Chapter 134: The Tribe (2)

Standing in front of the entrance, two goblins were having a heated discussion in their crude language that bore similarities with the Common and some snarling, clattering mimicking sounds. 

However, they soon put an abrupt halt in their discourse when they noticed a lone goblin with lush black hair and a pair of strange golden eyes approaching from the bushes. He had no weapons and no upper clothing. He only wore a single light brown linen baggy pants to cover his delicates. He had juniper, dark green colored unblemished skin, but contrary to their expectations, he radiated some strange power, as if he was a born leader, someone they needed to respect.

Seeing the approaching outsider, the two patrolling guards also rushed back to the entrance to meet up with the rest of the group. Raising their crude spears in front of them in a cross, they blocked the entrance to the village, giving a stern look towards the approaching goblin. 

As the loner arrived at a sufficient distance, the closest to him signaled with his hand for him to stop where he is, and in their native, he spoke in a loud ordering tone. 

Unfortunately for the lone goblin, who was obviously Aiden, he couldn't understand a thing of what they were saying. The memories didn't give him the skill to do so, and there were no Enya to assist here. He could only wryly smile and go with the flow. Meanwhile, he quickly peeked at the notifications that signaled that the system started analyzing their language.

[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 5%]

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[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 15%]

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[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 30%]

The progress made a rapid increase, confirming Aiden's suspicion that the language itself isn't too deep or complex. Unfortunately, the progress still wasn't fast enough, he couldn't understand anything the goblin guard was mouthing. However, from his wary expression and how the rest of the group were looking at him and gripping their weapons, it was clear that he wanted to know who he is and why he came.

Thinking a bit, while listening to the continued unintelligible spewing, he thought of an idea. He slowly raised his right hand and opened its palm towards the sky, making sure his gaze never left the guard in front of him. The guard was looking questioningly at the empty palm. Switching his focus on the palm and the newcomer nervously, not understanding what he was about to do. Nervously gripping the middle of the spear's shaft, he was about to thrust it forward to scare the weird guy away when his eyes opened wide with disbelief. 

In the lone goblin's empty palm, their missing tribe's previous, now-missing leader's sacred weapon, the magic stick suddenly appeared! The gnarled shaft and the scarlet gemstone at the top were unmistakable, this was the real deal!

Seeing the weapon, all four guards were looking at the new arrival incredulously. Just who was this guy? Did he kill the leader? Does that mean he came for his spot? However, their general has already claimed it… Does that mean he came to challenge the current leader then?

As they were pondering about the possibilities, Aiden grabbed the gnarled magic wand and raised it high into the air. Although he didn't know the chant, it didn't matter, his idea was to only scare them, not killing them. Raising the wand above his head, he grabbed it with both hands, and with a cruel smile on his face, started loudly chanting gibberish.

Just as he expected, seeing the fearsome stick raised in the air, made all four guards shiver with fright, and immediately moved to the sides and knelt down in reverence. They didn't dare to raise their heads either, it was plastered on the floor.

Seeing their reaction, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, as he lowered the weapon, and kept it in his right hand. Looking at the kneeling guards, he gave an audible "Hmpf!" and walked past them finally entering the premises of the recently constructed village.

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Meanwhile, in the distance, Lily was watching with bated breath as his brother made action. She was already holding her bow with an arrow placed on it, ready to be fired at the first signs of combat. Even though he told her to stay put, she will not let anything hurt her brother if she can do something about it! However, seeing how the goblin protracted on the ground after he raised that ugly-looking wand, she sighed in relief. 

Gently patting Sam's head, she silently muttered.

"Huh, he made it through the entrance. Stay alert guys, we need to make sure nothing slips past us unnoticed. Brother is counting on us!"

Both dogs snarled once in response as they continued to pace their gaze left to right, sniffing, searching for new scents. Lily also kept her weapon at the ready while watching the four goblins at the gate. 

Even after Aiden left them, they kept prostrated on the floor for a long time, visibly shivering. Seeing this, she slightly frowned.

"Just what is that wand to them?! Why are they so afraid?"

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Passing through the gate, Aiden was greeted with a series of makeshift wooden shacks hastily put together in an unorganized fashion. There were no doors to separate the outside from the interior, and there were no real furnishings done either. An unknown animal's hide, complete with its head was placed on the ground serving as the bed and living space for its owner.

All eyes were plastered on him as he slowly walked past shack by shack, walking towards the center, towards the absorbed leader's hut. That was the first place where he saw the blurred and tempered memories. He didn't know what was inside, just that the wand in his hand was a key component to unlocking an important secret. 

Meanwhile, he was focusing on all the silent shushes and the fragments of speeches he could pick up as he casually walked towards the leader's hut. The progress slanted a bit, but it was still incredibly fast, he wasn't that away before the system could provide the skill for him. He was already lucky to be able to pass through the entrance without uttering a single word, he didn't want to risk it any longer than it was necessary.

[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 40%]

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[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 50%]

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[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 55%]

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[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 65%]

The progress was steady, but not enough, he had to think of something. Halting his steps, he looked around with a stern expression, as if searching for somebody. As he did, he made sure to listen to all the whispers. Noticing a frail-looking male that looked younger than the rest, he slowly turned and pointed the wand towards him. 

Seeing that he was singled out, the goblin youth jumped in fright, and immediately prostrated on the ground, not daring to raise his head. Aiden smiled at this, and slowly started walking towards the kneeling boy while checking the latest notification.

[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 85%]

'Not much longer… However, I will still need a bit of time before the system creates the skill… Hmm… I need to buy more time.'

Arriving in front of the youth, he slowly paced the gemstone at his head and gave a loud 'Hmm'. Finishing his act, he turned around, looking for another youth on the other side. Spotting a female, Aiden pointed his wand at her, giving her a stern look, and just as before, he slowly started making his way towards her. 

In response, the frightened girl immediately prostrated on the ground, just like the boy before, and while shivering in fright, kept her gaze down, towards the ground.

Making sure he has the same strict, stern expression, he walked slowly and steadily. Inwardly, however, as he checked the notifications, he was very satisfied.

[Analyzing Language: Goblin. Progress 100%]

[Analysis complete, processing information, creating skill. Remaining time: hours 9 minutes 55 seconds]

As the analysis completed, the system already started the creation process. Although he wasn't sure why the timer was so fast, he didn't question it. As long as he gains the skill, he will be satisfied.

'I sure hope this won't backfire on me later…' He thought to himself.

Arriving in front of the gal, he repeated the same process as he did with the boy. Knowing he shouldn't repeat the same play a third time, he sighed, looking towards a larger hut in the city center. Although the village itself wasn't large, it was still quite a distance away. 

Letting out one last breath, he gripped the gnarled shaft tighter, and continued making his way towards the hut. 

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As the long black-haired and golden-eyed mysterious stranger left towards the leader's hut, the prostrating boy and gal hesitantly stood back up. They didn't know what just happened, while the guy had their sacred rod, and while he offered his blessing to them. As they were looking at his receding back with incredulous expressions, the rest of the goblins beside them were looking at both of them with reverence in their eyes. 

In their eyes, this goblin lord has selected them, accepted them into his fold!