Chapter 96: To the East
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96: To the East
We were departing from the Green Goblin Clan’s lands. It hadn't been a particularly long or short time, but it was a place we had grown fond of, having left our mark there for so long.
He didn't show it much, but the Green Goblin must have truly liked me, as he even said he would leave the tent I used untouched. Unless he took in a new clan, it seemed our flag would remain planted in his village for some time.
It appeared I wasn't the only one lost in thought as we left. The other Green Skins were also signaling to the ones who had been like mentors to them, and they, in turn, placed their hands over their chests.
We had stayed for a long time, but leaving was over in an instant. Sensing a presence outside the village, I looked and saw, as expected, that Black Spear was waiting for me.
“You've been through a lot, my brother.”
“Thank you, Black Spear.”
I had already decided to join forces with Black Spear. No, as brother clans, it was already tacitly decided that we would move together.
“But are you really alright with this? Leaving your western village behind...”
“The empty village can be left for new Green Skins, and I get to set out on a new path with my new brother. I have no regrets.”
“That sounds just like you.”
A journey with Black Spear was, of course, welcome. But there was another problem. I shifted my gaze slightly to a goblin standing awkwardly beside us.
She held a staff larger than her own body, so she must have changed her class to shaman.
To be precise, that female goblin was an extra ‘tagalong’ Black Spear had brought with him.
A new Green Skin who was supposed to live under the protection of Black Spear's clan for three years, as summoned by the Great Tribe Leader. In other words, a newbie who had just passed the Great Tribe Leader's exam and set foot on the continent.
The look on her face as she glanced around, a blank expression that said she knew nothing, seemed a little bewildered. It was understandable. It hadn't even been a few months since she arrived at Black Spear's village. Having to move again seemed to make her a bit excited, but she was also glancing our way, as if she wasn't entirely without worry.
Or rather, it seemed she was worried we wouldn't be happy about the situation. Black Spear must have noticed Little Finger's gaze, as he cleared his throat needlessly and asked me.
“Ahem... ahem... But are you alright with this? With the Little Finger Clan joining us...”
To be honest, I felt it wasn't the right time to take on more baggage, so it was a bit inconvenient, but it couldn't be helped. At Black Spear's words, Little Finger pretended not to, but she was looking at me. She was clearly waiting for my response.
“Of course, they are welcome.”
Only after I spoke did Little Finger's face brighten, and she soon ran off to her clan members—fewer than thirty of them—as if to deliver the good news. Seeing them huddled together, I was unknowingly reminded of the old days.
Such cute tagalongs probably wouldn't be so bad.
Our group decided to head east first. East, North, or South—none were bad options, but in my current situation, the East was the only choice.
My priorities were, as always, to grow stronger. And to get revenge.
If my memory served me right, it wouldn't be long before a small city in the East was completely destroyed.
‘The small city of Somorah.’
It was a slaver city where not only humans but even Green Skins were kept as slaves. To be precise, its title wasn't just 'slaver city.' It was a wretched city, a gathering place for all kinds of human trash. As you could tell from the fact that they even enslaved other humans, it was a city for the corrupt to unleash their desires. In other words, a city where people no different from Murderers gathered.
The guild managing the city was the Black Thorn Guild. The Guild Master was a man named Yoon Jungsoo.
I remembered him as someone who wasn't particularly strong in combat but was very resourceful. Not only did he have many connections to various guilds and clans, but he had also steadily grown his organization, making the guild quite large.
Of course, back then I hadn't realized it, but now that I had access to a lot more information, things were different.
‘The Spider Clan and the Hunting Dog Clan.’
Their hideouts were also located in the East.
It might just be a guess, but for some reason, I suspected there was some connection between the city and the two Murderer clans. They just hadn't been classified as outlaws. That man, Yoon Jungsoo, was definitely trash. And Somorah, the city he managed, was a garbage dump. If my suspicions were correct, the current situation in the East had to be an absolute mess.
Of course, I could be wrong.
Nevertheless, going east was essential for our clan.
Individual effort is important, but it's also crucial to take advantage of the System's benefits. In other words, Somorah, a city destined for ruin, was a huge chunk of experience points for us. If things went according to my plan, I could kill two birds with one stone.
As I rode on Ibar, slowly making my way through the western forest, Black Spear spoke up again.
“The East... It's been a while.”
“You know it?”
“Of course. I used to be under Storm Shadow... It must have been four, no, five years.”
“Is that so. A goblin shaman who went through the Warrior's Exam with me was also under Storm Shadow.”
The old shaman from the Dark Moon Clan. He too had completed his three-year grace period, so he was probably free to leave for somewhere else, but I thought it would be good to at least say hello if we happened to run into him. More importantly, the fact that Black Spear was also under Storm Shadow suggested he must be a pretty decent fellow. I spoke to Black Spear again.
“What kind of Troll is Storm Shadow, Black Spear?”
