Strengthening My Foundation (6)

"Buril! Your brother is here!"

As soon as I arrived at the front yard of our dungeon, I called out to Buril.

"Hehe!"

From inside the dungeon, Buril dashed out.

This green grotesque creature – no, wait. This cute creature was named Buril. How could such an absurdly adorable being exist? A bubbling urge rose in me to just hug, squeeze, and even bite it.

Jump!

Buril, who was running towards me, jumped and hugged me.

"Meow!"

Held in my arms, Buril purred like a cat, showing its content.

"Oh, this damn cute creature. You've worked hard. Everything went well?"

"Hehehe!"

Looking around, there were heaps of dug-up dirt everywhere. I headed into the dungeon with Buril right away.

"Wow!"

The construction of the main room was progressing pretty well!

Considering how much has been excavated, it feels like we could make something resembling a main room in just a few more days.

As expected, Buril worked well.

Salute!

Salute!

Salute!

Not only that, but the goblins also stopped their tasks and saluted me.

"Hey! Take a break! Sit down, sit down!"

"Laugh!"

"Hahaha, well done, Buril, you little rascal."

I patted Buril's head. This creature definitely worked better than the average worker.

"A worker's characteristic: Highly skilled but reluctant to work."

But…

"Buril's characteristic: Highly skilled and works damn hard. Of course, I'd have to love him!"

"Meow!"

As I showered him with praises, Buril began showing off his skills by flailing his arms and legs.

Wiggle!

"Laugh!"

"Hehe!"

Following that, all the goblin squad members imitated Buril, overly exaggerating their actions…!

"Wow! Even their performances are top-notch! You guys are champions!"

"Master, should I dance too?"

"Why not!"

"Shaa!"

Jiggle!

Sharan also danced, shaking her chest.

"Hahaha!"

A joyous time.

And then,

"Phew, let's rest. Let's end today's work here."

I granted them a break.

"Tomorrow, we go to hunt kobolds. Gyuil, you'll be getting a junior."

"Gyus?"

"Yes, kiddo. Grew up a bit?"

He had received my magic and was eating well, so he had grown. At this size, well, he could manage other kobolds we bring in.

"Gyuil, tomorrow we'll farm your juniors. Imsoong, you wait for a bit."

"Nod."

Imsoong, this creature, was a national hero in his own right, but he hadn't done much lately. Of course, there would be more work if we gathered more imps.

"Okay. Message relayed. Everyone, take a break. Buril, come with me for a bit."

"Hehe?"

At my command, everyone laid down to rest. Buril immediately followed me.

"I'll give you some magic."

"Kereuk!"

I immediately infused Buril with magic.

"Kereuk…!"

As expected, Buril trembled with delight. Soon, the excited Buril began to frolic around, full of energy.

"Hehehe, you rascal."

He was truly proficient.

Then…

"Master. Come and play with Sharan."

"What should we play?"

"Your favorite game, Master!"

"Hehehe! Alright!"

Let's discuss it with Sharan for a bit.

We shall eat, sleep, and depart tomorrow.

The next day.

"Alright, guys. Today, we're going to invade the Kobold den. It won't be too hard, so don't be scared. As always, just trust me. Okay?"

Standing atop a makeshift stage, I conveyed the message,

"Kereuk!"

"Kereuk!"

"Kereuk!"

The highly spirited goblins responded loudly.

"Hehehe, good! A soldier with a loud voice is a good soldier! Before we go into battle! Let's have a round of training!"

A quick round of training should suffice.

"Now… Hm? Buril?"

"Kereuk?"

Wait a moment.

"This little one, Buril?"

Upon a closer look… had he grown a bit taller?

"Hey, come here."

"Kereuk-erum."

Up close, it was clear. He seemed taller than yesterday? Especially when compared to the other goblins, he stood significantly taller. Moreover, he looked healthier in many ways.

"Muturi, stand beside Buril."

"…grunt."

When Muturi stood next to him, the height difference wasn't that significant.

"Hmm… If he grows a bit more, he might even be taller than a Hobgoblin."

"Kereuk?"

"Of course."

It was not all that surprising.

Given that I had been continuously infusing him with magic, like how Sharan began to speak, Buril had grown, too. Why? Because the demon's magic promoted the growth of monsters.

Buril's increased size proved my theory.

"I wonder if Buril will start talking soon. Anyway! We'll discuss Buril's growth later! For now, into the dungeon! Let's get some training done!"

"Kereuk!"

And so they went into the dungeon for a brief training session. The Kobold den, like our dungeon, consisted of narrow corridors. With a proper formation, victory was assured.

How could these primitive Kobolds stand against an army?

"Advance!"

"Kereuk!"

—Swoosh!

Following my command, the phalanx squad moves swiftly and efficiently.

"Good."

We had crushed Hobgoblins and had ample training, but our skills hadn't rusted. This was perfect.

After the training, I changed the goblins' weapons. The spearmen now held sticks instead of spears, and the shield bearers equipped clubs instead of stone axes.

We shall subdue the Kobolds and make them our subordinates. Naturally, we shouldn't kill them. However, the Kobold matriarch must be eliminated. Just like eating the chieftain allowed me to grow, the Matriarch might also enhance my power.

"Then, charge!"

