peel the skin off of mine, but it grew too troublesome, so I ate and munched the meat together with the skin. I was able to procure a weapon and eat fresh meat, this was indeed a significant 1st day The meat was delicious; while the mysterious insects weren’t bad, but they just couldn't beat real meat.


 * 1) aRiPh

Day 5
We went hunting for food today too. Gobukichi was forced to clearly understand our hierarchy, with who’s above and below whom, after going through my ‘instructions’. The experience yesterday helped us obtain prey immediately today. Although it was just another horned rabbit, it was at least twice the size of the one before. It might’ve been even more dangerous though because Gobukichi was only using a wooden stick, while I still had the horn from yesterday. Its performance in combat was better than I expected. While Gobukichi caught the rabbit’s attention, I smashed its spinal cord and gouged out its heart from behind. Though a small portion of the horn was damaged due to the rough handling, the battle was still a success because of the spoils we had received. Just like the rabbit that was killed yesterday, I broke off its horn. I unintentionally called the weapon "The Most Legendary Horn", but the announcement which came after corrected me. [Goburou obtained Animal Horn!!] I decided to ignore it since I don’t understand it very well. While I was thinking that, I found Gobukichi staring at the game with hungry eyes. While munching the meat, crunching the bone, and slowly gulping it, I felt as though my entire body was brimming with life. This convinced me of a matter that I had thought of yesterday.

It seems that even through reincarnation, I had retained the ESP ability [Absorption] This means that I’m like in a New Game Plus mode since I inherited it.Though I wasn’t very happy about it in the start. By the way, from the time mankind was able to advance into space and even several centuries before that, the probability to be born with an ESP ability was one out of a thousand. Some even say that the [Psychic] are an evolved version of the human race. Though some might say that, ESP abilities are a non-successive kind of gene. There is no such thing as a [Psychic] with a one-hundred percent chance of passing on their ESP capability to their child. The probability of inheriting abilities isn’t absolute, so how they’re developed is a mystery. ESP capability had become a natural part of everyday life. Even if somebody developed an ability through an unnatural way, like by coming into contact with aliens, because psychic powers were recognized as part of a person’s individuality, nobody would look down on that person. The time when [Psychics] were persecuted for their abilities was over. Though if a user was still uncomfortable with their power, devices that were capable of suppressing it could be bought at the market. My [Absorption] ability was a major power, even rarer than the likes of [Psycometry], [Telekinesis] and [Teleportation], which were of the general class. It made it so, no matter how hard or poisonous something was, I would be able to eat it. My teeth could tear through the likes of iron and gold easily. While toxins would be restructured, rendered harmless and edible in my body. The characteristics of whatever I ate, whether it be an item or another living being, would be absorbed and assimilated into me, so that I could use them as well. This was an ability that could only be obtained at a fixed probability. I’m not quite sure how it works though... Oh well, I just wanted to inform you about what my ability was. To question the principles of supernatural powers would be nonsense. By the way, just because I’ve eaten something that has an ability, doesn’t guarantee that I’ll absorb its powers. For example, if what I just ate was a living being, its freshness is an important factor as to whether I’ll get an ability or not. After its death, I have twelve hours to eat it before the chance to absorb its abilities are gone. That said, there are certain parts that give abilities easier than others such as the heart and the brain, where most of the power is concentrated. Physical strengthening, and an improved recovery rate, can be obtained in addition to the ability absorbed. Furthermore, if the being that I consumed was stronger than me, there was a certainty of simultaneously acquiring multiple abilities. Moreover, its possible to strengthen an ability that’s been acquired, by consuming the original ability owner multiple times. Although [Absorption] isn’t strong on its own, the more I eat, the stronger I become. Naturally, there is a limit though.

