Chapter 2: Goblin and Gnome
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The goblin started to prattle on the moment it was summoned and appeared interested in everything around itself. Moreover, it did not appear to question Chen Yining’s identity, and appeared to acknowledge him as its master the instant it was summoned.
Lines of text appeared on the right side of the goblin’s page in the Summoner’s Grimoire. Chen Yining obviously did not know it, but somehow directly understood its meaning.
[Beast Name: Goblin]
[Current Level: 1 (0/100)
[Rank: Normal ⭐]
[Race: Goblin]
[Introduction: Goblins are extremely cowardly but cruel omnivores. They enjoy wild parties and bully the weak but fear the strong.]
[Race Talent: They are very likely to run away when they sense danger.]
[Bond (Goblin)]
[(1) Increase in strength by 10% when there are more than 3 goblins.]
[(2) Increase in strength by 20% when there are more than 6 goblins.]
[(3) Increase in strength by 30% when there are more than 10 goblins.]
[Summary: Let’s party, runt!]
***
So, this is the beast I summoned?
Chen Yining pinched the green-skinned cheek to ensure that he was not dreaming.
It had no HP bar, nor was there specific stats such as attack or armor.
The only thing that resembled stats was ‘bond’.
But what did bond here mean? Did that mean that if he summoned more than three goblins, they would have an increase in strength by 10%?
Still, this goblin seemed a little weak. How could he focus on developing a minion hunted by newbies in all major games?
Whatever the case may be, it was his first summoned beast and it was special to him.
“How about I name you Green Skin?” Chen Yining told the goblin then.
Seeing that Chen Yining was staring at him, the goblin promptly squawked, “Master, the name you’ve given is wonderful! I like it so much!
Then, it raised its stick high, looking as if it would smite anyone who disagreed.
“Crouch,” Chen Yining said then.
The beast appeared taken aback, but tamely dropped to a crouch and used both hands to clutch its head.
“Stand up.”
The goblin stood up obediently, picking up its stick.
“Sing a song.”
Understanding Chen Yining’s intention through the Summoner’s Grimoire, it started singing about its joys and sorrows with a shrill voice.
Chen Yining muffled his ears. “Alright, stop.”
The goblin promptly stopped wailing and continued to stand where it was, staring guilelessly at Chen Yining.
It appeared a little wretched, but it was at least obedient.
“Little sycophant,” Chen Yining chuckled in satisfaction.
Nonetheless, he was about to let Green Skin get on the electric scooter as well since it was a two-seater, when he remembered something.
He would have to sit up front to drive, while the goblin would be wrapping its arms over his waist from the back seat…
Why did that feel so weird?
“Return inside the grimoire for now. I’ll summon you later.” Chen Yining said.
Green Skin appeared helpless, even assuming that it had somehow incurred its master’s displeasure.
Still, it shrunk its neck just as Chen Yining turned his eyes toward it.
After withdrawing Yining inside the grimoire, Chen Yining rode the electric scooter out of the car park.
He noticed along the way to the school that the power was out for most roads.
On the street, an old woman tried to summon her beast, and it turned out to be another green-skinned goblin.
But did she ever encounter such freakishness before? She naturally dropped on her bottom in fright, her hand shaking as she pointed at the goblin, muttering, “M-Monster…”
On the streets, there were many others who had familiars following them around as well.
All at once, the city seemed to have become a playground of fantasy.
Young people had better adaptability, and since the Summoner’s Grimoire was not constrained to just a few people, they soon got used to it.
As Chen Yining passed by the zebra crossing and stopped his scooter in front of the school gates, he saw many parents waiting outside City Eight High, with some of them parking their vehicles on both sides of the road.
Why were there so many parents?
Chen Yining sensed something foreboding.
Both the main gate and the smaller entrance were closed. Outsiders were not allowed in either since school was still in session.
“My younger brother is a teacher. Could you let in me in?” Chen Yining asked one of the security guards at the school entrance, sliding him a cigarette.
