Chapter 113: Little Survivalist

Nathan wasn’t sure what to do about the situation right now. Currently he was digging his way out, using his vine to push aside the rock and dirt as he made a path through the unstable terr. He had to be careful how he moved though, the ground around him was still loose and moving the wrong thing could prove disastrous. However, his worries soon faded, since his plants easily slither through the soil, carefully pushing aside what was necessary, plants had in infallible sense when moving through the earth and Nathan was taken full advantage of that.

No, the problem was the three goblin girls that was currently following him as he made his way along. They kept their distance, but they still followed him with cautious resolution, not that they really had a choice. It was safest to follow behind Nathan or so he assumed after reading their descriptions.

High Goblin Level: 12 Type: Fiend

Though they are very human in appearance and ability, their strength and learning capabilities easily outclass that of other races, excelling in their chosen study. High goblins do not get along with other goblins variants and tend to stick together in small groups, however, have the unique ability to hasten the evolution of goblins of lower rank and strengthen higher rank. It is for that reason they are constantly pursued and restrained by other goblin variants.

ATK: 58

DEF: 63

Ability (Survivorship, Evo Bolt, Quick Study).

Resistant: Mental ailments.

Nathan was sure they were following him thanks to that ability they had. Their “Survivorship” was telling them that their best chance of survival was with him. It’s the same reason why they jumped into Nathan’s vine cocoon without any rational thought, they instinctively knew it was the safest place to be during the cave-in.

It was similar to Nathan’s “Threat Detection” but different in a way. Nathan ability when the danger is present, something that could cause immediate harm so he can only act after effect. However, their ability unconsciously pushes them in the best path for survival purposes. In other words, if a fire was to occur, before they even started, “Survivorship” would have led them away before anything happened, a subconscious foresight.

Nathan didn’t mind them following him to get out, however their appearances, if not for their dusky blue skin and pointy ears, they would look like human children. Which made it difficult for him, since none of them were wearing any clothes. Nathan had no idea how goblins mature, but right now, anyone would think to be adolescent. Beside that on their arms and legs were chains that held tightly around their limbs and a collar around there neck. They were able to carry them, but it seemed to still slow them down, even if just a bit.

They had been imprisoned and they must have taking the chance to escape when the cave-in happened. Nathan figure they why the Don Goblin was ignoring the cave falling and searching so enthusiastically

Iris: “Master what should we do about them?”

Nathan: “I’m not sure, I told you they don’t mean us any harm, not that they could do anything with those stats.”

Iris: “Those filthy creatures will grow in strength as long as their around.”

Nathan: “‘If’ their around, right now they seem prone on escaping. I’m betting they were why the Don refuse to get up. He was keeping them trapped in that hole and close while they help him evolve quickly.”

Iris: “That’s a rather odd way to trap them.”

Nathan: “What else you gonna do when you’re so big. He couldn’t run the risk of other goblins watching them and end up evolving and producing further competition. Though I do feel bad them, can you imagine being stuck next to that things ass all the time?”

Iris: “I prefer not to.”

Nathan: “It must have been awful; goblin already stink but to be trapped right next to it.”

Iris: “Master, please stop.”

Nathan: “Oh, my gawd, what if he farted and they were right in the blast zone?”

Iris: “Master…….. I’m am begging you.”

Nathan laughed at Iris, as he continued to feel her head with nightmarish imagery as she covered her ear to drown him out.

Iris: “Do you believe the Don has fallen?”

Nathan: “I doubt it, those rock were falling on its head didn’t even flinch, he was desperate to find them. He’s could still be searching below us somewhere. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes they’re not there anymore.”

Iris: “Which is why we should be rid of them quickly.”

Nathan: “Stop, they haven’t done anything, and we can’t kill them just because of something they were forced to do.”

Iris: “I didn’t mean to kill them, I meant we should get away from them as soon as possible. If the Don is still alive, he may be below us searching for them. If we are here when he arrives, they will be no doubt of the action he will take.”

Nathan: “We kinda don’t have a choice in the matter, we are all stuck in here. It’ll be fine for now, plus I want to wait until we find Ash before we go any further. I need to talk to him about what we should do.”

Iris: “*sigh* Well, perhaps in the meantime, you could give them something to wear?”

