“Camp!” Sizarbob gave a command to his goblin army once the sun had completely disappeared below the horizon.

Oh, thank God! Yuusha breathed a sigh of relief.

The goblin army had been marching without rest since the Farm raid. And even though Yuusha was not burdened with any heavy weapons, armor or supplies, apart from his one, small makeshift bag, his knees were about to give out. I’m not made for these long journeys on foot. You’d think that if I gained stats passively in this world, I would’ve gained a point or two in endurance by now. Yuusha quickly glanced at his main stats.

[Name: Yuusha Kigiraya]

[Class: None]

[Level: 1]

[Health points: 10]

[Mana points: 10]

[Strength: 1]

[Endurance: 1]

[Dexterity: 1]

[Willpower: 1]

[Intelligence: 1]

[Skills:

Evil Language: Level 9 (93%)

Good Language: Level 0 (1%)]

Zilch, zip, nada, got it. Yuusha wasn't even disappointed by this point. Hard to be disappointed when you expect nothing. At least my "Evil Language" keeps improving. But main stats have no percentages like the skills. I likely need to unlock my class first. And even then, the combat stats probably only increase during actual combat. Or simply just with leveling. Yuusha pulled out his orange crystal our of his trouser pocket.

[Name: Orange Crystal of Potential]

[Level: 3]

[Status: Not Ready

Loading... 6%]

About three to four percent per day, huh? Yuusha put the crystal away. At best that would mean it still has about twenty-three days to go until it’s charged. Assuming I’m not in for additional surprises with this thing. This is bad. So far, these goblins seem to be the toughest guys around, but that could change quickly. If I’m going to stay with them (and for now they are the closest thing I have to allies) then I’ll have to keep ourselves out of trouble.

While Yuusha was contemplating his precarious position the goblins had already started about a dozen campfires. Even faster, than last time, Yuusha noted. It couldn’t have been more than a couple of minutes since they stopped. Though the fact that the goblins set up their camp right then and there – in the middle of the road, helped speed things up.

Do they really expect no resistance whatsoever? Yuusha wondered. Or they want to make sure none passed them by accident?

Either way, Yuusha did not feel as bold as the goblin leaders to risk getting trampled by some cavalry while he slept, and went to the side of the road, where there was at least some cover between the shrubbery and a steep hill. Sure, it wasn’t as warm as by the fire could be, but it wasn’t the middle of winter either. Whatever time of year it was supposed to be in this world now, Yuusha would rate it as an early august – though the sun had set, it was still warm, but not hot enough for him to wish for a pair of shorts.

More importantly, I need to figure out how to stay alive. Yuusha plotted while ate the second half of the bread he appropriated from the farmers. The bread was… edible. If I play my cards right, the hobgoblins can be used as my bodyguards, at least for now. They seem strong enough. Though the only power reference I have so far is a couple of farmers and an unnamed band of human soldiers that might as well have been ill-prepared conscripted farmers.

Ideally, we’d stay in some secluded, lush canyon and sing songs to each other until the crystal loads. At that point it would unlock the powers that would make me the strongest being in this world, I would kill the Demon Lord… Whatever his name is, and spend the next couple of years searching for the most beautiful girl there is and eventually have her bear my children. Sigh, that would be nice. I think I earned at least that much already.

While Yuusha daydreamed, Sizarbob found him and sat down next to him. A couple of goblins followed shortly, bringing wood for a campfire, a third one carried a couple of burning twigs to light it up.

“Tomorrow we attack town Foric,” Sizarbob informed Yuusha. “Scouts say the city is undefended, some humans already left. We take it and place our banner on roof of tallest building.”

My “Evil Language” improved even further during the day, Yuusha noted while he watched the small goblins argue over why the fire wasn’t starting properly.

“I hope to have a glorious battle soon,” Sizarbob continued, looking up to the star-filled sky. “It is long overdue for Goblins to remind Humans we are more than hunting challenge!

Yuusha didn’t quite pick up every time he increased his knowledge of the Goblin language. There was no magical “ding” with a notification or light surrounding him. It was more subtle than that. But now, sitting with Sizarbob, listening to his monologues, Yuusha appreciated the colossal gap between last night and this one. Sure, Yuusha’s understanding was still a bit crude, but by now he understood most of what the hobgoblin was saying. Well, I didn’t understand him as well last night, so I suppose I have a chance to fill in the blanks in his previous speeches.

But after only two hours of listening to Sizarbob talk about his tribe and all his relatives, going back four generations, Yuusha confirmed his suspicions - Sizarbob was prone to talking about the same thing over, and over, and over again. At least I’m learning his language the easy way, Yuusha thought, trying not to doze off.

“…And that’s when my great grandfather, Garsnilk, the Insane, struck down Valgor, the White at the Battle for The Hill. He led Goblin forces to victory that day, slowed Human advance into Goblin lands.”

“Pig?” one of the green goblins offered Yuusha a piece of cooked meat. Yuusha accepted but took the first bite very hesitantly. Delicious! The juices flowed in Yuusha's mouth, finally satisfying his taste buds. He devoured the rest of the meat barely chewing it properly. There is hope for this world yet!

“We will have big feast tomorrow!” Sizarbob proclaimed. “My uncle happy with collecting Human skulls. But we prepare for greater honor! To have a Demon officer be with us! If Gorgonoth’s officers already begin scouting, then war soon comes to Human Realm, correct?”

Oh, Yuusha finally knew for certain what the goblins thought he was and nodded in agreement.

“Never thought I would survive and see Demon officer! I hope we find worthy warrior against you soon.”

Shit.