Take Me... As Your Retainer

Somehow, the village had changed before I knew it. Totori and goblins sitting side by side, munching on crops.

"Kku-wung~"

"Kieeh."

I watched them fondly. Yeah. It was still awkward, sure. But hey, they were eating together.

Truly amazing.

I could definitely see the hunger fading from the goblins' faces.

Good for them.

As I rustled my leaves gently, something caught my eye.

Hm?

One particular goblin. An especially small one. A full head shorter than the others. Probably still a child.

The little one clutched a corn cob in its hands. While everyone else devoured theirs, it wasn't eating. Drool dripping from hunger, eyes glued to the corn. Yet it just stared, refusing to take a bite.

What's going on?

I released some mana to examine the child.

Why isn't it eating? Bad digestion maybe?

That's when the Goblin King noticed too. He approached quietly and asked in a low voice,

"Why aren't you eating?"

The child clutched the corn tighter and replied,

"Kieeh... Kieeeh?"

The Goblin King's face visibly hardened.

What did it say?

As I wondered, the spirits chimed in from the side.

-It wants to give it to its mom!

-But mom's not here yet, so it's waiting!

...Mom?

Mom hasn't come? So there are goblins who haven't arrived yet?

No way...

They didn't abandon it because it was sick or injured, right?

A branch ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠extended, tapping the Goblin King's shoulder. The spirits narrowed their eyes at him as he turned.

-There are ones who didn't come?!

-They didn't ditch the sick or injured, did they?!

The Goblin King panicked and blurted,

"That's not it!"

He hurried toward me and explained,

"Some of the goblins are addicted to ma energy right now."

His voice sank low.

"They're out of control, highly aggressive."

He paused, then continued.

"I judged it too risky to bring them here."

Ah...

I sighed inwardly. So the child's mom was corrupted by ma energy too.

I slowly lowered a branch to stroke the child gently. At the soft leaf's touch, it blinked, then beamed.

"Kieeh."

That innocent smile only made me worry more.

The Goblin King nodded quietly at the sight.

"The child's mother... was corrupted quite recently."

His voice dropped a notch.

"But we've locked her in the cave, so she won't escape. Don't worry."

Worry? That's not the issue!

I rustled my leaves, lost in thought.

Separated by ma energy corruption.

It tugged at something deep inside.

Reminds me of my past life.

Parents always busy with dual incomes. Coming home to a dark, empty house. My daily routine was just waiting for them.

At least I knew they'd return. This kid doesn't.

Ma energy...

It nagged at me. A lot.

I pondered.

Can I do something?

Maybe. My status has a ma energy stat, after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all.

For instance, sucking out just the ma energy.

Wait a sec?

Ma energy only? Come to think of it, during that Straw Cicada fight. When I used Nutrient Absorption, didn't I temporarily suck in some ma energy?

Then the cicada broke free for round two...

So maybe I really can eat ma energy?

Predation had evolved from Nutrient Absorption, but it was the upgraded version anyway.

Worth a shot.

The kid had me worried, and more importantly, leaving ma-addicted goblins locked in a cave was riskier. Uncontrollable ones could escape or clash anytime.

Better to bring them here under watch.

Decided.

I asked the spirits to relay my words.

The Goblin King's eyes widened at their message.

"...You can really cure them?"

Hope mingled in his low voice.

I shook a branch.

Not certain. Gotta try. Might hurt them in the process. Okay with that?

He thought, then smiled faintly.

"They're doomed to die from ma energy anyway."

He nodded curtly.

"If there's a way, go ahead."

He turned to his elite guards.

"Bring them. As they are, locked up."

The elites bowed briefly and moved.

A short while later.

Rumble rumble rumble...

A heavy vibration shook the ground. It was a massive cart. A prison wagon with wheels on the bottom.

Screams poured from inside.

"Kieeeek-!"

"Kieeeek! Kieeek!!"

Ma energy-corrupted goblins. Eyes fully glazed. Mindless. Black smoke wafting from their bodies.

"Kieeeek!"

They clawed at the bars, shrieking.

Hmm... I examined them.

...And so on. After scanning them all, I thought,

All mindless from ma energy.

Definitely addicted.

But their conditions were clean. No visible wounds, not frail. Must've fed them daily in the cave.

Alright. Let's do this.

I signaled the Goblin King.