Nathan: “Trust me Iris when I say, I’ve been searching my inventory for just that. I’m not about to explain why I have three naked little girls following behind me in chains.”

Iris looked back at the three high goblins , following from a distance, stumbling over the chain’s semi sealing their movement. Iris could tell they wasn’t a threat, but she still wishes he was a little more pessimistic at times like this, but because of his ability to react to danger immediately, he wasn’t too worried about the outcome of bringing them along. However, if he was a little more vigilant, and acted accordingly, he wouldn’t be caught so many times in battle.

Iris: “(Perhaps he wouldn’t have lost ‘Origin’ as well.)”

Iris gasped at herself in disbelief, right after the thought of Nathan going the extra mile to protect the sword over himself cross her mind. Nathan’s safety was much more important to her than anything else, yet for a moment she placed it below a weapon. It could it only be due to Lady Amelia’s message and how she stresses the importance of the Hero, once obtaining Origin that they remain together.

She wasn’t told specifically of the consequences of them being apart, but the message made it clear, it would be catastrophic. However, it wasn’t his intention to lose Origin, it was an accident that couldn’t be avoided. Maybe she could just tell him a bit of what Lady Amelia had said in the message. She wouldn’t reveal the most crucial of parts, just a gentle nudge to expedites Origin’s recovery.

Iris: “……………Master?”

Nathan: “Hmm, what’s wrong Iris, you’re not looking too good. Stomach queasy?”

Iris: “N-No it isn’t , about Origin, I-”

H.Goblin: “Groba!”

Nathan: “What!?”

H.Goblin: “Groba, troci!

Nathan turned to the high goblin in surprise. The one who look the oldest was equally surprised when Nathan turned around so quickly.

Iris: “Master, what’s wrong?”

Nathan: “I………I understood her.”

Iris: “The intangible nonsense?”

Nathan: “It wasn’t intangible to me, I’m sure she said, ‘No, don’t go that way’.”

Nathan had his plants stop their digging; he was sure she asks him to stop. It was strange that he was able to understand her. He had heard many of the grunts and moans of the other goblins around here and was able to make heads or tails of what they were saying. However, he understood that clear as day.

Nathan: “(What is going on?)”

-[]-

The high goblin panic for a moment not sure of what to do now that she had his attention but decided to tap the wall.

H.Goblin: “G-Groba, taakii.”

The eldest High Goblin tried her best to tell him what she meant, but she wasn’t sure if he understood. She wanted him to know that if he continued in that direction, it would be dangerous. The three of them didn’t want him to get hurt, he was their best chance at survival at the moment and his death could result in theirs. Thought they had to admit, in a way, this was strange.

Since they could remember their instinct always had them steer clear of anyone else except for the rare occasion where sticking to someone for a time was beneficial. Rather it was goblin, human or otherwise, they were always led away after a while, never to approach them again. And for good reason, the moment they went against their instincts they were always, most recently captured and enslaved by other goblins. They weren’t hurt this time around, but their freedom was stripped from them and they were forced to do things they didn’t want to do.

However, for the first time ever, there instinct had directed them toward someone with a different kind of feeling. A funny looking human with beast like traits, like ears and a tail like a wolf. He didn’t attack them like the others did, yet he remained cautious around them, as were they around him. He let them follow him and didn’t try to chase them away.

Even now, when they tried to talk to him, he didn’t seem repulse or ignore them, if anything he looked surprise.

H.Goblin: “G-Groba taaki, taaki.”

The oldest of the three goblin sisters kept petting the wall, trying to tell him that they should head in this direction, but it seemed useless. However, in the next moment, she took a step back as the man started to walk toward them, followed by squiggling vines. She and her sisters began to shake uncontrollably, they were technically no place for them to run if he did not understand them and decided to attack. He was right and front of them now and the eldest looked up and stared into his eyes.

H.Goblin: “T-Taaki.”

The man placed a hand to the vine wall, above where the high goblin held hers.

Nathan: “This way, huh?”

Redirecting his vines, the man started to dig in new direction. The looked down at the three goblins, who stood they’re in shocked, what they were trying to tell him had gotten through.

