Out of the nine golems that were left, Jaba took care of two by himself. Though his fists weren’t in the best of shape as a result of that.

From the remaining seven, the squads led by the three evolved goblins took care of four, while I managed to reduce the remaining three into lifeless rocks. The biggest thing to take away from this is the fact we managed to not only survive, but win convincingly.

With our only real injuries being Jaba’s fists. Got to get him a spear. While taking a moment to digest the result of the battle, I spot Jaba approaching me, while the other goblins.

“You made it back just in time Rick, and it seems your training went extremely well.”

“Yeah I think you guys had it covered though, but I wasn’t gonna let some moving rocks ruin my spectacular return to the tribe.”

“Still weird I see. Either way, It’s dark out and you’ve just returned, I think we should just rest for the night, and we’ll talk in the morning.”

“How do you even know what it means to be weird? But that sounds good, it's just that I don’t think I can fit in the tents with the other goblins.”

“You have your own.”

That’s the last thing Jaba said before walking away. What does he mean I have my own? Do we all have our own now? I didn’t pay attention to anything at all when I entered the cave.

While watching the goblins walk back towards the center of the cave, where our tents are located, I spot a couple of them stealing glances at me every now and then.

Are they interested in me? Well how could I blame them, I’m the goblin genius Rick after all. I’ll leave them alone for now though. We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow.

[Very self-conscious.]

It’s just confidence Velora! If I don’t have confidence in myself who will?

[I see.]

Are you actually just a skill?

[Of course.]

Yeah, if you say so, anyway I see Jaba didn’t lie when he said I have my own tent, but it doesn’t seem like everyone else has their own either. Am I some privileged goblin in the tribe now?

But how did Jaba know I’ll come back this much stronger? Did he just trust me? That feels good for some reason. What a weird feeling...not really used to anyone trusting me without a concrete reason to. Anyway, I’ll ask Jaba about it tomorrow.

Spread out in front of me I see six tents, three more than what we had when I left a week ago. I don't know how I missed them coming in, but here they are.

All the unevolved goblins split themselves between the three tents we already had, then the three evolved goblins made their way into one of the tents together. Then I spot Jaba going into one of the remaining two, which were both larger than the rest. So I guess this empty one is for me?

After settling into my new home that even had a small piece of hide to lay on, I took a look at my status to see just how much XP those golems provided. Status please Velora.

[Understood.]

{Name - Rick}

{Age - 20}

{Race - Hobgoblin (High)}

{Level - 76 (1961/1980)}

{Health - 80/80}

{Mana - 22/44}

{Strength - 62}

{Agility - 57}

{Intelligence - 53}

{Endurance - 59}

{Stat Points - 20}

{Skills}

{Velora (Unique)}

{Dash (common) (5 Mana)}

{Solidify (common) (10 Mana)}

Oh, I leveled up from just killing two of them, that's pretty damn good if you ask me. Although I didn’t get a new skill once I reached level seventy-five and became a high-tier, my stats still gained a big boost, just like how it did once I reached mid-tier.

Getting pretty strong right Velora?

[I’m not quite sure, you're still far weaker than that fox. Also, you left your belongings at the cave entrance.]

Always a buzz kill. Listen Velora, when someone asks a question like that, you got to just play along okay?

[I don’t understand.]

It’s about how people feel Velora, you just gotta be careful about the feelings.

[But no one else can hear or communicate with me except for you.]

….This was a lost cause from the start, wasn’t it...Anyway forget it and I can’t be bothered to go grab my stuff, I’ll get it in the morning.

[Understood.]

By the way Velora, I’ve been meaning to ask you this, but you know what time is?

[Yes.]

As in a way to tell what period of the day it is? By using hours, minutes, and seconds to tell exactly what time of the day it is? According to exactly where in the sky the sun is located?

[Yes, I do. Would you like to know the current time?]

Yes of course! Do you even know what day and month it is? What about the year?

[The time is currently 23:47, and I don’t have any information regarding months and years. Though with your next evolution that may change.]

Well, I guess I can’t get everything at once, and it’s not like knowing the month and year will change anything for me at the moment anyway so I’ll be thankful for just knowing the time.

The next challenge will be to teach the whole time concept to the rest of the village. I think that can only benefit the village in both now and the future.

What do you think Velora?

[A smarter race is a stronger race.]

Well said Velora! Guess I’ll just have to put my famed genius mind to good use then HAHA!

[Is this one of those situations where I should play along?]

Yes...but it loses all meaning if you ask first…at least you're trying.

One more thing though Velora, Is it possible for you to wake me up at a specific time in the day?

[Yes, that is possible since I don’t require rest.]

Oh, shit yeaaa I got my own little alarm clock! I don’t know why that took me so long to figure out, but whatever I got it now. Wake me up at 0730 please!

Goodnight Velora.

[Understood.]

…

Say goodnight back dammit!

[Goodnight.]