Strong gusts and flow of energy exploded from Sallow's attack that had connected with the White King. The area around was being decimated by the sheer force exerted from the strike, with even Jack barely managing to stay upright and keep himself from flying away because of the power of the exerted force.

  “This is certainly a new ability…” Jack thought, shedding a cold sweat as the wind gusts began to ease once more, slowly growing calmer and calmer. Then afterwards, the intense flow of energy also ceased. Jack lifted his head above his arms, wishing to see the aftermath. In the kicked up dust storm, he managed to make out vague silhouettes, with one standing over the other. It was clear the battle was over — the only question that remained was…

  Who came out as the victor?

  Jack stood back up fully, stretching his arms out before walking towards the silhouettes, one of his hands on one of his sheathed daggers, just in case somehow, Sallow had lost and it was the White King standing imposingly in the smokescreen of dust.

  However, as he gently broke through the dust cloud, his anxiety disappeared as he let out a sigh of relief. Sallow stood tall, his claws marked in blood and his body exerting a strong black aura — which was strong enough that even Jack was able to feel a little intimidated by it.

  Next to Sallow, down on his knees was the White King, whose body was heavily injured. Scorch marks everywhere, with the added bonus of deep cuts in certain places across his body.

  It was very clear who was the victor.

  “....I have been bested.” The White King stated, before resting his hands onto his lap and then leaning towards Sallow – as if to bow. “Overlord Sallow, you have shown strength greater than mine as well as an unshakable determination and unbreakable courage. For that, you have my highest respect. Would…”

  He lowered his head even lower towards Sallow.

  “Would you allow this humble, once King, to become one of your followers?” Jack grinned, while Sallow exhaled and nodded, turning to face the defeated White King and then extending his right arm above his head. “Swear your loyalty to me. Swear to lay down your life for me, that you will forever serve me no matter what. That you will follow me to the end of the world, even if it means facing the Higher Beings who rule this world.”

  Silence took place for a moment. It felt like there was an intense tension between Sallow and the White King. Then, the White King exhaled and lifted his head up, looking Sallow in the eyes. “I swear on my very soul.”

  Sallow exchanged gazes with Jack, before nodding and looking back at the White King, placing his hand onto his head. “Then from this day on, you shall walk beside me under the name of Wan.”

  “I couldn’t ask of a greater honour. My crown no longer holds weight.” The White King replied, before his body shone white for a moment, before chains appeared around his body, binding it to Sallow's arm, before fading away. The deal was sealed. The mission?..

  [ NOTIFICATION ]

  The Five Goblin clans have been conquered

  All five former Kings now fall under your rule.

  New Title Gained;

  ‘He who commands the Goblins’

  [ NOTIFICATION ]

  Jack smiled, crossing his arms before closing the announcement window and looking at Sallow and Wan, who showed respect towards one another, shaking their hands. Despite the damage and injuries around his body, Wan still had enough stamina and energy to stand up.

  It really showed his endurance.

  “So,” Jack spoke up, catching the attention of the two goblins. “Shall we return now?”

  For a moment, silence. Then, Sallow smiled and nodded towards Jack. “Yes. Yes we shall, my Lord.”

  The three individuals appeared on the horizon of the Black Goblin clan camp, with everyone noticing them and putting on similarly satisfied and one could even say proud expressions. Araneida hopped around excitedly, like a little dog, before skittering up to Jack and hopping around him, happy squeals coming from her. Jack laughed, patting her head gently, before kneeling down.

  “Seems like you really put your power to work. Well done Araneida.” He praised the arachnid, which seemed to make her quite satisfied. Sallow walked up to the other three kings, with Wan right behind him. Frawn whistled. “So, is that it, your Majesty? By the looks of it, you came out the victor.”

  Sallow nodded gently, throwing a look at Wan, who simply bowed towards the other kings. “It’s over. The White King lost and has sworn unyielding loyalty to me.”

  “Incredible…” Greth commented rather quietly to herself, before throwing a nervous gaze over at Wan, who simply laughed gently, crossing his arms as he straightened back out. “The Overlord certainly showed me what true power looks like. He gave me a real beating, especially at the end.” Wan then looked at Sallow once more. “But I’m glad that even if I lost, I get to at least serve someone as strong as the Overlord. Plus, his morals are well placed.” Frawn rolled his eyes and sighed, kicking himself off of the wall he was gently leaned up against.

  “So what now?” Asked Sable, who had reverted back to her sealed, ‘child’ form. Sallow remained silent for a moment, before throwing a look back over at Jack and Araneida who had joined them all from behind. “Planning on perhaps using this now?” Jack asked, taking out the goblin rune and extending it towards Sallow.

  The other four Kings present gasped as soon as they saw the rune — at least, except for Greth, who sighed and crossed her arms. “Where on earth did you get your hands on a goblin rune?” Frawn asked Jack, walking closer to the Tamer and examining the rune a bit more closely with his eyes. “I found it in the Green Goblin clan after we defeated Greth. At the time, Sallow and I agreed to keep hold of it and use it after we had managed to conquer all the goblin clans.”

  Jack explained a bit, before looking at Sallow again and extending the rune a bit more towards the Goblin Overlord. “So, now that we’ve managed to do so – what do you say?” Sallow remained silent.

  He simply stood there and stared at the rune, before lifting up his right arm and reaching for the rune — hesitating ever so slightly, before taking it out of Jack's hands. “...I believe it is time to unveil what the rune holds.” Sallow responded, looking at Jack, who simply gave a gentle nod of approval.

