Goblin Genealogy
The goblin genealogy.
A docunt that serves as the family register of all goblins, except for children who havent yet received a gods blessing.
For goblins who are full of lies, bluffs and whimsy, it is the one irrefutable proof of existence; an ancient docunt that can only be accessed by Oldboy who serves as its scribe.
That was all I knew about the goblin genealogy. Nothing else.
No, I did know one more thing.
There was only one being recorded in this genealogy who wasnt an actual goblin.
Other than that, I really didn't know anything else.
The reason I didn't know was simple. Because that was all the information thatd been released. This was one of those unrecovered rice cakes' that the author had ntioned only once in the original story. A plot hook that was never again explored.
I want to beco a goblin' was basically asking to be included in this goblin genealogy.
But Oldboy started rapidly blinking as if his thoughts had gone down a completely different track.
And then,
"Well well, thats um Changing a human into a goblin is beyond my ability Well, no, I dont even know if its even possible in the first place Well, it sure is sothing I'd like to try, though"
Was he seriously taking my request literally?
After amusedly watching him flop around for a while, I brought up the genealogy.
There was no need to go crazy and try to find a way to change my race. I just wanted him to put on the family register.
Then,
" What? Genealogy?"
The old man asked in surprise.
"Hey, how did you hear about that? It mustve been Chinuavi, right?"
"Nope."
"No? But, but the genealogy, how could you"
Seeing him so surprised, I felt like teasing him a bit more for so reason.
"What, you still dont understand? Look here, I'm human, the second one to step foot here in the Goblins Den. I even know about the genealogy. Can't you think of anything? For example, having so relation with the first human in the genealogy"
"Wh- what?"
Suddenly, Oldboy's expression changed suddenly.
His upper and lower lips, which had been wide open all the ti, pressed tightly together, and the wrinkles between his brows, which had been covered with quiet surprise, narrowed and fird. His entire face was now full of startled vigilance.
Then, in a surprisingly low voice,
" You bastard. Whats your connection with the last adventure king?"
He quietly asked .
The first human to visit the Goblins Den and the only non-goblin whod left his na in the goblin genealogy
Was none other than the adventure king of the previous generation.
And of course, I had no relationship with him, nor did I know how hed gotten his na on the genealogy, or even how he was related to the goblins.
Was it because of that?
Hmmmm'
Oldboy's reaction was sowhat surprising, to be honest. I knew hed be surprised or startled, but I hadnt expected this level of vigilance.
What happened to taking it as a joke?'
To be honest, this was ntioned only once in the original, and as a Chekovs Gun that went forever unfired, I hadnt expected it to amount to anything important. But this setting seed to be hiding more secrets than I thought.
No, wait.'
Maybe it was the ntion of the previous adventure king that had made Oldboy so vigilant.
In the second half of the original he was ntioned often as a predecessor, but at this point in ti, he was close to a mythical being' shrouded in a veil of mystery. It felt as if the whole world was shivering from his existence.
If the current situation had happened within an actual chapter, and our conversation revealed to the readers, the author probably wouldve been running a sweat just from the ntion of that man.
But what did it matter?
"You have to win the bet to know that, right?"
" You bastard!"
I wasnt about to show how rattled I myself was.
Instead I responded with a smile.
Soon after,
" Cough, cough, hm."
Oldboy seed to be trying to calm himself by coughing a couple of tis, probably because he thought he was overreacting.
However, he couldnt hold on to his curiosity, and he imdiately asked the question again.
"Then how did you know that No, no. Forget it. Then please tell why. Why do you want to beco a goblin no, want to be included in the genealogy?"
""
But instead of answering, I kept silent.
In fact, I couldnt actually answer, because the whole thing was quite complicated.
Registering myself in the goblin genealogy.
This ant giving myself a goblin background, which would automatically add goblin-like characteristics such as lies', bluffs', disruption' and confusion' to my character. Not only that, Id also get other modifiers like newcor to the stage', supernaturally strong', and nightmarishly bizarre'.
