009

When I come to, I'm next to the corpse of the Bloodletters' chief. Looks like he didn't kill me, after all. That was a close one. His corpse is absolutely riddled with puncture wounds--more than existed before I passed out. The source is obvious.

"Captain!" Grak shouts. Heads turn to my location, concerned with my wellbeing. Soon, I'm surrounded by my squad and a few of them help me stand.

"I'm alive." I say. "I have something I want to say."

"Everyone, shut up! Listen!" Shouts Grak.

Once it's sufficiently quiet, I begin. "Today was a close one for me. I couldn't have done this without you guys and I've come to a decision. I know this may sound silly now but I've decided to trust you. I have something I want to show you. Rise."

Nine black goblins suddenly appear, saluting. Everyone is shocked. After a brief silence, someone observes "Captain knows magic?!" They all explode in cheers and shouts.

"I knew captain was special!"

"Captain strong!"

"Captain is the strongest!"

"Why didn't you tell us sooner," asks Grak.

"I just recently learned it and I didn't know who to trust. It might be a risk but I've decided to trust all of you. I've already trusted you with my life, so it seems small in comparison." I raise my left hand and absorb the chief's spirit, then raise him. Once again, everyone is surprised. "I don't know just any magic, though. I know necromancy. I control the dead. Is everyone really okay with that?"

Silent, they all look at one another and salute at the same time. Grak starts "Who are we?"

"The Coward Squad!"

"What will we do?"

"Kill!"

"Who will we kill?"

"The enemy!"

How will we do it?"

"Like cowards!"

"And who do we follow?"

"Ko-ga!" Everyone cheers, beaming huge smiles. I can't help but return one of my own. I'm glad I decided to trust them.

As I start to relinquish some spirits to make room for these new stronger goblins, I notice a new chain link forming. They don't actually go anywhere when I feel their presence disappear, so I guess I'm absorbing them? Consuming them? I'm not sure. I think consuming spirits might be the way to grow my power. That's good. There'll be plenty to absorb soon.

I then take and raise the spirits of all the thew new goblins, now having space for them. Now I have 19 spirits total and most of them are pretty strong.

"Grak."

"Yes, Sir?"

"I want you to begin training with these spirits. I don't know if it's possible but I want you to try teaching them how to use spears and fight in formation. Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes, Sir!" Grak salutes.

"Good. Start now."

It won't be much but I want to strengthen myself as much as possible before the war ends. As it continues on, we'll train my spirits. Between Coward Squad and my spirits, I already have a small army at my disposal. It will soon be time for me to make my move. We'll have our own tribe soon, Red. Just wait for me.