Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Goblin Hob
Me, Goblin Hob. Master is great!
Double gate. Runaway entity.
I figured I should first check out what that thing was.
Soon, my gaze shifted to the goblin carefully tucking three cookies into its bosom.
"Where'd you come from?"
I called out to the goblin, Hob.
- Kiruk, kiruk!
The creature, which had been sitting on the floor, jumped to its feet and made a polite gesture as if telling me to follow.
Then, without hesitation, it confidently strode ahead.
It seemed to know the layout of the gate's interior better than I did.
How long had we walked like that?
Ahead, in the distance.
A massive door came into view—one I never imagined would be here.
'A gate...?'
Why was that here?
But this gate had a slightly different appearance from the ones sprouting outside.
All the gates I'd seen so far emitted a gloomy red aura from beyond their doors.
But this one, rising here, blended into the surrounding backdrop like it was part of nature itself, radiating a green glow.
- Kiruk, kiruk!
At that moment, Hob, who was guiding me, pointed at the enormous door in front of us with its knobby finger.
"You came from in there?"
Nod—
Hob nodded, pressing its hands together.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The runaway entity from the double gate, 'Goblin-Hob', detects the territory's owner. Now I finally understood why a goblin could wander around inside the cafe.
While I was checking community reactions at home...
Or maybe even before that.
Anyway, without me noticing, another gate had spawned here.
It must have rampaged after going uncleared for so long.
And from it emerged the 'runaway entity' goblin, treating my gate like its own home.
"Ha..."
I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing I'd gotten dragged into another hassle.
My head was starting to throb.
I desperately wanted to just leave the rampaging gate alone...
'...Hold on.'
That's when it hit me—did I really have to clear that gate?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Goblin-Hob' recognizes its owner. Just like 'Goblin Hob' had recognized me as its master the moment our eyes met.
Maybe all the runaway entities from the double gate would recognize me—the owner of the outer gate—as their master?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Goblin-Hob' will do its utmost to perfectly carry out your orders. If so, I could exploit a bug that doubles my loyal monster workers.
Normalizing those overinflated potion prices would be a breeze.
'Heh heh heh...'
Soon, I could picture monsters popping out of the rampaging gate, diligently working in my flower fields.
'Worker duplication bug...'
Of course, I had no intention of treating them like slaves.
I'd make tasty snacks for the hardworking monsters.
Pick a 'Monster of the Month' and give special rewards.
Create an environment where they could work happily.
Select the most loyal ones and let cafe customers experience 'Monster Tourism.'
'So for now...'
I planned to leave the gate alone until the next monster emerged.
This was purely a decision for future gains.
Absolutely not because clearing gates was a pain, or I hated it, or wanted to put it off.
Nod—
I nodded once, then turned away from the rampaging gate without a second thought and headed back to the cafe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After returning to the cafe from the rampaging gate.
- Kirruk, kiruk...
- Kirruk... kiruk, kiruk...
Goblin Hob kept trailing right behind me, spouting incomprehensible goblin speech.
"What's wrong? Not full on cookies?"
- NO... kiruk...
"Want to go back inside the gate?"
- NO, NO... kiruk...
If only it had thought bubbles over its head like the spirits.
I was so frustrated not knowing what it wanted to say.
"I'm busy right now, so go rest over there."
For now, I decided to ignore it.
And focused on making a sign that said business temporarily closed.
- Kirruk... kiruk...
- Kiruk... kirruk...
Hob paced anxiously with a cowed expression, circling around me.
"......"
For some reason, its fidgety, nervous look...
Reminded me of my old self, peeking at superiors while hunting for the next task.
Could this guy be asking for work right now?
On a hunch, I asked Hob.
"Do you want to work, by any chance?"
- YES, kiruk!
Nod, nod!
It nodded vigorously.
A monster begging for work instead of rest.
Goblins might just be the most suited talent for Korean society.
I shook off the random thought and narrowed my eyes at Hob.
'Hmm, what should I have this guy do...'
What I needed most right now was a worker to tend flowers or brew potions.
But flower field management and potion brewing required delicate handiwork.
Could this guy, who couldn't even speak properly and picked up crumbs off the floor to eat...
Handle such intricate tasks?
I shook my head.
'Lucky if it doesn't wreck the flower field.'
Goblins were creatures that threatened people inside gates, after all.
So this one probably had talent for hunting or combat...
