Chapter 35

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 35

Chapter Title: The Clever Goblin Assistant

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It was just something I'd tried on a whim as an experiment, but who knew it would unlock the assistant function?

The assistant feature in Chronicle Terradium was notoriously difficult to unlock.

To make practical use of an assistant, you had to meet some incredibly stringent conditions, so I'd planned to tackle it much later.

What a jackpot.

I'd hit the mother lode.

In-game, it was implemented as an auto-production and auto-research function to assist with life content. Would it work the same way with alchemy?

Just as I'd expected.

So that means auto-production and auto-research are possible now, right?

It would definitely make things easier.

Though it did mean one more mouth to feed.

For now, let's check its abilities.

What is this? It's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠way too good.

Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.

I hadn't expected results this impressive.

It wasn't on the level of jaw-dropping abilities like when I created Arcbon, but the overall setup was flawless.

More than that, it had seven traits and skills combined.

No combat skills, so it wouldn't be useful in battle, but it seemed more than capable as an assistant.

But what's an Elder Goblin?

There was no such race.

Well, whatever. Let's talk to it first.

"Hey, goblin. Nice to meet you."

"Kerruk. Nice to meet you, Master."

Ian flinched in surprise.

A goblin that talks?

Talking goblins?

There was no such thing in this world.

Goblins were just dumb creatures that grunted "kerruk."

So what was this one?

"I will serve you faithfully from now on, Master. Just give me your orders, kerruk."

"Uh, sure."

I didn't quite get it, but I could definitely see why it was called the "Clever" Goblin Assistant.

A talking goblin?

That's not just clever; that's straight-up genius.

Shouldn't it be called the Genius Goblin Assistant? The greatest goblin scholar ever?

Come to think of it, it looks different too.

I finally took a good look at it.

Its diminutive frame under a meter tall, green skin, and pointed ears were standard goblin fare, but everything else was different.

No hooked nose, no sinister eyes, no elongated face, no yellowed teeth—the hallmarks of goblins.

A round face, a straight-up nose, snow-white skin, and gentle eyes that gave off a kind vibe.

What was this like?

Yeah. Like a gnome with green skin.

The classic goblin green skin and small stature fused with a gnome's round, friendly features.

Hmm.

How to put it.

It's handsome.

A handsome goblin. Sounds ridiculous and laughable to others, but it really was.

"Alright, then. Can you make something right now if I asked?"

"Kerruk. If it's Master's command, I will obey anything."

"Good. Then make a lowest-grade healing potion."

"Yes. Though I've never done it before."

The goblin was even smarter than I'd thought. It flawlessly executed every task I gave it.

Not just lowest-grade items, but mid-grade healing and mana potions without side effects, and even special potions with unique effects—it crafted them all solo. I had no choice but to acknowledge its talent.

"You're pretty amazing, huh?"

"No need for such praise, kerruk."

"What kind of magic can you use?"

"I use spatial magic. Shall I demonstrate?"

"Show me."

"Yes. First, Magic Number 1, kerruk."

The goblin clasped its hands, closed its eyes, and focused. After about five seconds of muttering an incantation, a large circular space appeared in the air.

Ian's eyes went wide.

Insane. Subspace magic?

Spatial magic was inherently high-difficulty and rare to acquire. No wonder even Ian hadn't learned subspace magic.

Yet this little goblin knew a spell Ian himself didn't. How could he not be shocked?

"Kerruk. Now, Magic Number 2."

It chanted again.

This one was longer.

About ten seconds of casting.

Whumm!

A resonance built up, then—

Pop!

The goblin vanished.

And reappeared outside the lab window.

Ian could only let out a hollow chuckle as the goblin calmly opened the door and walked back in.

Subspace magic and teleportation. This thing is ridiculous.

At first glance, judging by the "goblin" name, I couldn't understand why it was top-tier.

It is top-tier.

Those mid-grade materials at best yielding this? Top-tier for sure. Practically a jackpot.

"Any other magic?"

"I'm sorry, but that's all I know, kerruk."

Ian nodded.

Only two spells, but it was more than satisfactory.

A goblin mage specializing solely in subspace and teleportation...

If word got out, the magical academia might explode.

Even if just two, their potency was exceptional.

The tower folks tried so hard to teach goblins magic, but all failed, right?

Goblins were familiar in human society.

Common monsters, and plenty of mages brainwashed them as laborers.

But a goblin mage? Nonexistent.

Truly rare—no, one-of-a-kind.

"Your name is Kez."

"Yes. Thank you for naming me."

