Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Kobold Hunt
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After a short deliberation, I made the momentous decision to form a two-person party.
I'm basically a tank, but I'm a goddamn top-tier damage-dealing tank who hits like a truck, so with a healer, I'm confident I can bulldoze through any hardship without issue. Alright. Time to show this nun my true capabilities. For 1 silver, I'd sell my soul. I'll make her see exactly what it means to wield the power of a warrior who's sold even his soul.
"Just the two of us?"
"How hard could it be? It doesn't seem like that big a deal."
In my mind, this job was simple: head out, beat the shit out of some worthless kobolds, smash whatever crude idol they had, and bring back the pieces. Any kobolds crawling around outside wouldn't stand a chance against me.
Elise pondered my words for a moment before reaching the same conclusion.
"Very well. If we succeed with just two people, we'll surely get a good evaluation."
"You bet."
"Then let's depart before it gets any later."
With that, we left the Adventurer's Guild building.
Standing beside Elise, I asked which way we were headed. She said toward the east gate. The east gate bordered the untamed wilderness directly, and since most adventurers passed through there, it was lined with all sorts of shops.
General stores, armor shops, weapons dealers, and street vendors crammed the commercial street. How to put it... it was like a bustling market that popped up every few days. You could buy pretty much anything you needed there.
We walked while chatting about this and that.
"Oh, Sister. You mentioned testing your abilities—what, like an intermediate nun exam or something?"
"I need a few more years before I can take the intermediate nun exam. This mission is a personal test of my skills."
The church must be a tough place.
The Radiant Cross Society was like that, from what I'd heard.
Anyway, to continue the explanation, hunting monsters requires more preparation than you'd think. Not just your weapons, but food for eating out in the field. And since all sorts of issues can crop up, you need various potions and tools, and sometimes camping gear too.
Camping comes up more often than you'd expect.
In a game, you'd just use inventory space, but unfortunately, I don't have anything like that. There are mages around who might, but even if they do, it doesn't matter to me, so moving on.
Basically, you buy what you need and stuff it in your pouch. But don't overpack—extra weight hinders combat. You have to judge that for yourself.
That's what experience and skill are all about.
"Anything special you need?"
We arrived at the east gate soon after.
I asked Elise.
"Food... and maybe some oil?"
"Oil? Why oil?"
"To burn the idol, for one thing."
Nothing beats fire for smashing something. Plus, in monster fights, fire is always handy, so better to bring it.
"Then let's get some oil and rations."
We entered a nearby general store and bought two packs of hardtack and a bottle of oil. We split the bill, of course. I checked if there was anything else to buy. We agreed on a few more items.
"Alright, now we can head out."
"Before that, could you take a look at the map with me?"
"Sure."
Elise pulled a map from her bosom and said.
[Map]
The moment I took the map, I wondered what the hell it was, but it seemed like some kind of map. It had the gate and crude contour lines... who drew this crap? I could've done better with my feet. Terribly done.
"The circled spot is the point?"
"Yes."
I barely made out the mark, but interpreting this map was beyond me.
You know how kids with illegible handwriting can't read their own notes the next day? This was worse. Every class had one or two like that. Total lunatics.
"It should take about two hours on foot to the target point. Not too far. The idols are nearby, so finding them after arrival shouldn't be hard."
"Two hours."
Two hours there and back makes at least four. It's late morning now, so even rushing the job, we'd need to camp.
Once the sun sets, the east gate closes until dawn. Usually, you finish before dark and head back. If it gets later, you just camp overnight.
"Looks like we'll have to camp. Sister, you got camping experience?"
I've camped plenty, so no issue for me, but I wasn't sure about Elise. If not, better to start at dawn tomorrow.
Elise nodded at my question.
"I'm used to it. We still have the essentials, so with effort, we can finish in a day. If we hurry, that is."
Even if we finish today, after sunset, we'd sleep against the wall. Timing was tight. Guess staying at the inn tonight is off. Time to prepare for camping.
"Let's head out, Katt."
"Right behind you."
The guards didn't stop us leaving the gate. I don't even know why they're there. Never been inspected. They just stand and watch.
What a dream job. If I get the chance, I'd switch to guard duty. Standing around doing nothing is my specialty.
"Hmm..."
