Rebirth: Rise of the Slave Master

Chapter Fifteen: An Open Palm

[Gobthnora the Goblin Shaman] Lv. 9 Goblin Elite

HP: ???/???

MP: ???/???

Theo immediately inspected the boss that was poking its head out from the flap on the tent, but his [Perception] proficiency was too low to get any details. While the rest of the Goblins were distracted by the arrival of their leader, Theo knocked a group of them back with [Fend] and comboed it with a [Lunge]. Since he had to tediously drain their HP to kill them, he could only finish off each Goblin as quickly as the numbers allowed.

When the monsters realized their prey was fighting back, it didn’t take any time at all for the situation to devolve into a massive brawl.

Dodging every attack from a hoard of monsters was impossible if they were using projectiles, but Theo’s skills weren’t so rusty that he would be harried and pinned down in a melee. [Lunge] wasn’t only a skill to deal damage. The movement boost it provided could also be used to break free from a potential encirclement.

There was also the slave. At first she just awkwardly charged into the fight, following her new master and stumbling over the fallen Goblins. It wasn’t until Theo started using her for cover that she began to show her true worth. Taking the order to ‘stop anything that tried to attack,’ to heart, she obediently stood in for Theo as the Goblin’s primary target.

“You kill Gobthnora’s fellow Gobbos! Gobthnora will not stand for this!”

After occupying itself by standing around and shouting for a bit, the Goblin leader eventually annexed a mottled wooden staff from a flimsy bone-carved stand and hoisted it into the air. A short, hunched body bounded up and down on skinny bowed legs as the staff was waved about erratically. Dangling bits of metal clinked together, suspended from the skull of a horned lizard mounted at the top.

Gobthnora the Goblin Shaman used [Goblin War Dance]! All nearby Goblins receive +20% damage; Immunity to Fear.

“So it was a buffing type boss,” Theo mused as he knocked down one of the Goblins with a sweeping attack.

The difference between the Goblins before and after the [Goblin War Dance] was like night and day. The little eyes that adorned the centers of their mostly vacant skulls had completely rolled back into their heads, and a frothing spittle poured from their sharp jaws. Whereas they had previously tried to stay as far away as possible from the whirling engine of death that was Theo’s [Steel-Edged Partizan], they were now practically crawling over one another to get a swipe at him.

The poor [Captured Woman] was almost immediately swarmed with attacks as the Goblins bit, clawed, and stabbed at whatever empty space they could find on her defenseless body. It quickly became apparent that the Goblins were either too enraged or too stupid to be capable of ranged attacks while in their magic induced trance.

If they weren’t doped up on magic, they might have understood just how poor this idea was.

[Rampage] was used! Slave Master Theo receives +50% melee damage; Damage taken increases by 100% for 60 seconds.

Theo’s spear struck out and immediately severed an encroaching Goblin’s lifeline. The little body was hardly out of the way when Theo twisted the spear and pushed it through another ugly green face right behind it.

While there was still the chance to eat a barrage of darts and stones, Theo had to be careful when engaging the Goblins, and couldn’t risk activating the ability of the [Serpent Queen’s Wrath Rune]. Double damage was nothing to scoff at. However, with the ranged threat removed he was left unconstrained and could fully capitalize on the [Rampage] effect. Theo wasn’t even wasting time chasing after his targets. They were charging right towards him!

[Fend]

-88. Knockback!

-89. Knockback!

-88. Knockback!

In this condition, even [Fend] had become a nearly deadly attack.

Slave [Princess Anastasia Therasa Bolevolo XVII] has used unique ability [Blessing of the Stonekin]. Defense increases by 50; Movement Speed reduced to 25% for 120 seconds.

“Huh? Blessing of the Stonekin? Oh... right, she’s a Bolevolo…” the momentary distraction barely registered on Theo’s radar as he mercilessly slaughtered the piled up Goblins.

Honestly, Theo had already taken the young woman for dead after she was overrun and pinned down, but it seemed like she was still hanging in there. He had to give her credit for managing to distract a large chunk of the Goblins.

“Good job, Meatshield!” Theo shouted to his slave as a form of encouragement.

