1-9 The Goblin Settlement

My current status looked like this.

Adding Shieldbearer as my third job had bumped my Defense and Magic Defense bonuses up by one rank.

Job additions definitely stacked status bonuses. That was confirmed.

MP bonuses stacked too. It had been 12 with just Interferer + Swordsman, but adding Shieldbearer pushed it to 14.

I'd kinda known this already, but I hadn't fully ruled out the possibility that Interferer started with MP 0 and jobs granted MP from scratch or something.

But now it was confirmed. MP bonuses stacked. Which meant MP was one of my strengths.

Excluding magic jobs, normal folks seemed to start with around 2 MP.

Pretty harsh number, if you ask me. But early on, you didn't have skills to use anyway, so maybe it was fine.

And yeah, I knew you could use skills from all your jobs.

Shield Enhancement probably boosted shield defense, right?

Weird that a level 1 combat job skill wasn't the usual "slight boost" type. Deepened the mystery.

Made me wonder if non-attack jobs had different skill lineups.

Tank job, maybe.

Defense and Magic Defense bonuses fit the bill perfectly. Promising.

Wonder if I could pick up something like Shield Bash enhancement.

I picked Shieldbearer simply because I was definitely using a shield right now.

I had a fresh wooden spear stashed in my extra-dimensional space, but no plans to use it. Sword was the main go-to.

Magic gun for emergencies. Both paired with shield.

Excluding Interferer, I could set two jobs.

One attack, one defense. Might be fun. A balanced offense-defense setup no normal person in this world could pull off.

I was a bit curious about other isekai'd folks like me who'd been sent here.

If they had Interferer too, their future moves could lead to info leaks or conflicts... nah, probably not.

No reason to clash right now, and if that white-haired kid was telling the truth, the others weren't exactly thriving.

If some settled-down isekai'er started hunting for others like us, that'd be a pain... but I'd play dumb. Full denial.

Screw that for now. Time to make money. Goblin hunt time.

Eat ironclad sword-and-shield combo, goblins!

I hacked down stray goblins we encountered.

It was less "slice clean" now and more "smash 'em flat" with sheer mass.

Detouring around the last fight site in case that dying goblin's scream had alerted them to an ambush.

But they might anticipate that too.

The Goblin Lord—what goblin packs called their boss—had that level of smarts.

"We went about as deep as last time, but no signs of the pack. Better assume they're on alert," Elliott muttered, slashing brush with his sword.

That army might've been their main force, but when forming a new settlement, they usually left the bulk behind.

Assume at least that many were still around.

Last time, they'd fallen for Patch's traps nicely. Attacking head-on now? Riskier...

Just gotta not die. Fight smart.

"Elliott, hold up. Feelin' a shift in the wind... maybe an open spot ahead."

Marie noticed something.

So Elliott, Marie, and Patch went scouting. I guarded Trishiera here.

She climbed a thick-trunked tree, keeping watch with her bow from above.

Hmm. With this crew, I'd be the first to die, huh? Gotta snap those flags hard before moving.

"Trishiera, after this scout's done, let's not get married."

"Huh? What? Not getting married?"

"Yeah. Absolutely not."

"Okay... so?"

"Just had to declare it. Meaning's in the statement. You should too—tell 'em you got no plans with Elliott."

"With Elliott...? Master? Never even thought about it. Mind your own business."

Whoops. Oh well.

Anyway, what else were death flags? Thinking hard... not many came to mind.

Saying "Leave this to me!" screams death... yeah.

"Leave this to Trishiera! Tough job, huh?"

Good.

"........."

Trishiera went full ignore mode.

Damn commie-shy types.

...Shut up! Society's the problem!

Whoa, self-own. Not the time. Feeling exposed, so keep the magic gun ready to draw.

Hand in my extra space under my clothes, unseen. After 30 minutes, Marie returned. Not rushed, so no enemies inbound.

"How'd it go?"

I whispered, finally freeing my hand.

"Elliott's not back? We split midway..."

"Rendezvous here?"

