Chapter-02 · EP-037

Episode 37: Consecutive Goblin Battles

After encountering Goblin Number One, I walked around looking for Goblin Number Two.

But before I found a second goblin, I came across other explorers passing by.

It was a trio equipped with sturdy leather armor, unlike me. I nodded and tried to pass them. Then,

"Hey, you."

One of the trio called out to me.

I was a solo explorer who preferred not to get involved with others. Just like at the first-floor boss room, I thought, "How troublesome," but I turned around anyway.

"Yes?"

I didn't show my annoyance. Because I was mature at heart.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, I am."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Being solo means you must be confident in your skills, but goblins on this floor sometimes form groups. It's dangerous to be alone in those situations."

"Well, I'll manage."

I said, "Well then," and tried to leave, but he continued.

"Wait. You might think an adult's advice is a hassle when you're young, but hear me out. You might have been okay alone on the second floor, but here it's truly dangerous. It's better to go back, form a party, and try again. If you want, you could join us…"

"It's okay. If it gets dangerous, I'll run."

"I see… You're determined to continue exploring alone?"

"Yeah, well…"

"Alright. Then, if you think you're in danger, shout for help. If we're nearby, we'll come running, and other parties might come to help too. Please be careful."

"Yes. Thank you."

I bowed and parted ways with them.

Somehow… he seemed like a nice guy, but he was also a busybody.

Well, maybe that was just the Japanese way.

I'd also heard there were malicious explorers out there, so I wanted to avoid interacting with unknown explorers as much as possible.

It's not that I have poor social skills.

After that, I encountered Goblin Number Two for the day.

This time, unlike the first, we spotted each other simultaneously. The goblin immediately assumed a battle stance.

I also held my wooden sword ready.

The goblin charged at me with a terrifying face, but since it was my second battle, I didn't feel as scared as the first time.

What I learned from my first fight was that the skull was hard, so aiming for the top of the head wasn't very effective. I needed to target its weak points.

I thrust my wooden sword towards the goblin's throat.

I thought hitting such a small target would be difficult, but luckily, my wooden sword accurately pierced its throat.

"Gueeee!"

I swung my wooden sword down at its neck to finish off the goblin writhing in pain on the ground.

For my second goblin battle, I was able to fight calmly. Perhaps once I reached level 3, I could rely more on brute force, but for me at level 2, I felt the key was accurately targeting weak points.

If I could precisely hit vulnerable spots like the throat, neck, eyes, or solar plexus, I could neutralize them relatively easily. Conversely, missing felt dangerous, as the goblin might desperately grab hold of me.

I would fight calmly.

After reflecting on my second battle, I started walking again.

For the third goblin I encountered, I used kicks as well to defeat it. I felt I was getting used to fighting goblins.

Then, I finally encountered what I'd been dreading: a pair of goblins.

I held my breath.

They hadn't spotted me yet.

What should I do? Retreating was an option. If I only fought solitary goblins until I reached level 3, I could probably keep going like this.

But if a goblin spotted me and I couldn't escape, I'd have to fight. In that case, fighting two now might be better than having to fight three later.

Alright, I'll do it!

Even so, I didn't want to charge in recklessly. I wanted to ambush them if possible.

If I walked carelessly, they'd notice me like the first time.

I hid along the wall, waiting for an opportunity.

The two goblins walked toward me, looking around. If I were to attack, it would be the moment they entered my striking range. I gripped my wooden sword tightly again.

An idea struck me. I crouched down and picked up a small stone. When one goblin was within my attack range, I threw the stone past the goblins.

Noticing something pass overhead, the goblins' eyes followed the sound of it clattering behind them.

At that moment, they turned their backs to me.

Now!

I leaped out and struck the nearest goblin hard on the back of its head.

"Gyah!"

One goblin screamed and collapsed. The other, not understanding what happened, turned around to see.

In the meantime, I stepped forward and thrust my wooden sword at the standing goblin's throat.

"Guee!"

It fell backward from the intense pain.

Nice. My body was moving surprisingly well. I could feel that even level 2 was significantly better than level 1.

I finished off the goblin I had knocked down first, then looked at the other one. It was still writhing in pain.

Like splitting a watermelon, I broke the neck of the goblin lying on the ground and defeated the second one without much trouble.

At this rate, I thought, if I reached level 3 and aimed for vital spots, I might be able to defeat a goblin in one blow.

Having successfully defeated two goblins, I gained more confidence.

"That's five goblins. Five more to reach my goal…"

The possibility of reaching level 3 today was in sight.

"Phew. Now I might be able to handle three, even…"

"Help!"

Just as I was getting excited, a scream echoed. I listened carefully.

"Someone, help!"

Someone was in trouble.

I had been fighting at my own pace so far, but I wasn't confident I could handle a sudden accident. I was still level 2, after all.

So, I could ignore this scream. That would be the smarter choice. I had no obligation to help; dungeon exploration was each person's own responsibility.

But even as my head thought that, I felt that if I abandoned someone now and remembered this moment later, it would surely break something inside me.

I started running towards the scream.

Because I couldn't abandon someone in danger.