115. Tax Increase

The sword drew a fierce trajectory. The monster ahead ended up breaking up their formation. Doran opened her eyes like a beast and searched for her next target.

When she found one, her target was clear.

She moved like a restless person and slaughtered the enemy morbidly. The monsters she faced acted like old men on their way to their deathbed.

On the other hand, the Goblin spearmen were very active. Their spears that stretched out in unison in line with the command looked like waves. The spear blades infused with strength penetrated the flesh of their enemies without exception.

“Kugegege!”

The monsters didn’t let them get away with it. They jumped up or leaned almost to the ground to leap into the gap in the sky. However, it was an act of throwing oneself into a pit of death.

“Shields!”

“Wooo!”

The shield soldiers made up of Giant Goblins formed a solid defense. They struck down the enemies with their huge shields, followed by an attack with a short sword or a blunt force. The monsters died with their necks split or their skulls crushed.

The situation on the battlefield was like that between rocks and eggs. The monsters gathered like moths and died. Their bodies were laid out in a mess.

“Keeek!”

Doran split a monster’s spine, which was three times her size. After she rubbed her neck with killer intentions, she looked over the battlefield.

“The battle is over!”

The battle was over. The Goblins were the only ones whose lungs and heart functioned properly.

‘Excellent.’

Ko Byeong-gap admired it in a pure sense. He didn’t even participate in this battle and just looked at them with his arms crossed. Their power difference was overwhelming to the extent that it wasn’t a negligent act.

‘Landriol certainly built weapons for slaughter.’

It wasn’t just negative things that Landriol’s politics of terror produced. Looking at their strict disciplines and organized movements, he knew it was something that could never be made without training filled with fear.

“Good work, everyone! Return to Ashvilam and take care of the injured.”

Ko Byeong-gap shouted, and the Goblins went over to Ashvilam with a cry of victory. He called Doran among them. Kiriyan and Dorma also approached.

“Lord!”

“Well done, Doran. I think the kids’ skills are improving day by day. I won’t worry if I leave the castle to you later.”

“Hehe. It wasn’t a big deal… What?”

He patted Doran on the shoulder and looked back.

The Goblins, with a little fear and a lot of awe in their eyes, were looking his way.

“Dorma.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Take the kids back. Treat the wounded and make sure everyone is full because they look like they’re starving.”

“I’ll follow your directions. What are you thinking, Lord?”

“I need to look around more here. I don’t know if there are more Goblins.”

“I see. Feel free to call me if you need me.”

“Yes, everyone worked hard.”

“Lord, see you later!”

“Lord, please take good care of yourself.”

“We’re leaving. Alright, everybody, follow me!”

Dorma led the Goblin colony over to Ashvilam.

Ko Byeong-gap received a message that 204 Goblins had moved over to Ashvilam.

Unfortunately, that was it for the day.

***

The number of Goblins in Valtadren had reached 1,254.

The combined number of 820 Spirits, including Ea, made its population exceed 2,000 residents. If 530 Goblins from Somnium were added to the list, the total population exceeded 2,500.

In fact, it was an embarrassing number to even call it a city, but didn’t Ashvilam first start with 33 Goblins? This was a major development.

Of course, he wasn’t satisfied. His goal was to rebuild the ‘New Ashvilam’ and establish a great power over the vast wilderness.

To do so, it was inevitably necessary to break away from this deformed structure, in which 99 percent of the residents were men.

“It’s a nice day.”

The weather was cool in the middle of September, and the sky rose slowly. The chaos on Earth didn’t affect Ashvilam, and this place was as peaceful as ever except for minor disturbances.

Ko Byeong-gap rested at his home in Ashvilam. He leaned down to look at the yard against the window from the second floor, watching his mother water the garden.

Park Young-ok adapted well in Ashvilam, better than expected. She got along with the Goblins without hesitation, especially with Ea. She showed great enthusiasm for caring for the Goblins and their diet.

Ko Byeong-gap didn’t stop his mother because she looked happy.

‘Yeah, she’s a very active person.’

It must’ve been quite boring to just watch TV at home after being discharged. Ko Byeong-gap thought it was a relief that his mother regained her vitality.

Whine!

He heard the sound of a foreign wind in the sky. Ko Byeong-gap naturally looked up.

“Lord!”

“Isn’t that the Harpy?”

The Harpy approached, flapping his wings. The boy climbed on the roof lightly.

“When did you get here?”

“Me? I just got here. Lord, take this.”

The Harpy handed him a rolled piece of paper, and Ko Byeong-gap accepted it and opened it. There were a lot of sloppy letters.

“Did Gobung tell you to give me this?”

“Yes, Lord. I’m hungry.”

“Yes, thank you for coming. Go ask Ea for food.”

“Yes, I’ll go there.”

The Harpy jumped up and flew to the restaurant. Ko Byeong-gap sat back on the chair and read the letter. Despite the crooked handwriting, the contents were simple and clearly organized.

‘Lord, this is Gobung.

The day before yesterday. I went around the rocky mountain to get firewood.

I walked along the river for about an hour and found a basin that I hadn’t found before.

It was as big as Somnium and there was a mineral vein connected to a crystal mine.

I am writing to you because I think the amount of crystals to mine will increase if you set up a base there and add manpower.

I’m done writing. I look forward to seeing you. Gobung.’

“Boy…”

Ko Byeong-gap felt the tip of his nose twitch for no reason.

“He found another mine. This is good news.”

He needed a lot of resources, and this was great news, so he immediately left the house.

He drove to Somnium. It was quick because the road was well maintained. When he got to Somnium, Gobung, who had been working for a long time, came rushing.

“Gasp, gasp. Lord, I knew you’d come, but I didn’t expect you so soon.”

