When I woke up, Gobkichi had evolved into a Greater Ogre.
Given that he had recently been able to kill hind bears single-handedly, this wasn’t too surprising. But it was interesting that he evolved into a variant. His skin turned a dark metallic red, signifying Divine Protection in the flame attribute, similar to what had protected the red bear. According to Gobkichi, he’d gained the Blessing of the Demigod of Flame. To test him, I asked him to breathe fire. Sure enough, he could produce a flame similar to that of a flamethrower, just like the red bear could.
Gobkichi likely evolved into this particular variant because he frequently used weapons with the fire attribute, like the Blazing Crescent Axe, which was embedded with a Fire Spirit Stone, as well as another of Velvet’s treasures: a massive double-edged battle axe named the Demonic Flame Decapitating Axe.
His skin, now the color of reddened copper, also had a metallic sheen. According to Gobjii, who somehow appeared beside us as I took in Gobkichi’s new evolution, he might possess both the Blessing of the Demigod of Flame and the Blessing of the Demigod of Warfare. This proved to be true, as when I lightly tapped his arm, I felt a solid, metallic resistance.
“Is having two blessings impressive?” I asked Gobjii.
“It’s rare, but not as extraordinary as you, lad,” he replied.
Oh, well, thanks for that.
Later, during our morning training, Gobkichi, wearing a friendly-yet-fierce grin that seemed almost endearing for an Ogre, suggested we spar. So, we did.
My impression? Gobkichi has grown incredibly strong.
Standing about two hundred and eighty centimeters tall, he was now roughly thirty centimeters taller than me. His coppery skin and muscular build mean that his strength and endurance surpassed mine in terms of raw physical attributes, without considering abilities. Even though my own physical capabilities had improved thanks to Absorption—plus the fact of my being a rare variant—I found myself outmatched by Gobkichi when it came down to purely combat-focused abilities. While my stats are distributed evenly across strength, stamina, endurance, and intelligence, Gobkichi has focused all his training on combat-related attributes, making him a mighty warrior. The difference in muscle mass alone is a huge indicator.
My martial arts skills and combat techniques still gave me the upper hand, though, and I won our sparring match. Still, it was a close call. Gobkichi had become a respected rival.
After the match, we shook hands firmly and exchanged a look that spoke volumes. To think that Gobkichi, whom I had initially taken in as a disposable gofer, had grown to this extent was beyond my expectations. He had now not only taken the position of my right-hand man, but had also become an indispensable, dear friend.
✦ ✦ ✦
To celebrate Gobkichi’s rank-up, I decided to upgrade his equipment. His primary weapon remained the same: the Demonic Flame Decapitating Axe. The axe weighed several dozen kilos and had been too heavy for him to wield with one hand as a hobgoblin, but now, he could handle it with one hand, allowing him to use a shield again.
So, I gave him a shield called the Black Oni’s Butcher Board, a massive, thick tower shield made of black cast iron. Like the axe, it was one of Velvet’s magical items and was classified as an Ancient-grade relic. Its abilities included Weight Reduction, Impenetrable, and Impact Reflection, making it a highly reliable piece of equipment. With Gobkichi wielding that, even I would struggle to break through his defenses.
I customized his armor to fit his new form, using my threads and materials from the hind bear he hunted, along with parts from some Unique-grade metal armor from Velvet’s Vault. The result was an awe-inspiring sight, to say the least.
Gobkichi effortlessly wielded the massive, double-edged battle axe in one hand like it was nothing more than a mere branch, handling it with the skill of a seasoned warrior. The large, sturdy black tower shield covered three-quarters of his massive body, capable of blocking any attack. Supplementing these were a few other magic items and an overcoat made from the durable hide of the hind bear, mixed with magic armor. If I were human, I would definitely not want to encounter such a daunting presence.
Fully equipped, Gobkichi’s intimidating aura far surpassed mine when I first became an Ogre. Actually, even accounting for the equipment, his presence was overwhelming, a heavily armed juggernaut of a Greater Ogre. Seeing him up close, even I had to look up to meet his eyes.
For the rest of the day, I spent my time handling internal chores. The elves were still in their cells, resisting their desires. It seems their pride is stronger than their biological urges, or perhaps their species naturally has weaker desires, or maybe both.
And then there’s Gobjii, constantly coming by with lust written all over his face… Really, I wish he wouldn’t.