He watched as the woman stood up, her petite body easily turning aside the makeshift weapons. Her skin had always been pale, but it had taken on a glossy, granite-like texture that left her looking like an art room showpiece. 50 Defense would grant her complete physical immunity to the attacks of level 7 monsters.

“KEE! You still dare to kill Gobthnora’s Gobbos!? Gobthnora burn you up!” the dancing shaman screamed angrily and waved the staff again.

“Meatshield! Block that one!” Theo pointed his spear at Gobthnora, conveniently skewering another [Dirty Goblin] in the process.

Fwoosh!

Finishing a short chant, an orb of rolling flames appeared at the end of Gobthnora’s staff. After a shockingly elaborate wind-up, the shaman flung the [Fireball] in Theo’s direction. With the bonus damage from the [Rampage] effect, it would be enough to roast him dead. So much for escaping the curse of being a glass cannon...

BOOM!

The spell did not end Theo’s life, as it was, but crashed instead into a conveniently placed female shaped rock. Fire engulfed the body of the statue-like princess as the tongues of flame wrapped around her exposed limbs. Although she was slowed to a lead-footed gait, the Goblins that clung to her had little effect as a barricade. She had thrown herself directly in front of the shaman’s [Fireball].

“Useful!” Theo was feeling rather pleased with his choice in slaves at the moment.

Not only did the young lady come out of the exchange without a scratch on her pristine stone skin, but the [Fireball] spell had completely roasted the dozen or so Goblins that were attacking her. Even Gobthnora hadn’t escaped the roaring conflagration completely uscathed. Defense was just as effective against magic as it was against swords and spears. The only difference would be a spell’s likelihood to produce a higher damage number.

“Pin it to the floor!” Theo ordered.

The princess trudged towards the singed Goblin Shaman, who was wisely crawling away from the carnage left by the point-blank [Fireball]. Theo almost laughed out loud as he watched the scene of a snail chasing a turtle. He had no issues cleaning up the rest of the Goblins once they lost the support of their leader. If he had known things would escalate to this point, he might have tried to kill a few more of these little green pests on the way in.

“Gob-Gobthnora will crush puny humies!” the shaman called out, rolling out of the way when the princess’s pitifully slow grab came after it.

[Rampage] effect or no, Theo was still burning with rage. Suffering through the Goblin retaliation, he found a potential outlet in the form of the oblivious Gobthnora. He rammed a blade through the last of the Goblin casualties and charged at the Elite enemy with renewed vigor. Theo’s spear gleamed with a gruesome light as he activated his newest attack skill.

[Inflict Pain]

KrAaK!

-88. Daze!

Rather than piercing the shaman’s scrawny neck, Theo’s spear knocked against it and produced the loud, wretched sound of breaking bones. The Goblin was pushed to the ground and writhed in pain, it’s screechy voice echoing in the sizeable chamber.

“KEEE! It hurt! Pain hurt Gobthnora bad!” it rasped, tiny hands clutching for air.

If only that was the end of the shaman’s pain. A small yet heavy body dropped itself on the Goblin and pinned the creature under four pale limbs. Gobthnora screamed again and struggled to free itself from Meatshield’s hold, but Goblins weren’t creatures known for their superior strength. It was a hopeless attempt, and swiftly punished with another gut wrenching blow from Theo.

[Inflict Pain]

-86. Daze resisted!

Well, Gobthnora was still an Elite monster after all, and would have decent resistances. Even without the Daze effect, however, the pitiful demi-human was completely restrained.

[Rampage] has worn off.

“ACK!! No! No hurt Gobthnora!”

Theo snorted, “Hurt? I plan to do more than hurt you, you little wretch! You and your buddies almost cost me a level!”

The Goblin’s sickly yellow eyes went wide with shock, “Nooo!”

[Lesser Persuasion] was used successfully! Shaman Gobthnora’s fear of Slave Master Theo increases greatly!

“Fear?” Theo was shocked.

Monsters that served as pseudo-bosses were normally immune to fear effects. If you could scare off the big bad guy, why would you possibly concern yourself with it? It seemed like a Goblin would always be a Goblin though. Cowardice was bred into their bones, even if they were an Elite.