"Yeah. Nothin' for me. But somethin' nearby... gut feelin', half hunch."

Marie's hunches rarely missed.

Probably not "hunch"—evidence-based instinct from experience. Those hit often.

"Ah, there's Elliott. Whaddya got?"

Marie spotted him approaching from afar, Patch trailing.

Makes sense—not soloing anyone but Marie. Worried, yeah.

"Elliott? Any luck?"

"Spot on. Found what looks like a settlement. Patch set simple traps."

"Nice! No wild goose chase. How far?"

"Not bad. Five minutes if we hustle... Shall we?"

"Whaddya think?"

Marie eyed the rest.

Patch and Trishiera stayed mum.

If Elliott was game, no objections.

"...I'm in. I'll move proper this time."

This ain't a flag, right? Right?

"Perfect. Wipe the nest clean, and the haul's beyond solo. Females too, probably. Might get bonus payout. Make-or-break, Yoyo!"

"Yeah... Gotta step up if I wanna build a harem like yours, pretty boy. Time to man up."

Huh? Gettin' flaggy... Nah, ignore.

Fate smiles on the bold.

Good line. Mine.

"Same roles as morning? Or special plan?"

"Hmm. If it turns into a brawl, same as before—you on right flank, skirmish. Improvise."

"Got it. Flexible adaptation with max agility."

Hm? Flaggy vibe... but all positive. Imagination.

"Sneak to settlement, set traps to funnel 'em, ideally preemptive ambush into trap."

"Too smooth is bonus. At least traps to block flanks. Yoyo, hide your presence best you can."

Marie bossed me.

Never properly learned stealth.

Good chance to pick it up.

"Gimme time pre-entry. Ten—no, five minutes. Marie, basics?"

Thought hit: I'd mooched info and tech from Elliott's party, no payback.

Sorry.

Once I make it big, gift somethin' epic.

"Fine. Better than failing. Short break. Yoyo, show your 'stealth walk.' Goblins everywhere."

"That the setup?"

"Kinda. And it is."

"True. Lemme walk from those bushes."

Five minutes—probably ten—Marie's crash course: foot placement, mindset, breathing. Basics hammered in rapid-fire.

Experience is power.

Looked stealthier now... probably.

"Alright, moving out. Route, trap spots, ambush point—I've marked 'em. Follow tight formation behind, Yoyo?"

"Callin' me out. Yeah, I'm the loose cannon. Got it, leader."

"Mm."

"Yo, stud. Slagee's heartbreaker!"

"Mm, mm."

"Quit goofin'. Move."

Usual arrow formation: Elliott front, Marie and me flanks, Patch rear, Trishiera tail. Tightened sideways.

Elliott radiated unseen tension, stomping path open step by step.

Marie silent as ghost. Quick steps, zero noise. Magic?

Patch and Trishiera smoother than me. Patch tiny, easy to miss if stealthy.

Stealth jobs? Book mentioned Scout.

"........."

Elliott halted, eye-signaled Patch. Traps set quick. Dumping spares freely.

Bear traps, barbed wire webs, pitfall basics.

Impressive, Patch.

Trapping flanks and rear to block bypasses.

But retreat's hell too.

Back to the wall, huh?

Scary, but no backing out.

Elliott turned, finger to lips—universal "quiet"—then forward.

Up the slope, peeked basin: goblin settlement.

Writhing shadows.

10... 20?

Five of us huddled, whisper-confer.

"How many? 20 visible easy."

"30-40 total. Perimeter patrols too. 2 scouts, 1 mage. No leader or lord yet."

"Manageable. Time for our A-game. Patch magitech first strike, I charge. Marie skirmish. Trishiera, cover me. Yoyo, guard Patch and her rear."

"That work?"

"Yes. Join once enemies bunch up. Gauge first."

"Right. Rear hit screws us. Leave it to me."

"Countin' on ya. I'll draw 'em—cover when ripe."

Nods all around.

Elliott leaps center, Marie flanks/entrance/returners.

His real deal... gonna see it.

