Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: D-rank Adventurer Kim Katt
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The morning chill woke me, and my body ached all over. Having slept in a bed every night lately, this hard floor was hitting me with backlash. Back in the day, I wouldn't have felt this, but my recent comfy life had dulled my iron-hard body.
"...Ah."
Time to get up. I carefully peeled off Cloudy, who was wrapped around me like vine tentacles, clapped my hands, and woke the party members.
"Hey, everyone, rise and shine. Time to go to work."
One by one, they opened their eyes at the sound.
This felt just like training camps or school trips from back home. Memories of trips with friends came to mind, and if I dug deeper, even army days. Minus the fact that everyone else here was a girl, anyway. It had that special wake-up vibe.
"Hoo, hoo. Platoon wake-up. Platoon wake-up. All platoon members assemble at the parade ground by 0655 for roll call. That is all."
I tossed out that cringe line, and Winia, half-asleep as she sat up, grumbled, "What the hell's that nonsense, darky?"
Yeah, no clue. What kinda bullshit was that?
Unlike Winia and Cloudy yawning away, Lina seemed aware of her position and hopped up quick, opening the door. Good attitude.
I got up, stretched, and headed outside. The air was cold.
Aw, fuck, my back. My neck cracked like crazy too.
Rain coming?
—Whoosh!
After a yawn, I drew my sword and ran through the basic forms of the Executive Swordsmanship.
The slashes cut through empty air, precise movements and straight power tracing clear paths, flowing like water. Condition felt good. My body was in perfect shape for wielding a blade.
By then, everyone had fixed their clothes and come out.
They all looked pretty beat.
"Alright, let's head to the village chief's place. He said to drop by in the morning."
"Ugh... Katt. Carry me."
Cloudy rubbed her eyes and leaned into me.
If she wants a piggyback, who am I to say no?
"Hop on."
I hoisted Cloudy up right away and we set off.
Winia, walking ahead, glanced back and mouthed something. What? Too quiet to hear. She whipped her head forward and kept going.
"...Fuck."
"Isn't she cute?"
Cloudy whispered softly in my ear.
"What? Cute?"
"Yeah. Kinda nice in her own way. Growing on me the more I see."
"No way... Anyway, that's it. Get off."
This sister's already losing it.
"Already?"
"My back's gonna snap."
We reached the chief's house and knocked. He opened the door like he'd been waiting and invited us in with a greeting.
Stepping into a normal village home felt weirdly nostalgic, making me wonder if I should take off my shoes, but nah, seemed fine without.
Inside was pretty spacious.
The chief sat us at a big table. Said he'd give more details.
"First off, about the hobgoblins' numbers. We've estimated around twenty to thirty."
"Exact count?"
"Not quite. The raiding party was about ten, so we figure twice that waiting inside the abandoned mine. Plus sightings from our militia scouts. Not a hundred percent accurate, mind. But given the raid size, I doubt there're more."
So, could be more or less. If more, might need to charge extra. Hope it doesn't come to that.
"Any risk of cave-ins?"
"Part of the tunnel collapsed about ten years back, but nothing since. We've inspected yearly. Didn't you see the map? Updated half a year ago, so it's reliable."
We covered all the basics that way. Simple: wipe out the hobgoblins occupying the tunnels and done. Asked about fire; no go, 'cause supports could burn and collapse the whole thing.
It's abandoned anyway, why not just let it fall?
"Darky... you don't know about landslides?"
"Oh, right."
"Idiot."
Winia snickered at my dumb remark.
Goddamn it.
"Ready to head out?"
Cloudy asked. But first things first.
"It's a village, might as well eat before we go. Any eateries nearby, chief? Since we're here, wanna have a proper meal before starting."
No way I was gnawing hardtack at dawn. I'm D-rank now; time to say bye to scraping by. Gonna live like a human.
"No proper inn here—we're self-sufficient. But I can whip up some home cooking."
"Really? Thanks. What about the cost..."
"No charge. Eat up and take care of those hobgoblins."
Why so nice?
Receiving kindness like this was rare lately; I was a bit stunned. Knows we're pros for a D-rank job? Or the mage? Whatever, just accept gratefully.
"Truly thankful, chief. As expected of a village leader—such bold spirit. Rare these days. Honored to meet a noble soul."
"Hoho, what flattery. Honey! Feed our guests!"