The reason why this was important was simple. Just by adding these, I could solve the many questions that were currently accumulating around my character in one stroke. Without breaking plausibility', too.
Right now, I had two major problems that needed solving (which readers were very curious about).
First, my character background.
Second, my unique ability.
Lets consider the character background first.
Readers had no choice but to wonder. What the hell was my character Nara doing?
Ever since the amusent park arc, Id firmly established the purpose of my character, in order to put to rest the doubts that had risen about .
Id declared that I would beco the next adventure king.
This action had elicited many cheers from the readers, and had the effect of clearing away any questions about my identity and actions that they couldnt understand up to that point. Actually, at that ti, Id been able to quietly bury my background as the Forr No.2 of the Red Scorpion'.
The problem was that this was just a temporary asure.
Whenever more about my new past would be revealed, the suspicion would raise its head again.
For example:
While fighting the black cat, Nero, readers had learned that Id previously worked as a zookeeper at the Southland National Park.
Then, they were tilting their heads again.
What, you worked as a zookeeper in Southland?
But werent you a mafia executive before?
Didn't you tell Kiriko that you were an agent of the International Council?
Whats all this about?
Moreover, my past was bound to keep growing in the future. In order to get the benefits of various hidden traits and associations, Id keep purchasing backgrounds, and they would beco part of my new past.
Of course, I could stay careful to not get caught, but that also had its limits.
In other words, it was essential to explain away the purpose' of these countless pasts.
And there was nothing like being a goblin' to fix this.
Why did I do things like that?
Look at as a goblin, and the explanation becos self-evident. For fun'.
One of the strengths of this goblin background was that no special reason was necessary to do sothing. Given the racial setting, any behaviour could be explained away with just one word, fun'.
And the other goblin trait, whimsy.
This fickle nature lent my inconsistent behaviour a very solid veneer of plausibility'. To wit, that I was just moving as my mood took .
This along with fun' was an ultra-strong combo to quiet down any suspicions about my actions.
Also, although it is a separate issue, Id be able to explain to Chinuavi where the source of my goblin knowledge ca from.
Hey, you might not have known, but actually, I have a direct connection to the goblins.
Even if he hadnt ntioned it much lately, he mustve still been curious. That mustve been part of the reason why hed so ekly guided here.
In any case, registering in the genealogy was entirely under Oldboys control as the scribe, so it was possible to backdate it to several decades ago. As long as Oldboy kept his lips sealed, no one would ever find out.
And next, the second question readers had about .
My unique ability.
This also could be explained to so extent by putting on the background of a goblin.
First of all, my [Mimic Acrobat] didnt need an explanation. This was straight from the original. As long as the conditions for mimicry were explained, things would settle down.
The problematic part is that Id mimicked other characters' abilities, and that too from the future.
And this ant that I only needed to explain that I could see the future'.
In fact, this was not sothing that could be done simply through the background of a goblin. Even goblins couldn't see the future.
But,
Whats his na again Naturevi?'
It was aningful in that it brought closer to a particular goblin'.
No character in Adventure King perfectly knew the future.
However, there were a select few who could see so fragnts, and the goblin Nataurevi was one of them.
This goblin was a worshipper of the God of Bluffs, and his unique ability was called [Charlatan Who Dreams of the Future]. He had a tendency to brag about his night-ti dreams next day as if theyd really happened. And it was set that one of them would co true.
This guy was my trump card.
What if there was a goblin who knew glimpses of the future through his unique ability? What if Id mimicked it? Wouldn't that establish how I could mimic soones future ability?
Of course, for this to happen, I had to first receive their gods blessings so I could actually mimic the goblins' abilities.
Anyway, this was the line of thought thatd made decide to register my na on the goblin genealogy.
And once that happened, I planned to take the hundred goblin-shaped bombs, go visit the cri scene in Westland where the new chapter would open, and light a fuse. That terrorist attack would be my proclamation to the whole world. To reveal to them my identity, and my purpose.
