Chapter 224 Brutal Rain

The tiny cabin, more akin to a storage shed, seemed to harbor the lingering remnants of unspeakable torment. Hermit's limp body was grotesquely suspended from a window, his neck ensnared by the sliding frame. His head, facing up, protruded awkwardly outside, the skin on his neck visibly pinched and discolored. A disgusting cocktail of bodily fluids dripped from his butt, as Hermit had involuntarily shit and pissed himself during his ordeal.

Feces and urine dripped down his shorts, sliding down his scrawny legs, and forming vile puddles on the cabin floor. The once-green goblin had turned a sickly shade of blue, the result of the strain and anguish etched across his emaciated face. His tiny, scrawny legs hung a few inches above the ground, emphasizing the extent of his suffering.

His trembling and quivering body revealed that he was still somehow clinging to life, although the feeble rise and fall of his chest spoke of the immense toll the torment had taken on him.

Larry gasped at the gruesome sight, "My god! What happened here? Who did this to him? We need to help him, now!"

Suzuka turned to Larry and said, "Ah... typical Hermit. Larry, I got this, I'll help him."

 She opened the window, letting the poor goblin tumble down and crumple on the floor, landing in his filthy mess. Without hesitation, Suzuka grabbed him by the ears, dragged him outside, and dunked his limp body into a barrel filled with cold rainwater. 

The goblin jolted back to life with a loud, bloody scream, "WREEEEEEEEE!" as the icy water shocked his already frigid skin. She rinsed him until he was clean, then carried him back inside, tossing him carelessly onto his makeshift hay bed in the corner.

Larry, showing great care and compassion, pulled out a towel. While comforting Hermit, he gently cleaned him off and worked to warm him up.

Suzuka, with a hint of satisfaction in her voice, turned to Larry, "So, Larry, do you believe me now? Like I said last, this little dimwit is prone to self-harm. So when the next time he comes running to you, crying that someone hurt him, maybe you'll think twice. Most of the time, the source of his misery is closer than he admits."

Still tending to the shivering goblin, Larry shot Suzuka a skeptical glance.

 "Well, I'll be damned. He does, doesn't he? Hermit, you need to learn to take better care of yourself. Good thing we decided to check on you otherwise you would have died. You need to think before you act. What even happened? Was it your fault?"

Hermit, shaken by convulsing sobs in Larry's embrace, managed to stammer out his ordeal between shivers and tremors. His voice was a pitiful whimper as he explained, "It... It was terrible! I was pinned by the window frame all night. The cold rain brutally pummeled my face, and the icy water ripped at my skin. I-I couldn't breathe, and the rain filled my mouth, drowning me over and over. The window clamped my neck, choking me through the whole night. I clawed, licked, and pleaded for the window to unhand me but it did not loosen its grip on me. I soiled myself in disgraceful misery. It was... it was pure torment."

Larry, still holding onto the trembling goblin, couldn't help but ask, "Hermit, why in the world did you go for the window? What were you thinking? I told you to stay put and do not make noise or go wandering outside."

In between painful shivers and muffled sobs, Hermit, with the miserable expression of a tormented animal, confessed, "I-I'm sorry, Larry. I was munching on that delicious piece you gave me, and then... I let out this big, stinky fart. I couldn't breathe, it was so bad. I took a sniff and It... it was so smelly, it burned my sniffer and eyes! So, I thought opening the window would help to let the smell out, but the window was so high, and I needed the chair... and then when I opened it, another big fart escaped my butt, and I lost footing. Oh, the chair tipped, and... and I got stuck! I didn't mean to! I didn't!" He winced, awaiting their reactions, fully aware of how ludicrous his emergency sounded.

Suzuka couldn't help but burst into laughter at Hermit's tale of misfortune. Between fits of giggles, she mockingly jested, "You got yourself stuck because of your stink bomb and a failed attempt at fresh air? Oh, Hermit, you are a special kind of goblin, aren't you? But why I'm surprised, we are talking about you after all. The master of self-humiliations! This kind of crisis is a casual Monday for you." 

Suzuka couldn't help but continue to mock the goblin, "Well, Hermit, next time you decide to gas yourself out, maybe opt for a more strategic escape plan. Clamping yourself in a window isn't the most genius move, you know. Now, try not to torture yourself with your own... fragrances, and maybe, just maybe, you'll survive the night without embarrassing accidents." 

Suzuka, with a wicked grin, continued to mock Hermit mercilessly, "But I must say, a stinky fart and a clumsy attempt at fresh air? You truly are a master of your craft, Hermit. Perhaps we should call you 'The Goblin Acrobat' or 'The Fart Symphony Conductor.' Make sure to include this thrilling performance in your goblin diary you're writing." Suzuka's laughter echoed in the room as she continued to revel in Hermit's unfortunate adventure.