Though he did not smoke, Chen Yining usually carried around a pack of cigarettes since having it usually made speaking to strangers easier.
The security guard gave Chen Yining a look and took the cigarette. “What’s your young brother’s name?’
“Chen Jing.”
“Wait a moment.” The security guard lifted a notebook from nearby.
“He has just joined the school this year and is on probation.”
After confirming Chen Jing’s details, the security guard allowed Chen Yining in after registering his ID.
Although Chen Yining had no idea where Chen Jing’s office was, he simply asked a few people and soon found it.
“Eh, Brother? Why are you here?” By chance, Chen Jing was not having classes and getting a drink from the water dispenser. He appeared quite surprised to see Chen Yining.
Chen Jing was a head taller than Chen Yining. Standing at 1.9 meters tall, he appeared outstandingly robust.
He had also shaved his hair inch-length, revealing his thick brows and large eyes that were a genetic trait of the Chen family.
“It went dark just now, so I came to see you in case something happened.” Chen Yining said. “I’m relieved to see that you’re alright.”
“Oh, that. I was actually going to visit you after school too.” Chen Jing grinned.
There was clicking of heels behind Chen Yining then—it was a woman in a gray formal jacket and shoulder-length hair, holding a document folder as she entered the office. “The administration has just informed that all remaining physical education classes for the day are canceled.”
The PE teachers in the office all nodded calmly, gesturing that they were aware.
They were already used to it.
“The higher-ups are still having a discussion, so don’t leave the office yet since there might be new developments.” With that, the woman left the office.
“Brother, do you have that Summoner’s Grimoire?” Chen Jing gave Chen Yining a look just then, and called out his just as he spoke.
That was the first time Chen Yining had seen another person’s Summoner’s Grimoire from up close.
“Of course. Didn’t it give the information that everyone would have one?” Chen Yining brought out his own Summoner’s Grimoire as well. He had seen many others call forth their own summoned beasts on the way here, but it was mostly the same summoned beasts—perhaps for starters, the standard summoned beasts were goblins.
At this level, the summoned beast’s ability to fight was more or less equal to an average person’s.
As the brother’s observed each other’s Summoner’s Grimoire, they realized that there was not that much of a difference.
However, the shapes and lines on the covers were a little different.
Chen Jing then called forth his own beast.
It was almost the same as Chen Yining’s goblin, though its ears were larger and pointier than Green Skin’s, while its eyes were smaller and its skin was yellow.
It was almost around 1.4 meters tall, just like Green Skin.
However, Chen Jing’s summoned beast wore a black belt and brown, torn shirt, along with a pair of old yellow pants beneath. The front end of its boots was also worn out, leaving its toes exposed.
Though it appeared miserable and dressed just like a beggar, it was at least much better than primitive creatures like goblins.
“That’s your summoned beast?”
“Yes, it’s a gnome!” Chen Jing laughed. “Did you know, Brother? When I was teaching a class at the field, everyone suddenly had a book fly out of their chest, almost scaring the students to death. Still, some of the braver students yelled ‘there’s no fate but what we make’—which almost killed me.”
Chen Jing then showed Chen Yining the information on the first page of his Summoner’s Grimoire, but all he saw was a blank page.
Likewise, Chen Jing only saw a blank page when he looked at Chen Yining’s Summoner’s Grimoire.
“Okay, it seems that each person can only read the contents of their own Summoner’s Grimoire, so let me read it to you.” The brothers had moved their conversation to a safe corridor.
[Beast Name: Gnome]
[Current Level: 1 (0/100]
[Rank: Normal ⭐]
[Race: Gnome]
[Introduction: A diminutive species adept at crafting, gnomes are incredibly intelligent, but also indifferent and selfish.]
[Race Talent: Crafting speed +1]
[Bond (Gnome):]
[(1) +1 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 2 gnomes.]
[(2) +2 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 4 gnomes.]
[(3) +3 alchemical item crafting effectiveness when there are more than 8 gnomes.]
[Summary: I am the great gnome, ye filthy inferior races!]
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