Chapter 58. Second Bond

"Urghhhhh, this guy." The goblin jumped around and danced before turning to Grim to talk. After a moment, Grim's face dropped. He looked at the shifty fellow before trying to communicate what the cretin said. Ash's face morphed as he grabbed the little goblin's neck want to strangle his newly healed patient.

"You want the crown in exchange for a different treasure location? For-get- it."

Thinking for a moment, Ash smiled at the goblin. Yet one shifty fellow could sight the antics of another shifty fellow. Gritting his teeth slightly, Ash spoke, "Tell ya what, if you become one of my bonds then I'll find you a lot of special stuff."

Inside, Ash was nervous at the prospect of having another bond so soon. Nobody really knew how many bonds a person could have but creating such a link would put a strain and burden on the body/soul. There was a certain amount of bonds a person could make a contract with per realm and that varied.

'Fuck, I don't know how many bonds I can make in my life and one of them is going to this... cretin. Mom is going to have give me some heavy meds when I get home. 

Tilting his head the goblin looked at Ash not believing him. Ash was still trying to maintain his smile but the twitches that spread only to be repressed with the tightening of other muscles caused for a gross looking display.

With an even wider smile then previously, the goblin listed some items it wanted. Grim shook his head in disbelief before translating for Ash.

Ash's face turned completely overcast before extending a hand to the goblin. The two shook hands as they entered the mind bridge.

Ash saw the serpentine goblin laughing like a mad man while Ash did everything in his power to keep calm.

"I Ash vow to steal, plunder, and find treasures of the most unique kind. My wealth will flourish with you at my side. Become my bond."

Greed radiated off the little goblin as the two returned to the real world, this time the both of them covered in white light. Ash could feel the change, the physical gain as well as the additional elemental alignments. He could also fell a slight heaviness in his being that let him know not to make another bond in the short term.

Looking at the goblin, it now had five fingers and three toes. It's eyes becoming the main change as they became a pure gold. A link established as Ash was bombarded with the little goblin's feeling of wanting to pillage.

"This'll be a journey."

Grim looked at the little goblin a little disappointed at his untrustworthiness. He liked his ability to finesse but that came with certain traits he didn't quite understand. With a shake of his head. Grim found a nice place not covered with dirt and nestled there going to sleep.

Ash looked at Grim then the little goblin and thought for a moment, he still hadn't given his bond a name, or asked for a name. Looking at the foolish goblin that seemed to be scheming even at this moment, Ash brainstormed some names.

"Hmmm, how do you like the name Bastard?"

The little goblin hissed at it with displeasure, arms now folded, tongue flickering erratically. Grim with his eyes closed, heard the interaction and resulted in a guttural chuckle sounding out.

"Ok,ok.... what about Greed?" The goblin perked up as the emotion of greed overwhelmed the link. Grim this time also emitting displeasure at a name that even sounded similar to his.

"Mmmmm, naw, that name is way too over baring for you." Again, displeasure festered through the link as the goblin felt like it was being toyed with.

"How about Pocket?"

'Because you will forever stay living in my pocket.' The goblin this time didn't seem displeased with the sound of the name and flicked his tongue in agreement.

"See, we found something you like, from this day forward your name is Pocket." A feeling of connection between him and Pocket deepened in that moment.

Enveloped in that feeling, Ash's eyes glowed white and so did Grim's as the three of them had a shared feeling. The goblin looked at Ash, this time with eyes of wariness, but Ash felt it slightly. It was distrust and a mixture of hope.

Befuddled, Ash just contemplated before sighing.

"Look Pocket, I'm not very powerful, and I'm not very rich. However, I will try to protect you and fulfil your desires. Your family now."

The goblin just stared deep into Ash's eyes and turned before throwing a glop at his head that landed dead center. The goblin's nasally laughter boomed as he chuckled at the tamer furiously trying to rip the glop from his face.

"POCKET, GET OVER HERE."

Ash chased as the goblin ducked and dove all over the place landing more glops on Ash as time went on. Grim chuckled, trying to fall asleep, only for a glop to hit him. It was a sticky substance that smelled like earthen snot.

Tumbling onto the ground, Grim struggled to get the substance off, having to scrape against the floor. After getting some of the stuff off he started using piercing ray on the duo running around.

In a dusty little armory filled with broken wood, a trio of three ran around frantically trying to one up one another. Squawks, hisses, and grunts filled the once empty and forgotten room.

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A dilapidated statue glowed ominously, as it glowed certain creatures turned to face that direction. From the ever-eating asura, to the dagger blessed zombie eating one of the Demon Lilies' corpse, to the now bonded ice heron, the little nature guardian bonded to Baika, all creatures of a certain lineage and level became enticed.