Chapter 25: A Map Carved In Stone

After Jack had left the Goblins to distribute the food he walked back to his personal cave.

Along the way he wondered of what to do next.

His mind was more preoccupied with the thought of Gyra instead of what to do for the future.

He thought about how he should approach her after - "That Time".

Jack blushed as he slouched his head down in an effort to avoid any embarrassment or angst.

It was one of his more childish habits that transferred over with him during moments like these.

Whenever he would see or think of a girl he liked Jack would unintentionally do this old habit.

Without Plum's mental manipulation of him Jack's mind was able to process his emotions while developing and learning from them.

Instead of being emotionally and mentally stunted, Jack was able to experience the bloom of a somewhat normal Adulthood properly now.

Well as close to proper someone could get if they were a pubescent boy stuck in a Goblin's body.

Jack: ("Just seeing Gyra or having her nearby is already such a headache.")

Jack: ("And i'm not even sure if I could hold a proper conversation with her anymore!?")

Jack sighed as he thought about simply ignoring Gyra and avoiding her at every possible turn until he felt more at ease around her.

Jack: ("But She's So Goddamn aggressive and persistent about it!")

Jack: ("Of Course I don't want to talk about - "That Time!")

Jack: ("How could I not feel uncomfortable about it!")

Jack: ("It-it was my first time doing that kind of thing, ya know especially with someone I...")

Jack's blush became a bright pink as he drooped his head even further unable to finish his thought.

Jack's lack of experience made him unable to understand his feelings.

Even when going through Gyrom's extensive knowledge and experiences to better understand himself.

Jack could not find anything helpful, after all Gyrom was about as evil and generic a Goblin could get.

Not to mention their were no real references Jack could pull from his memories to relate to how he was feeling now.

The answer to helping Jack understand himself and his questions was obvious when he thought about it.

The person Jack needed the most right now was none other than his best friend Chuck.

Chuck had without a doubt become an anchor in Jack's life in many ways Jack even considered him to be family now.

The once imaginary friend had become a source of dependence for Jack as it was the only person who could truly fully understand his situation and trust.

And although Jack knew that Chuck was not listening to him and, that for some reason he was nowhere to seen lately.

Deep down Jack hoped that the peculiar little Teddy Bear would appear before him and answer him.

While giving him advice and consoling him in this fantastic yet strange new world.

Jack: ("I'm Not The One Being Weird, Right Chuck? She's Definitely The One Being Weird! Right?")

Jack waited a few moments to give Chuck the opportunity to reply he stared up into the rock ceiling hoping that he would say something, say anything even.

Just once… Jack thought to himself as he waited for his friend to answer him.

Jack waited until he had arrived in front of his personal cave.

Feeling disappointed Jack pushed the thoughts of his friend Chuck and Gyra away by giving himself two tight slaps against his cheeks.

(*Smack!)

Jack shook his head and hopped up and down while stretching his arms to amp himself up.

He took in one deep breath before breathing it all out

Jack: (*~Phew)

Jack: "Okay!"

Jack entered through the crimson stained drapes and walked over to the broken chest to pull out the Golden Dagger.

Jack then walked over to the center wall of his room and began to carve and etch out a rough map of the Dark Forest by using Gyrom's memories.

With the Golden blade Jack was able to etch words and mark key locations on the map.

In a short amount of time Jack had drawn a rough map with the Goblin Cave at the center displaying the location of every Goblin Tribe and predator territories he could find in Gyrom's memories.

The Map was crude and basic and would most likely prove to be unreliable given the constant state of change in the Dark Forest regarding Predators, Monsters and, Beasts.

However what I could follow with confidence was the location of the other Goblin Tribes and the Fire Fox territories.

(*G~R~O~W~L)

A loud growl came from Jack's stomach, he was hungry.

One of the reasons Jack had not joined the other Goblins in eating earlier was because given his massive size he was likely to eat a good portion of the Blue Ants himself.

Leaving a shortage of food for the other Goblin Warriors.

Right now it was important for Jack to strengthen his forces and expand his domain, he could not afford to let his troops go hungry or grow weak.

Even if he had to starve a little to make sure every Goblin could eat Jack was willing to accept his malnourished state.

That was until an idea flashed across his mind and Jack devised an obvious solution to his hunger that did not involve much risk.

Jack: ( Fire Resistance + Fire Fox = Easy Food )

With drool coming out of his mouth and a mischievous smile on his face.

Jack looked over at the map to wear the Fire Fox territories had been marked and decided to go pay them a little visit.

Unlike Gyrom Jack had such an overwhelming advantage over the creatures to negate their main method of attack with his Fire Resistance skill.

That it would make hunting them down a piece of cake and he would not have to worry about getting into any serious danger.

"What could possibly go wrong?" Jack thought to himself.

With everything having been settled Jack brought the Golden Dagger with him as he left the Goblin Cave unannounced for a quick bite to eat.