Leveling Up by Eating Pixies #4
"Keruk!"
"Kkeureuk!"
Watching Buril try to flick someone on the forehead while the Imp, Imsoongi, nimbly dodged the blows, I felt a strange warmth in my chest. It felt like a sort of celebratory hazing.
And looking at them now, I could tell: thanks to the Branding I’d given him, Imsoongi’s movements were significantly more agile than before. I’ve watched them enough to know. He was actually dodging Buril’s attacks.
—Thwack, thwack.
They really do go at it, don't they?
"Heh heh heh, that Imp, to think he’d say something like that to Buril the moment he could talk."
Technically, Buril is the senior and Imsoongi is the junior, but strictly speaking, they were in the same intake. Imsoongi joined the same month Buril did, so they’re peers.
Isn't it natural for peers to grow by bickering? Watching them fight like this always cracks me up.
Still, Buril is a platoon leader, while Imsoongi is still just a squad leader. Buril is clearly the superior. I’ve been letting them bicker under Buril’s lead, but... now that Imsoongi can talk, I figured I’d let them have a proper go at it today. As a subordinate, Imsoongi must have some pent-up frustration with Buril, too.
—Thwack, thwack.
The bickering continued. Buril’s attempts to flick his forehead and Imsoongi’s evasions repeated.
And then.
"Keruk!"
Imsoongi finally landed a hit on Buril. He darted to the side and bit his forearm.
It was a move he wouldn't have been able to pull off before; it seemed the Branding had made it possible.
"Buril! Your movements have too many openings! I'm more agile!"
"Keruk! I’m stronger!"
"Fighting isn't just about strength! Kkeureuk!"
"It’s not just about agility, either! Keryaak!"
A truly thrilling duel.
They were building their physical stats by clashing like that. Fighting one-on-one to hone their techniques also leads to growth.
"Keruk...!"
"Kkeureuk!"
The other Goblins and Imps watched the duel with great interest, analyzing the situation.
Judging by Buril, Goblins gain stamina and strength when branded. That’s just the nature of their kind. But Imps are the type to jump around and act restless. Perhaps that’s why, when branded, his agility increased dramatically.
I need to collect the data.
"Hey! They're fighting among friends! Stop them! What are you doing!"
Serineu shouted at me.
"It's fine. Buril and Imsoongi bicker all the time."
"What are you talking about! You have to stop them! Friends shouldn't fight!"
It’s more of an army than a friendship, though.
"Wait a second."
Regardless, I needed to see how the branded Goblins and Imps utilized their physical abilities.
Growth only comes through combat. That’s why I was happy to see them bickering.
—Thwack, thwack.
I observed them. Buril utilizing strength and stamina, Imsoongi utilizing agility. Good. I’ve grasped the data.
"Demon Breath!"
I exhaled fire straight into the sky!
"Keruk?!"
"Kkeureuk?!"
And then I declared!
"That was a good duel! Buril! Imsoongi! You both fought very well! This Demon King is satisfied!"
The duel ends here.
"Keruk?"
"Kkeureuk?"
Buril and Imsoongi stood before me. I patted both of their heads and said,
"But Buril, you seemed a bit flustered! Imsoongi grew suddenly, and you couldn't handle it properly! If you had fought calmly, you wouldn't have been hit!"
"Keruk...?"
"Right?"
"Kerung. Y-you're right, my King."
"Dealing with sudden changes in a situation. That’s what you need to practice. If this were a real battle, you would have been seriously injured. Buril, you made a mistake this time. You don't usually make mistakes."
"That's right! Kerung! I made a mistake!"
Buril clenched his fist tightly.
Now, for Imsoongi.
"And Imsoongi."
"Kkeureup! My King!"
"You utilized your newfound power very well! You succeeded in attacking Buril this time! That is a huge growth!"
"Kkeureuk! My King... praised me!"
"Yes. That was excellent sense. You used your head very well. And you’ve become very agile!"
"Kkeureureuk!"
At those words, Imsoongi smiled broadly and was delighted. He’s so pure when he gets praised by me.
"Continue to think and explore strategies like that in the future. Now that you can talk, Imsoongi, you need to think more. Understand?"
"Y-yes, I understand! My King!"
Good.
"Then the duel ends here! Everyone, clean up and pack your things!"
I dismissed my subordinates. My women immediately clung to me, but there was still work to be done.
"Wait a moment. I need to talk to Buril."
"My King?"
"Go rest. Buril! Let’s have a talk, brother!"
"Keruk?"
At my words, Buril, who had been commanding the Goblins, approached. I took Buril’s hand and headed toward a quiet spot.
—Step, step.
As we walked,
"My King. Keruk."
Buril said.
"Yeah, Buril."
"Is it okay that Imsoongi said such cheeky things? Keruk. He said that to me the moment he could talk. Kkeureung."
"About that..."
I didn't expect Imsoongi to say that to Buril in front of everyone the moment he learned to speak. He must have had some pent-up frustration from all the times he’d been flicked on the forehead.
Still, Buril had guided him well. Imsoongi’s increase in ability, intelligence, and judgment was all thanks to Buril’s guidance.
"Forgive him for today. The situation has changed a bit now."
"Keruk?"