First, pull one out and bring it to me.

He reached in personally, dragging one out.

"Kieeeek-!!"

The corrupted goblin thrashed wildly.

That's when.

"Kieeh!"

The child goblin's eyes widened, lunging forward. That one must be its mom.

But Tabu swiftly grabbed the child.

"Kku-wung... Kku-wung."

Shaking its head. No. Wait.

"Kieeh..."

The child froze, eyes brimming with tears. Unable to look away from its mom.

I lowered a branch to stroke it soothingly, then prepared.

Focus.

I tensed my roots.

Groooowl-!

They shot out, wrapping the corrupted goblin. From feet, torso, arms. Bound tight, immobile.

"Kieeeek! Kieeek!!"

It thrashed madly, but the roots held.

Focus.

I slowly released mana. Into its body. Carefully. Squish squish.

A totally different sensation from scanning outside.

Got it!

Near ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the lower belly. A black, murky mass coiled up. Ma energy.

Good thing mana lets me 'see' inside.

Now, just snag that ma energy. I activated Predation.

Whoosh-!

Huh?

The ma energy twisted away fast. Like a living snake. Eluding, dodging, fleeing.

Darn.

So close. Sweat beading on my 'forehead,' I extended mana again.

Fine roots densely enwrapped its body more.

Focus again. Slower this time.

Now it slithered toward the heart.

That...

Bad spot. Could hit the heart.

Not happening!

I triggered Predation swiftly.

The ma energy writhed, trying to escape. But I snagged the tip just barely.

Gotcha!

Predation!

I felt it sucked up through the roots.

Once more! Predation!

Last one!

Carefully, repeatedly, until not a speck remained.

Something surged into my roots.

Ugh.

Spicy. Not just spicy. Like inhaling chili powder. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Thick, stinging, head-numbing burn.

Gasp... Is this ma energy's taste?

Eh. Not entirely bad. Stimulating, but oddly addictive.

All gone?

I cautiously unwound the roots. The goblin collapsed. The Goblin King rushed over, lifting it.

His eyes swept its face, widening.

"..."

The black smoke enveloping it was gone. No ma energy.

"Really... truly free of ma energy?"

His voice carried disbelief.

Then the goblin weakly opened its eyes.

"Kieeh...?"

Clear eyes. Rational, full of life.

The Goblin King muttered blankly,

"Truly... back."

She dazedly looked around, gaze landing on the child.

That instant.

"Kieeeng!!"

The child broke free of Tabu, charging.

"Kiee-!!"

The mother goblin's eyes bulged, hugging the child tight.

"Kieeng! Kieeng!"

The child sobbed, shoulders heaving. The mother froze, clutching back.

...

I watched quietly. Leaves rustling.

Good.

Purifying the ma-corrupted goblins continued. One. Two. Three... I kept absorbing their ma energy.

Each time, my head throbbed.

This spice though.

At least I got the knack. First one dodged fast, hard to catch. But from the second, I predicted paths.

Most headed for the heart, so pre-position and Predation before they arrived.

Each liberation changed the village.

"Kieee-!"

"Kieeh!"

"Kku-wung! Kku-wung!"

Freed goblins rushed to families. Embraces. Sobs. Hugs turning to rolls. Goblins and Totori mingled, the whole village a festival.

I flapped my leaves at the sight.

Tough work, but rewarding.

I sneakily opened my status.

Ooh.

Spirit Power rose a bit, but ma energy jumped from 45 to 70. A whopping 25!

Makes sense, sucking it from goblins.

As I rustled excitedly,

Thud.

Hm?

A heavy sound. There was the Goblin King. On his knees, precisely.

...Huh? What?

He slowly spoke.

"I thought it impossible to resolve."

Low, quiet voice.

"Regrettable, but unavoidable."

His voice cracked slightly.

"I'd given up too."

...

I stilled my leaves.

The Goblin King, forced to watch his dying kin. Knowing how much he cherished them, I couldn't respond.

"Yet... you solved it."

He raised his head. Red eyes met mine.

"No matter what. I'll follow."

A beat.

"Take me... as your retainer."

...What? Retainer?

I'm just a ma energy eater though..?

Before I processed it, a window popped up.

All the other goblins bowed deeply. With reverence.

I stared blankly at the scene.

...Wha?

What the heck is happening?