1. Ready To Go

After becoming the Goblin Lord, many parts of Ko Byeong-gap’s daily life changed.

He used to wake up early in the morning to subjugate cracks, sell his harvest to the association after, and then return home.

However, since then, it had been different. In the past, he would’ve killed time exhausted in bed while using his phone. On the other hand, currently, he worked diligently for a second routine.

“Medium quality magic stone 18.4kg. I’ll set it at 2.76 million won. Do you want me to transfer it to your account?”

“…”

“Excuse me, sir Ko Byeong-gap?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“The amount was set at 2.76 million won, and I asked if I could transfer it to your account.”

“Yes, yes. Please do that.”

“Okay.”

Ko Byeong-gap reacted a beat late. He couldn’t listen to them since he was thinking about something else for a while.

Counselor Kim Seul-gi tapped the keyboard and didn’t care. He then spoke in a very business-like tone. “It will be credited to your designated account within the day.”

“Yes, thank you. Have a good one.”

“Goodbye. Next, customer number 104!”

Ko Byeong-gap packed his things and left. He got out of the association and continued his thought.

‘What are we doing today?’

He wasn’t really thinking about anything big. He just thought about what to do in Ashvilam that day.

There was nowhere else for him to stop by, so he headed straight home.

“Hmm?”

It was when he passed an elementary school, he found something and pulled over on the shoulder. He went right over there.

“Mom, I want to buy this! Buy it for me, huh!”

“Oh my God! Mom said no!”

A woman grabbed her son’s wrist and dragged him away. The two passed by Ko Byeong-gap.

“I want to raise a chick!”

“They’re sick. They’ll die any minute! And how can you take care of it when you can’t even take Poppy for a walk!”

“Ah! Buy me a chick, and I’ll take Poppy for a walk!”

“Shut up! One more murmur, and I’ll leave you here alone!”

‘That woman has a temper.’

Ko Byeong-gap grinned at them. He turned his head and saw the bundle.

‘There’s still someone who sells chicks these days. I had one when I was in elementary school.’

Dozens of chicks chirped on the paper box, which reminded him of the old days. He also raised a chick in the past and sent them all across the rainbow bridge.

Two or three elementary school students squatted in front of the bundle and watched the chicks.

“Huh. Kids. If you’re not going to buy it, go away. Hahaha.”

“Mister. Is this a real chick?”

“It looks like a pheasant to you. Hahaha. Go ask your mom to get your glasses ready. Hahaha.”

“Mister, mister! Are they really sick? Are they all going to die soon?”

“Hahaha, you’re so determined to ruin my business. If I had known this would happen, I would have brought salt. Hahaha.”

The atmosphere was harmonious as it was in front of an elementary school.

“How much is one?” Ko Byeong-gap asked abruptly. Only then did the peddler notice Ko Byeong-gap and raised his head.

“500 won per animal.”

“How many are there in all?”

“They’re fifty.”

Ko Byeong-gap opened his wallet. He only had 25,000 won. When he took out his wallet, the seller’s eyes changed, and he said, “Oh, you want to buy it?”

“Give me the whole box.”

Ko Byeong-gap handed over the money. The peddler handed over the chick box with a big smile.

“Wow, you’re running a chicken restaurant?”

“Mister, why do you buy so many chicks?”

They were very friendly because they were children. A girl then asked with an innocent face, “Mister, mister. What are you going to do with the chicks?”

“Hey, are you stupid? Of course, grow-“

“Ah, I’m going to eat them all.”

“Huh?”

Ko Byeong-gap went back to the car and left the children behind. He loaded the box in the back seat and drove. Before he went home, he stopped by the mart and bought chicken feed.

As soon as he got home, Ko Byeong-gap moved to Ashvilam. Just in time, the Goblins that were passing by approached him.

“Oh, Lord. You’re here!”

“Oh, Gobung. How can you spot me every time I come?”

“Hehe.” Gobung scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“I can’t see the kids. They’re all in a cave, aren’t they?”

“Yes! We’re looking for crystals. We’re digging!”

“Are the guys in the attack squad working?”

“Yes, I saw it earlier. I think they were.”

“These bastards should take a rest. By the way, what were you doing?”

“I was moving firewood. The firewood on the campsite. We ran out of it.”

