One2One - Goblin Lover 8 - Friendship (Patreon)

“The Warren beneath Pridehale is expanding like there's no tomorrow with the help from the artisan. That was a really good call! The statues give them a boost wherever they exit or enter the sewers so it's really hard to counter their hit-and-run tactics. Also... The Shaman seems to be getting smarter and more verbal by the day. I feel like we're making real headway.” Laura explained.

“You're making headway.” GoblinLover retorted.
“Congrats. Most of this is all down to you.”

“Well, your advice has been indispensable.”

“I suppose partially we have your friend to thank for introducing the Artisan, no?”

Laura scoffed. “He also introduced me to the former Mage that almost ruined everything for me.”

GL interjected. “Well... I don't know if he could've expected it to turn out that way. Seems he trusted her. I assume his heart was in the right place.”

“Why does it sound like you're defending him? What's it matter to you?” Nial was neither a help nor a hindrance so far as she was concerned. His hits and misses balanced out. On one hand Uma was a supreme blunder. On the other hand, the Artisan was a godsend. She softened, thinking that perhaps he did deserve more of a thanks. Not that she thought he would understand if she explained what she was doing.
“I have to keep him in the dark, anyway.”

“How're you going to do that? Seems like he would start to suspect something was going on.”

She laughed. “Nial? No, he's always been a bit of a dope. I doubt he even notices his contacts dropping off.” There is a long, notable pause where GoblinLover doesn't respond.
“GL?”

“Well, I don't know him. So... You might be right.” As GL said that, Laura could swear she heard a tint of bitterness in the Vocaloid voice that GL had chosen.

“Keep me updated.”

-

“Hey!” A sharp male tone called out behind Luara as she was on her way to one of the many sewer entrances. She turned around with wide eyes to see it was Nyle. She was carrying some rare reagents for another project which she hid behind her back.

“Oh, hi Nyle. Uh... What's up?”

“What's up with you?” He asked pointedly.
“To be honest, I've been meaning to ask... A lot of my contacts have dropped off of O2O after I put them in contact with you so I'm wondering if you know anything?”

She gulped. “No...”

He stared at her flatly. “Just, no?” A brow lifted in disbelief after a second.

“Y... eah. I don't know. I guess they must've stopped playing?”

Nyle was stunned. He looked at her closely, crossing his arms over his chest. “Right. So what was the last thing you all did together?”

“Adventuring. After, we parted ways.” She claimed.

“You've been adventuring, too... Because it seems you have a lot of new equipment and you are stronger. Higher in level.” Nyle commented. She was indeed higher level. There was an ambient absorption from her proximity to the breeding pits as an ally to the Goblins. In addition, the leftover gear that was fitting for her role was able to be swiped up. It would help her perform better on behalf of her perceived Master.
“You would usually have to play for a long time to get all that, is why I'm asking.”

Luara shot the same question back at him. “What have you been doing, huh?”

He furrowed his brow. “I've been doing player quests and roleplaying in town. I also still technically have a job since I have stocks. I just don't work for a firm right now.”

“Oh.” It was quite a bit better than her, a freeloader that had expected to be immersed in the bliss of being a permanent Goblin slave by now.

“Listen... Luara we're friends. You can tell me anything and I wont get upset.”

“Are you alluding to something?” She asked suspiciously.

“Haha... Well, let's just say you're not the best at keeping secrets. Remember?”

She narrowed her eyes on him and grew closer, her face next to his. “How much do you know?”

He lifted his hands in front of him defensively. “A-a bit? I know you've been going into the sewers lots. I know you have a lot of stolen equipment and that you probably know more than you're letting on about my missing contacts.” He looked at her pleadingly.
“I'm not a 'dope' Luara.”

She relented. “You want to see what I'm up to?”

“Yes! I just want to be more involved in whatever it is you're doing.”

“Why?” She glanced back, beginning to lead him towards the entrance.

“Be-because we're friends.” Nyle offered bashfully.

“Alright. Come on, then.” The Elf sighed. Nyle bounced giddily and followed along. He seemed excited to just be included. She lead him towards the main entrance. It was a secret tunnel near the fountain 'statue' in the square that they had donated one night. He was surprisingly silent as they traveled down below even the sewers to a dripping catacomb. The final door was guarded against intrusion by a final naked 'statue'. To open the way Luara leaned up and kissed her her wide, wet lips. Her stone body slid aside. The sounds of moans already began to echo down the narrow hall towards them. The passage opened up into a wide, deep hall. Below a wooden walkway they could see down into the pit. A mass of lost adventures being fucked by Goblin warriors. Some were pregnant. Some were further along and some just had bumps but at no stage were any of the slaves spared from having to please their masters.

As they crossed over the pits, flanking a lit forge were two very toned women with heavy breasts. Their arms were bound behind their back and their mouth was gagged. They wore blindfolds and had reigns wrapping their bodies. They were supported by cute, wide hooves instead of feet and riding proudly on their back were abnormally strong Goblin; Knights. It was a class they usually would never have access to save for the special circumstance of riding the cursed mounts.