Hermit, in a feeble and hurt tone, managed to mutter, "I-I'm sorry, Mistress Helen. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted some fresh air, and I didn't realize it would end up like this. Please forgive me." His eyes welled up with tears, a mix of physical pain and the emotional distress caused by Suzuka's mockery.

Larry, with a gentle and comforting tone, said, "It's okay, Hermit. Mistakes happen. We'll get you patched up, and you'll be back on your feet in no time. And Helen, maybe let's go easy on him right now. He's been through enough, and I'm sure he learned his lesson." Larry's words carried a soothing reassurance, seeking to calm the injured goblin.

Hermit's eyes glistened with happiness as he thanked Larry from the bottom of his goblin heart.

"Th-thank you, kind Larry. Y-you're a true friend," he mumbled, his voice quivering with a mix of pain and emotion. With a delightful smile, Hermit then let out a soft sob of relief. However, the overwhelming mix of emotions and pain proved too much for the tiny creature. With a pained sob, he slumped in Larry's arms, his happy smile frozen on his face as he blacked out from the ordeal.

Larry gently laid Hermit on the hay bed, allowing the goblin to rest. As he turned to Suzuka, concern etched on his face, he asked, "So, what are your plans now? The goblin is in no shape or form to be of any use to you at the moment. Will you visit another day?"

Suzuka, with a callous tone, dismissed Larry's concerns.

 "Come on, Larry, you know Hermit can handle much worse. He's practically indestructible. This is nothing. I'll take him back to my place, patch him up, and he'll be annoying us with his antics in no time. You've seen what I can do; I've dragged him back from much worse. Don't worry too much, I will return him to you in a few days, or so, in peak condition."

"Yes. Yes, I have seen you work miracles with him. But... just don't get him killed, Okay? We need him. Take care of him."

Suzuka smiled at Larry and said, "I will be gentle as silk. More than he deserved."  

With that, Suzuka grabbed the injured goblin by his meaty ears, showing little sympathy for his current state, and headed out draging his limp body behind her, his scrawny feet grazing on the wet pavement.

Larry sighed, watching Suzuka carry the goblin away, and muttered, "Well, good luck, Hermit. You're gonna need it with her."

Dragging the goblin back to her place, Suzuka showed little regard for his injuries. Upon entering her room, she tossed Hermit onto his tiny pillow. His limp and unresponsive body flopped onto the soft surface.

As Suzuka settled Hermit on his makeshift bed, she observed his small form sprawled on the pillow, his goblin features twisted in pain. Unfazed by his injuries, she adjusted his position for comfort, covering him with a worn-out blanket. Satisfied that the goblin was now in a more restful state, she turned her attention to her newfound magical item storage.

Sticking the dragon scale to different body parts, Suzuka experimented to find the most comfortable and practical placement. After a bit of trial and error, she settled on a spot that allowed easy access and minimal interference with her movements. Pleased with her choice, she began training with the storage, placing various items in and out to familiarize herself with its capabilities.

The room filled with the sound of objects disappearing and reappearing, and occasionally, Suzuka's laughter echoed as she successfully retrieved items. The rain outside provided a soothing backdrop to her training session. She knew mastering this magical tool would be crucial for the success of her ambitious plans.

As Suzuka continued her training, Hermit, still unconscious, began to stir in his sleep, showing faint signs of recovery from the ordeal he endured earlier. The goblin's snores filled the room, indicating that he was in a deep, healing slumber. 

A few hours ran past as Suzuka immersed herself in mastering the use of her magic item storage, Hermit slowly regained consciousness on the comfortable pillow. He groggily opened his eyes, blinking in confusion at the familiar surroundings. The warmth of the room and the softness of the pillow were stark contrasts to the chilly and uncomfortable night he had experienced in the shed.

Suzuka, noticing Hermit's stirring, approached him with a nonchalant expression.

 "Well, well, look who's finally awake. You gave Larry quite the show, dangling from that window. Good thing we found you when we did. You were almost becoming goblin jerky out there."

Hermit winced at the reminder of his embarrassing situation, still feeling aches and pains throughout his small body. 

"M-master Helen, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

Hermit blinked, trying to recall the events. The memories flooded back, and he cringed at the embarrassing recollection of how he ended up dangling from the window frame. 

"Oh, that's right... it was... a bit windy."

Suzuka chuckled, "A bit windy, he says. Well, you're fine now. Nothing a little cold water and a good sleep couldn't fix."

Still nursing a headache, Hermit managed to sit upright on the floor. 

"Why didn't you let Larry tend to me, Master? He's gentler."

Suzuka, unapologetic, scolded, "Gentler doesn't get goblins back on their feet. Now, enough of your dramatic act. I've got a town to build, and you're not helping by playing the pitiful victim."