From Slave to King: My Rebate System Built Me a Kingdom With Beauties!

Byung was left in the room with Drekk and Trogzit. The scent of his own foul smell filled the space, drowning the air in something unpleasant.

This dissuaded the goblins from using their extra-sensitive noses for anything—just as Byung intended—but he hadn't expected them to walk in right when he farted.

Byung's heart froze and dread crept up on his face because he could tell Drekk wasn't impressed by what he was seeing.

"What are you doing?" Drekk asked, irritation clear on his face.

He came to see the Barons but instead, this was the welcome he got even though one could blame it to timing.

Byung knew the last thing he wanted was to fight this goblin. He had witnessed Drekk's battle against Borg firsthand.

There was no way in hell he could keep up with a goblin who had managed to injure Borg.

"S-Sorry," Byung muttered under his breath, unsure how to approach the situation.

He didn't know whether to keep up the façade of not being able to speak properly or come clean. Not everyone was like Gribnox, and the fact that Drekk had no idea they were harboring orcs made things far more complicated.

Byung decided to keep the act going a little longer and took a deep breath.

"Where is Murkfang and Gribnox?" Trogzit questioned, eyeing Byung closely.

This was Byung's first time seeing him, and he had no idea who he was or why he was speaking on Drekk's behalf.

"Gribnox… toilet. Murkfang… another mine," Byung replied without missing a beat, making Trogzit wonder why he was even here. But he bought Murkfang a bit more time with this.

This was their main quarter, so there was no reason for Byung to be here alone.

"Why are you here?" Trogzit pressed. Byung noticed Drekk watching him with a strange look in his eyes.

Byung had never seen such a look before, and it unsettled him. There was no way Drekk was attracted to him… was there?

He entertained the thought for a brief second, already aware the goblins had their own ways of exploring their urges among themselves so that wasn't off the table.

"What if he got the meat and grew an appetite for it? Tickle thy buttocks from within," Byung thought, suppressing a smirk at the ridiculous phrase that popped into his mind.

"That is enough, Trogzit… Leave us," Drekk ordered.

Trogzit didn't look offended. He simply nodded and exited the building, taking a post outside.

"Oh hell no! I need to get out of here!" Byung's mind raced as panic set in. He was already expecting the worst.

There was no way he could push Drekk off if the goblin decided to force himself on him.

"I saw you run here when I arrived…" Drekk said, his tone calm but sharp.

Byung instantly realized the unfamiliar look in his eyes wasn't desire—it was curiosity.

"Y-Yes… I attend you," Byung managed to get the words out, terrified of saying the wrong thing. He knew Drekk wasn't one to tolerate mistakes, and he wanted to keep all his body parts intact.

Mutilation was not on his bingo card.

"Is that so?" Drekk asked. The sudden changes in the mines and his arrival couldn't be a coincidence.

Now they had forges—though Drekk wasn't entirely sure what they were, it explained why the goblins suddenly had metallic tools.

And now Byung was standing in a building only Barons were permitted to enter?

It didn't take a genius to know Byung was somehow responsible for these sudden advancements.

"What can help you with?" Byung asked Drekk, trying to sound useful, but Drekk only chuckled.

The casual way Byung spoke fascinated him. Before Byung could utter another word, Drekk appeared right in front of him.

In the blink of an eye, Drekk's massive hand clamped around Byung's neck.

"H-He is fast!" Byung couldn't even react—Drekk's speed was deceptive, especially for his size.

"You speak to me like we are friends. Are we friends?" Drekk questioned coldly.

Byung shook his head rapidly, desperate to deny it. He had no idea who Drekk was beyond his position, but Drekk wasn't letting go.

Instead, his grip tightened, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he watched Byung struggle.

Drekk had wanted to discipline him the first time they met, but Murkfang had intervened. Now, there was no one to stop him.

Byung acted on instinct, grabbing Drekk's wrist as he fought for his life. He couldn't just lie there and let his neck be crushed.

"What is this?" Byung thought as his fingers wrapped around Drekk's wrist. To his shock, he was overpowering him.