Nyle cringed. “What is this place?”

“You were curious.” Luara shrugged.
“This is what I've been doing.”

“Wow, Luara I-” Before he could say anything he felt a sting in his leg, then a weight on his back. He was gagged and taken to the ground by several goblins. It was simple, as Nyle was not particularly strong or skilled in combat. He was a market character that existed to enjoy the in game economy. He looked up at her with wide eyes as small hands tore at his armor and threw it away. He shook his head in a begging motion.

“I'm sorry. You were too curious.” Luara knelt down.
“I know you wouldn't understand or approve of what I'm doing here.” As she spoke he continued to shake his head.
“The goblins typically kill males, but I'll have them make an exception for you.”

He felt himself being dragged to the forge. The Artisan gasped. “Nyle!?”

“That's right. We need something special for him.”

She looked confused. “But... Aren't you guys friends? I thought he was in on it?” As the Artisan said that, with tears forming in his eyes he nodded emphatically.

Luara eyed her. “What do you mean you thought he was in on it?” In the background Nyle was trying his best to speak through the gag, but it was in vain.

“W-well... He connected me with you and never questioned at any point why I was no longer around. Same with Uma. I assumed he was working with you and had also sold me out...”

“Wait...” She pulled at his gag.

“I'm- I'm GoblinLover!” Nyle shouted the moment he had a chance.

“You!?”

“Yes, you DOPE! I've been helping you this whole time. I'm not stupid! I obviously knew what you were doing...” He explained angrily.

“You were a fan of Goblins, too?”

“No, Luara... I'm a fan of YOU.” He admitted.
“I like YOU, that's why I wanted to do everything with you in this game and that's why I switched gears when I found out what you were doing. It's why I sent you two of the best people I could to help you out. Admittedly... Uma was a mistake, but when that mistake lead you to almost...” He cringed and didn't say it.
“That's why I came into your apartment and unplugged you're stupid machine.”

“It's not stupid...” Luara argued weakly.

“It IS stupid. Why do you want to 'end' yourself in such an obscene way? I don't get it... Especially when I'm always here for you.”

The artisan gasped and covered her mouth. Her cheeks flushed bright red. “Ohmigosh...”

Luara blinked at him. Stunned. “What are you saying?”

“I love you, Idiot.” The twinkish Elf male smiled.
“I'll share your interests if it'll make you happy. Fuck the characters in the game. They can all get taken out by Goblins for all I care but you... I want you to still be around in real life. I want you to be around me, specifically.” He confessed.

“I- I thought- We all thought you were gay!”

“I'm not!”

“But even in high-school you would only hang around with guys on the football team and they all loved you and you... You always were kind of androgynous and stuff and you never had a girlfriend...”

Nyle rolled his eyes. “Because I was funny. It's called making friends. And as for not having a girlfriend...” He blushed and averted his gaze awkwardly.
“I was waiting for someone special.” He looked up at Luara directly.
“Someone like yo- Oow!” As he said that an incredibly sharp pain ran up his spine. A brand had been rammed into the small of his back, creating a charred stamp.

Luara cringed. “s-sorry! They're... even if you're an ally they have to do this part!” She explained.

“I get it...” Nyle groaned as he was pulled back by his long hair. The Artisan reluctantly handed the attending Goblin a forged collar. The little green man fitted it around his slim neck and closed it.

“I got one too.” Luara pointed out her own collar.
“If you think about it, they're kinda like rings.”

“That's a nice way of thinking about it.” Nyle smiled. He was released as the Shaman entered the forge area. He was staring at Nyle appraisingly.

Luara knelt down, as did Nyle. She spoke quickly. “H-he's helped us a lot already! He was the one that gave us her.” She pointed to the artisan.

Nyle shook and closed his eyes in anticipation of the worst. The Shaman lifted his wrinkled brow and stared at the Elf boy, then towards the Artisan. He nodded in recognition and prodded Nyle in the forehead with his staff. Nyle opened his eyes and observed as the Goblin then tapped the floor with that same staff. He felt his mind begin to swim with thoughts of connected his forehead with the floor. It was mind magic. He dropped quickly, prostrating himself in obedience. The shaman smiled approvingly and nodded to Luara, turning to walk away.

“You're accepted!” She said excitedly, hugging him. As she did the Goblin turned around and thrust his staff between them suddenly. He pried Luara and Nyle apart and gave them both a warning eye.
“S-sorry Master!” She whispered over to Nyle.
“I think he is very possessive of me?”

“So it would seem.” Nyle cringed. He read the Curse on his collar.

[Collar of perfection: part of the 'Perfection' set of equipment. The Collar of perfection imparts feminine desires upon the wearer over time if they are male. If they are female they will see no change.]

“Thank god I only have the collar.”

“For now.” Luara glances over at a guilty Artisan.