*Rumble*

Not seconds after the man moved away did the area he was in cave in further, as a large pile of dirt and rock came down, after a loud unsettling crash.

Nathan: “Whoa that was close, we were almost caught in that. Is this your ability telling you which way to go huh? Well if it’s the safest route I don’t mind following.”

The High goblins couldn’t understand what the man was saying, but he seemed to understand them to a degree, seeing as he was gesturing them to lead. They were still afraid, but as far as they could tell, the human in front of them meant no ill will toward them and that funny feeling from before was bubbling to the surface once again. Though they had to admit it odd, seeing him talking to himself for long periods of time,though they weren’t well informed about human customs to understand if that’s normal or not. Either way for now they had no choice, but ot follow him, for the only other route that assuered them safety, was a life of captivity.

Nathan: “But before we go any further, I really need to something about this.”

The man swung his hand and clothes appeared in his hand, similar to what he was wearing.

Nathan: “If your wanna keep following me, you gonna have to wear some clothes.”

-[]-

Ash: “Aw crap.”

Jasmine: “I said it was new.”

Ash and Jasmine made it to the end of the tunnel, only to come across a dead end. It was difficult time getting here, they had just made it to the crossroad for this tunnel right before a large group of goblins pass them.

Jasmine: “Little creeps, they didn’t even finish digging it out.”

Ash: “No I think they did, look at his wall, its looks more like it was blocked purposely.”

Looking at the wall, there was a part that was uneven with the rest. From the other side a large rock had been placed, preventing anyone from continuing down that path.

Jasmine: “Why would they build a tunnel and then block it off with a huge rock?”

Ash: “I don’t know, but we may have to leave ahead of him.”

Jasmine: “What!?”

Ash: “I’m not seeing much of a choice here, we don’t have much time, before those goblins realize we’re here. And that flowers scent is wearing off it’s not as strong as it was before, you didn’t notice?”

Jasmine: “*gasp*

Jasmine hadn’t realized it until now, but true to what he said, the scent was fading. Any minute the goblins would pick up on their scent and head their way.

Jasmine: “Even so, we can’t live him here.”

Ash: “Trust me, he will be fine with it, with the cave-in that just happened, he would probably wonder why we stayed.”

Jasmine: “Even still, you can’t just leave your friend behind just because-”

Ash: “Wait………… do you hear that?”

Jasmine: “Don’t try to change the subject.”

Ash: “No seriously.”

Jasmine couldn’t hear it at first, but soon enough there was a slight rumbling coming from the tunnels wall

Jasmine: “Another cave-in?”

Ash: “No its something else.”

Ash’s Threat Detection was still going off, so he wasn’t sure what the rumbling signalized. However, he wasn’t going to wait around to find out.

*Crash*

Before could move the rock was smashed through from the other side.

Jasmine: “Huh?”

Ash: “Well shit.”

What appeared was several vines, coiled together making a drill like shape. Jasmine was a bit confused, but Ash knew right away what it was. However, when the vines uncoiled, he was surprise to see three little girls pop their heads out, more than that they were three little goblin girls.

Jasmine reacted like any normal adventurer and drew her bow to fire.

Ash: “Wait!”

Jasmine: “What, are you crazy, can’t believe they found us already.”

The three girls quickly ducked back inside as Jasmine fired her arrow. Though it didn’t matter, since the vines easily batted down the projectile.

Nathan: “What the hell, wait you three come back its fine.”

Jasmine: “Nathan!?”

Nathan seeing the bow in Jasmine hand quickly realized what had happened.

Nathan: “Shoot first ask question later huh?”

Jasmine: “Three goblins came out of the wall, so yes.”

Nathan: “Don’t have to be afraid of them, they’re my friends. Jasmine out the bow away they’re not dangerous.”

Jasmine: “Who, what are they?”

Given the okay the three girls stuck there heads out of the hole. Nathan climbed out first, then helped each one of them out onto the ground, the hole set a little high off the ground. Jasmine and Ash were stun for sure, they had never seen such goblins. If not for their goblinesque feature, they would look like human girls.

Nathan: “Ah they are they goblins have been fighting over.”

Jasmine: “What their fighting over, wait your saying-”

Nathan: “Good job, you almost killed your treasure.”