Reincarnated As A Dragon With Cheats-Chapter 32: Encountering The Goblins
Chapter 32: Encountering The Goblins
"Aya, trust me! I helped the man," Pebbles proclaimed.
But Nightstone was not ready to believe that.
"As if! What would you gain by helping him?"
Pebbles was in a dilemma. He didn’t want to help, and that was a problem. Now he helped, and it was still a problem.
"Nothing. But I still helped! Ask Azeth here. He witnessed everything."
Pebbles used both his hands to make a makeshift photo frame while showcasing Azeth, who was suddenly under a lot of pressure.
Nightstone squinted at him. "Is that right?"
Azeth briefly made eye contact with Pebbles, then withdrew it and instantly nodded.
Nightstone gave Pebbles a short glance, and he immediately lowered his head.
She then looked at Azeth and asked clearly, "Explain in brief. It’s a three-marker this time. How did Master help the man?"
Azeth gave a short but accurate explanation. Some parts were slightly exaggerated, and it was hard to tell how accurate it remained, especially when even Pebbles’ eyes twitched. But in the end, Nightstone accepted the answer.
"Hm. Then, Master, do you have something more to tell?"
Both of Pebbles’ eyes twitched again.
He was supposed to be the Master here, but Nightstone was feeling superior for the time being.
He faked scratching his head and lowered it slightly before saying, "I’m sorry. I was an idiot to leave you behind. I swear on all the gods of this world that I will never do that again."
Nightstone almost puffed her stony cheeks but failed.
She turned around and murmured, "Hmph. I forgive you."
Pebbles kept scratching his head.
Azeth realized how powerless both of them were in front of Nightstone. Rightfully so. Pebbles needed this scolding.
After Nightstone huddled into a corner, Pebbles confronted Azeth.
"I might not have told you this before, but great job."
Azeth gave a small smile and lowered his head. "Thank you for the praise, Master."
Pebbles was extremely happy with Azeth’s feats.
[You can level up by 5 levels] [Claim]
[Your Avatar Azeth can level up by 2 levels] [Claim]
He had missed this earlier, but after pressing the letter icon on the screen, he found it.
Pebbles was proud of Azeth for two more reasons.
[You have explored the Fourth Floor!]
And the last one...
[For subjugating the boss of the Fourth Floor and heeding the dungeon’s request, you have gained 150 Karma Points and 500 Merit Points.]
[Balance: 255 Karma Points and 501 Merit Points]
[Note: You have been using the system for 6 days. Deducting Merit Points according to contract.]
Ding!
[Insufficient balance.]
[500 Merit Points have been deducted.]
[Please pay 100 Merit Points at the earliest to avoid discontinuity of system functions.]
"..."
That was one way Hedas could control Pebbles, and he succeeded in making him angry once again.
But Pebbles showed no visible reaction.
His focus was on the Karma Points, so he dismissed the Merit issue for now.
"System, can I use these Karma Points to level up Azeth?"
It had happened earlier, and Pebbles wanted to know if it was possible again.
[Affirmative, but the host cannot do it directly as before.]
"What?"
He spoke a little too loudly.
Azeth swiftly turned in his direction, but Pebbles continued staring into empty space.
[Karma Points can be utilized to level up an avatar before they are created. The level-ups will continue until the avatar reaches their first evolution threshold.]
While creating Azeth, Pebbles had noticed he could evolve twice. He had three stages.
The first evolution will be at Level 40. The second at 75.
’So theoretically, I could have leveled him up to Level 40 using Karma Points...’
[Affirmative.]
He looked at his 255 Karma Points and asked directly,
’So what’s the maximum level a monster or anyone can reach?’
[Theoretically, the maximum level is Lv. 100.]
Pebbles nodded slightly and began thinking.
’Azeth is a quarter of the way there...’ he thought, glancing at him.
Currently, Pebbles was too weak. But if he could level up through his avatar doing the work, that was practically a reward in itself.
He could just stay back on the first floor and make it his safe haven.
It made sense, didn’t it? In a world of survival of the fittest, why should he struggle personally?
But he looked around and closed his eyes.
"It won’t be fun..."
He would miss everything happening in the outside world.
He wanted to be like a true dragon, one that roared loudly and soared through the skies.
But a True dragon also lived in secluded caves. He didn’t understand why.
’Because they finished exploring the world. After doing that, I too, can rest.’
He thought to himself.
And then he looked at his small hands.
Forget calling him a dragon, all this time he was mistaken for a small lizard.
’Maybe if I gain wings then...’
He paused and turned toward Azeth.
"Azeth, I have another task for you."
Azeth immediately bowed. "Yes, Master?"
Pebbles glanced at the missions that appeared before him. There were ten, perhaps more.
But one particular mission caught his eye.
[Mission: Take control over the Goblin Tribe "Chunk" in the North East.]
[Description: Goblins are among the weakest creatures in the world of Eldrich. They are also considered pests due to their rapidly increasing population. While not very clever, they possess the potential to become stronger and more useful. Perhaps they are the key to conquering the lands.]
[Task 1: Win the trust of the Goblin Tribe] [Incomplete]
[Reward: Goblins Training Manual (C) x1; 500 Karma Points]
[Task 2: Kill the War-Frog Tribe leader "Atuk"] [Incomplete]
[Reward: Instant Level-Up Card x3; 1000 Karma Points]
[Task 3: Establish a Master–Pet relationship with the Goblins] [Incomplete]
[Reward: Title: Lord of Goblins (S); 1500 Karma Points]
[Upon completing all three tasks, the following rewards can be claimed.]
[Rewards: Ring of Anti-Gravity (B) x1; Elder Dragon Yetvar’s Wings x1; 10,000 Merit Points]
This was not a mission Pebbles would ignore and complete later.
It was something he intended to finish as soon as possible, even without a time limit.
Though he did have one of his own. Before the end of the month.
Wings? Sure. He wanted wings so that he could fly. He, however, didn’t know what to do of an Elder Dragon’s wings.
’Maybe eating it would give me wings?’, this was just an initial thought which was dismissed naturally.
Instead, he focused on the other Reward.
He had to repay the Merit Points, and 10,000 was nearly half of what he needed.
So he immediately issued the order.
"Head northeast of this dungeon. There, you..."
Azeth obeyed without hesitation.
As if he owned the world, he simply walked out as if he was dancing in his own garden.
Soon, he found himself surrounded by tiny goblins holding bent and broken swords, spears, and shields that looked ready to fall apart.
"S-sir lord... may we ask your reason for visiting us?"
Azeth glanced back once, then again, before facing them.
He raised one of his claws and pointed at himself.
"Are you talking to me?"
They bobbed their heads, "Yes, sir lord, who else would we call sir lord if not you?"
Azeth’s eyes twitched. He knew for sure that they would call absolutely anything that, after all, just anyone could be stronger than them!
But he didn’t expect this... their bodies trembling so uncontrollably!
’Master... winning their trust will be difficult. They already fear me!!!’ Azeth almost face-palmed himself.
"..."