Oldboy apparently viewed my silence as a prank' or bluff' that the goblins specialized in.
"Look here, you idiot. This isnt sothing I can do on my own. Being recorded in the genealogy literally ans you have to prove yourself a goblin. And that proof is being chosen by one of our gods. That's why the young kids who haven't received a gods blessing cant make it to the genealogy. The previous adventure king was able to beco an honorary goblin despite being a human because of his deeds. He rescued us when we were in danger, so No, no. Why am I even explaining this?"
Then he looked at and clicked his tongue.
"Don't talk nonsense, you idiot! You dont even know what"
Therefore,
"Hey, whos the idiot here?"
I shook my head.
"Have you already forgotten the first reward you have to give ?"
"What?"
"Did you forget what I asked for?"
Soon after,
"Ummm huh? Wait! Is that why you asked for the Spirit Festival?"
The old goblin scread in surprise.
"Why else did you think I asked for that?"
"I just thought you wanted to experience the rituals of us goblins"
"Heh"
Could there be a more nonsensical reason?
Oldboy apparently noticed this as well.
"Are you really trying to get the blessing of a goblin god? Do you think that makes sense? Sobody who isnt even a goblin No, more than that, don't you already have a unique ability? I heard that you summoned a small winged monster? Although its a ritual to invite the gods, its no different from humans receiving unique abilities."
"That doesn't matter, I'll figure sothing out."
"Heeh"
Oldboy, after a small pause, realized that I looked dead serious, and suddenly lowered his voice.
" You bastard, I don't know what youre playing at, but you've co well-prepared. Looks like theres nothing you don't know. How the hell"
Then,
"Alright, if we keep chatting like this, nothing will get done apart from stoking my curiosity. Boy, would you like to make a quick bet with ?"
It was a sneaky suggestion.
"Three worldly qualities. Have you ever heard of it?"
" Why?"
"Hey, looks like you already know. There are three ways to answer any question. Actually, I was going to do it from the beginning. Goblins do this all the ti whenever they et soone new."
Three worldly qualities' was one of the things about the goblins that I also appreciated.
It wasn't particularly abstruse, and yet it revealed their sharp wits.
If wed been in the middle of a chapter, I mightve even considered it. There were a few interesting scenes that could be drawn out.
But,
"Hm? But I have no intention of taking part. You play by yourself."
Not now.
"What!? Are you ignoring the goblin culture? Werent you asking to be included in the genealogy just now? Is this how you treat your would-be chief?"
"Oh yeah. How clueless do you think I am? Three worldly qualities? It just ans you're going to keep asking questions. Its a ga thatll never end unless you want it to."
" Well."
"Lets make a bet and do things properly. If you can win the bet, you get to ask everything you want to ask. Stop trying to take a shortcut and cheat ."
"Huh fine, alright. Then go on, suggest a sport. Just dont make it boring."
Actually, I had already planned sothing.
Fast, efficient, and simple.
"Easy enough. Let's make a bet on whether or not I can get a goblin gods blessing at the Spirit Festival. You don't think it makes sense anyway, right?"
But,
" Haah."
Upon hearing this, the old goblin gaped as if he was sohow shocked.
Why? I didn't think this was such a surprising offer.
"What, is it too easy?"
Then,
"Heh, what an idiot"
He stroked his beard and slowly started speaking.
"Do you know it ans to have a blessing from a goblin god? It ans you're already a goblin, aren't you? You get added to the genealogy straight away."
"Ah ah? Really?"
"Moreover, if you receive it right in front of my eyes, theres no need for a separate reporting and verification."
"Ah Then Ill keep the bet as it is, and just change the reward"
"Nope. You can't change what you've already chosen."
""
It was unfortunate, but didn't matter in the end. I was going to get what I needed in any case.
"Then its decided. If you receive a goblin gods blessing at the Spirit Festival, Ill grant you everything youve ever asked for. But if you don't"
"Simple, yeah? Ill tell you all my secrets."