“Hmm... For starters, it would be best to describe him as the leader of a tribe that represents the East, much like the Green Goblin. He also presides over the Warrior's Exam under the Great Tribe Leader's command. He's a bit quiet and gloomy, but he is without a doubt a fine Green Skin.”
“I see.”
“We'll probably meet him soon. Since we've decided to settle in the East, it wouldn't be a bad idea to stay in Storm Shadow's village until we find the perfect place to plant our flag... I'm sure you'll like him, Blood Dagger.”
Storm Shadow, the one who had subtly invited the old Dark Moon shaman to join him, the one who had guided us to the Land of Glory during the Warrior's Exam—I figured he had to be a good sort.
“But I heard the eastern forests are mostly swampland... Will there be any place left to settle?”
“There probably will be, Blood Dagger. The truth is, the East isn't a very welcoming environment for anyone besides Trolls, so only a few clans have settled there. There should be plenty of abandoned villages left behind by other tribes, so we should be able to find a place quickly.”
It seemed even monsters weren't fond of swamps. However, the magical beasts that came from the swamps were of pretty good quality. Their hides were tougher, so you could make sturdier bags, and while their claws and venom were quite tricky, it all depended on how you used them.
Ragia, who knew a lot about poisons, could probably supply our tribe with what we needed.
And so, we continued to walk.
Black Spear, who had been walking and talking with me, seemed to have much to teach Little Finger, as he was now pointing here and there, passionately explaining something to her. Gark and Hark marched as usual, shouldering the tribe's flag. Mev, Jung Hayeon, and the Goblin Three Sisters seemed to be having a casual conversation, as were Hakajin and Ragia. Rather than a tense, aggressive march, it was quite relaxed. The western forest was very rough, but we were very familiar with it, having visited many places within it.
When the entire group grew tired, we would set up a temporary camp for a short rest. We had plenty of water and food, but we never forgot to hunt magical beasts. After walking for a good while longer, we were finally able to leave the western forest behind and entered the ‘jungle.’
A jungle one had to cross to get from the West to the East. Of course, there were roads used by humans, but as Green Skins, we had no need to seek them out. In fact, I was quite looking forward to entering the jungle. The reason was that it was where Goff, another I could call a brother besides Black Spear, was located.
If he hadn't left yet, we could meet him. We had promised to raise our flags together after three years, so there was a chance he was waiting. My clan members, as if sensing my eagerness, began to move through the jungle a little faster, and soon we arrived at a village inhabited by Ogres. Perhaps because they were Ogres, the village was also huge. If the Green Goblin's village could be described as quaint and rather cute, here, everything was massive. The palisades, the tents, even the various tools were all large, which felt rather strange.
As we revealed our presence, large Ogres began to emerge slowly. The largest among them came out to greet us.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Krrrrk. Strength, Wisdom, and Honor... A familiar face... Black Spear of the West... And you... must be Blood Dagger.”
The chieftain of the Big Ogre Clan, who could be called the chieftain of the jungle Ogres—Big Ogre. Contrary to the rumors that he was ignorant and ferocious, he wore a rather simple-minded smile. My appearance had changed, so I thought he wouldn't recognize me, but it seemed he figured out who I was after seeing my flag.
“Come to think of it, it's already been three years. Are you perhaps planning to settle in the jungle?”
He looked truly expectant, gazing our way with an excited expression. It was a moment where I felt very sorry to betray his expectations.
“My apologies, Big Ogre. We are on our way to the East.”
At my words, he immediately made a disappointed face.
“That's a real shame. The jungle is a better place to live than the East... Any chance you'll reconsider?”
That hopeful gaze again. Both the Green Goblin and this one seemed to be the type to get lonely easily.
“I have business in the East. If I have the chance after I'm finished, I'll stop by again.”
“Excellent! The jungle is a great place to live! I'm sure Blood Dagger and Black Spear would be satisfied. Then how about staying here for one night!”
His anxious face was like that of a pet with separation anxiety. It was a situation where I felt a little bad refusing. But I couldn't afford to waste time, so I first asked him the question I was most curious about.
“Ahem... More importantly, is the Goff Clan still here?”
Interestingly, his expression twisted at my words. No, to be more precise, the rims of his eyes turned red.
“Krrrrk. You mean that ungrateful Ogre! I don't know any Ogre like that!”
But his eyes were saying he knew Goff. Just as I was worrying that Goff might have betrayed Big Ogre, he continued.
“I took care of him for three whole years! That rude Ogre just left without a word! How could I possibly forgive him!”
“That's right! He was a very bad... a bad Ogre.”
As Big Ogre finished speaking, I could even see Ogres sniffling behind him. This was completely different from the Ogres I had heard about in my human days. It was enough to make the rumors of them being blood-crazed monsters seem ridiculous.
As Black Spear and I stared blankly at him for a moment, he seemed to realize his own state, calmed himself, and spoke again.
The news was both welcome and a little disappointing.
“Ahem... ahem... G-Goff... I heard he went west. I heard he went to find his brother.”