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  “Now hold on—” Wan spoke up. “You don’t plan on just breaking it, do you?”

  Sallow shook his head, looking at the White Ogre. “No. I’m not a fool, I know that I have to use a ritual to bind the rune to my being.” Wan looked quite relieved at this response, letting out a rather heavy exhale. “So, do you plan to do the ritual now?”

  Sable asked, turning her attention onto Sallow who nodded.

  “I do. It’s better to do it as fast as possible rather than to drag it on. Which means I will need a large, quiet and empty room for the next few days where I can safely perform the ritual without anyone disturbing me.” Sallow looked at Sable, who looked around a bit dumbfounded for a bit, throwing her eyes at Wan, Frawn and Jack, before sighing. “I’ll have the banquet hall be prepared for you, my Liege.”

  “Thank you Sable.”

  Jack turned his gaze over at Wan. “Do you plan to tell your subjects about your loss?” After Jack asked this question, Wan turned to look at him for a second, before turning away and looking at the White Goblin army forces, who were all sitting in a circle, utterly defeated with even his generals there, looking like they had received quite a beating from the other three clans.

  After a moment or two, he exhaled and then smiled, looking back at Jack. “I do believe I should do so. Plus, with the Overlord planning to start the ritual to bind the goblin rune to himself, I won’t be able to hang around much, so returning to the White Goblin clan and making announcements is something I should do.”

  Jack nodded, looking at Sallow. “How long will it take for you to bind the rune?”

  Sallow looked away, thinking for a moment, before looking back at Jack and putting up five fingers with his left hand. “About five days I’d say. Maybe six, depending on the runes rank.” Jack scratched his chin gently, before exhaling and placing his hands onto his hips.

  “Alright, here’s the plan then. We take a week break. After Sallow successfully binds the goblin rune to his being, me, him and Araneida will head to the White Goblin clan and then beyond into the rest of the dungeon.” He threw a look at Wan. “Does that sound good, White King? Will we be able to access the rest of the dungeon and beyond?”

  Wan chuckled lightly.

  “Even if I oppose the idea, I can’t do anything to get in your way. I’m bound to the Overlords' will after all.” Jack smiled. “Good.”

  “So just a week's break?” Frawn asked, kicking back against the walls of the Black Goblin clan's high walls. Sallow nodded. “Indeed. My Lord's proposal is the perfect plan for us to follow now.” He looked at Sable. “Can you go get started on preparing the hall for me?”

  Sable sighed and then called over Regalia. “Of course. I shall get it done now. Come on Regalia.”

  “Right!” The two goblinesses walked off into the Black Goblin clans camp once more, while Wan exhaled and placed his hands onto his hips. “Then I shall now return to the White Goblin clan and announce the news.” He stated, turning around and beginning to walk towards his subjects, before abruptly stopping and looking at Jack over his shoulder. “And I will also start preparations to open the gates that lead to the other side of the dungeon.” Jack nodded in response.

  “Good. Take care until then.” Wan nodded, not saying anything else and then leaving, walking up to his subjects who were surrounded by the forces of the other clans. After seeing him, the forces were at first ready to attack, however after gesturing to them and seemingly telling them something, they stopped taking more neutral poses around them.

  Jack watched the White King from a far for a bit, before exhaling and looking at Sallow. “We should head back inside the camp. I’m sure you all are drained after this small war.” He stated, turning away and entering the Black Goblin clans camp once more, with Araneida sticking closely to his side. Without much said, Sallow followed after the Tamer and also disappeared inside the Black Goblin clans camp, while Frawn threw a look at Greth, who was lost in thought.

  “Not gonna come?”

  “Ah–” Greth snapped out of her thoughts, looking at Frawn and shaking her head. “I’ll catch up later.” Frawn shrugged. “Alright. Just stay safe.” Then, the Red Inventor also disappeared inside the Black Goblin clan's gates. Greth stood all alone in one place for a bit, turning her gaze up towards the ceiling while placing her right hand onto her chest and squeezing it a little.

  “.....”

  ‘ I wish to change the world. ’ A Man cloaked in darkness spoke to the Green Goblin King, who sat on his throne, staring at the man bored. ‘ For that vision, I wish for you to join me. As payment for your cooperation, I give you this. ’ The man took out a small rune stone, with the word ‘GOBLIN’ written on it in runes.

  The Green Goblin King's eyes widened, before he scoffed. ‘…What does it contain?’ The King asked. The man simply smiled under the cover of darkness, his eyes shining brightly, as he glared at the Goblin King.

  ‘ An authority that’s expected for a Monarch to hold. ’

  Greth sighed heavily, gently grabbing her right shoulder with her left arm and pointing her gaze down at the ground. “...Maybe I should have simply let the man bind the rune to my body after all.”

  …Meanwhile – somewhere else.

  Beyond the White Goblin clans settlement, beyond the gates that blocked off the rest of the dungeon from this section – many, many different monsters scurried around, covered by the darkness of the cave. At the very end — at a pair of large gates, which led to the stairs that would allow the ascent through the dungeon, a large shadow drooped from the ceiling, snoring soundly.

  A small rabbit with a horn hopped towards the gates, sniffing about and looking around. As it got closer and closer, the vibration of its muscles moving alerted the shadow above it. The shadow moved.

  Then, without warning, it hissed and lunged at the rabbit, gobbling it down in a single bite, before moving back up to rest up on the ceiling, its body still drooping down from it. In the darkness, a pair of white eyes pierced through, while a loud hiss… came from the creature hidden by the shadows.