“Wow, you’re definitely the leader. You know how to do it well.”

“Lord. That thing… What?” Suddenly, a Normal Goblin asked. He had an armful of firewood in his arms.

Ko Byeong-gap shrugged his shoulders and put the box down. The Goblins opened their eyes wide when they saw the yellow waves in the box.

Ko Byeong-gap smiled and put his arm around Gobung’s shoulder.

“Gobung.”

“Ah! Yep!”

“I have to give you a special order.”

“Do you mean special command?” The Goblin swallowed his saliva.

“Wow, what is it?”

“Do you see these chicks?”

“Yes, I can see.”

“These are poor kids. They’re not feeling well. In a couple of days, they might die.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“Yes, so you must save it.”

“… Yes?” The Goblin blinked at his eyes.

Ko Byeong-gap replied in a tone that indicated the problem, “Save them. Let these poor chicks know that tomorrow, the sun will rise.”

“That… That… What…”

“There are 50 of them. By all means, keep them alive and turn them into chickens. You can do it. This is a collection of chickens, so feed them.”

Gobung even accepted the box unexpectedly. He still looked like he didn’t know what it was.

“I think my heart will be broken if the chicks die. You know what I’m talking about, right?”

“…”

“Then please take care of them. You two little ones, follow me. Let’s go make a chicken coop.”

“Ah, I got it!”

Ko Byeong-gap slowly disappeared with two Normal Goblins.

Gobung stood around and looked at Ko Byeong-gap’s back. The yellow chicks constantly chirped, whether they knew what Gobung was thinking of or not.

As time went by… The sun went down by the time Ko Byeong-gap completed something similar to a chicken cage.

He looked at the finished product and swiped his forehead. A satisfied smile spread across his lips.

“What do you think, hmm? Didn’t you guys make it well?”

“Yes, that’s cool!”

“But this. Lord. House?”

“Ah. It’s a chicken house. A chicken coop. I’ve told you about 500 times.”

“Oh, right. Now. I remembered.”

“Whew. Let’s clean up and go get some food.”

“Yes!”

Ko Byeong-gap led them back to their camp. The Goblins, who had finished the work, prepared a meal. The main menu was the Giant Frog they caught last time.

When he saw the Giant Frog being grilled over the fire, he unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

‘Wow, it smells really good.’

Frog meat tasted similar to chicken. Ko Byeong-gap once thought about trying it out but then brushed it off.

He didn’t think he could eat it without thinking about it. How could he do so when he obviously knew that it was monster meat?

“Lord, when did you come?”

Kiriyan, who made a bonfire at his full capacity, spotted Ko Byeong-gap and greeted him.

“Oh, Kiriyan. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. You didn’t see me because you were in the cave?”

“I think so.”

“Hey, you guys should get some rest when you’re back from hunting. You’ll get a headache.”

“No problem. It’s just fun to work hard to rebuild Ashvilam.”

“Well, don’t push yourself too hard. If any of you pass out, it’ll be a big blow.”

“Yes, I’ll work as long as I don’t overdo it.”

Before he knew it, the Goblins sat together and began to eat. Ko Byeong-gap returned home for a while and had dinner. When he returned to Ashvilam, the Goblin’s meal was slowly coming to an end.

He took a glance at the Goblins and said, “Come on, focus for a second.”

His words were law. The noisy campground quickly became quiet as if it had died.

Ko Byeong-gap said with a satisfied face, “Clear up your seats and gather all over here. Got it?”

“Yes. Okay.”

The Goblins never asked why. Ko Byeong-gap sat on a moderately towering stone and began his work.

‘Ancient Shop.’

[Ancient Shop]

-Construction

-Techniques

– Miscellaneous goods

-Others

[Crystals on Hand: 441,746]

Ko Byeong-gap skillfully manipulated the shop window, and soon, he found the item he wanted.

[Growth Potion]

-Price: 500 Crystals

-Description: A potion that permanently increases all physical abilities.

[Ancient Physical Training Textbook – Low-grade]

-Price: 320 Crystals

-Description: A textbook dealing with ‘Physical Training – Low-grade’ among ancient techniques. It contains the physical training techniques of the ancient knights.

Ko Byeong-gap sat down and bought the growth potion and textbook. It wasn’t just one or two. He bought 324 bottles of growth potion and 316 copies of the textbook.

