Chapter 51: Hobgoblins (12)
Sharan could now speak.
I was already crying out of sheer emotion. Until now, darn it. I was happy because I had Buril, Imsoong, and Sharan, but we never really had a proper conversation.
Even Buril just knew how to croak, never saying warm words like Master or shall we go eat ice cream?.
"Shaa? Master?"
But now, we could really converse!
"Sharan!"
I instantly spread out both my arms to hug Sharan, but she moved before me and hugged me first.
I immediately buried my nose into Sharan's collarbone.
"Sniff…! Sharan!"
"ShaaShaa."
She still made "Shaa" sounds even when speaking.
"Thank you! Thank you for speaking! Again! I want to hear more! I am the Master! You are Sharan!"
"Master… Sharan."
"Yes! That's right! That one! That one is Buril!"
As I pointed to Buril and spoke.
"Buriri?"
Sharan responded like that!
"Croak?"
Buril seemed amazed as well.
"So Sharan! That one! That dark fellow is Imsoong!"
"Imsoomi."
Who the heck was Imsoomi?
"Hey Soomi. Are you called Soomi?"
"Kkruk?"
Imsoong looked utterly clueless. But who cared? The fact remained that Sharan could now talk.
"Hand in hand."
"Shaa?"
"When we go for a walk!"
"Shaaa!"
Twirling.
I held hands with Sharan and twirled. Sharan seemed happy as we spun, laughing "ShaaShaa" and dancing to my rhythm.
Nice.
Now, I must teach Sharan to speak. Let's add that to my to-do list. I should create a detailed schedule. Train the soldiers, give them mental education, and teach Sharan words. There was so much to do.
But…
Did she really absorb my essence to gain power? Some kind of energy absorption? Grew stronger because of it? How did she even absorb the energy in the first place? Because she was a dryad?
I had many questions, but one thing was certain. Just as magic power strengthened demons, it also strengthened monsters. I should consistently give my power to Sharan.
Sigh.
I stopped twirling at that thought.
"…"
Because a sudden realization hit me.
If Sharan could speak,
Wasn't it okay now?
"Sharan. Repeat after me."
"Shaa?"
"Se… Sex."
"Sess?"
Cute pronunciation.
"Not Sess. Sex."
"Sex."
Startled.
I felt a reaction down there.
"Grrr…!"
I should teach her about this some other quiet time.
And at night, about the Smarta or the discussions about semen. I intended to educate her about everything. Sex education was necessary, after all.
Anyway, I briefly tried to teach Sharan some basic conversation. But she spoke faster than I thought. Perhaps it was because she had been exposed to language for so long, and our communication was seamless.
Good.
"Now, guys. Bring me a Hobgoblin corpse. Let's prepare for the meal."
"Keurek!"
"Sharan, you too, go sit. Time to eat."
"Sha-ah."
Sharan nodded. Under the guidance of Buril, preparations for the meal began.
I should use this time.
Ssruk.
I immediately took off my top and observed my body.
"Hmm."
Did my physique improve? I could feel the influence of magic on my body. I immediately took a stance.
Shukshuk.
Shukshuk.
Like a boxer, I threw punches, feeling the sensation. My body definitely felt lighter. The strength I felt in my arms was considerable.
"That chief bastard."
Was he really so powerful to give me this strength? Well, objectively speaking, I hadn't become insanely stronger. It was just that compared to him, I seemed to have grown.
Still, the power I absorbed from the chief was pretty good. Thinking about it, he might've been a very competent chief. Didn't he teach the Hobgoblins tactics? Perhaps such skills were what I absorbed.
"Chiefs. Commanders. I need to absorb those types."
I kept moving, evaluating my physical strength.
"Keurek!"
While doing so, Buril approached me with a piece of grilled meat. That guy. He was bringing me something to eat.
"Hehehe, did you bring this for me? You cute creature. Thanks."
As I went towards Buril…
Hwik!
Suddenly, Sharan snatched the piece of meat from Buril!
Then…
"Master!"
With a wide smile, she offered the piece of meat to me.
"Sharan? Did you want to give it to me personally?"
"Sha-ah!"
Sharan nods.
"Keuhuk…! Thank you!"
After receiving and eating the meat,
"Kerururuk…!"
Buril sat down, crying and stuffing his mouth with his fist. He looked heartbroken because Sharan took what he wanted to give me.
"Hey, hey, don't cry. Can't you see? Thank you, Buril."
"Keurek!"
Should I eat now?
There was a lot to do, but the most urgent matter was to take care of the remnants of the Hobgoblins.
I know where their settlement was located.
I might have annihilated their army, but that didn't mean we could coexist. Once we have fought, they must be entirely eradicated. You could not share territory with a hostile force.
As a Demon Lord, I could not afford to leave any remnants. Even a slight act of compassion could drive my subordinates to their deaths.
"Buril will lead."
"Kerek!"
ㅡChuruk!
Buril, who saluted, shouted at the goblins.
"Kerek! Kerek-Kerek!"
Then, the goblins firmly gripped their equipment and lined up.
"Hmm, good. I'm satisfied."
After winning the recent war, my army's appearance had changed a bit. First, the shield-bearers. They, too, had been armed. Now, they held a shield in their left hand and an axe in their right. Moreover, all eight of them were dressed in leather armor.