Before I reincarnated, I strengthened myself by devouring creatures of mass destruction, and evil-doing espers. Unfortunately, the abilities I had gotten from them seemed to have been reset. Since there were some useful powers there the reset had been regrettable, but I was fortunate enough to keep the [Absorption] ability which more than made up for it. Thus, food, like the horned rabbit and the mysterious insects, should be eaten without hesitation. It was mortifying, however, to know that it was the only ability that I retained after my reincarnation. Since it’s necessary to eat for survival, common sense and ethics could be easily discarded. The ability I obtained this time was called [Escape]. “When fleeing or running away, the probability of escaping and adapting to the environment increases.” I wonder why the rabbit didn’t try to escape when we confronted it today... Oh well. After that two more horned rabbits were successfully captured and eaten. Going to sleep with a full belly was a pleasant feeling. It seems that the amount that Gobukichi is relying on me is rapidly increasing. It’s probably because the law of the jungle rules this world that contributed to him recognising me as the superior being.

Day 6
Apparently, newborn Goblins are weak enough to be easily defeated by horned rabbits, and because of this, nuts were the staple food which most of them ate in order to survive, or so I’m told by Gobumi-chan. You see, Gobumi-chan was another Goblin from our generation, and although she had “beauty” in her name, it’s a pity that she wasn’t that beautiful. All the Goblins (the small fries) had the same ugly face, so there wasn’t much of a difference. Me? I’m no exception. I confirmed this while washing my body in a nearby river.

Well, according to Gobumi-chan, the other Goblins couldn’t compare to my good looks. I didn’t rejoice when she told me I was handsome. To what degree what degree is a Goblin even considered handsome anyway?

I stared into the distance for a moment.

By the way, after asking Gobumi-chan for her opinion on Gobukichi, it turns out that he’s normal–that’s good.

Going back to the story, Goblins are fundamentally weak by nature. Therefore individuals with wisdom and luck seem to survive. Only a selected few with that degree of capability can be considered a true companion in order to survive. Tough indeed.

Well, I asked Gobumi-chan–precisely how many Goblins? May be non-existent—many has fallen prey from the horn of the horned rabbit.

After hearing those words, I thought, “Eh? Seriously?” though the words flowed out of my mouth. After all, average sized horned rabbits are only a bit bigger than the Japanese rabbit. Moreover, apart from its length, the horned rabbit makes efficient use of its two legs to execute an overhead attack to kill Goblins….Oh, I agreed that it’s possible.

After all, intelligence was not found in those wooden stick wielding fellows.

To strike and kick as assault was typical.

Fighting bare-handed will certainly get you killed.

The horn of the horned rabbit is a weapon. Only idiots will fight it upfront while being unarmed. Having a small body may also be a cause. The horn will pierce from below and towards the abdomen.

However, recently Gobukichi-kun imitated me by equipping a wooden stick although I even see clever Goblin equipping it here and there.

That day I made Gobumi-chan as the third person in hunting as a reward for the information.

Horn rabbits are seriously delicious.

Day 7
Note: Day 7 to Day 13 is not translated. To fill in the gaps in the translation, please read the manga.

Manga link below, FYI there are 2 languages of the manga just look at the flag of UK(English) or SpainSpanish.

http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/remonster-r12171

Day 14
When I woke up, my body had changed so much that it couldn’t compare to how it was before I went to sleep.

The changes to my body shocked me, I thought hard about what I heard yesterday before I went to bed. I see, so this is a Rank Up, huh. The mysteries of this world make me shudder.

No, no, from my own experience I can understand however, the natural laws of this world are so amazing that it’s beyond scary.

After killing and eating the Orc yesterday, in one night I went from the physical body of a 7-9 year old, to the size of a medium-sized human. My physical strength, eyesight, and hearing had increased dramatically, even the abilities I had gained before yesterday had also become more powerful, you see?

This is scary. Even though my body had grown a ridiculous amount, I didn’t feel any sense of discomfort at all from my new form. Even though such a huge change should’ve made me go insane, that didn’t happen in the least.

Even though my body had grown so much, I didn’t feel any muscle pains from it at all, instead, I felt overflowing power that was incomparable to before, like a temporary feeling of omnipotence. Freaky, right? Seriously.