The meal was vegetable stew.
A bit bland, but way better than my usual grub. Leagues above mystery inn soup. What's the diff between soup and stew anyway?
I hammed it up, raving about how delicious it was.
Nothing beats praising food when hosted.
"Ooh... this is amazing. Living with a wife who cooks this well, meal times must be heaven?"
"Hoho, not quite. But yeah, she's a good cook!"
After eating, we took a thirty-minute break.
I went to the well, brushed my teeth, washed my face. Everyone did similar.
"Good luck out there!"
"We'll be back with heads once it's done."
Break over, off to the abandoned mine.
"Hm, even if we finish by tonight, gotta crash here another day."
Party's strong, but travel time drags. Still better pay than E-rank quests, so whatever.
"Oh, oppa? Another day?"
"Yeah. No carriage at night. Walk back?"
"..."
But Lina minded.
For her, one day's pay at five coppers, stretched to three. Poor kid. F-rank barbarian got shafted. No extra pay though.
Gotta raise little sisters tough.
"Mm, wanna get back quick. Beds suck. Can't do my thing. Guess we've gone soft on settled life. Too comfy?"
"Same."
Even Cloudy, long-time wanderer, craved stability now. Me too. Already missing my dorm bed.
"Winia, you good?"
Asked the silent Winia.
She glanced back, murmured.
"...Fine."
"Good."
"'Cause I'm with you, darky."
Winia's face flushed a bit.
What!
What'd she say!
"Why?"
"N-nothing... uh..."
"Then fuck off."
I hung my head and shuffled to Cloudy's side. She smirked, poked my cheek. Why the hell do I feel this way? No idea.
Embarrassed, I yelled at Lina for no reason.
"Hey, Lina, you okay? Sweating buckets?"
"F-fine! No problem..."
"Good."
She wasn't sweating at all, but felt like saying it. About two hours later, we reached the obvious mine entrance.
We crouched low, scanned surroundings.
Hobgoblins might spot us first; stealth key. Smart ones'd alert buddies quick.
That'd suck.
Slow and sneaky, we crept up, scouting.
"Katt, there."
"Yeah, I see."
Finally, the entrance loomed. Old black supports framed it like a door. Total abandoned mine vibe.
Two hobgoblins stood guard.
Sentries?
I eyed them hard. Ruddy, lumpy skin. Taller than goblins by a head—Lina-sized.
Nose flat like a pig's, not goblin-long. Hobgoblin in name only; totally different monster.
Short, ugly, lumpy-skinned pig-nosed dwarf. Bulkier than goblins, but no match for humans. Individuals seemed weak.
Armed with wooden clubs, wearing fur hides.
They wore clothes, wielded weapons.
Even posted guards.
Weak singly, tricky in groups obvious.
Smarter than goblins, for sure.
Twenty of those... tougher than thought.
"Take out the sentries fast. Katt, you good? One each."
Cloudy drew her curved sword.
"Hold up. Scout first."
Had to check shifts. Not just two guards; they'd rotate.
Better wait and confirm.
"Darky, overthinking? They're goblin chow. Rush in, kill all, out. Not orcs; no bows."
"R-really?"
"What, don't trust me?"
"No way... Wait, can't you use fire magic inside? Fire spreads to supports, cave-in, landslide, we're dead."
Can't burn, so Winia's flames risky too. Could ignite innards easy.
Won't happen quick, but caution good.
"Darky... think I only do fire?"
"Not?"
"Can't smack you sometimes. Mages like me handle multiple elements basic."
"Really? Never seen..."
"No need usually."
Winia pushed to charge, trusting her skills. But I disagreed. Hobgoblins group up. Some out foraging?
If ten out per chief, empty nest prime.
But if they return while we're in? Ambush in dark.
Even with killer mage Winia, brutal warrior Cloudy, ultimate steel-and-belief flame swordmaster me, reckless entry risky.
Hobgoblins no ordinary monsters.
Brains, see?
Even strongest warrior dies careless against smart foes.
Goliath didn't lose to that dwarf David for nothing. Underestimated.
I'd charge known monsters, but hobgoblins new; extra care. My habit: caution with unknowns.
Dryads? Situation forced clash.
For first-timers and unknowns, check conditions, approach slow.
I swallowed, glaring at the hobgoblins.