Three goblins were walking side by side and the sight was very weird. Two of them looked like ordinary goblins, but one was taller and was dragging the corpse of a black wolf behind him.

  "Do you really need to bring the wolf?" Bog asked with an awkward expression.

  "Yes," Greg just nodded. "I'm planning to eat it."

  The two goblin couple looked at him awkwardly. And Greg had recently found out they were a couple and they lived together in the same house.

  Things like marriage didn't exist in goblin society and they usually picked partners based on strength and attractiveness and mated to continue the bloodline.

  "Is their meat bad or something?" Greg asked while continuing to walk.

  "No... it's more like we wouldn't know," Eka explained. "Goblins are very low in the food chain, so we never have managed to kill a Black Wolf ourselves."

  "So what do you guys usually eat?"

  "Fruits and berries, sometimes smaller creatures we can kill," Bog elaborated.

  From more of the conversation, Greg figured out the pig-like creatures with deer antlers were called Tusks, and the standing lizards that traveled in groups were known as Runners, simply.

  These goblins would hunt in groups and usually went for smaller prey like them and not a predatory species like black wolves.

  Greg also learned the black wolves were not that easy to deal with and he got lucky with his surprise attack. According to Bog, their claws can produce a special black flame that burns like hell and easily spreads.

  Soon the group of three reached the goblin village, and it can barely be called a settlement. The outer fence was made from thorny bushes and not something solid. No guards were manning the gates and they were able to walk inside easily.

  Some goblins were lying dead on the floor and others were trying to reconstruct their burnt houses, if they can be called homes at all.

  The "houses" that didn't get burnt from last night's attack were made from mud and clay with some kind of grass and sticks mixed into the mixture to barely keep them standing.

  The roof was made from something similar to hay, and according to Eka, multiple goblins lived under one roof because of their ability to breed fast and grow up quicker.

  But right now, the local goblins had stopped working and were now looking at Greg because he was still dragging his wolf corpse.

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  When he let the thing go, some figures approached him.

  One of the main goblins among them was an old man with dark green skin that almost looked black in shade. He and his henchmen closed the distance, and instead of speaking to Greg about the dead wolf, they asked the goblin couple.

  "What is the meaning of this?" The old goblin yelled. "Who's he and why have you brought him here?"

  "He saved us, Chief. His name is Greg." Bog was the one who stepped up and took responsibility. "We were chased by the wolves and were almost about to die when he killed one of them and the others ran away."

  The old chief didn't like the answer at all and this time looked directly at Greg. "Why are you here, young man?"

  Greg was looking around and assessing the place, so he took a second to reply. "Oh," he said, pointing towards the couple. "Bog and Eka invited me and I was searching for a place to spend the night, so I accepted."

  "That's impossible," one of the chief's henchmen argued. "We don't trust outsiders, and especially no outsider who can kill black wolves."

  "Yes, you can’t stay here," the others from the chief's faction repeated.

  "I guess you guys don't want some free meat I brought," Greg sighed.

  The word immediately attracted the attention of other goblins working in the area and quietly watching the show. Even the chief's faction looked interested.

  "What do you mean... uh... Greg?" The old man asked.

  "As you know, I am not from around here," Greg began telling his made-up story. "I need somewhere to stay for a few days before I continue my journey towards the north... so I can give you some meat in exchange for letting me stay here."

  "As you can see, we were just attacked and we can't afford to take more people in." The chief was quick to refuse.

  But the people under his faction didn't seem convinced. Also, normal villagers had also approached the group by now, and some kids were touching the dead wolf and running away.

  "What a waste of free food," Greg sighed. "If you don't know, wolf meat is a delicacy from where I come from. Normal goblins will die to get a taste of it, and you're refusing my generous offer."

  He turned around and picked up the black wolf corpse and started to walk away. Bog and Eka ran after him, trying to stop him.

  The village chief was quickly approached by both young and old villagers and they started arguing.

  "We are starving here!"

  "Why can't you let him stay?"

  "He's a goblin like us!"

  "He looks kind and helpful!"

  "I want to taste that delicious meat!"

  Within a minute, talks like these had overwhelmed the goblin chief and his faction and they had to intervene.

  "Wait," the goblin chief said. "How many days do you want to stay here?"

  "About a week." Greg smiled innocently and turned around.

  "One week for the full body of the wolf," the chief countered.

  "What will I eat then?" Greg just shook his head. "I will keep the head and front legs and you can have the rest. Tell me if you agree or I'll take my leave."

  Before the chief could reply, the villagers jumped in happiness. The goblins who were carrying the dead bodies and debris out also seemed somewhat relieved that they might be able to eat some good food after so much work.

  Greg didn't pay them any mind and just covered his fingers with his green energy and took his section off and gave the rest to the people without even waiting for the goblin chief's words.

  Seeing all that, the old goblin couldn't argue anymore and took part of the meat for his faction and left with a furious expression.

  Greg was later guided by the couple, Bog and Eka, to their personal house that had somehow survived the wolves' attack. He couldn't help but think dealing with goblins was too easy—like dealing with someone with the brain of a child.

  And Greg couldn't help but think, what if he takes over this place for himself as a starting ground?