Chapter 29: The Green Goblin Clan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: The Green Goblin Clan
“Kkik. In that case, I suppose I should slow down a bit this time.”
Those were welcome words. If I just kept getting slammed into the ground, there would have been no point in hiring him as my private tutor. But when the fight resumed, it was the same story… All I could do was follow him with my eyes; there was little else I was capable of.
The only consolation was that I’d managed to swing my longsword and dagger a few times. My greatsword, with its long reach and many openings, was of course out of the question. Still, his skill was truly masterful. I had to admit that the Green Goblin Clan’s reputation for dagger-work was no empty boast.
It was a fight that made me feel the clear difference in proficiency, one that went beyond the gap in our physical specs. To be honest, it was embarrassing to even call it a fight, since I was just getting beaten one-sidedly, but I still felt it was helping me.
The other clan members seemed to feel the same. Though their faces were filled with endless frustration, it didn't seem like a bad experience for them.
The next day was the same.
And the day after that.
Three days…
Even after a week, nothing had changed.
The entire Blood Dagger Clan did nothing but roll around on the ground. But not a single goblin laughed at us. As time went on, it was they who began to look at us with respect, not the other way around. They no longer treated us with playful expressions. Though we were hopelessly weak, they began to treat us as true warriors.
Around this time, sneaking out at night to practice my sword swings became a daily routine not just for me, but for everyone. Mev and Jung Hayeon had found me swinging my sword, having come looking for me thinking I was off mating with the beautiful female goblins from the other tents.
Then, on the one-month mark.
It was only possible because he had slowed down to accommodate me, and it was surely a coincidence, but… I parried the Green Goblin chieftain’s dagger.
Clack.
The sound of my dagger clashing against the hilt of his echoed through the air. I glanced at his face for a split second. He looked surprised, but I was even more shocked. My eyes and mouth flew open.
“Krrrrrr…”
It was just one small step, but I couldn't help but feel ecstatic.
“Kkik… Impressive…”
The Green Goblin, his face usually playful, spoke with a slightly hardened expression.
“It was a coincidence. Or rather, it’s thanks to you holding back…”
“Even so, the fact remains that you blocked it, Blood Dagger. I’m not looking down on you, but if the other chieftains had seen this, they would have laughed their heads off. To think that I, who have been here for eight years, had an attack blocked by a chieftain who’s been here less than a year… I must have grown complacent. I’ve learned a lot from watching you all. Kkik. Kkik.”
“You are remarkable. You may not be strong yet, but you are brave, diligent, and you don’t know how to give up. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Green Skin like you.”
“Even if you’re just flattering me, thank you, brave Green Goblin.”
Three more days passed like that. Afterward, we began to head for a dungeon. It was less a dungeon guarded by a master like a Lich and more of a cave where monsters lived, but it was quite efficient. To put it bluntly, the monsters respawned very quickly.
Of course, since the Green Goblin Clan had an obligation to ‘protect’ our tribe, they sent their elite warriors with us. However, they would not reveal themselves unless an opponent appeared who was far beyond our league.
Conversely, it was only natural that they wouldn't care if we died, as long as it wasn't to an overwhelmingly strong foe. That was their way of protecting our honor.
The ‘Spider Grave,’ known as a hunting ground for human beginners or intermediates. The spiders were about the same size as my wolf, Ibar, but their attack patterns were limited, so it was a popular spot for humans looking to gain experience and change their class.
My objective was painfully obvious.
Hunting humans.
And, just in case, finding Choi Seulgi.
My desire for battle had been sufficiently met, but the clan’s thirst for blood had not. It might sound crude to put it this way, but we were going for what you might call an ‘ambush.’ Of course, we weren’t going to strike an enemy in the back while they were already fighting someone else.
‘We’re going to raid the humans inside the dungeon.’
Kill them all. The location was a ‘cave’ not far from the western forest. Having frequented this place in the past, I knew its location well. Of course, despite going in and out of this cave so many times, I had eventually given up on it when I showed no signs of growth, but that didn't mean my old memories were gone.
“See any tracks?”
“Yeah. They’re all human. I’m not… entirely sure, but… Anyway, Chieftain, how did you know about a place like this?”
“I’ve been scouting from time to time.”
As expected, we began to find human tracks nearby. They were leaving them so openly that this party was likely a group of ‘newbies’ who had just entered the area. As we moved deeper into the forest, moving stealthily, Mev posed her question. I gave a vague answer, and once again, the clan members looked at me with awe. At times like this, Jung Hayeon would wear a slightly uneasy expression, as if she were thinking about something, but it didn't matter.
A strange, venomous look had settled on all their faces, including Jung Hayeon’s. It was no wonder they looked that way. I wasn't the only one who felt we had grown stronger, even if just a little. They felt it too. After fighting relentlessly against the elites of the Green Goblin Clan, they must have been eager to test their newfound strength.
