Power Reconnaissance (5)
The sixth day passed very smoothly.
The day went by with nothing but travel—no encounters, no problems.
It would be nice if the seventh day, right before the final recon point, went just as smoothly.
But from the morning at the last point, we spotted the enemy.
“Seven, maybe eight goblins. That's a lot. And they're not just in rags—they're wearing armor.”
Kerry sighed as she counted them out.
Goblins were small and laughable one-on-one, but organized ones with gear were a different story.
Even a 1:2 matchup was dangerous.
Eight of them meant nearly twice our numbers.
“What do you think, Kirgil?”
“This time, you and I take the front. Let's give the rookies a final show from the veterans.”
Kerry laughed, as if she'd expected as much.
Assuming I didn't use my ability and fought like a regular soldier, our side of five against their eight head-on—we'd still win.
But someone would likely die in the process.
This wasn't a game, and comrades weren't units.
I didn't want even one of them to die.
“It's the last point. If any of those kids get hurt or die, the trip back's gonna feel like pure shit.”
“Yeah. But in return, I'll peel off three or four goblins from your back this time too.”
We both chuckled, remembering last year's cave fight. Quietly, of course.
With that, Kerry and I bumped fists, united in purpose.
Kerry was back on shield duty, but this time I—not Rada—held the spear behind her.
Lirisa hid in the bushes at an open vantage point.
Rada and Suu would guard her perimeter.
In simple terms: veterans Kerry and I up front.
The rookies pulled back to the rearmost position, as far from combat as possible.
Kerry and I moved as one toward the enemy.
Our prior teamwork meant no words were needed.
As we closed in, Kerry gripped her shield two-handed, ready to push.
I knew what was coming. Charge incoming.
Dududududu!!
Thwack!!
“Wh-what the—enemy!? Gahk!!”
Kerry charged one, bashing it away with her shield.
I followed up from behind, spearing another.
Well-organized bunch, as expected.
Despite the ambush, the remaining six didn't panic or rush in—they started encircling us slowly.
Thank god Rada and Suu weren't here for this.
“Haaap!!”
Kerry drew her dagger one-handed and bellowed, charging the center.
Right. That was the tank's taunt.
I didn't follow her. While eyes locked on Kerry, I stabbed a flanker on the side.
Actually, with a bit of my ability, I got another too.
In a flash, eight enemies became four.
“Wh-what!? These humans!”
“Strong! R-retreat! Retreat!!”
Veterans, alright—quick judgment.
But...
"Here, heed my burning hatred."
Their retreat direction sucked.
Perfect timing—Lirisa's chant had improved since last time.
Its power too.
One went down burning.
Another's head exploded from a sudden blunt strike.
Rada's sword, swung upside-down.
The last two goblins locked eyes, then bolted in opposite directions—180 degrees apart.
“You bastards! Think you can escape!!”
Now Suu burst from hiding, daggers out, targeting one.
I aimed at the other.
With the spear from Reshi—Drasona's spear.
Most magic weapons had simple commands, given the life-or-death stakes.
I hurled the spear, mentally shouting Aim!
Latia had said this spear once pierced an enemy's vitals from an unexpected angle.
My take: Aim Correction.
The spear arced toward the fleeing goblin, subtly adjusting its trajectory to match my will.
“Gahk!!”
A scream echoed from afar.
Racing over to check, Drasona's spear had impaled the goblin's gut and pinned it to the ground.
Skewered clean.
One left...
“...Wh-what!?”
I sprinted toward the last one.
Something was wrong with my Status Window.
Damn it! Of course it's on the opposite side.
I activated Happy Moment, shaving time itself to close the gap faster.
“Suu!! Where are you!? You okay!? Suu!!”
A dying goblin lay there, blood trickling from its throat.
Suu was...
“Suu!! What're you doing!? If you're fine, say something!!”
“Nah, it's just... things got busy, y'know? Haha.
Damn, you scared me. Why're you here so fast?
Thought you'd take longer.”
Suu was in the bushes, holding something.
Grabbing loot again?
“Tell me straight. What happened?”
“Why you picking on me right off the bat?
This old guy's just a bit clingy, huh? Don't sweat it~ Your old-man stink's making me wanna bail.”
Good—classic provocative Suu.
But I was deeply uneasy.
Why?
Right now, I couldn't see Suu's Status Window.
What the hell happened here?
We monitored the enemy corpses for half a day, checking for relief or pursuit, but nothing.
Recon complete. Now back along the main road to Prosek Castle at a leisurely pace.
Kerry was thrilled the fight and recon ended smoothly.
“Rada, you punk. Sell that sword and buy an axe. The way you swung it? Better than those orcs that smashed my shield.”
“I was shocked too. My best weapon was a farm tool from the ranch? All thanks to...”
I felt her gaze, but I wasn't in the mood to acknowledge it.
“Master! We did it without you this time! Success! Now I'm...”
Lirisa sparkled like a puppy begging for praise, but petting her head didn't appeal.
“Kirgil?”
“Master?”
“Uh... yeah? Sorry. Sorry... Guess the fatigue hit on the last day. Feeling a bit dazed.”
“Heh, this guy's going soft at the end. Anyway, once we're back at the castle, let's meet up with the cave raid crew. I'll drown you in booze with my bet winnings. Hahaha!!”
Kerry slung an arm around me, already buzzed, but I wasn't feeling it.
My eyes and thoughts were on Suu.
She walked fidgeting with her bulging pouch tied to her waist, looking anxious.
Status Windows had appeared before, but never vanished like this.
At first I thought something happened to Suu—visually, she seemed fine.
No—sometimes she glanced around nervously, wiping cold sweat.
So, probably a change of heart, defying my orders.
If not for the rowdy celebration, I'd have pulled her aside and asked outright.
Planning to run off with the loot?
...Yeah.
Suu had been obsessed with spoils from the start.
Not judging or punishing—just didn't want complications.
Yesterday, updating her Status Window while fixing Lirisa's clothes:
'A kind big sister caring for five younger siblings without parents.'
Single-mother girl, in short.
Money makes sense.
Her actions so far showed poor impulse control.
Likely the same here.
So, I'd counsel her at the right moment.
If needed... ability or force.
Damn. Me—the guy who struggled to even scold smoking alley teens—thinking like this.
Sunset.
We reached the main road outskirts.
Camp tonight, then a day's easy walk along the paved path to Prosek Castle.
Last camp, so we cooked all remaining rations, opened the booze for mixing.
Party vibe kicked in—but Suu sat apart, quiet.
After humoring the others briefly, I sat by her with food as an excuse.
“......”
“......”
Once seated, words didn't come easy.
Sensing the weird vibe, Suu was quieter than usual.
We sat in silence. Pressure intended.
“I thought... I'd hold out... till tomorrow.”
Good—she felt like talking.
“Should've... listened to Dad... Guess I'm getting punished... for ignoring him again.”
She kept fidgeting with the pouch.
Then suddenly gripped it tight and thrust it at me.
“Take this... for my siblings... instead of me... please.”
I almost asked what the hell, but her body slumped sideways.
She toppled limply.
“Huh!?”
Then I saw it—her abdomen, hidden by the pouch:
A small iron skewer embedded there.