Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Demon King Qlus, Descends! #3
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My heart was pounding like crazy. So hard it felt like it might rip open my ribcage and burst out.
"...!"
Green, rough skin. No hair on its body—just bare hide. It was about the size of a child, with a hooked nose. Five fingers, five toes.
A goblin.
Yeah, it kinda looked like a goblin.
Of course, it probably had its own name, but it looked goblin-ish enough. Anyway, I'm a demon, and this is the Middle Realm. Our languages don't match up. No way I'd know what they call it here.
So, goblin it is.
I'll name it a goblin, and that's that.
"Kek... kekuk...!"
The goblin was wounded. Blood trickled slowly from its injuries. It lay there struggling to move, letting out groans. It didn't even notice me watching it.
Completely.
Completely helpless.
"..."
Could I... beat that thing? Nah. No question. Of course I could. I'd win, no doubt. Look at the size difference. There's no way I lose. It's just kid-sized.
No way I'd lose to something like that. In a straight-up physical fight, size is everything. And on top of that, I had a deadly hand axe gripped in my hand.
If we fought, I'd win.
Even if it were unharmed, I'd probably take it. Wounded and down like that? Forget about it. Perfect setup for an ambush, too.
Kill it.
And eat it?
Chop its neck with the hand axe, butcher it, and chow down? I'm starving. Kill it, start a fire, cook it up. Surprisingly, I'd learned the basics of black magic from Kartiya, so I could make a fire with just a tiny bit of demonic power.
I could kill it, strip the meat, grill it. Smoke the leftovers.
"Keguk..."
The thing groaned in pain. If I went for it boldly, I'd win.
>—Gulp.
Swallowed hard.
I'd never done it before, didn't even want to... but if I had to survive. For survival's sake. I'd eat a goblin or whatever. Wait, but what about poison? Fuck, poison worries kill my appetite for everything!
Anyway!
Time to goblin-ari-rang it—the wounded, groaning one!
Let's go!
>—Swish.
The moment I took a cautious step forward.
>—Flash!
Like getting hit by lightning, a powerful inspiration struck me!
"...!"
A powerful inspiration.
About black magic. I'd learned the essential basics from Kartiya—the must-haves for any demon.
And among them was Monster Domination.
Obviously, she said these domination arts work way better on weakened targets.
"Demon King...!"
Killing and eating this goblin here... that'd be the worst option!
I needed to test my black magic. I still had a little demonic power left in me. Enough for one shot. So, experiment first. Fail, then goblin-ari-rang later. Not a bad plan.
If it worked...
I'd have this goblin as my minion. The wounds were iffy, but Kartiya said demon demonic power could heal monsters. I think that's what she said. No clue how much it'd heal, but even a little would be great.
Good.
Mind made up.
>—Stride, stride.
I charged forward boldly.
"Keruk...?"
The goblin laboriously lifted its head and looked up at me.
>—Whoosh!
I launched myself like an arrow, slamming down on it!
"Keruk?!"
"Back! Show me that back!"
"Keruuuk!"
I mounted it like a horse, pinning its back, grabbed its wrists, and yanked them behind!
>—Struggle!
The goblin thrashed, but it was already flipped and pinned under me. No escaping that. Basic size difference, kiddo! You can't beat me!
"Keruk! Keruuuk!"
"Hold still! Unless you want it to hurt!"
"Keruuuk!"
"I said hold still! Hya!"
>—Smack!
"Kahak!"
I slapped its temple with an open palm, and it froze for a sec. Good!
"Black magic, deploy!"
Basic Black Magic, Chapter One!
Monster Domination!
>—Whoooosh...!
The demonic power in my body surged! I guided the power spreading from my heart, channeling it into my right hand! The incantation and feel Kartiya taught me!
Recalling it all... the chant!
Complete the chant!
"Be dominated, oh goblin!"
"Kehuk...!"
I threw out a fitting starter phrase and unleashed total focus.
>—Ziiing...!
A black marble-like orb formed at my index fingertip! Yes! Success so far! Now inject it into the goblin!
"Injeeeeect!"
I jammed it straight into the goblin's skull!
>—Squish.
The black orb melted into its skin like snow and got absorbed inside.
"Keruk...!"
The goblin.
Twitched like it'd been shocked. I confirmed it and hopped off its back.
"Kehuk...!"
It shuddered like someone electrocuted.
>—Thud.
Then collapsed limp.
"Did it work...?"