"Yes, they should wear them properly to look impressive."
Wearing the equipment looted from the Hobgoblins, it was time to finish their remnants. From their perspective, it was a desperate situation, but there was no need for me to empathize.
"Master. Are, are we going? Shaa? Are we going?"
"Hehehe, yes. We are going."
"We're going."
Sharan's voice was very beautiful. Hearing her speak evoked deep emotions. Anyway, we set out, heading towards the Hobgoblin settlement.
"Master. This."
"Fruit? Call it fruit. Fruit."
"Shaa… fruit?"
"Yes. That's right. Fruit."
Sharan kept pointing at various things and asking what they were called. Whenever I told her, she immediately tried pronouncing it. Her language acquisition ability was truly exceptional.
Was it because of some bond between us? It seemed so. She absorbed language like a sponge. She should be able to engage in everyday conversation soon.
"Kerek, Kerek-Kerek. Kererk."
But lately, Buril also seemed to be trying to speak or imitate speech.
"Hehehe, kid. Why? Want to speak too?"
"Kerek."
"Alright. I'll give you more magic infusion regularly."
Having become stronger, I could now infuse more magic than before. I wondered how Buril would grow? Imagining it made me happy.
We continued to march and reached near the Hobgoblin settlement.
"Let's start by observing from the high ground. Hide here."
"Kerek!"
"Sharan, come with me."
"Shaa."
Sharan and I headed towards the high ground.
And looked down.
ㅡ…
The sight of the Hobgoblin settlement came into view.
They were all going about their daily lives—working, making things, preparing food. I could see figures, which looked like females, educating the young. I also spotted some wielding axes, standing guard.
But overall, they seemed dispirited.
It was probably because their army hadn't returned. Watching them… they seemed so human.
"…"
But now was not the time for such thoughts. They were the enemy. I must annihilate them and use them for sustenance. There was no room for mercy or compassion. This was about survival.
Yes. Only survival.
"Can those be controlled?"
I was not sure if it was possible, but we needed to capture some as prisoners. Especially that one over there, playing with a water container and leather. Looks like he's their craftsman. We must capture him.
After observing, I descended back.
"Buril and the rest. We're going to attack that Hobgoblin settlement now."
"Kerek."
"First, I'll create confusion. You guys attack the Hobgoblins as soon as I give the command."
"Kerek!"
A strong response.
Good. There was no need to maintain the phalanx formation during this battle. It was for defense. They didn't have an army anymore. We could suppress them with spears and shields.
With that…
We slowly moved the group towards the village.
And then.
Stealthily.
After moving secretly towards the hobgoblin's hideout alone…
"Demon Breathhh!!!"
I immediately spewed flames!
Whoosh!
A fire ignited as soon as I poured the breath into the hideout! At the same time, the Hobgoblins looked this way!
"Huh?"
"What?"
The startled hobgoblins!
Saw me!
"Attackhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Roarrrrrrrrr!
They shouted loudly!
"Hehehe!"
"Hehe!"
"Haahaaah!"
My subordinates advanced with menacing shouts. It was not a savage charge. Spear and shield soldiers formed a unit and advanced at a suitable pace! This was a trained army!
All the Hobgoblins will be trampled!
"Imsoong, throw fire over there!"
"Kreuk!"
"Roarrrrrrrrr!"
I, too, with a shout, followed the goblins with a spear in my hand!
"Grrrrrrrr!"
"Die!"
Thud!
As I lunged with the spear, the small Hobgoblins fell immediately. Not just that, "Kerugh!" My advancing subordinates attacked the Hobgoblins!
Whoosh!
Thud!
The chaotic village!
These guys who lost their army could never beat the goblins who moved in groups and thrust their spears! Physically, they could, but this was a real battle! The side with weapons wins!
"Shaa!"
Slash!
Sharan also tore the Hobgoblins apart.
"Over there! Buril, take three more and attack over there! Sharan, stick with me!"
While I was giving commands, I attacked the Hobgoblins with my spear! Waiting for the right opportunity, then…
"You!"
The hobgoblin I had marked as a prisoner earlier!
The leader!
The moment I spotted him, I stomped on the ground.
"Come here, you!"
"Huh?!"
As I charged, the hobgoblin's face turned pale, and he tried to flee. But it was already too late.
Jump!
I had already launched a sidekick.
Thud!
"Grack!"
The leader who received the kick was thrown away. It didn't end there. I immediately followed and subdued him with grappling.
"This bastard!"
"Grarrack!"
"Die!"
Flash!
Lifting him up, I performed a throw!
Crash!
The hobgoblin was sprawled out again. There was no mercy. I immediately pulled out a rope and tied up his limbs.
"Guys! Come here! No need to chase the ones running away!"
"Hehe!"
The situation was almost over.
In a flash, the Hobgoblin village was subdued. From the beginning, it was a village that had lost its army. There was no way they could resist. With just a few killed in the initial charge, about half had fled.
"Clean up the bodies! You guys watch this prisoner! And! Gyuil, bring your brothers and follow!"
It was time to farm the dropped items!
Having plundered a village, there surely must be some loot!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone