ch1-ch20 · 014-ch14

Chapter 14: One vs Two

Floor 6.

Looking around, there's way more trees.

At this point, calling it a forest instead of woods seems fair.

We've officially entered forest territory.

The monsters on Floor 6 are randomly selected from the ones that appear on Floors 1 through 5.

Besides having multiple monster types, there's one other major difference from previous floors.

Monsters now move in pairs of two.

Normally from here on out, it becomes many versus many.

But I'm alone.

On this floor, that means it's one versus two.

And there they are.

A club-wielding hobgoblin and a knife-wielding goblin are heading this way.

Which one do I target?

They both noticed me and are running over, but the hobgoblin is faster.

I'll take this one out first.

As soon as it's in range, I unleash a full-powered thrust aimed at the hobgoblin's heart.

(This is bad.)

The moment I stepped forward, my helmet shifted and my vision got cut in half.

By the time I realized things were going south, my spear tip had veered off target and pierced the goblin's stomach instead.

"Gugego."

It's not dead.

The hobgoblin grabbed the spear with both hands.

(Can't pull it out.)

"Gugeh."

The knife-wielding goblin is already closing in.

(This is bad, this is bad.)

The goblin jumps.

(Can't see.)

Crouching down to pull out the spear was a mistake.

The brim of my helmet blocks my upward view.

A slash grazes the brim of that helmet.

I instinctively let go of the spear and leap backward, barely dodging in time.

(That was close.)

If the goblin's weapon hadn't been a knife—if it had been something even a bit longer—that would've been a direct hit.

But now I'm unarmed.

The goblin inches closer, knife in hand.

(Tactical retreat. [Gate].)

Time for my special skill's emergency escape.

I dive into the 'Left Gate.'

...The helmet shifted.

Guess fighting while wearing armor for the first time was the problem.

"That thrust was pretty bad."

Up until now, it was always one-on-one, so not being able to pull the spear out wasn't just fine—it was actually better to leave it in and keep stabbing until they died, preventing counterattacks.

"Gotta change how I fight."

I've left the 'Skill Gate' open.

Monsters don't pass through 'Floor Gates' to move between levels.

Apparently you can force them through by grabbing them, but they really hate it.

That seems to apply to 'Skill Gates' too.

If they chased me through, I could run, create some distance, then open the 'Right Gate' and recover my spear. But with that wound, the hobgoblin should be dead by now.

Guess I'll just go for it.

"If I can get my spear back, I can handle these guys."

I don't want to get ambushed right at the exit, but I also can't afford to lose my rental spear to dungeon absorption.

Better get back there quick.

I picture the positional relationship between the 'Left Gate,' the hobgoblin, and the knife-wielding goblin.

I'll dash to the spear and yank it out.

I stick just my head through the ever-open 'Right Gate.'

My vision switches over, and first I confirm the knife-wielding goblin's position.

(It's not looking this way.)

The hobgoblin is completely motionless on the ground.

I pass my whole body through and dash toward the hobgoblin.

The knife-wielding goblin notices.

I grip the spear with both hands and pull it out in one go.

Using the momentum from pulling it free, I swing it in an arc and slash horizontally at the goblin.

Thud.

The knife-wielding goblin's head falls.

Its body collapses forward with the momentum of its charge, blue blood spurting from the neck stump.

"Managed somehow."

That horizontal slash just now was pretty good.

Unlike a sword, only the tip cuts, but if I can nail the distance, the extra length adds power.

I try swinging it a few times, but when I go all out, the helmet sometimes shifts.

"Maybe the sale helmet was a mistake."

I tighten the straps and put it back on.

"It's fine. I can keep going."

If things get dicey, there's always the 'Left Gate.'

Even if I get lost in the forest area, it's no problem.

My way home is the 'Left Gate.'

Forward we go.

After walking a bit, I spot two goblins.

Both are carrying spears.

I'd love to take one out with a surprise attack, but considering what comes next, I should probably gain some experience here.

On this floor it's two enemies, but on the next floor, three start moving together.

I ready my spear and call them over.

"Hey. Over here."

""Gyagya.""

The two spear-wielding goblins point their spears forward and charge at me side by side.

At the same time, huh. I see...

(Don't panic. This is within expected parameters.)

If I lure them in and then move to one side's flank, the other should have the first one blocking its attack.

I'll slip over to the right goblin's right.

And while I'm at it, I'll aim for that side's goblin's leg with the spear tip.

Doesn't need to be the blade—just a leg sweep would work.

That's what I thought, but the tip entering from the side of the left goblin's Achilles tendon sliced clean through its leg.

"This spear is too sharp."

The right goblin collapses as is.

I have a clear line to the left goblin.

I whip the spear back around from its leftward swing and thrust.

Aiming for the heart.

(Ended up thrusting after all.)

But this time it's different.

The moment it sucks into the heart, I pull it back out.

(This is practice for pulling out immediately, okay.)

I tell myself.

"Not done yet."

I thrust once more into the collapsed goblin's heart from behind.

Pull it right back out.

"Should I twist it before pulling out?"

I feel like I saw a video about that once.

No, if you stab the heart, you don't need to.

The two goblins aren't moving anymore.