Success or failure? No clue. First real combat test today. But I'd trained hard with Kartiya. Really hard. No way I'd fail.
>—Thump thump.
>—Thump thump.
My heart raced.
And then.
"Keruruk...?"
The goblin.
Lifted its head.
"Hey, hey? You with us? Get up."
"Keruk?"
I locked eyes and spoke. It stared into mine.
>—Rustle.
It strained to stand.
Coincidence...? Or did it hear my command?
Next order would tell.
It was hurt, so let's put it back down first.
"Hey. Don't get up yet. Lie back down."
"Ke, keruk keruk..."
Again.
The goblin obeyed, staring into my eyes, half-rising then lying back down.
Yo shi!
"Yes! Success! It worked!"
It was following my orders!
>—Sss...
A black dot appeared dead center on the goblin's forehead. Instinct told me: my mark. The domination had taken hold...!
"Shivers!"
Thrill and utter ecstasy!
Huge joy!
"O, oooh...!"
I dropped to my knees right there, arms spread wide, and roared.
"Ooooooooh!!"
It worked, fuck yeah!
I did it!
Dominated a goblin!
"But this fucker's half-dead?"
Thrilled it worked, but it's too weak like this... wait!
"Whoa!"
Amazingly, the goblin's wounds were healing! Right before my eyes, visibly! Oh yeah! Since goblins are weak monsters, my tiny demonic power could heal it!
Then if I recover a bit more power and heal it... full recovery!
"Not the time!"
It worked, so this isn't just any goblin—it's Minion Number One! Gotta treat it precious!
"Keruk?!"
I scooped up the goblin and bolted.
"Let's go! To my hideout!"
* * * Back at the cave, I nursed the goblin like it was a baby.
"Yeah. Hey. Good. Drink the water. Water. Slow. Don't choke."
I crammed into the tiny cave with it, propped up its head, and trickled water from the canteen into its mouth. Felt like feeding formula to a kid.
"Kaeruk..."
The hideous goblin drank obediently. Honestly, calling it my minion makes it sound nice—it's ugly as fuck. What is this? A monster? Generous to call it an ugly monster. Hesitant to badmouth it worse.
Still, my first minion.
Gotta raise it right.
"Ugly fuck... oh. Right."
Staring at its native-creature face sparked an idea. It's a local lifeform. Obviously...! Knows what to eat! And what not to!
"The foraged fruits!"
Chance to check if they're poisoned!
"Hey! Try these!"
"Keruk?"
I laid it down, dumped out the sack, spread the fruits. Too cramped. I grabbed them and went outside, ordered it to follow, and it did.
>—Shh.
Spread the sack, set fruits on top.
"Edible ones. Eat 'em."
Locked eyes and commanded.
"Keruk keruk."
It muttered like it got it.
>—Crunch!
Grabbed a red fruit and chomped without hesitation.
"...!"
Edible.
Safe to eat! Might be poison-resistant or something, but that's overthinking!
That juicy pulp...!
Anyone could see it's meant to be eaten!
>—Crunch, crunch.
"Keruk keruk."
The goblin happily devoured them. One by one, by type, from what I'd foraged.
"Oh! Oooh! That one! Edible too!!!"
"Keruk."
"Good boy! Good boy! Eat more! More!"
"Keruk...!"
The goblin scarfed fruits joyfully!
This fucker's useful!
I'm saved!
"Oh, right! Name!"
Gotta name it! Can't just boss around such a great guy nameless—that'd be a dick move!
"Fuck, I'll name you!"
"Keruk...?"
Brainstorming names.
Goblin.
Blin.
Blin.
Brin.
Bleel.
Goblinyle?
Goblin One?
Rinyle? Linil? Linwon? Gobwon? Gobyl? Bleel?
Bril?
Buril.
"Buril?"
Buril!
"Bu, Buril Servant! Buril Servant!"
Buril Servant!
Servant!
"Buril Servant! Buril Servant! You're my minion, so Buril Servant!"
"Keruk...?!"
"Your name's Buril from now on!"
This fucker's name is Buril now!
Decided!
My first minion!!!
Buril Servant!
This is why they study magic!
"C'mere, you fuck!"
"Keruk!"
I shoved my hands under Buril's armpits mid-fruit-munch, hoisted him for airplane spins!
>—Whirl whirl!
"Wahahahahaha!"
"Ke, keruk."
Buril laughed.
"Wahahahahahaha!"
Me too.