A wicked grin crept across Theo’s face, “You want to survive this?” he snapped, “Then beg for mercy!”

[Inflict Pain] was used again, but Theo didn’t have to worry about the paltry damage killing the shaman. His only concern was wrapping up before Meatshield’s [Blessing of the Stonekin] wore off. Once she returned to her usual state it wouldn’t be hard for Gobthnora to wriggle away and start casting spells again.

Gobthnora began to struggle against its programming as the system waged an internal war with the Goblin’s natural instincts. Theo didn’t hesitate to apply more pressure with his [Inflict Pain] skill.

“Noo! Noo! Proud Gobbo never bow head to filthy humie!” it shouted.

Theo cracked a grim smile, “You won’t have a head to bow with if you don’t, Goblin,” pressing the blade of his spear against its throat, he added, “but don’t worry too much, I’ll make you long for death well before we get there.”

It had been a long time since Theo talked like this. How could someone with aspirations of becoming a War God possibly have a squeaky clean past? Coercion was only one of the many skills learned in his years of dealing with uncooperative NPCs. As a White Knight, his partner Adrian might have been unable to engage in activities like torture, but that was more of an excuse to let Theo carry the burden of the game’s immorality.

Betrayal was easy, but vengeance? That was an artform.

Theo was willing to spend any length of time slowly breaking the Goblin’s spirit, one endless minute after the other, but the monster quickly caved under the combined might of his [Lesser Persuasion] and [Inflict Pain] skills. Ignoring the synergistic nature of Theo’s abilities, or his decision to add points to his Charisma attribute, it was the explicit imagery of hopelessness he conjured that had truly done the job.

[Lesser Persuasion] was used successfully! Shaman Gobthnora’s fear of Slave Master Theo increases greatly! Shaman Gobthnora’s fear has reached 100%.

“Spare… please spare Gobthnora’s life, scary humie!” the sniveling shaman cowered on the ground even after Theo retrieved his Meatshield.

Theo was honestly shocked by how quickly the whole ordeal had taken place, but it only reminded him not to overestimate Goblins in the future. He was about to take this opportunity to add another slave to his stable when a thought nagged at him. Theo turned to look at the stone-face princess he had affectionately dubbed Meatshield. When she had been enslaved, the system gave him several snippets of useful information.

Bonus attribute growth...

It was something that every player would love to hear in regard to their own character. Each level would grant 10 attribute points, and with the bonus from their class, gave players and most NPCs an effective growth value of 12 until their first class advancement. However, NPCs could have more or less in this aspect, especially if they were of the Synthesised variety.

NPCs would also have their attributes assigned automatically, and this assignment was inherent to their programming. This was why improving an NPC’s growth could be vital. Even if the bonus was only 1 attribute point per level, that would eventually become a huge value of 200 points. It was even better if these points were spread across multiple attributes, or attributes that might have otherwise been neglected. Theo wasn’t certain if there were benefits for enslaving based purely on fear, but he knew he would lose out on at least one bonus if he used the [Slave Master’s Brand] on an unwilling target.

“Gobthnora, Goblin Shaman, raise your head!” Theo shifted his posture to one of aloof nobility.

The little green spellcaster shakily raised its head as the Slave Master removed his hood, and was met with a pair of cold, dark eyes.

While most players might be embarrassed using such speech, Theo was completely unabashed when it came to the game world, and he confidently said, “I have shown you a closed fist for daring to go against me, but I can choose to wield an open palm as well. As the man who will one day rule this pitiful world, I need capable servants at my side!”

The shaman shook in fear, green fingers still tracing the wounds Theo left behind, “G-Gobthnora is cappababble?” the Goblin squeaked.

Theo’s face remained disinterested, “That is yet to be determined, but if you diligently serve me, I can guarantee that no other Goblin will rise to greater heights.”

[Lesser Persuasion] was used successfully. Shaman Gobthnora desires power and authority above all else, and Slave Master Theo has offered it! Fear is replaced with admiration! Shaman Gobthnora’s affinity increases to 100%!