As I pondered deeply again.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Goblin-Hob] Lv.10 Combat: F Hunting: F Mining: F Knowledge: F Farming: S Gardening: S+ Like a game character, Hob's stats scrolled above its head.
The letters on the right starkly revealed how harsh a life it'd lived so far.
Combat, hunting, mining, knowledge, and more.
Among Hob's status window, filled with dismal ranks in nearly everything.
'Huh!?'
Farming: S
Gardening: S+
The farming and gardening entries gleamed in brilliant gold.
I gaped and asked Hob.
"You... you've got a knack for gardening?"
- Kiruk?
Hob tilted its head, as if it'd never heard the word "gardening" before. Like, what's that? Edible?
'Let's test it out!'
I took Hob to the Lumina flower field, where I'd skipped harvesting for days due to being swamped.
- Kiruk...
Hob slowly surveyed the field with dreamy eyes.
Despite its rough appearance, it had a surprisingly sensitive side.
"Let's start by harvesting all the flowers here. Think you can handle it, Hob?"
- EASY, kiruk!
Hob bellowed confidently and charged into the Lumina field with bold steps.
After that, it darted around like a fish in water, harvesting flowers at a mad pace.
"What...? Why's it so fast?"
Hob's speed defied common sense.
It was like twenty people rushing in at once.
Every blink changed the field's landscape.
I could only stare blankly at Hob harvesting.
'S-rank gardening... no wonder it's there...'
No.
Too early to relax.
I hurried to the pile of flowers Hob had harvested and inspected them.
Speed was one thing, but hasty harvesting usually damaged petals or snapped stems.
"...They're all perfect?"
Yet miraculously, every single flower Hob harvested was flawless.
The work of a true artisan.
Soon, the vast field was cleared.
Next to it towered a heap of Lumina flowers glowing blue.
"That's enough now..."
I was about to say I'd handle the rest and it should rest.
- Kiruk, kirruk!
But Hob, glancing at me, dove back into the Lumina field.
'...Doesn't it ever get tired?'
Without being told, it started the next task.
Carefully extracting seeds from the harvested flowers, firming the soil, digging small holes.
Planting seeds with precise humidity and temperature control...
I was deeply moved watching it.
The talent I'd been desperately seeking was a goblin!?
I wiped the sweat beading on my forehead and gave Hob a thumbs-up with a happy grin.
"Great! From now on, Lumina field management is Hob's job!"
- YES, kiruk!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Goblin tribe rules were strict.
Gardening and farming were strictly the females' domain.
Males focused on raids, hunting, and combat!
Because of that, back when Hob was part of the tribe, it was banished to the hunting grounds just for being male...
But in truth, it had extraordinary talent for tending and nurturing pretty flowers.
Hob had always let its gifts rot away, forced into ill-suited hunts and raids.
But now.
- Let's start by harvesting all the flowers here.
For the first time, it had a job that fit perfectly.
"EASY, kiruk!"
Hob's chest swelled with bursting joy.
"What, why so fast?"
"Kieek..."
"...All perfect?"
"Kirruk, kiruk!"
It had simply picked the flowers in front of it, yet praise poured endlessly from the master, who was like heaven itself.
And that wasn't all.
"A goblin that knows humidity and temperature control? Are you a genius goblin?"
"Kirrruk...!"
The tribe had always called it 'fool Hob,' 'idiot Hob.'
It couldn't believe the master called it a 'genius.'
'Me, Goblin Hob.'
'Praise, good!'
Hob's mood soared uncontrollably.
Hunting grounds had always meant fear and humiliation.
But now, standing in the flower field, it shone brighter than anyone.
'Master, great!'
Hob's mind was filled with thoughts of pleasing the master more.
For the first time, it felt utter happiness just being alive.
That's when.
Sniff sniff—
'This smell...'
Hob's nostrils twitched at a very familiar stench.
'No doubt, Durak.'
The tribe leader 'Durak,' who bullied, tormented, insulted, and framed him whenever possible.
Had Durak left home chasing grand dreams like him?
'Durak, full of talent.'
Top male: great hunter, superb fighter—Durak.
Bound to monopolize the master's favor.
'......'
The elation from moments ago plummeted.
"Kiruk..."
'Master, great.'
"Kirruk..."
'Hope Hob isn't discarded.'
Hob bowed its head, on the verge of tears.