“Where is it? Let’s go together.”

“Oh, yeah! I’ll be ready in a minute.”

Gobung came back from a short preparation.

“Can we get there by car?”

“Well, I think we’ll have to walk because I don’t know if the way is paved enough.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. Please guide me.”

“Yes! Just follow me.”

Ko Byeong-gap headed to the area that Gobung had discovered.

As they walked along by one of the many river branches, they came to a valley lined with pebbles and flowing clean water. After another 30 minutes of damaging the lush foliage and vines, a flat basin appeared.

“Here we go! How do you like it?”

“Well, that’s cool. The land is fertile, and a river flows by it. I didn’t know you had such a talent.”

“Hehe, I’ve been wandering around lately and found it on my own.”

“What do you mean wondering on your own? Why?”

“I just want to check what’s around Somnium. That way, we can prepare for any situation.”

Ko Byeong-gap smiled happily and stroked Gobung’s head lightly.

“You’re the only one who’s ever been like that.”

“Hehehe.”

“But it’s dangerous to go around alone. There might still be Gruggles left.”

“I can do most things by myself now.”

Gobung said confidently, showing the sword on his waist. Ko Byeong-gap burst into laughter because of his funny appearance.

“Great! I’m going to have to build a second complex here in Somnium. I didn’t know I’d meet such good news just when we needed a lot of crystals.”

“What do you mean a lot of crystals? What kind of business are you planning on doing?”

Gobung asked with a curious look. Ko Byeong-gap smiled mischievously.

“I’m going to give you a lady.”

***

It would be a big deal if he did it in the current social climate, but Ko Byeong-gap thought that there was a suitable role for each man and woman.

Of course, just looking at Doran right now, her swordsmanship was superior to most General Goblins. Therefore, Ko Byeong-gap’s words didn’t mean the same as ‘Men are strong and women are weak.’

He meant that if someone worked outside, it would be harmonious in many ways for someone to support from the inside, like a yin and yang combination.

So even though they were busy with construction work on the second complex of Somnium, he called in the Goblins.

He first issued a decree.

There were too many unnamed men. Even if it wasn’t grandiose, one should have a name, so he decided to give one to those without one.

Of course, it was impossible to name more than 1,700 Goblins. He knew that his ability to make up names wasn’t that different from that of a stone.

So he selected some sensible Goblins, usually the ones from a higher species. He had them give a name for their entrusted Goblins.

It wasn’t good to have one that was too grand. He made them keep it to two or three characters long.

By the time the King Goblins and Royal Goblins had exhausted their imagination, the work was done.

They compiled a ledger with the names, and Ko Byeong-gap made wooden plaques through alchemy. From that day on, the Goblins had their name tags on their chests.

Ironically, even after all Goblins got their names, Ko Byeong-gap called them short, hob, big, and

The naming event was just the beginning. The main event was next. In the large square in Valtadren, up to 820 Spirits gathered as spectators.

Ko Byeong-gap bought 13 Female Goblins and showed them to the crowd. In terms of crystals, they were worth 6.5 million crystals.

“Ugh…”

In fact, the Goblin’s response was lukewarm. Maybe it was natural. Female Sarahons managed and mistreated the Goblins when Landriol was in power.

The nightmare of those days still lingered in their minds.

“Please give them a round of applause. They’re the new Goblins that are going to live with us.”

Only after Ko Byeong-gap told them that, the Goblins softened their vigilance.

‘Sarahon’s nature may be arrogant, but if I educate them well, I can make them live as a Goblin.’

As a good example, there was Doran. She was even willing to support Ko Byeong-gap in the fight against Landriol.

Her natural character was important, but she wanted to believe that the environment in which she lived was more important.

The female Goblins were initially confused, just like Doran was, since their memories were sealed in order to contain them in the Ancient Shop. Their heads were blank as a pure white paper.

Ko Byeong-gap didn’t awaken their memories. He was in the hope that they would live as who they were, not what they used to be.

Three of the thirteen female Goblins were sent to Somnium, and another three were sent to the second base in Somnium. Seven were left in Valtadren.

It was still a minor change. One by one, the ratio of men to women would gradually become normal.

Anyway, the second complex of Somnium was completed after a few such events. Ko Byeong-gap first moved 300 Goblins there.

well.”

“Leave it to me, Lord.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll do a good job since Gobung recommended you. Somnium is just a short distance away, so if you have any problems, just ask.”

“Yes!”

was a King Goblin, and he had a history of helping Gobung at Somnium.

the second complex’s manager, and Ko Byeong-gap respected his opinion.

“Whew…”

By the time the sun had set, Ko Byeong-gap had crossed over to Earth with a cigarette.

The air surrounding the area changed completely even though he only walked out one step. There was no peaceful air there, and only the mixed smell of blood and gunpowder was thick.

Coming to Earth only made him feel bad since many of the bad situations could be summarized as ‘open-ended.’

However, he couldn’t hide in Ashvilam with a feeling of escapism. That was what a child would do.

His head turned as soon as he entered Earth. Ko Byeong-gap stared at the distant mountain.

“… Hunters? It looks like they’re in combat, seeing how they’re radiating a huge presence.”

He felt a huge flow of force from the north. As if answering such reasoning, the world flashed in an instant.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Huge thunderstorms hit the floor hard and spread in all directions. It was as if a river of electric current had overflowed.

‘That wasn’t a natural phenomenon. They’re psychic-type Awakeners, which are quite strong.’

Ko Byeong-gap was familiar with that lightning. Only after he reminisced for a while, he recalled his teammate that shot lightning during the expedition.

S-class Hunter Shim Seung-seop. Could it be him?

‘Let’s go.’

Ko Byeong-gap was curious, so he moved to the place where the lightning struck.