Now, if I was an ordinary guy I would’ve probably be so happy that I would do stupid things until the feeling passed, however, the reality is that I wasn’t even close to being as powerful as I felt, and therein lies a trap.

That’s why the rules of this world are scary. Now, that aside.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">It was interesting to watch Gobukichi, who had grown bigger as well, just stand there with a confused look.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">It seems that he also passed over level 100 after the battle with the Orc yesterday, causing him to undergo a Rank Up. However unlike mine, his skin didn’t turn black. In fact, I couldn’t see any difference in his skin colour at all, he was still the same old green.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Well, let’s put that aside as well.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">What interested me the most was his face.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">He no longer looked like an ugly Goblin like he had used to be. His naive look, in some aspects held some attractiveness. His ears were still pointed, and his nose looked somewhat hooked. Nevertheless he looked a lot like a human. Having green skin might not be very human-like, nonetheless his looks were approaching to that of a one.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Then, what about me? Wondering this, I checked the obsidian knife for my reflection.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">What I saw was, with black skin, my face from when I was young before I reincarnated. …Yeah, as one would expect I was completely stunned until it settled in. For now, I went to the wall close by our sleeping place, grabbed a caterpillar-like mystery bug, and started munching on it from the head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">After I had calmed down, I grabbed Gobukichi and went to look for the Goblin Elder.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">That’s because if I didn’t make use of the Goblin Elder at times like this, his existence wouldn’t have any point at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Just in case, because it felt risky, I wouldn’t mention the [End and Origin]-ruling [Divine protection of the Great God] that I also received. What I learnt was: <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "PalatinoLinotype","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Also, to the believers of this god, I’m somewhat like a living idol, an object of worship. If that’s not the case, then parts of my body are thought to be materials used in rituals to communicate with the god, so I have to be careful when it’s late in towns and stuff. Religion is scary no matter what world you’re in. <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Oh-. Is that so-?
 * 1) <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Upon turning into a Hobgoblin, my body and appearance became closer to a human. The reason for this is unknown. It’s one of the mysteries of the world. Apparently because of the hobgoblin’s human-like appearance, they could even live in human towns. However, there is a long past of Goblin slavery, and most of those coexisting with humans are still slaves. Those with good looks have become sex slaves for human perverts.
 * 1) <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The difference between Gobukichi’s and my skin color is because I am of a subspecies. Subspecies are generally stronger and have special abilities when compared to the standard one. Unless special conditions are cleared you can’t become a subspecies, which is why they’re rarely seen, so apparently I’m kind of unusual.
 * 1) <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Furthermore, my skin color is black. Black is the symbolic color of the oldest god of the world, the one who controls the beginning and the end of something-something. Even among the subspecies mine is the absolute rarest while being the strongest, and with studying, they’re capable of learning the strongest magic possible.
 * 1) <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">How should I put it, becoming a Hobgoblin when not even a month had passed is supposedly very strange in the first place. The old man who’s still a Goblin said so, so it’s probably true. By the way, of the Goblins who left to work away from home, (apparently exactly 40 Goblins), only 3 had turned into Hobgoblins.
 * 1) <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Also, because Gobukichi and I had become Hobgoblins before we left the cave, we were allowed to freely use the human women in the cave as we’d like. We also received the right to take things from the warehouse, and use them however we want.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">…Yes, because he was kind of long-winded, I ignored most of what he said by repeating those those words and pretending to listen. Particularly around point 3, and the reason for that is obvious. Like I said before, no matter what world one is in, religion is scary. Even more so now that I’ve obtained the [End and Origin](-ruling), and [Divine protection of the Great God] characteristics with my Rank Up. It makes me think that it’ll probably turn into more trouble than it’s worth. I thought that this was something I should hide it as long as possible.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">As expected, we didn’t even consider going hunting today. I practiced martial arts together with Gobukichi in order for us to accustom ourselves to our new bodies, the sparring was especially intense. Gobukichi’s power was too much for him to know how to utilize it, making him quite warlike.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Though I, who has had an interest in many different forms of martial arts never lost, I could conclude that Gobukichi’s power was at least somewhat stronger than how he was before. As expected, it seems like his abilities are specialized in being the vanguard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">He wasn’t very intelligent or quick, but his offensive and defensive power had increased tremendously, making him a powerful tank and damage dealer, a hybrid character. Once we concluded our martial arts practice, the afternoon was dedicated to replacing our now too small old armor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Since I’ve grown, the horn and obsidian knife I’ve been using have become too small for me to handle effectively. However I’ll just have to bear with it today, my venom by itself is an adequate weapon, so I can overcome this handicap for now.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">That’s why today the plan is to use the stockpiled materials from the Armored Tanukis, Night Vipers and various other monsters to create new armor.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">We used the armored shell from the Armored Tanukis, and the snakeskin from the Night Vipers, to create new equipment. I was satisfied with the results, the armor we created was light, flexible, and quite robust.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">To put it simply, it was an armor based off of leather. We didn’t make cloaks, but since it looked like light brown leather clothes, with long sleeve arms and full-length pants it should be alright. The metal shells were placed in strategic locations, which further increased its defensive capabilities. We thought about our freedom of movement while creating it, so when we tried it out, it performed far better than expected. It barely obstructed us at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">We even finished crafting Gobumi-chan’s armor that we couldn’t complete earlier because of insufficient materials.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Since it’s mainly made out of 7-colored bats it looks a bit gaudy though. It somewhat gives the feeling of being a national costume from somewhere.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">By the way, the food tonight was prepared from horned rabbits caught by the other Goblins.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">It wasn’t filling enough, it was still better than nothing. Since it tasted good I pardoned them.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center;line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">* * *

