10 Speak and Sneak

"Ah ah ah, ay ay ay, buh buh buh, bee bee bee..."

'Getting better and better!' Roy said to himself, pleased at his progress of relearning how to speak.

'So weird to speak with this body, but I'm beginning to get a grasp on it.' Looking up at the gorgeous setting sun, Roy continued to make his way upstream. He had no luck finding a place to sleep so far and was hoping to find a spot before night came.

'It is pretty lucky how I haven't run into much danger on my way upstream, but that can probably be counted towards the fact that I haven't really traveled that far.' Roy thought as he looked down at his stout legs.

'I've probably gone a couple miles at most, these past couple days. I really hope that what happens at that level cap is evolution, or I'm gonna be pissed... In fact why don't I just ask?' Roy wondered why he hadn't thought to check before, as he asked the system. 'System what happens at level cap?'

{Info}

After reaching the maximum growth for a species, it has the opportunity to evolve into a new form.

Similar to a tree, there are many evolution branches, depending on the actions of the individual during their prior forms. Some branches can grow and provide new paths, while others could whither away and disappear.

Upon successful evolution a [Trait] will be gifted, typically being a passive ability, such as night vision, or thicker skin.

'Huh, seems there is a lot that goes on with how I can evolve? I wonder what options will present themselves, based on my actions...' Pondering these ideas and hopes for his future, Roy finally discovered something of interest up ahead.

Three goblins and what looked like a kobold, were in a camp up ahead. The kobold was tied to a tree with rope, while two of the goblins were asleep. The last goblin was standing guard, staring at the kobold with lust.

'Oh god, is it planning to do what I think it is?!' Eyes bloodshot, Roy quickly sat down Inbellis, and his snack pack. He slowly pulled his hatchet out of its sling and crept over to the lecherous guard goblin.

'Inspect'

[Goblin]

Lv. 5

Notes:

Horny

'Disgusti-' As Roy was thinking that, the kobold suddenly made eye contact with him. Opening both their eyes wide, Roy quickly put a finger over his mouth. 'God, please let her understand hand signs!'

Noticing his motion, the kobold lightly nodded it's head and looked back at the goblin that was slowly undoing it's loincloth.

Roy quietly approached directly behind the pervert goblin and lifted his hatchet at an angle, aiming to take its neck in one fluid strike.

'Let's do thiiiiiiis!' Roy internally screamed as he brought the hatchet down as hard and accurately as he could. The rusted hatchet directly hit its mark travelling halfway through the goblin's throat.

"EE-"

Roy quickly grabbed its mouth in an attempt to muffle the scream. Looking at the two others that were still asleep he sighed in relief. Finally, he received the notification he was waiting for, confirming that the goblin is truly dead.

[Goblin killed]

[39 EXP Received]

Setting the goblin down carefully, Roy moved over to the kobold and freed her. Getting up from her spot, Roy once again told her to be quiet and pointed over to the two other goblins.

Nodding her head, the kobold went to one and I, to the other. At the same time we struck, ending the life of both.

[Goblin killed]

[33 EXP Received]

Wiping the sweat off of my face, I walked over to collect my things. As I was walking I could hear footsteps behind me. As I stopped so did the other footsteps. Realizing what was happening I turned around to the kobold behind me and gave a confused look to it. 'Inspect'

[Infant Kobold]

Lv. 3

Notes:

Young kobold that was recently kidnapped from its pack.

As he looked at the notes, Roy felt a sense of grief for the poor child. He walked over to it and pet the head that was slightly taller than his own.

*Liiiick*

After petting its head for a while the kobold gave him a lick across the face as a sign of affection.

"Buhihihi!" 'Knock it off you're covering me in slobber!' Roy chuckled, petting the kobold some more.

After a short petting break, Roy stood up once more and collected his gear. Remounting it all on himself, the kobold stared at him in interest. Seeing the look, Roy showed off his home made gear to his new friend.

'Are you awed by my skill? I know I am!'

"Buhihihi"

After a short laugh in an akimbo pose, Roy realized the situation he was in, the sun had long since set, and it was pitch dark in the canopy of trees. Grabbing the hand of the kobold, Roy made his way over to a small hole in the side of a dirt wall. 'Doesn't seem to be inhabited, so it should be okay for the night.' Roy thought to himself as he checked the inside as best he could with the terrible lighting.

As he unequipped his gear once again, Roy laid on the soft dirt ground. Placing Inbellis on his belly, he looked at the kobold and pointed to her then pat the ground next to him.

Understanding his intention, the kobold laid down as well and all three of them drifted to sleep.

*Yaaawn*

Waking up the next morning, Roy saw the kobold curled into a ball next to him, and Inbellis curled into a ball on top of him. Chuckling about this, Roy carefully placed Inbellis into its mobile home and began to eat some breakfast.

*Munch* *Munch*

Waking up to the sound of his eating, the kobold looked towards Roy with pitiful eyes. "Haahh" Roy breathed out exasperatingly. 'Looks like I need to hunt for a better food source than bugs now.' Roy thought to himself, as he passed half his stash to his new friend.

'Since you don't have a name yet, I guess I'll give you one. Though I doubt you'll know it until I can speak...'

Taking a bit to think, as he watched the rottweiler looking pup eat his stash, he remembered her circumstances written in her notes.

'Solus.' Roy thought, before turning his head to watch the beautiful sunrise while he practices speaking.