Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 43: Hobgoblins (4)

“Heh! Heh!”

“Hehehe!”

As if we were a primitive tribe celebrating a victory from a war.

“Heh! Heheh!”

“Heheh!”

We moved, dragging the tied-up prisoners along.

The method of binding the goblins was inspired by a movie I saw long ago, “Apocalypto”.

We tied a rope to a long tree branch and connected the goblins’ necks to that rope. In essence, we tied six goblin necklaces to one long tree branch.

This made it impossible for them to escape.

We released the bindings on their legs since they had to walk. Anyway, as long as the goblins’ necks and arms were tied, there was little to worry about.

“Heheheh!”

If one tried to move in a different direction, it would choke all the other goblins due to the interconnected system.

“Heh! Heheh!”

“Heheheh!”

The goblins had no choice but to move in the direction we pulled them, crying out in pain.

“Buril, the kids are quite noisy.”

“Heh!”

—Whack!

Buril, giving a salute to me, smacked the head of one of the tied-up goblins with his fist.

—Bang!

“Heh!”

“Heheh!”

“Hehehe, as expected, our Buril is good at maintaining discipline. I love it. I’m really happy.”

With Buril, everything was okay.

“Shaasha.”

Sharan seemed curious or fascinated by the goblins tied up in a line, circling them and showing interest.

Anyway, like this, we brought the prisoners back to our dungeon.

“Phew, I think we really should make a prison.”

If we captured prisoners like this, storing them was a problem. Having a prison would be convenient. But such a dungeon expansion would have to be done after solving the Hobgoblin issue.

“Heheheh!”

“Heheh!”

For now, we decided to hastily shove the screaming goblin prisoners into the empty food storage. It could be used as a temporary prison since there wasn’t any food inside anyway.

“Hey, hey, quiet down. Let’s see… you, come here.”

“Heheheh!”

I released one of the goblins from its leash and dragged it. It followed me, struggling as if having a fit.

“I’ll give you a pleasant brainwashing beam now.”

There’s a reason we brought them all as prisoners. If I tried to use a domination spell on the field, I was certain it would fail 100%. I was confident about it.

In their current state, they still had many comrades around them, and they could still move. Under these circumstances, it was unlikely that a domination spell would work. So, the idea was to kidnap them en masse like this and then hold individual interviews.

Being isolated from the group made one mentally vulnerable.

“Hehe!”

“Kyaaah! Kyaah!”

“Heh!”

When I came out with the prisoner, my subordinates drooled and cheered, probably thinking it was dinner.

No.

I didn’t bring it out to eat it.

“Heh, heh…!”

The terrified prisoner almost cried out.

“Hey, wait a minute. We’re not eating this one. Didn’t we bring that dead one earlier? Let’s cook and eat that.”

“Heh! Hehehe!”

Buril immediately started preparing the meal.

“Heh.”

“Kyaaah.”

But the other guys seemed a bit disappointed.

“Hehehe, so fresh meat is indeed better, huh? Such cute little ones. Hold back for today. Eating prisoners would be a violation of the Geneva Convention.”

“Sha?”

“Now, Sharan, try saying this. ‘Geneva Convention.’”

“Sha sha sha sha sha.”

“Adorable.”

I patted her head.

“Mind Control Technique Activation!”

The mind control technique was infused into the goblin prisoner!

The goblin convulsed in pain!

“Ke…!”

Was it a failure or a success?

If it failed, we would eat this one!

And then.

“Ke, ker…?”

Success!

“Alright!”

Let’s control all these little prisoners!

“Now, Sahogi! Let the party begin! Imsoong, light up the fire! Let’s grill the one we killed earlier!”

“Rumble rumble!”

Overjoyed, as if he had won a lottery, Imsoong started the bonfire. Now, let’s all try the goblin that Buril stabbed with his spear earlier!

“Ker!”

Maybe they were excited about the meal? The newly converted subordinate, Sahogi, also seemed to be in a good mood.

Mind control was really terrifying.

The next day.

“Ugh…”

As usual, I woke up with my nose between Sharan’s chest, and it was morning. Oh man, mornings have been refreshing ever since Sharan arrived.

“Sharan, wake up.”

“Sha…? Sha sha.”

As I shook her shoulder, Sharan raised her torso and rubbed her eyes. Then, as always, she fluttered her ears and nudged her head against my chest, indicating she wanted that.

“Here, imbuing magic.”

I concentrated my magic and infused it into Sharan’s body.

“Sha!”

The immediate reaction.

“Sha!”

After enjoying the brief afterglow, Sharan hugged me tightly. Yes, this was the ritual every morning.

“Sha? Sha sha.”

“Make me a shield today, Sharan.”

“Sha!”

Giving magic in the morning enables Sharan to craft equipment more comfortably. Thus, Sharan went outside the dungeon to make a shield while I woke up the other subordinates who were still asleep inside.

“Get up, everyone!”

And I, too, went outside.

“Phew! The fresh air!”

