What did I do this time woman?
I stared back at her, eyebrows slightly raised, trying to read her expression.
But she just let out a sharp harrumph and turned away, focusing back on sharpening a wooden stick—probably for arrow shafts.
Yeah, that definitely clears things up, I thought sarcastically.
Keep sharpening sticks. That’ll help me understand what’s going on in your head.
Before I could dwell on it any longer, I heard footsteps approaching from the side.
I turned to see Flogga making her way toward me, eyes wide with surprise as she looked over the squad.
"Chief..." she said, voice full of awe. Her gaze swept over Dribb, Thok, Narg, Zonk, and Gobbo, one by one. "How did you manage all of this?"
I shrugged lightly. "Honestly? It was more them than me. They fought hard. Really hard. I just made sure they didn’t die."
Flogga nodded slowly, clearly impressed.
"I see," she said, a small smile forming.
There was a brief pause as we both watched the newly evolved goblins.
Then my gaze drifted back to her, noticing something I hadn’t before as i used [Analyze]
"I see you’ve leveled up," I said, eyes narrowing slightly as I glanced at her profile.
[Flogga – Level 5 | Goblin Alchemist
Skills: [Potion Making], [Flame Orb], [Mana Shield], [Warcry], [Iron Fist], [Stealth], [Danger Sense], [Roar of Intimidation]
She had been Level 3 the last time I checked.
I seriously doubted she’d gone out hunting monsters while I was gone.
Though I had to admit—I would pay to see a goblin granny tossing fireballs and punching wolves in the face.
Flogga caught the hint of curiosity in my voice and responded.
"Yes," she said proudly. "I’ve been using materials from the corpses you brought back. Bones, glands, monster blood—some of it’s still fresh enough. Managed to whip up a few things."
I raised an eyebrow. "Potions?"
"Oh..." I breathed. That’s right—she’s an alchemist.
I straightened up a little. "Anything that could be useful?"
Flogga’s grin widened, revealing a row of slightly yellowed but very sharp teeth. She reached into the pouch at her waist and pulled out what looked like a small, dark purple ball. Strange, vein-like patterns ran across its surface, almost like worm trails.
It honestly looked like something out of a fantasy game. Like a devil fruit—but nastier.
She handed it over carefully, and I accepted it with both hands, immediately activating [Analyze].
[Evil Ball]: A throwable alchemical item. Upon strong impact, it bursts into a thick gas cloud. The gas has a repulsive odor and causes severe irritation to the eyes and nose.
Effect: Obscures vision, induces coughing, and disorients nearby creatures for several seconds.
This thing could actually be really useful, especially against groups. If we ever got swarmed by goblins or monsters, a single toss could break their formation. Scatter them. Leave them coughing, blind, and open for clean takedowns.
Of course, if we didn’t use it wisely, we could just as easily end up choking on our own gas cloud.
"Is there anything else?" I asked.
Flogga flashed another toothy grin.
I paused. It was strange—when I first met her, that grin had been unsettling. All sharp teeth and wrinkled green skin. Now? It felt... familiar. Comforting, in a weird way.
"This," she said, reaching into her pouch again and pulling out a small glass vial filled with thick, reddish liquid.
She handed it to me, and I took it carefully.
"It temporarily increases physical strength," Flogga explained, dusting her hands on her tunic like it was no big deal.
I activated [Analyze].
[Brawn Juice]: A crude strength-enhancing potion.
Effect: +3 Strength for 5 minutes.
Note: Effects do not stack.
This would definitely come in handy. Sucked that the effects didn’t stack, though. If they had, I would’ve had the goblins mainlining this stuff like battlefield steroids.
"Do you want to test it out?" Flogga asked, tilting her head.
For a second, the cautious part of me kicked in. Did I really want to drink something brewed in a cave by a old goblin who looked like an evil witch?
But then again... Flogga hadn’t given me a reason not to trust her.
She was loyal, smart, and surprisingly methodical when it came to her craft.
Plus, if I expected the others to trust her potions in the heat of battle, I had to lead by example.
I uncorked the vial and held it up to my nose.
The smell hit me immediately—like burnt copper mixed with herbs and something vaguely... acidic.
She was grinning again. Not maliciously—more like a kid waiting to see if their science project actually worked.
She wouldn’t poison me. Right?
I stared at her for one more second.
She nodded encouragingly.
I brought the vial to my lips and tipped it back in one swift motion, swallowing it in one gulp.
The taste was worse than the smell. Bitter. Metallic. And just a bit spicy in a way that made my tongue tingle.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
I hadn’t wanted to taste it in the first place—not because I was scared, but because bitter and mysterious goblin potion didn’t exactly scream "delicious."
But even that was an understatement.
The moment it hit my throat, I gagged.
I slapped a hand over my mouth, fighting the urge to vomit. My eyes watered instantly.
What the hell is this abomination?
It was like someone had dissolved burnt rubber in vinegar, added a pinch of metal shavings, and called it a drink.
My stomach twisted violently, and I doubled over slightly, hand bracing against my gut.
"Are you okay, Chief?" Flogga asked, her tone innocent—maybe too innocent.
I shot her a look, eyes narrowed into slits.
What do you think, old witch?
But I didn’t say that out loud. I just...