Achievement Unlocked! You have completed a new achievement.
A new achievement? What would I get now? A new skill exp or location of bojo as a reward? Soon, he opened the system notification.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Swiftstride (Level 1)
Your legs move with surprising speed and efficiency, leaving the rest of the herd in your dust.
Speed increased by 5%. Stamina drains slightly slower while moving.
The more you run, the stronger this skill becomes.
"Speed increased by 5%" Yuji read the notification again, a little thrill running through him. Finally, something that can be used externally, something that will increase his overall strength. He would've been more excited if he'd gotten some EXP along with it, with this, twenty thousand steps wouldn't be a problem. Still, not bad for a yearling goat.
Technically, twenty thousand steps should be easy at his age, but he knew he still needed time to fully adapt to this new body. Just today, he'd already clocked almost four thousand steps, and it wasn't even midday yet. He believed he would surpass fifteen thousand today; after all, his number is quite close to that mark.
After giving the skill another quick glance, he dove back into his daily chores. The memory of what he'd seen the humans do earlier stuck with him, fueling a new urgency. Who knew when his turn would come? Better to get stronger, fast, while he still could.
Achievement Unlocked! You have completed a new achievement.
Achievement Unlocked! You have completed a new achievement.
Achievement Unlocked! You have completed a new achievement.
As he completed his daily chores, he received a few more notifications from the system, all about unlocking new skills.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Ironjaw Grazer (Level 1)
Your jaw strength and chewing power have increased, letting you handle foods that would stump most goats.
Chewing and biting strength +5% Can eat tough grass, bark (the outer layer of tree branches), and twigs (small woody sticks) with ease
The more you chew, the stronger this skill becomes.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Iron head(Level 1)
Your headbutt technique has improved, letting you strike harder and with better control.
Headbutt damage +5% Slightly reduces recoil damage to self (less likely to get dizzy or hurt from your own attack)
The more you headbutt, the stronger this skill becomes.
Passive Skill Unlocked: Springstep (Level 1)
Your jumping power and agility have increased, letting you leap higher and land softer than any ordinary goat.
Jump height and distance +20% Landing impact reduced (less risk of injury or stumbling)
The more you jump, the stronger this skill becomes.
System, oh systeem, why do you feel like you are becoming more and more likable?
The next morning, Yuji woke to find the herd finally scattering. Most of the goats had already wandered off, and the few that remained were drifting away. The pen felt emptier, the air lighter.
Oh, fuck. Yuji cursed inwardly. I've slept for too long. Just be there, Bojo. Just be there.
He started looking for Bojo but didn't approach the pen. He wasn't worried about his safety anymore; he figured he could outrun most of the yearlings now. Full-grown goats? That was another story. Not long ago, he'd seen a goat sprinting at what felt like a hundred kilometers an hour.
However, his own speed had nearly doubled over the past few days, thanks to all the daily missions, and just yesterday, he'd unlocked four passive skills in one day. If nothing else, I'm getting stronger. I'm sure I could squash that goat now. Yuji snorted, remembering the yearling who'd beaten him up.
Gradually, the pen cleared out, and the main gate came into view, massive, almost intimidating. Beyond it, he could see the houses outside the farm.
Yuji glanced up, half hoping the system would chime in with a helpful suggestion. Nothing. Just silence. He sighed. No matter where I look, I can't even see a shadow of that goat. Guess I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way, find a few yearlings who might know something.
He didn't waste time and started searching for the perfect candidate who might help him. He wasn't worried about Bojo's reputation; bad reputations stuck, and nobody ever forgot those who had them. In other words, Bojo is famous for being a baby, and this reputation will probably help him find Bojo's whereabouts.
As Yuji walked around, he spotted the same group of yearlings who'd attacked him before. Honestly, he still couldn't tell most goats apart, he had to rely on intuition. For a handful, he could recognize their presence, like the young goat leader, the one who helped him, and those two who'd asked about a yearling. But the rest just blurred together. By the way, I haven't seen those two either. Where are they?
He thought of the two goats he'd met before, the ones who'd asked about a little kid goat. One was Toro, but the other's name escaped him. Why am I even thinking about them now?.
Thinking about the goats, Yuji scanned his surroundings, but, surprisingly, he couldn't spot those two anywhere. Maybe they'd left already, who knows? He shook his head, pushing away the useless thoughts. Focus, Yuji. You're not here to play detective for every missing face. Bojo's the one who matters right now. He means exp, 'cough'
He took a slow breath, letting the morning air clear his mind. The herd was thinning out, the pen almost empty, but Bojo was still nowhere in sight. Yuji squared his shoulders, determination settling in his chest.
Soon, he noticed a group of goats but didn't approach them. He watched as they moved off, then started searching for another target. Yeah, even goats form gangs, he thought. And they bully the weaker ones as well. Facing a group was risky, but a single yearling? That he could handle.
There's one. A lone yearling sat under the shadow of a tree, looking almost peaceful. Perfect. Lone wolf, well, lone goat. Easier to talk, less chance of getting jumped.
Yuji approached slowly, rehearsing what to say. As soon as the yearling noticed him, it stood and glared. Or at least, Yuji thought it was a glare. Hard to tell with goats. Maybe he's just squinting at the sun. Or maybe he's already sizing me up for a headbutt. Great.
Hello there. Have you seen someone named Bojo?
At first, the goat ignored him. But when Yuji asked again, the yearling snapped, "Can't you see what I'm doing?"
Yuji blinked, a little surprised. At least this one wasn't barking "outsider" at him right away. Maybe this goat is actually good. "What are you doing?" Yuji asked, as naturally as possible. Not like goats do much, eat, sleep, screw around. Some get strong, somehow. Still haven't figured out how they get smart, though. Wouldn't mind learning how they became so smart..
"I am thanking God for his blessing," the yearling said.
Yuji blinked again. "God?" he echoed, keeping his tone neutral.
The yearling's ears flicked back. His eyes narrowed. "God." He glared, then spat, "You filthy outsider, how dare you say that word with your dirty mouth?"
Touchy subject, Yuji thought. Great. This one might start a fight any second. He didn't waste time and tried to play it safe."I'm extremely sorry. I'm just a lowly outsider; I shouldn't have spoken of your mighty God. I've never seen or heard of him outside. Can you tell me about God? Where does he live? I want to ask for forgiveness." Never thought I'd meet a religious goat. Guess there's a first for everything.
The yearling snorted, glancing toward the pen, just enough to confirm Yuji's suspicion. "God lives outside the pen," he said, eyes sparkling with something like awe. "But you, outsider, beyond redemption. Don't go there, or maybe God will be furious."
Yuji followed the yearling's gaze, curiosity knotting in his chest. Outside the pen, huh? Human? Does this goat think humans are gods? That's… something.