Elise glared at the map and took the lead. I worried if she'd get us there with that scribble, but her confident stride inspired trust. It's her map, after all—surely no mishaps. Had to believe her.
In this world, who else can you trust besides religious folk?
Even if they're a bit psycho, they're fundamentally good people following rules and order. Unlike licentious mercenaries or adventurers. Those who stick to routines have pure hearts.
"How long have you been an adventurer, Katt?"
She asked while I followed her back.
Come to think of it, how long have I been at this? My hair's gotten ridiculously long, so it's been a while. Haven't counted days, but I've survived two winters—over two years for sure. Maybe three? Time's fuzzy.
Military service followed by isekai service—gives me chills. But the real horror is no discharge. Fuck this.
"Not sure exactly, but around three years... or more? E-rank life, basically. And you, Sister?"
"I've lived at the church since I was very young, so over ten years."
"Whoa... so you've mastered basic holy spells, right?"
To be a nun or priest, you need holy power control. Without it, you're just a believer. Come to think of it, what skills does the Radiant Cross Society use? Skills vary by faith, so I don't know details.
"Of course. Church life is all prayer and training."
Churches are basically armed groups, aren't they?
About an hour in, unfamiliar scenery appeared since it wasn't my usual route. Mountains look similar, but my regular paths feel familiar, so new areas disorient me. That's how people get lost.
"We going the right way?"
"No need to worry. Want to rest a bit?"
"Ah, thank you."
I looked around, sat on a flat rock, and drank some water. Ate a bit of hardtack too. Hardtack varies—cheaper ones taste worse and are drier for longevity. I got less dry ones since we'd eat today.
"Sister, have some too. Better to fill up before moving."
Elise didn't seem hungry, but she took hardtack and chewed at my words. Eating gives strength. After ten minutes' rest, we moved again.
"Oh."
"What is it?"
Keeping vigilant as we walked, we hit unexpected luck.
"Ooh, this here's a find."
"What's that?"
Suppressing the urge to jump for joy, I harvested hook mushrooms growing on a tree stump. This rare alchemy ingredient fetched 3 coppers, and the alchemist guild usually bought them—a real treasure.
Adventuring builds this knowledge. Knowledge is power—or money. Smart folks like me seize these chances without hesitation.
"Hook mushrooms, used in alchemy. Adventurers make side cash this way."
"Ooh... helpful. New knowledge for me."
Nothing else noteworthy, and we reached the point. Sun high overhead—around noon or just before.
"We're close, so get ready."
"Already geared up."
"From here, we search."
Elise pocketed the map, drew her morningstar from her bosom. Wait, that "bosom"—is it like inventory? Makes sense?
"..."
Anyway, time for max tension. I scoured the ground intently and spotted tracks.
"Tracks..."
"Kobold tracks. They're nearby."
Three toes—definitely kobold. Odd, though. Kobolds live in caves—dungeons. Tracks outside in numbers mean they're crawling out for nonsense.
What wind blew these blind fucks out?
"Let's head up there."
Elise pointed to the hill. Tracks led under it, not up. From the top, we'd see the path.
Stealthily.
Crawling up, I peeked down. Bingo.
"Sister, there they are."
"Yes... I see them."
Our targets below.
—Kyut, kyusak!
—Kyusaah!!
—Kyut kyut.
Like a hunched, wrinkled old man's body topped with a repulsive rat head—horrific beasts. Kobolds. Three wailing grotesquely, patrolling the hill base.
"Truly repulsive monsters. Look at those blasphemous abominations, Katt. Don't listen to their cries. They'll corrupt you for sure."
First time hearing that without bullshit, but timing-wise, I overacted enthusiastically.
"Their very existence is true blasphemy... Demons made them. Hateful. Sister, how do I handle this boiling disgust?"
Religious types love that stuff.
"Good mindset. Punish them with that zeal."
"Punish! Great word! They look like scouts. Shall we tail them first?"
Following would lead to the goal.
"We can decide after killing them. Let's go!"
"Uh, yeah."
Following Elise charging down with morningstar raised, hmm. Definitely nuts. Normal for clergy, though. I drew my sword too.
—Kyut?
They noticed us, heads turning. What're you waiting for, you blind shits? Unlike caves, no echoes here—hard to pinpoint us.
"Die, you filthy beasts!"
—Crack!
Elise's morningstar smashed the lead kobold's skull.