Every morning, I felt the growth of my power. Was it because my power is strengthening? It felt like my physique had improved a bit too.

“Did my horns grow?”

I touched my horns to check, but it was hard to tell. My beard had grown a little more, though.

Anyway.

“Heh heh heh.”

Buril always came out first.

“Heh heh, you’re the first one out again today?”

“Heh!”

As I patted Buril, it joyfully reacted. My subordinates always loved getting praised by me. Their joy was adorable.

“Anyway, Buril. Gather your subordinates and bring back a prisoner. You’ve got three subordinates now. Think you can handle it?”

“Heh, heh!”

Buril immediately dashed into the depths of the dungeon. Soon after, Imsoong, Gyuil, and the rest came out. Those who emerged began stretching.

These cute, insect-like critters.

There was no training for these guys for a while. I should just assign them to make ropes. They just needed to harvest sturdy plant stems and tear them apart. As the soldiers were trained, the rest should engage in production. It might be good to form a hunting team later.

Anyway.

While that was happening,

“Heh heh heh!”

Buril and his cheerful mates dragged out a prisoner. At the same time,

“Sha.”

Sharan came with a vine shield.

“Wow! Great job! Sharan, you’ve made another beauty!”

“Sha sha.”

“Truly, Sharan is our expert blacksmith. Blacksmith!”

“Sha!”

Praising her made Sharan equally happy. We needed to move quickly. I immediately cast a domination spell on the prisoner.

*Pfft.

“Heh…!”

Did it work?

“Heh?”

It did.

“Heh heh, now controlling one goblin isn’t even a challenge.”

That was the fifth one now.

“Heh…?”

“Buril, help this newbie get his bearings.”

“Heh!”

Nothing sobered up someone like a punch. Buril straightened out the new recruit immediately.

“Good! Your name is now Ohogi! Remember that well! Now… squad! Line up!”

“Heh?”

“Line up, I said. You, you, and you. Line up in front.”

*Swoosh.

As I waved my arm, giving the instructions, Samhogi and the two newbies lined up. Now, we had three vine shields and several wooden spears.

First, let’s distribute the equipment.

“We will now begin the shield award ceremony.”

“Heh?”

I took the prepared vine shields and handed one to each in the line.

“Take these. These are your precious shields.”

“Heh?”

Receiving their shields, Samhogi and the two newbies examined them. They hadn’t received proper training yet.

They probably didn’t even know what a shield is for.

“We’ll also start the spear award ceremony. Buril and Rookie, take these wooden spears.”

“Heh.”

“But you guys know, right? How to use a spear.”

“Heh, heh.”

Buril nodded.

“Anyway, once you’ve got them, return to your spot.”

“Heh.”

After distributing all the equipment,

“Wow!”

Admiration!

“Perfect!”

The word just naturally came out!

In the front line, there were three goblins holding vine shields! And right behind them, Buril and Rookie were holding wooden spears!

“Finally, we have the semblance of a phalanx!”

The front goblins would shield while those in the back would stab with their spears! The formation was now set!

Of course, I would join the back line too. With me in the formation, our combat power would surely be formidable.

If we kept building the troop this way… we would definitely be able to defeat all those young hobgoblins!

“Keurek…?”

“Keureulleung.”

The goblins still didn’t fully understand the concept of a phalanx. So, starting today, I should begin training them in earnest.

“Everyone, attention.”

ㅡClap, clap.

I clapped to get their attention.

“Keurek.”

The goblins immediately looked at me. Ah, this reminds me of the old days when I used to convey orders like this as a squad leader.

“From today, you’ll be trained in the phalanx formation.”

Although I had given orders before, I had never trained a group like this.

But I could do it!

I could do anything!

“Firstly, those in the front line, you’re the shield bearers. You defend while the spear bearers behind you attack.”

Currently, there were only three shield-bearers on the front line. That was not enough to fully block a dungeon passage. We needed at least four or five standing side by side to create a blockade.

But for now, since we only had three shields, there was no choice. I’ll have to wait until the day after tomorrow for more shields since Sharan could only make one tool a day.

“Keurek…?”

“Keurek.”

The new guys didn’t fully understand me.

This was where Buril should step in.

“Buril!”

“Keurek!”

“From today, you’re the goblin lieutenant!”

“Keurek…?”

Buril tilted his head in confusion.

“From now on, you’ll lead the goblin troop with responsibility! Because you’re my confidant! My right-hand man! You can do it, right?”

“Keurek…!”

ㅡWith determination!

Buril, with a serious expression, took his spear stance.

“That’s the spirit!”

I went over to Buril and infused him with power!

“Keurek…?!”

I was not entirely sure, but for monsters, the power of a demon was like a potent tonic. If I continuously infused him with power, even though I didn’t know exactly how he’d become healthier.

And as he became healthier.

“He becomes stronger.”

“Keureuuuuuuuuuuk!”

Buril roared loudly.

“Now, let’s start the official phalanx training! Everyone, to your positions!”

“Keureuk!”