I'd planned to call it Assistant No. 1 or something generic, but I changed my mind.

With skills like these, it deserved a proper name.

"Good. You're my assistant now. Looking forward to working with you."

Ian extended his hand, and Kez bowed deeply, grasping the fingertips reverently with both hands.

"Kerruk, it's an honor to be welcomed. This worthless life is yours to command with utmost sincerity. Please use me as you would trash on the street or a mere pebble."

The goblin Kez trembled as if moved to tears.

What is with this guy's speech?

Not content with that, it dropped to its knees and banged its head on the floor. Ian was speechless.

This one's a bit off.

Definitely not ordinary.

With the "Life Fusion" skill evolution experiment a resounding success, I figured I'd invest proper materials ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right away for another go.

Mixing World Tree branch and leaf? Bound to yield something amazing.

But Ian shelved the plan, remembering something he'd nearly forgotten.

Wasting the World Tree's Blessing on uncertain results is a shame. Better save it for something more promising.

One of the World Tree's Blessing options—Luck Activation—had a key edge over the Church of Light's "Blessing of Light" Luck proc.

It activated up to three times, not just once.

Not officially stated in-game, but player data confirmed it.

Ian knew from guides.

One use down, two left. Couldn't squander on gambles.

Good thing came up just in time.

Arcbon's differentiation at 100% was imminent.

Less than 1% left. Could hit it today?

No rush, but the issue was the two remaining Luck procs could trigger anytime, anywhere.

Not limited to alchemy or crafting.

Could proc picking up dropped coin or dodging an enemy blade—any situation.

So Ian couldn't relax.

Can't lose that luck. Can't lose the buff.

Just wait.

Staring blankly at system alerts like listening to radio.

Kez eyed him curiously while fiddling with a triangular flask, but Ian didn't notice.

Instead of weaklings, take down something strong.

Unlike Lara, Arcbon built differentiation through combat, so stronger foes yielded more progress.

But it kept hitting weak ones.

No strong ones left in the Necropolis?

Yes!

Same experience playback as Lara's differentiation.

Like donning VR goggles, scenes unfolded immersively.

First scene post-creation: the alchemy lab.

Where Arcbon had spent over a fortnight.

What did it do there?

Unlike Lara's curious explorations, Arcbon just... stood there.

It moved slightly, but barely noticeably.

Anyone unfamiliar would mistake it for a lab skeleton model.

Isn't that too idle?

After the long wait, the view shifted.

A bleak, dark wasteland. There, it moved ceaselessly.

Faced a foe: a massive dragon? No, smaller.

A flightless drake.

Fragile-looking bones charged a dragonkin even ogres feared.

Shattered.

Regenerated, charged again.

Shattered. Repeated countless times until it felled the drake.

Watching it roar in victory after smashing the heart, a thought arose:

This guy's a soulslike pro.

Impressive tenacity.

It wandered more.

Skeletons trailed like minions, but it pressed on.

Entered a gray citadel where undead and humans clashed discordantly. Ian shuddered.

Fight after fight.

Clash, shatter. Regenerate, clash, shatter. It rampaged silently through flame and smoke without pause.

Weak power, frail body. Hundreds, thousands stronger foes. Yet it won.

Killed the dead, swordsmen, flask-throwers, blood mages.

Soon humans called it the "Immortal Skeleton" in terror, fleeing at sight.

Flames died; ashen streets patrolled. Playback ended.

The results window appeared. Familiar by now, but one detail shocked him.

Skipping stages?

Straight to secondary differentiation?

Well, let's proceed.

Five options? Impressive. Lara only had three.

Due to superior experience quality?

Damn these probabilities.

They always ramp up the tension.

Can't it just mutate cleanly like Lara for something great?

That's the dream.

But unlikely. Odds too low.

Otherwise, anything's fine.

Whatever skeleton class, Arcbon would be strong. Even 7% wraith? No big deal.

Still, hit the jackpot.

"Please 0.01%! Let's go!"

Heart pounding, he hit differentiate.

Semitransparent window popped up with Arcbon's differentiating form: mystical light in ruined streets.

"Whoa!"

It procced!

Like with Kez.

"Jackpot!"

Ian jumped up, unable to contain his excitement.

He started humming. How was he this lucky?

Whatever came now would be great.

"Heh. Hurry up and..."

"Huh?"

Rejects?

Ian froze.

What?

What just happened?

Selects itself? Possible?

Unpredictable twists. Ian scratched his head.

Swapped options, picked its own No. 1.

Good or bad? Hard to say.