Ambush in the Banana Grove
'Rustle. Swish.. Rustle. Swish..'
The cautious sounds of parting foliage echoed softly. It was the noise made by Gisohee and her party members as they moved through the underbrush. They'd been on the march since morning, each one laden with full packs on their backs. Yet they had to proceed slowly, ever wary of enemies that could spring out at any moment.
Tailing this tense, careful group was Namgung Seojun. He followed at a discreet distance, observing their movements and battles to complete his evaluation of each party member.
Gisohee, the party's interim leader, didn't have standout stats, but her presence detection skill made her an effective scout, spotting enemies ahead. Her sharp eyes also helped her forage food efficiently. Above all, she mediated conflicts adeptly, fulfilling her leadership role well.
Jo Jaehun seemed average at first glance from his status window alone. But his shield skills protected his comrades, and his seasoned experience from a long life on Earth allowed him to support leader Gisohee appropriately, offering sound advice when needed.
Kim Hoon's average stats were low, but his unique Intuition trait let him perform essential group tasks at the perfect timing. He was a summoned entrant specialized in odd jobs, with exceptional adaptability.
Gu Cheolwoo had the least impact—a thoroughly ordinary guy with no special talents. Thanks to his low-grade Luck trait, though, he'd survived unscathed so far by latching onto a good party. A lucky one.
But Lee Guho is different.
The party's firepower, mage Lee Guho, stood out completely from the others. For starters, he wasn't a summoned entrant—he was an inviter.
Lee Guho was one of the rare inviters participating in this group tutorial, just like Namgung Seojun.
That explains it.. Top-grade Magic trait and a Unique skill to boot..
There was a clear reason he could unleash firepower so superior to the other summoned entrants. Having even one like him made this party more than worthwhile.
Gisohee, leading the way, periodically checked the map to confirm their direction and blaze a trail. She also gathered any visible edibles along the path—that was her job too.
"Ah..!"
She gasped in awe, mouth agape. In the distance, a banana tree had caught her eye!
"It's a banana tree."
Her words made everyone doubt their ears. But when they looked where she pointed and saw a tree heavy with bananas, cheers erupted.
"Bananas?"
"No way, for real!"
"Whoa!"
After surviving on goblin meat, this sweet discovery was cause for celebration.
Gisohee's group rushed toward the tree. Upon arrival, they began plucking the hanging bananas by hand.
"These are really.. bananas."
Gisohee peeled one first. It differed slightly from Earth's bananas, but Jo Jaehun explained.
"It's a plantain banana from India."
Emboldened, Gisohee took a bite.
"...... Mmm! Delicious."
It wasn't the familiar banana taste—there was a subtle sweet potato note—but it was plenty good. As she ate, the others followed suit, picking and devouring bananas. A rare chance to fill their bellies with real food.
Everyone stuffed their faces greedily in this moment of bliss. But danger loomed.
"!...."
Gisohee's presence detection skill picked up the threat.
"Everyone, be careful."
At her warning, the party dropped their bananas and gripped their weapons, scanning the surroundings. Then came the familiar, ominous cackles.
"Kekekehek.."
Goblins—dozens of them—from every direction. This banana-rich area was near a goblin village, a dangerous spot. Eating here had let the goblins encircle them unnoticed.
"Twenty.. no, thirty."
Gisohee counted via presence detection.
"There are too many. Way too many."
The party formed a circular formation around Lee Guho, raising their wooden shields. The plan: hold out with shields until Lee Guho's magic thinned the horde. Sacrifice some if needed, but protect the firepower at all costs.
Lee Guho fired off spells rapidly.
"Magic Missile!"
Whoosh! Thwack.
"Kek!"
Two goblins flew back from his magic. The encircled goblins charged.
"Block no matter what! Hold even if you die!"
Jo Jaehun's shout rallied them. They braced shields against goblin assaults.
Thud. Thud!
The goblins' crude daggers and weak adult-level strength were overwhelming in numbers. The wooden shields began to splinter.
"Magic Missile!"
Lee Guho cast as fast as possible, dropping goblins, but there were just too many. As they held, disaster struck.
Whip.
In the frenzy of defense, a goblin from behind hurled a rope. It snagged straight for Gisohee's ankle.
"Ack!"
Her reaction was slow. Even with presence detection, her low Agility meant she couldn't focus on the rope amid combat.
And!
"Kyak!"
The capture noose hooked her leg. The goblins yanked hard.
"Aaaah!!"
Gisohee toppled, dropping her dagger. Dragged helpless toward the goblins.
"Ah! Sohee's being taken!"
Kim Hoon cried out, but Jo Jaehun barked firmly.
"Hold formation!"
Too many goblins remained. Cold, but correct—breaking ranks to save her meant wipeout.
"Damn it! Let go! Let me go!"
Gisohee thrashed with fists and feet as she was dragged, but to no avail. The goblins sneered vilely, subduing her.
"Let go!!"
Small as they were, the swarm bound her limbs with rope in seconds.
"Kekeke.."
Immobilized, Gisohee faced their lecherous stares.
"Hah.. hah.. Get away!!"
She writhed desperately, but their grins widened. One goblin shed its leather pants.
"Keke."
A small, slender green needle-cock stood erect.
"This is.."
Despair flooded Gisohee's mind. She'd heard goblins favored human women—not killing them, but using them as breeding tools.
On tutorial day two, a kidnapped woman had been found covered in goblin cum—pussy, ass, everywhere.
"Keke.."
Drooling, the goblin thrust its erection at her. Tears welled in her eyes.
"You fucking monster bastard! Get lost!!"
In her despair, facing the loss of her virginity to a monster, she screamed venomously.
Slash.
"Kek!"
A man appeared. With a few swift sword swings, goblins crumpled.
"Ah."
To Gisohee, it felt utterly unreal. He dispatched them effortlessly, then approached after confirming the rest down.
"Hm.."
He hesitated briefly, then swung his sword.
Swish swish!
It severed the ropes on her limbs.
"You okay? Get up."
His smiling, extended hand was a fantasy to her—handsomer than any dream prince on a white horse.
Bang. Thud!
Jo Jaehun strained against fierce goblin attacks with his shield skills.
"Ugh!"
Blood trickled from his mouth. Drained of stamina and mana, he held on willpower alone—but limits loomed. Twelve goblins left..
This is it.
Worse, firepower Lee Guho's casts lagged. The odds were grim.
The goblins sensed their advantage instinctively, exchanging glances before the final assault.
"Kek."
One goblin dropped. A sword-wielding man had throat-stabbed it.
The others turned. Swish.
"Guh!"
He casually sliced another's throat. Deeming him dangerous, ten goblins charged together.
But he dodged, thrust, repeated.
"Kek. Guh! Ke!!"
In just one minute, all ten lay dead.
"?.."
Gisohee's party felt relief mixed with shock at the sudden turn.
"Everyone okay!"
Gisohee's reappearance—and the new man's aid—eased their fears.
Reunited, Gisohee and her members shared emotional embraces, then took a brief rest. During it, they spoke with their savior.
"Thank you."
Gisohee bowed politely first, then introduced herself and the group.
"I'm Gisohee, interim leader of this party. And.."
Introductions followed.
"We were heading toward the valley. And you, benefactor?"
She transitioned smoothly. The man, still relaxed, replied.
"Hello. I'm Namgung Seojun. Like you, I'm an inviter from Earth—not a summoned entrant."
The powerhouse who saved them! Inviter Namgung Seojun had arrived.