Day 15
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Our first hunt since our Rank Up to Hobgoblins.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Since we were displaying the might of our new bodies for the first time, I’m a bit nervous.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Today, the first prey we encountered was a humanoid with the head of a dog and fur all over its body. I don’t know where it got them from but it was wearing rusted armor with a just as rusty longsword. I decided to name this monster, “Kobold”. From observation, it seems the Kobolds are a higher rank than Goblins and about the same rank as Orcs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">If we include the equipment, then compared to the Orc we ate, it’s probably an even higher rank. In physical strength, the Orc would be more powerful, but the Kobold would be superior in terms of speed and agility.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">These two traits.are embodied in the Kobold.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">If it were the ‘us’ from before, we would’ve retreated immediately, or more likely, used my abilities to avoid the fight altogether. Using Gobumi-chan’s accurate, poison-covered stones as support, Gobukichi and I faced the Kobolds from the front.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Excluding myself, who has evolved into a subspecies, Gobukichi’s combat ability increased significantly thanks to his equipments. His cudgel was reinforced by wounding shells around it while his shield was made of shell. The Kobold only had its rusty armour while Goblin-kichi had various shell armours to help him. Gobukichi attacked the Kobold directly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Rank Up is scary isn’t it?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Someone who was weak only just yesterday turned into a great warrior in one day.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Goblin Kichi got some minor wounds and had Gobumi-chan treat them using some of our medicinal herbs. The Goblin Elder taught us about medicinal herbs earlier.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">While they did that, I took the opportunity to strip the Kobold of its possessions. On his waist hung three stones. Using my [Appraisal] ability, I discovered that they were “Fire Spirit Stones”. Apparently non-sentient low-level fire spirits dwell within the stones. I pocketed them and then started stripping off him of his armor. I hung the slightly rusty longsword together with two books I had on my waist.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">From the corpse, I took the brain, the heart and the right arm. Gobu Kichi and Gobumi-chan decided to split the rest evenly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">They left an impression as they had a strange texture. Although the taste is subtle, they were still delicious. <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">As I thought, Kobolds are stronger than the average Hobgoblin. The reason Gobu Kichi could win was because of the huge difference in gear quality. On the other hand, I could win due to my numerous abilities and combat experience.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Also, after eating the three Fire Spirit Stones, <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I gained the ability to produce fire. In the natural world, it’s hard to overcome this difference. With this I can finally make yakiniku, I thought…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">And this was the outcome of the battle.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">After that, we hunted some horned rabbits, then returned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Today, the tribute my Goblin subordinates gave me was horned rabbits mixed with Armored Tanukis, which surprised me. “These guys, they’re finally growing up…” I lamented to myself. I think I’ll give shell shields to the Goblins who are sent to fetch Armored Tanukis in the future. For the evening meal, I grilled the meat the others brought, and we had a yakiniku party.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center;line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">* * *