"Kereuk!"

And we immediately began their assault.

"Stop! Kobold cave spotted ahead! Form a line in front of the cave!"

"Keurek!"

Upon my order, Buril obeyed with a loud acknowledgment.

Uru-ru!

Immediately, the goblins advanced and formed a line in front of the kobold cave, effectively blocking the entrance.

"Imsong, release the fireflies into the cave."

"Kkureuk!"

Right away, Imsong rushed and released fireflies into the cave. A soft illumination filled the dungeon.

"Now, everyone! Forward march! One! Two! One! Two!"

The march began.

Cheoreok, Cheoreok.

Cheoreok, Cheoreok.

Cheoreok, Cheoreok.

The perfectly coordinated Phalanx advanced.

"Sharan, guard my back."

"Yes, Master."

"The rest of you, follow."

As they continued to march, soon enough, the cries of the kobolds could be heard.

"The enemies appear!"

"Keurek!"

Of course, not a single one of my minions panicked… Soon, the gleaming eyes of the kobolds came into sight.

"Charge!"

"Gyusaaat!"

We faced the charging kobolds!

"Attack!"

"Keurek!"

The goblins swung their clubs!

Peoreok!

Peoreok!

The oncoming kobolds got hit and screamed in pain. Moreover, the shield bearers in the front lines also struck the kobolds with their clubs, shouting in high spirits.

"Keurek!"

"Kereureureuk!"

There was no need for me to step in this effortless battle. The skilled Phalanx formation effortlessly countered the unsophisticated charges of the kobolds.

"Gyusaaaaaat!"

The kobolds were simply beaten down like whipping dogs.

"Master, did we whack all the kobolds? We've whacked them good, right?"

"Hehehe! Yes! They all got whacked!"

It was a smooth advance. They continued to march, neutralizing the fallen kobolds with blows from their clubs.

Kyuusaaaaaat!!!

"Right on cue!"

The Kobold Matriarch emerged. Of course, I had already fought something like this one before. It was not a formidable opponent anymore.

"Maintain the formation!"

I quickly took a position behind the Phalanx and aimed my spear. The Kobold Matriarch just roared and charged.

"Kyuusaaaaaaaaaat!!"

"Charge!"

And then!

Just as she was rushing towards me!

"Sharan! Hold her ankle!"

"Shya!"

"Fall back!"

As I gave the command to Sharan, I swung my spear!

— Whoosh!

With that,

"Graaah…!"

The Kobold Matriarch was pierced just below the collarbone.

"Men! Just hold the formation! Create a wall! I'll deal the final blow!"

"Kerek!"

"Die!"

The wall was there. I pulled out the spear, trusting my men, and stabbed again, repeating the action to make holes in her body.

"Gruhh…!"

—Swish!

—Swish!

—Swish!

Swift spear thrusts. I hadn't been idle either. I practiced my spear skills until I got sick of it. She couldn't withstand my attack. Numbers mattered in a fight. I felt braver with many followers and a wall like this in front of me. And in such small-scale battles, the braver side usually won.

—Growl.

Finally, the Matriarch fell.

"It's over."

"Master! We won!"

"Yes! We did!"

Now, let's use the extraction spell again!

"Mana Extraction!"

— Fizzle!

A stronger effect than when I extracted the chieftain's mana. Flames of mana blazed from my hand. I thrust it without hesitation into the Matriarch's chest.

— Pop!

I extracted a mana stone.

"Hmm."

After seeing the body dissolve, I immediately checked the mana stone… It did shine, but not brilliantly. Was it lesser than the chieftain's? Anyway, I consumed it immediately.

— Crunch.

Chewing it in my mouth,

"Oh, wow…!"

Power!

I could feel the power! The energy oozing from the crushed mana stone flowed down my throat, spreading from my stomach. I could clearly feel my body absorbing that power…!

"But it's not as much as the chieftain's."

It was satisfactory, as expected. From now on, I should hunt and eat every named monster I see.

"So, men! We've won! Wooohoooo!"

"Shya!"

—Cackle!

—Cackle!

—Cackling!

As I declared victory, my followers cheered.

"Now, guys! Tie up the fallen kobolds! Separate the dead! We'll take prisoners! Go!"

"Kerek!"

The goblins immediately started organizing the kobolds.

"Hehehe, ah. We won again."

I could probably get about nine more followers. Was there a limit? It didn't seem like I could have an unlimited number.

"Master. You have more followers now?"

"Yes. More followers mean we can live better."

"Sharan wants to live well with Master."

"I want to live well with Sharan too."

And as I teased Sharan and flirted, we headed out.

"Huh?"

— Chills.

I felt goosebumps all over. What was that? A gust of wind? Instinctively, I aimed my spear forward.

— ROOOOAAAARRR!!!

A monstrous roar erupted.

"Wha…!"

And what I saw were…

The blazing red eyes of a fierce beast.

— Flash!

A freakin' huge wolf, bigger than a lion, sprang out in front of me!!!

"Wha, mommy! What the hell is thissss!!! Guys, damnnnn!!! Form up inside the cavveeee!!! Sharan, get in!!!"

Oh crap, what the hell was thatttttttttttttt!!!!

Since when did we have wolves bigger than lions!?!?!