Equipped check, finger countdown.

Here we go. Heart pounding... but Job 3 unlocked. No stopping!

Fingers down, Elliott swings arm—Patch hurls something.

Hit branch-hut, rolled front-center... boom. Heat gust brushed cheek.

(Whoa... bomb? Patch packs nasty...)

Trishiera bow-ready, statue-still. Patch tossed smoke bomb—visibility tanked.

Smoke screen. Good for small-team ambush?

Central goblins panicked.

Huts spewed more.

Elliott unleashed light blades nonstop post-first.

Chaos over damage? They'd hesitate against horde assault.

Smoke cleared by odd wind.

Staff goblin swaying it.

Wind magic?

Elliott's blade pierced mage.

Smart. Fluid motion.

Defense crumbled, Elliott charged glowing full-body.

Flashy, but terrifying if hit.

That weird glow might psych 'em out.

By calm-down, initial 20 floated in blood.

Reinforcements pouring.

Trishiera's arrows whistled.

Patch had ranged skill too—unnoticed before.

Spotting Elliott gradually.

Healing?

Glowing guy regen-slashing? Monster.

Flower Warrior... damn.

Or Elliott exploiting flashy skills well.

No flank leaks, light rear/side scout. Clear.

"Traps untouched, no rear enemies. Push up?"

Asked Patch, glued to battle.

"...Yes. Marie's freeing up. Rear safe. Elliott's straining—help him."

"Roger. Those spells healing? If support, hit me too."

"Fatigue recovery mainly. Already on you. Go wild."

Fatigue heal.

Endless glowing warrior.

Smiling too. Creepy.

Grip sword, shield up, charge basin.

Shield-bashed goblin aiming Elliott's back—scout or normal?

Momentum into sword-smash another.

Nice ambush.

Elliott vs big goblin, elite pack, 2 mages flaming him.

Flames fizzle harmless on hit.

Skill? Or high Magic Def?

Leader flanks annoying.

Elliott dodging graceful, but big + pinch wearing him.

Cull normals, poke left leader.

Bonuses up—normals won't kill me.

Prioritize peel leader off Elliott.

As expected, ate normal hits/slashes en route, but thrust landed.

Shield-blocked full.

Shield user too? That's my style!

Circle, smash normals back.

They don't dive hard—can't chain kills... main force quality.

Arrows thinned normals occasionally—3-5 steady despite adds.

Good they target me—no archers anyway. Prior party lacked too. No bows?

Stall normals, duel leader.

Thinks I'm easy prey—ignored Elliott fully.

No time gawk, but eased his load?

Can't let that crumble.

Worst case, magic gun normals. But Marie's voice—he's holding. No overextend.

Well, pushing it anyway.

Mission: Kiting normals, down leader amid encirclement.

Strike at low-normal count—but it's arm-wrestling smoke; my strength edges, yet flows it off.

Whittling me. Smart.

Goblin leader kinda like me. Prior no fatal hits. Cautious... or cowardly.

Can't land killer amid surround either.

Thanks to Trishiera/Marie rear cover.

No fatigue, wounds healing—Patch supporting. Grateful.

But her MP finite.

Elliott from start—cutoff imminent.

Can't drag again. Finish quick.

Three left-flank normals dropped sudden.

Not just arrows... Marie's throwers?

Seize moment.

Burst in. Leader recoils wary.

Swing misses—shield/sword flow again.

Cowardly pull... rings bell. Rugby World Cup—evading tackle tips...

Try it.

Low stance, shield up. Sword feint, big step.

Reads range, twists shield-block.

Fine—not main. Next step low, target legs. Weapon: arms!

Block overhead sword, flow body crash—rear leg kick-fly.

Scoop legs, yank in.

I slam ground too—ow.

But he belly-flopped caught off-guard.

Weapon... shield!

Bash face. Blocked.

Bash. Bash. Bash.

Shield pulverized guard—screams.

Yes! That sound!

Dropped sword on dive. Right punch. Rising kick. Stomp.