Theo was so flabbergasted that he almost broke character for a moment, “Why is this bastard so simple minded!?” he raged internally.

“Yes! Yes! Gobthnora will serve Master! Gobthnora will serve Master with her life!”

The Slave Master nodded his head, while the princess stood off to the side with an absent-minded look on her face. She had yet to say a single word after her programmed quest dialogue. Theo wouldn’t have been shocked if she protested to partnering with the one who had captured and starved her, but it seemed she really didn’t care one way or the other.

“Then accept the mark of your new Master!” Theo pressed his hand against the Goblin’s head.

As he activated the skill, the pair was again consumed in red light. This time, the rune on Theo’s hand seemed to be slightly larger and more complex, perhaps as a result of enslaving the princess earlier. He didn’t pay any attention to the Goblin’s continued screams of agony during the process.

[Slave Master’s Brand] was used successfully! Subject was enslaved with max affinity: receives a bonus to attribute growth. Subject willingly accepted the [Slave Master’s Brand]: receives a bonus to attribute growth. Subject classified as Elite entity: receives a bonus to attribute growth.

Congratulations, you have enslaved [Goblin Shaman Gobthnora]. Goblins are notoriously easy creatures to enslave, and as such, your prestige as a Slave Master does not grow. Others might mock you if they discover this shame.

“Huh, so they had a predisposition for enslavement, well at least I got the bonus,” Theo thought as he skeptically read the announcement.

“Keekee! Gobthnora can feel Master’s power. It flows into Gobthnora through his mark,” the shabbily dressed creature rose from the ground, taking a kneeling position before Theo in a rather comical fashion.

Was it just Theo’s imagination, or did the shaman seem more eloquent? Perhaps the effects of the attribute growth managed to increase its Intelligence by a few points. Gobthnora was a spellcaster after all, so it would make sense, but did that mean this slave would grow more clever every time it leveled up? That was fine as long as it didn’t reach the point where the shaman understood how sorely they’d been duped.

Theo turned to look at his other recent acquisition. The short young woman was standing around wearing a scorched dress and looking at him with vacant eyes. It wasn’t an expression that said anything in particular, as if a single thought failed to pass through the girl’s head. Could there have been some sort of issue with the branding? Was she suffering from PTSD after her capture? Theo didn’t know how to check for these kinds of conditions, and he was fairly certain his [Appraise Humanoid] skill didn’t work for psychological damage.

“At least it shouldn’t affect her prospects as a Meatshield,” Theo consoled himself.

While he was thinking, a grating voice called from the floor, trying to grab his attention with high-pitched *ahem* noises. When he looked down, he was met with a bizarrely fanatical expression that didn’t seem to belong anywhere near a Goblin’s mashed up little face.

“Gobthnora will loyally serve Master… even, even if…” the Goblin made a nauseatingly bashful expression, “Even if Master desires Gobthnora’s body, she will not deny her Master. Keekee, Master is lucky, Gobthnora was known as most beautiful Goblin in entire clan...”

Congratulations! Shaman Gobthnora has opened her heart to you! Shaman Gobthnora’s affinity is already at maximum. Would you like advance your relationship with Shaman Gobthnora to Lovers?

Yes/No

Warning: Shaman Gobthnora has a fragile spirit. Affinity will fall greatly if rejected.

Something snapped in Theo’s head, and it was drowned out only by the sickening feeling rising in his throat. For the second time in his Dream World Online life, the War God Theo felt truly ill in his heart.

“Heh… heh... it was time to loot right? There was loot to collect after clearing all the Goblins!” he said shakily, turning away from the creature’s expectant gaze.

Theo was determined to have heard nothing of Gobthnora’s proposition, or the system alert that accompanied it.

“Master! Is Master alright!?” noticing something wrong, the starstruck Goblin clung to the hem of Theo’s pants, “Should Gobthnora comfort you with her feminine char - ACK!”

[Inflict Pain]

-57

Theo’s eyes were burning with red hot spite as he held the [Steel-Edged Partizan] in his outstretched hand, and Meatshield stood at ready to once again pin the unruly Goblin if her master ordered.