Honestly, until now, I hadn't fully trusted Imsoongi. He lacked the intelligence compared to the Goblins. He was so restless and scatterbrained that he wasn't as reliable as Buril.
That’s why, even though I gave Buril the rank of platoon leader, Imsoongi is still just a squad leader.
But not from today on.
Because Imsoongi’s intelligence has opened up to the point of speech.
"I’m going to promote Imsoongi to platoon leader now."
"Keruk?! Is that okay?! Imsoongi is still a big fool! Keruk! I need to guide him more! Kkeureuk!"
Buril shouted in surprise. Buril, too, still didn't trust Imsoongi.
"If he can talk, he’s not a fool. If he’s learned to talk, it means he’s no longer a fool."
"Kkeureureuk!"
"He’ll get even better."
That’s why he needs to be promoted.
"You saw Imsoongi’s strength today, right?"
"Keruk. I saw it."
"How was it?"
"He fought well. He’s stronger than before. Keruk."
"Exactly. That’s what Imsoongi has become. That’s why I’m promoting him."
"Keruk."
Buril nodded. Buril, too, must now recognize Imsoongi not as a subordinate, but as a fellow platoon leader. I suppose that’s why I watched the duel.
"So, Buril. You can’t treat him roughly like you treat a subordinate anymore. Understand?"
"Keruk?"
"Since Imsoongi is now a platoon leader just like you, you can’t just hit him."
"Then, no more flicking on the forehead? Keruk."
"Yeah."
"Kerurung..."
He looked disappointed.
"Still, even if your ranks are equal, you’re still the senior. Regardless, keep guiding him well."
"Kerung? Is guidance possible without flicking?"
"Are you saying our invincible Buril can’t do it?"
"K-Keruk! I can do it! I won’t flick Imsoongi anymore! Keruk! I’ll use words!"
"Heh heh heh! That’s it! That’s my Buril!"
"Kkeureuk!"
"Don't worry. I’ll provide separate platoon leader training for Imsoongi, too."
"My King! You’re the best! Keruk!"
"Yeah! You too!"
We spun around, holding hands like idiots. Now our unit has two platoon leaders.
My judgment is that from the rank of platoon leader, they can carry out independent operations. Now the Imps can follow Imsoongi out to hunt and do things on their own.
"Then Buril, go back and work with the others. On your way, secretly tell another Imp to tell Imsoongi to come here."
"Understood! My King! Loyalty! Keruk!"
"Yeah. Loyalty. Go on."
"Keruk!"
Buril returned.
"Phew."
I sat down and waited for Imsoongi.
"My heart is overflowing."
As I grow, I can do so much more. That makes me incredibly happy.
* * *
"My King! I’m here!"
What is up with his pronunciation?
Well, it doesn't matter.
"Imsoongi! Congratulations on being able to talk today!"
I opened my arms wide to welcome him!
"Kkeureureureureuk! My King! I’m so happy!"
—Boing!
Imsoongi, excited, started doing backflips on the spot while acting all restless. He really is a guy full of energy.
"Heh heh heh, I’m happy because you’re happy, Imsoongi."
"My King! Then now! I’ll pay more attention too!"
"Hmm? What was that?"
"My King, you only paid attention to Buril! Now I’m strong too! Pay attention to me!"
"This guy..."
What Imsoongi is saying is, yes.
That was it.
That I had only been paying attention to Buril all this time.
"So I’m happy! I’m excited!"
But now that he’s become strong, he’s happy thinking I’ll pay as much attention to him as I do to Buril... Thinking of that made my heart ache. It’s true that I had thought of him as unreliable. And it’s true that I had favored Buril.
I feel sorry for that.
"Yeah, I’m sorry, Imsoongi. For only paying attention to Buril."
"Kkeureureuk! My King! You don't have to be sorry to me!"
"Still, I’m sorry, you rascal. I’ve been indifferent to you all this time. So..."
"Kkeureuk?"
"I’m going to promote you to the same rank as Buril."
"Kkeureuk...?"
Imsoongi tilted his head and said,
"Same as Buril...? Kkeureuk?"
"Yeah. A promotion to platoon leader, just like Buril. You’re a platoon leader now, too."
"Platoon leader...!"
—Clutch!
Imsoongi grabbed his head.
"Kkeureuk! Kkeureureureuk! Same as Buril! I’m so happy! I’m a platoon leader!!!"
—Kkeureureureureuk!
A roar erupted.
I can feel Imsoongi’s joy.
"You can do well, right?"
I smiled kindly and touched his head.
"Kkeureureureuk! My King! I’ll do well! I’ll do as well as Buril!"
"Heh heh heh! Yes! From now on, you’re a platoon leader too, Imsoongi! Since I trust you enough to promote you! Do your best to catch up to Buril! My proud Imsoongi!"
"Kkeureuk! I’ll do as you say, my King!"
—Boing, boing, boing!
Imsoongi was so happy he was dancing around like crazy. A dance with flames unfolding in both hands. It’s as festive as a mouse-fire game.
"Let’s have a promotion ceremony when we get home. I’ll promote you to platoon leader in front of everyone."
"Kkeureureureureup! I’m so damn happy!"
"I’m so damn happy too!"