[Crystals on Hand: 178,626]

At one time, 263,120 modifications were withdrawn. It was the largest expenditure since he discovered Ashvilam.

It had always been bitter for goods to escape, whether in crystals or cash. That was obviously a significant expenditure, though.

‘Because it is the cornerstone for the advancement of the entire group.’

Ko Byeong-gap intended to make all the Goblins in Ashvilam drink the potion and to learn the textbook.

There were two reasons for that, and the first one was working efficiently.

‘When their strength and stamina improve, their ability to work will naturally increase.’

It was natural for a strong man to work well. Of course, even that time, the Goblins were doing a great job. They didn’t slack off, nor did they procrastinate.

What would happen if such sincere workers were given a potion and taught to learn the textbook? He would see the upward effect of doubling their efficiency, not less.

The second reason was to prepare for the future.

‘We need to get ready to move beyond the fog.’

There might be some danger lurking beyond the fog. Under such circumstances, the Goblins couldn’t be dragged out without any preparation. At least they had to be at a level where they could protect their own body.

‘This is late, too. I should’ve done it earlier.’

Ko Byeong-gap had been thinking about it for a long time. However, he had come all the way there since he had been procrastinating. So, he made up his mind to give it a go.

“Lord. Everyone has gathered.”

“Really? Gobung. Pick one or ten people to help.”

“Ten. Do you mean? I see.”

Gobung immediately led 10 Goblins, and Ko Byeong-gap told them what to do.

“Give each Goblin a potion and a textbook.”

“Yes, sir!”

They moved in perfect order. In less than 10 minutes, all the Goblins were given potions and textbooks. Ko Byeong-gap went in front of the Goblins and stood there.

“Well, are we all here without missing anyone?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

The Goblins answered in unison, and Ashvilam rang loudly. Ko Byeong-gap felt the pleasant tremor.

“Good. Today, you will be reborn. Everyone, hold up the glass bottle in front of you.”

They did so. The Goblins picked up the glass bottle with vigor. Ko Byeong-gap also bought a bottle of potion and held it in his hand.

He shouted and held the growth potion, “Drink it for the reconstruction of Ashvilam.”

“For Ashvilam!”

Ko Byeong-gap drank the potion first. The Goblins followed him and poured the potions into their mouths.

It was the moment when Ashvilam grew one step further.

***

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

“Hey, you see so many things in your life, don’t you? By the way, I told you to make chicken, but why did you make an ostrich?”

“…”

Ko Byeong-gap finished with the crack subjugation early and visited Ashvilam, and then, with a sad smile, he looked at the view ahead.

The sight of fifty chickens that ran around the Ashvilam field. If it were normal chickens, he wouldn’t be surprised that much.

‘That’s a chicken or a goose.’

The shape of the chicken was different. It was almost the size of a turkey. Gobung, who stood next to Ko Byeong-gap, lowered his head.

“So you hid the potion I gave you yesterday and fed it to a chick, and that’s what happened?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m afraid the chick will die.”

There was guilt on Gobung’s face.

Ko Byeong-gap found it absolutely hilarious that he didn’t even think about getting angry.

“Oh, it’s okay, it’s okay. Thanks to you, we know it’s fine now. By the way, the chickens have grown up all at once, so the chicken coop I made yesterday is useless.”

“I… One more. I’ll make it!”

“No, let’s just graze and raise them. There won’t be any wild cats or weasels here. Is it enough for them to peck and eat salmon snails?”

Ko Byeong-gap exclaimed as he looked at the giant chickens. He then glanced to the side. Gobung was still sullen and seemed to think he had done something wrong.

Ko Byeong-gap lightly tapped Gobung on the shoulder and said, “Hey, you didn’t do anything wrong. Why do you look so sad?”

“Lord, will you forgive me?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong in the first place, so you’ve been forgiven. Go to sleep. What do you have to do?”

Ko Byeong-gap said immediately, “Hey! Anyway, I picked a good leader. Raising 50 chicks without killing a single one. That’s in one day! Good job, Gobung. You’re the best!”

Good job—the word brightened up Gobung’s face. He smiled broadly and answered bravely, “Thank you! I’ll work harder!”

“Okay.”