Chapter Twenty: Taming the Kobolds

As for lumber, in recent days I've stockpiled quite a few logs. Together with those stored in the crates, after processing, two thousand pieces will certainly be enough! Last night I didn't do any work, so there are still 210 iron ores in the warehouse—if I push myself today, I can definitely reach five hundred! As for rope, I have more than enough plant fibers, so that's absolutely no problem. Then there's copper ore; with some effort today, I might just manage to dig up five hundred.

To build an animal pen and ease my burdens, I decided to cancel all other activities today, devoting the entire day to mining iron and copper ore. With luck, I might have the pen constructed tonight, or at least by tomorrow!

Normally, I only mine about two hundred iron ores daily before moving on to other tasks—mining is, after all, the most exhausting. Twenty iron ore smelts into one ingot, so I usually produce around ten ingots a day. But today, for the sake of the animal pen, I prioritized mining above all else. Even if I collapse from exhaustion, it doesn't matter; once I tame some beasts, the hard days will be behind me!

I'm someone who acts as soon as an idea arises, so I grabbed my iron pickaxe and threw myself into work. From morning onward, I dug energetically near the house. When tired, I sat and rested; when thirsty, I drank coconut juice. With Tina's affectionate kiss in the morning, my motivation was limitless!

By lunchtime, I finally managed to mine enough iron ore. Elated, I hurried home to grill meat with Tina and Little Ash. After the meal, I immediately went out again, found a copper vein nearby, and resumed my feverish labor. I worked for several hours in the afternoon, with plenty of daylight left. Yet the intense fatigue left my muscles aching, and I could barely lift a finger. Plans seldom keep pace with reality; I had underestimated my stamina and endurance, and high-intensity labor left me drained.

I managed to mine just over two hundred copper ores—far from the target of five hundred. Tina was worried, staying up all night to care for me. Thankfully, with my golden finger, my life and stamina were fully restored by morning, and I woke up bursting with energy!

"You've worked so hard," I whispered gently to Tina, who, after a sleepless night by my side, now slumbered deeply on her sleeping bag. I tried not to disturb her. After eating grilled meat with Little Ash and leaving a portion by Tina’s side, I set out once more with my iron pickaxe.

As usual, I first checked the traps, dispatching a few kobolds and strange creatures from another world that had fallen in. Then, without delay, I returned and focused on mining copper ore.

Through persistent effort, I finally collected five hundred copper ores before lunch! Now, with enough lumber, iron, copper, and rope, I could build the animal pen!

When I returned, Tina had eaten breakfast and was asleep again. There was nothing else for her to do at home, and she'd had little rest during the night. Little Ash’s barking woke her, and upon seeing me, she sat up, sleepily smoothing her tousled golden hair.

"Time for lunch!" I could only offer grilled meat again, and noticing Tina seemed weary of it, I opened a coconut and handed it to her. She looked at me lovingly, then ate the grilled meat with coconut juice, making it seem more appetizing.

"Just a few more days—I'll build the animal pen soon and recruit some beasts to help with gathering!" I reached out and gently wiped the oil from the corner of Tina’s mouth. "Once the iron mining is steady, I’ll build a workbench and make a pot—then I can cook much tastier food!"

Tina didn’t understand the words, but she smiled shyly at me, clearly enjoying the touch of my rough hand against her cheek.

"Little Ash!" I called to the kobold who was hiding in a crevice, eating meat. "You’ll be my test subject, got it? If kobolds can be tamed, I’ll find more companions for you!"

Little Ash ignored me, focusing only on his meal.

After lunch, I took materials from the wooden crate, then, carrying the blueprint and a full pack of supplies, went outside. Silently reciting the command, the animal pen blueprint in my hand dissolved into light, revealing a massive pen framework before me, along with a prompt: "Please choose a location to build the animal pen!"

If the ground was uneven or something was placed there, the framework would turn red, indicating construction was impossible. Where there were no obstacles, the framework would turn green.

Tina leaned on the door, peering out at me from inside. She saw me raise both hands and point to the open space right of the house, and instantly a circular area fenced in by wooden stakes appeared, complete with a wooden feed trough and a pile of hay.

Tina, who had witnessed many wondrous things already, couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

[Animal Pen Lv1] can simultaneously tame two beasts; the next level allows four. Materials required for upgrading: lumber 4,000, iron ore 1,000, copper ore 1,000, rope 200!

"Only two beasts for a level one pen?" I was a little disappointed—it fell short of my expectations. But on second thought, two beasts would suffice for now! Upgrades would allow more in the future, so I felt a bit better.

Of course, Little Ash would be the test subject, since kobolds are the easiest to catch in traps. Though they walk upright like humans and can wield sticks and vines, they should still count as beasts.

I turned to Tina, who was still amazed, and beckoned her over, pointing toward the room. "Tina, bring Little Ash out!"

She didn’t understand my words, but recognized her name and Little Ash’s, quickly grasping my intent. She went inside and led the little kobold to me.

"Tina, you’re so clever!" I took the rope from her and gently stroked her silky golden hair. She immediately wore a blissful expression, clearly fond of the gesture.

"Little Ash, don’t be afraid!" Seeing the timid kobold, I dragged him to the animal pen.

[Notification] A tameable beast [Kobold] has been found. Would you like to add it to the pen?

Of course I chose yes! I confirmed on the virtual interface, and instantly Little Ash vanished from my hand, reappearing inside the pen.

"Aw aw~~" Little Ash, startled by the unfamiliar fence, ran around in panic, barking loudly.

In front of the feed trough, I saw options: [Feed], [Soothe], [Tame], [Release]. I chose [Soothe].

Little Ash calmed down at once, crouching motionless on the ground.

"Interesting!" I clicked [Tame].

[Notification] Taming the kobold will take one hour. Do you wish to proceed?

Naturally, I selected yes—what else!