Jung Hayeon, in particular, seemed to be growing completely numb to killing humans. If what the other tribe members wanted was a battle spattering with blood, what she wanted was pure ‘blood.’ I was a bit taken aback by her gradual descent into corruption, but as long as she delivered the efficiency I wanted, it didn't matter. The more numb she became, the stronger she grew.
We began to advance slowly. The Spider Grave was large enough to be called a ‘dungeon.’ Naturally, there were ‘points’ to rest and points to form parties to find work.
The usual gathering spot was the dungeon entrance. As we approached quietly, we began to see groups of people who had lost their party inside or had been kicked out. Or people who had just finished preparing to enter. If not them, then it was people selling potions.
Flickering light illuminated the humans’ faces. It was almost laughable how they were enjoying their leisure, having lit a campfire. Hiding a good distance away, I began to slowly check their faces. I didn't see any of the Named individuals I knew, nor did I see Choi Seulgi. Since it was ‘night,’ when the Spider Grave was most active, they wouldn't want to miss a good opportunity. I couldn't rule out the possibility that they were already inside.
Focusing a little magic into my ears, I could hear their voices.
“Looking for a decent warrior.”
“Priest here. Will join for 50% of the byproducts.”
“Potions for sale. Selling potions.”
A quick headcount showed they slightly outnumbered us.
However…
I didn't feel like we would lose at all. In a little while, an alarm spell or a trap set by an archer would likely be triggered.
I slowly walked toward them, just like… just like when I was human. I didn't bother shouting a war cry. With reddened eyes and a constant “Krrrrrr” rumbling from my mouth, I simply walked toward the entrance.
An ‘Orc’ with a massive sword on his back, a piece-of-shit steel sword in his hand, and a dagger so plainly visible at his side must have looked strange to them. My armor was nothing more than the single shoulder guard I received when I became a gladiator. I probably looked more like a cheap weapon merchant than a warrior.
As expected, the area immediately grew noisy. I could hear their voices.
“An Orc…”
“H-How…”
Confused voices echoed out. But they were probably thinking:
‘It’s just one, anyway. It won’t be dangerous.’
Of course I knew. If I were in their shoes, I would have thought the same thing. That with these numbers, it wasn't dangerous, that they could win. To them, the only dangerous monsters in this western forest were the goblins of the Green Goblin Clan.
“Looks like we’re in luck…”
Slowly, they began to approach. But the members of the Blood Dagger Clan, positioned far away, did not react.
“Uwaaaaaaah!!”
Eventually, a confident-looking warrior and two rogues started running toward me. They were decent enough, but not on my level.
In an instant, the greatsword was drawn from my back and swung. I felt my magic circuits burn as strength flooded my entire body. The greatsword cut through the air with a whoosh and sliced the warrior clean in half.
Sssshhhwwwiiik!
The sound hit my ears. The sound of human bone and flesh being torn and split in an instant. The sensation was different from when I first fought beasts. Back then, I definitely couldn't have cut through them. Seeing the man’s body collapse without even a scream, his torso and lower body separated, I could feel it for certain.
‘I’ve gotten stronger.’
The second one was the same. I had actually intended to cut down both of them at once, but the rogue must have had a bad feeling, because he leaped into the air and saved his life. I approached the off-balance rogue and swung the greatsword vertically. This time, his body was split perfectly in two. The sudden gush of brain matter and blood that covered my body felt somewhat refreshing. A ferocious sound naturally escaped my lips.
“Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrk…”
“Kwwaaaaaaah!!”
The expressions on the humans’ faces began to change. The initial confusion had turned to mockery, and the mockery at seeing a lone monster had turned to horror. Amidst their horrified expressions, voices continued to cry out.
“A… a Named Monster.”
I don’t know who said it, but I was grateful for the remark. As the chieftain of a clan, it would be shameful to my members if I wasn't at least at this level.
“S-Surround it! It’s a Named Monster… Fuck…”
“S-Spells!”
“Quick, warn the others inside the cave. Sh-shit, I never heard there was a monster like this…”
Not scattering in every direction was an excellent choice. If they had, it would have become quite a hassle for me. I certainly didn't want reinforcements coming from the city. In an instant, they formed a line and surged toward me. I looked at them, bared my fangs, and grinned.
“Let’s go.”
A quiet voice. But they must have heard me. As expected, voices erupted from all directions. They wouldn't be able to understand it, but I could clearly understand the language of the Green Skins.
The language of the Green Skins, who value victory and honor.
And…
The war cry that my clan members always shouted struck my ears with perfect clarity.
“Victory! For victory alone!”
“Victory! For victory alone!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
And so, a very long night began.