Their eyes, their gazes no longer held that previous foolish sparkle. "Why do they seem stronger now?" he muttered to himself.
The goblins stood up one after another and looked toward Rion. Anxiety was reflected on their faces.
"Why did you punish us, Master?" they asked, glancing at one another.
Rion approached them and declared with pride: "I did not punish you. On the contrary, I rewarded you."
The goblins looked at each other in confusion. "A reward? Was this a reward?"
Rion gazed at them attentively. "You have advanced from Beginner Third Rank to Fourth Rank. You have become stronger. This is my reward."
"And your second reward... is food! Today we will celebrate your advancement to Fourth Rank."
He glanced back at the huts behind him: "Just a few days ago, there was only one Fourth Rank goblin in this village. He was the village chief. But now there are many such goblins in this village. This marks my success as a leader and the growth of the village."