Momentum face-shield slam.

Slam, slam, punch, kick.

Resistance fades—calm hits. Fake belt-grab, knife from space to right hand.

Sink chest-deep. Stilled.

No mercy—throat stabs. Done.

Safe. Looked up.

Party stared, weirded out.

"...Uh, why go full berserker in fights?"

Eh? Ain't this normal? Just desperate.

"No margin for grace. Train up, become Elliott?"

"Heh, good attitude. But my flair's inimitable... don't get down?"

Yeah, Elliott back to normal. Relief.

While I grappled leader, he downed the other + Goblin Lord? Insane.

Today? Legit impressed.

"No big adds left, but outer patrols maybe. Process careful."

"Process how?"

"Burn huts if possible—no reuse. Females inside—hunt, kill. Harsh, but kids too. Split, search."

Curtain my assigned hut—mini-goblin + pale one hissed.

Females/kids?

Shield blocks, smash heads sure.

Pity, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but... no heart tug.

First humanoid goblin kill? No feels either. This me?

Doc said fraction soldiers PTSD... rest return fine.

Not lesser morals—just wired different. Me too.

End of thought.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Third house: back wriggle.

Goblin?

Peel curtain slow, sword ready... human.

"Unh... wha...?"

Grubby young woman, nude. Vine collar tied to post—captive.

"You okay? Goblins nab ya?"

"Eh?"

Saw me.

"Kyaaaaaaaah!!!"

Why? I look bad?

"Enemy turf—no promises on eyes elsewhere. Ladies in party—fetch one."

"W-wait... sorry... um... party? Adventurers?"

"...Adventurers? Personal mercs."

Adventurers exist?

"Y-yeah. Got it—bring woman."

"Safety check first. Loosen collar?"

"Y-yes."

Sword on vine—no cut. Yank risks choke. Tough.

"Dunno how. Wait here."

Disappointed, but nude + me lingering? Stayed quiet.

"Found human woman. Vine collar-tied. Lady to free?"

Party gathered. No other finds.

"Woman? We'll three go."

"Please. We guard outside."

"Goblin-captured... poor thing."

Elliott eyes down.

Feminist streak.

...Slave harem notwithstanding.

Handled stragglers, hour wait—women back.

Marie lent cloak, woman head-down beside.

Deets later. Over?

"Details later—we're taking her to town."

Marie nodded her.

"Aawinda. Aada okay?"

"Yes, fine. ...Thank you."

Aawinda bowed deep. Oh, bowing culture? Stared blank.

Slow pace home—Aawinda. Detour goblins, shortest south.

Marie explained: Aawinda noble-ish, west to relatives.

North to Slagee—thieves hit, guards scattered.

Fled woods, goblin turf.

One warrior died; her to settlement, jailed.

"Other captives?"

"None."

"New nest. You first victim."

Elliott light shoulder comfort.

I got scream—he okay?!

"Handsome (vibe) only" rule? Damn.

"Thieves... goblin boom lured to Slagee riches? Or hit thin warriors? Chain misfortune..."

"...Yes."

Goblin-captured lady fate?

Noble blood, but capture kills marriage? Hide it?

Hm?

No silencing, right?

Chill bump.

"Nosy question... home, what next? Want ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠goblin-free story? We'll back ya."

Aawinda gasped, slow open.

"...Yes. Must consider... but not nobles—should be fine. Won't harm saviors anyway."

Sharp—read my amateur take. Smart. Pity.

Camped woods-edge overnight, minimal goblin scraps next day, escorted home.

Marie ahead for clothes, regroup enter.

Overnight—1 silver each.

Tch.

Left Aawinda to Elliott/Marie, trailed.

Worst, bolt if silenced?

Where... settling in this world. Base shift?

Today, Marie escorts to kin—split gate.

Her priority; I solo-kills, so material split.

Self-cash later.

Tired, stashed loot, inn.

(Nice. Agility up a rank, levels overall. Slight, but good.)

Nothing else changed. Closed status, savored bed after ages—slept like rock.