He could feel Drekk's arm move under his strength, even though he was only exerting half his effort. But Byung was wise enough not to humiliate him.

He loosened his grip slightly, pretending to struggle, allowing himself to take short, desperate breaths.

"I-I'm stronger than him?" Byung realized, astonished by the ease with which he could pry Drekk's fingers away if he truly wanted to.

The thought gave him reassurance—but there was still a chance Drekk was holding back.

The pressure on his throat felt weaker, but Byung didn't dwell on it too much.

Drekk, however, did. He had used this same grip with far greater force before, and Byung had barely resisted back then. So why was he struggling now when using less strength?

It was difficult for Byung to gauge how much power he was using, especially since his own strength had increased. According to his system, he currently had the strength of an average goblin—unlike before, when he unknowingly used his skill during their first encounter.

But from the way Drekk stared at him, Byung could tell his mask had slipped. Still, Drekk said nothing.

Fortunately, Gribnox entered before things could escalate further. Byung didn't know if he should stay or slip away.

"Gribnox, it is good to see you," Drekk said, and Byung could practically smell the fear radiating from Gribnox.

This was the goblin who had lost an ear to Drekk—and naturally, that kind of trauma never faded.

"I have to stay with him," Byung decided silently.

"B-Boss, we were not expecting you," Gribnox stammered, trying and failing to hide his fear.

"Is that so? Did I not tell you to always be ready to host me? This is why you exist," Drekk said dismissively, cutting off whatever excuse Gribnox might have given.

"Y-Yes, sir," Gribnox replied, trembling.

It was a pitiful sight. Gribnox was one of the kinder goblins—he didn't deserve this.

"Why was this one here?" Drekk asked, nodding toward Byung.

Gribnox hesitated. He had to tell the truth, even though Murkfang's absence left him vulnerable. Punishments were always collective—if one of them messed up, they all suffered.

"He is standing in until Murkfang returns, sir…" Gribnox said slowly, regaining some composure.

"Standing in? Is he responsible for those things outside?" Drekk asked, intrigued.

They were on the brink of war, and if whatever Byung had created could help forge more tools, Drekk needed to know.

Gribnox nodded, and Byung saw the creepiest smile flash across Drekk's face.

"Excellent…" Drekk muttered, but then his nose twitched as he caught a whiff of something.

"What is that scent?" Drekk frowned, sniffing the air.

Byung discreetly inhaled and instantly knew what Drekk meant.

"Gribnox! You fucking moron!" Byung cursed inwardly. The scent of orc clung faintly to him. Gribnox must have been careless or allowed them to linger too long.

Gribnox froze, realizing the danger. If Drekk caught on, he was finished.

"That would be me," Byung said quickly.

Drekk's attention snapped toward him, shocked that Byung had spoken in a full sentence.

"What?" Drekk's eyes narrowed before flicking to Gribnox. Goblins weren't supposed to speak so fluently—it took them ages to learn proper speech due to their innate illiteracy.

Luckily, the scent was faint, and Drekk couldn't make much of it. Byung's earlier fart still lingered, masking the orc smell just enough for him to take the blame.

But they both knew Drekk would have to be told eventually. That realization spurred Byung to take the biggest risk of his life.

"Now is the moment of truth, Byung. Are you that guy—or just another replaceable cog in the machine…!" his inner voice echoed, keeping him focused.

It took every ounce of courage he had left to say it, knowing full well it might cost him a body part.

"I fear I have farted again," Byung said, face flushing with embarrassment.

"Gribnox taught me how to speak. I wanted it to be a surprise," he added quickly, not only giving Gribnox credit but completely changing the topic.

"Hey…" Drekk paused, glaring at him with deadly intent.

"…If you fart one more time, I will kill you," Drekk said flatly, voice cold and laced with irritation.

He didn't even care about Byung speaking anymore—the constant assault on his nose had to stop.

"I-I'm sorry," Byung apologized, relief flooding through him. He had just saved Gribnox's life.