Day 16
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Today, the other Goblins of our generation begged to me something like :”Please teach us the art of killing” while prostrating themselves. The Goblins inside the cave were in a row alongside each other prostrating themselves. It was quite the surreal scene to watch.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">You see, the Goblins that brought me food had managed to survive by killing horned rabbits, as expected.. However, they also had Night Vipers to fight as opponents Since we’ve been able to kill them, the Goblins want us, or I should say I, to teach them how to survive against the Night Vipers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">“What do we gain from this?” We asked, and when we told them that they said that they’d give us tribute for it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Well, it’s no great loss for us, so before the sun had reached it’s zenith, most of the surviving Goblins, together with Gobukchi and Gobumi-chan, had a combined practice session.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">It’s a dog eat world, so, from the start, I’m thoroughly going to drill into their bodies that I’m superior to them. No matter if the trainee is male or female. Also, since dealing with insurrections is troublesome, I’m going to make obeying me an instinct, by endless repetition if I have to.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I aim to stop training at the last moment to ensure they don’t have any spare energy, while preventing their bodies and minds from breaking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The result was that everyone, including Gobumi-chan and Gobukichi, didn’t had the strength left to move.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">For the Goblins who trained and worked to the point of collapsing, I planned on using the tribute they’ve gathered to make something for them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I had the motivation to do something, but its probably better if I didn’t do anything absurd. It’s the end once you die.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">…Gobumi-chan lays exhausted and trembling among the other females, with extreme pride showcasing her armor and necklace, but let’s pretend I didn’t see that. In the afternoon, I went hunting alone for the first time since my reincarnation.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I don’t know how it was in the beginning, but now I can move around this forest like it’s my home turf, and when I somehow managed to procure enough for the ones who couldn’t move, I concluded that days hunting.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">That evening, I went into the inner parts of the cave, where the human women were held captive. Since I turned into a Hobgoblin, I’ve become closer in appearance to a human, so I thought having a conversation might be possible.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Well, the outcome was – I couldn’t have a conversation with them. They were completely broken. Their eyes were utterly dead, and they were drooling uncontrollably. There was a faint smell of corpses around them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">[My version (Josh): Compared to how they were the last time I saw them, they were a lot worse this time. Also, since i last saw her, the youngest of the girls had gotten pregnant. It was an inevitable event, but still, I felt a lot of pity for her. I couldn't help but think that a girl this cute would have married into a nice family, and yet, she ended up, only to be repeatedly violated.]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">(Original): Compared to how they were last time I saw them, they were a lot worse this time, also in this short time the youngest of the girls had gotten pregnant. Though it was inevitable, I felt a lot of pity for her. I couldn’t help but think that a girl this cute could’ve married into a family, yet she ended up here only to be continuously violated.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">I didn’t want this to continue, and so I asked,

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">“Do you want to die?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">If it was the me from before, I’d end up pressing my hands together to offer a prayer, but now that I’ve ranked up into a Hobgoblin, I asked. The way I am now, I’d be able to kill or help these girls if they asked me to. Since even if I was found out, my safety was guaranteed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">However, my question was left unanswered. There was some movement; her small, weak lips moved slightly, and as if she just remembered how to, a tear fell from her eye. Having understood the women’s intentions, I took from my pouch a small, liquid filled bottle that I had obtained from hunting the Kobolds, which I left behind. After I handed it to them, I walked back to the cave bedroom. I didn’t look back.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center;line-height:16.85pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"PalatinoLinotype","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">* * *