"Good. Follow . Lets get started right away."
I followed Oldboy to the altar, to comnce the Spirit Festival.
I slowly climbed up the altar decorated with various ceremonial witch-weapons ().
"Whoo"
I was a little nervous, now that things had co to a head.
In fact, although Id requested the Spirit Festival myself, I wouldnt be able to receive a blessing through this. Just as Oldboy had said, I wasn't even a goblin, and I already had a unique ability.
Nevertheless, there were two reasons for such a request.
First, in order to make sure I got the promise that Id be included in the genealogy.
Second, because so of the implents used in the ritual were necessary.
Spirit Festival is a ceremony for young goblins around the age of ten.
The reason why children who arent physically mature can face the gods and stay safe, is not simply because theyre goblins.
Its because there are devices that assist them to handle the presence of the gods.
I turned to the mirror the size of my body that stood on the altar.
Dream Soul Mirror (), the most important instrunt of the Spirit Festival.
Its role was to illuminate the pathway to the Realm of Dreams.
But this wasnt the tool that I needed help from today.
Three weapons were placed on the round table next to it.
A pair of bells, one large and one small, and a small drum.
Unparalleled weapons that instilled strength into young souls so they wouldnt get engulfed by the mighty powers of the gods.
Those were my targets.
My body was at an incomparably higher level than before. What if I had these on hand on top of that?
Even if the five goblin gods ca, wouldn't I be able to endure them without difficulty?
I took up the weapons in my hands and held them to my chest.
Next, I recalled my main aims.
1. To be chosen by all the five goblin gods.
2. If that doesn't work, the God of Bluffs and the God of Sabotage at least.
3. Obtaining a specific ability from the God of Sabotage.
"Whoo"
Several thoughts popped into my head at the sa ti.
Could I really do it? Could I actually convince those goblin gods?
Well. I honestly couldn't be sure.
I'd never seen or heard of sothing like this even in the original.
My heart was pounding.
Was it because of fear, or excitent?
Then,
"Look in the mirror."
The old man under the altar whispered to .
It seed to an he was starting.
Giving a rough nod, I turned my head toward the mirror.
But instead of looking at it, I closed my eyes.
Then, quietly, I began to mimic the ritual to et the gods.
Blink.
When I opened my eyes, it was a to a pure white world.
Waves of light andering in all directions. A realm made of dreams where the unconscious flowed like a river.
It was a dream co true except literally.
"Im here again"
It was a bit surprising, but I was also curious.
And while I was just around
Suddenly,
"Here!"
A voice ca.
I quickly turned my head to the side where the voice had co from.
There was a small child standing there.
A kid?
No way.'
He was a god, no question. Because this was their space.
To be honest, I couldn't help but be confused.
1. They ca almost as soon as I entered,
2. Unlike before, they had a clear shape.
A child's appearance because I have the spiritual armour worn by thet young goblins?'
I couldn't decide if it was a positive or a negative for , so I had no choice but to be cautious.
Then the kid walked over to .
" Who are you?"
The child did not answer my question.
Instead, he smiled.
"Uh huh?"
The wide-open mouth and the gleaming eyes were deeply disturbing.
It was a look that brought with it a flash of rembrance.
The Disruptor God. The God of Sabotage.
"Youve been waiting for a while."
The child took a step forward.
Sohow, he seed to overflow with a threatening yet sinister intention.
I took a step back without realizing it.
It was true that my goal was to get a favour from the Disruptor God. But it wasnt just him. And the order is wrong. This is the first issue that ca to mind was
Theres a big problem.'
It was completely unplanned, or sothing that had to be avoided.
So, the mont I decided I had to step back,
"Uh, uh? Wait, wait. Don't co. Stand there for a mont"
As if he was planning to eat
The child imdiately pounced upon .
"Co on, wait a minute!!"
Editor's Notes:
None for this chapter.
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