2. Blind Ju Cheong-ah: A Secluded Forest Corner
In a secluded corner of the forest near the goblin village, we found a thick cluster of bushes to hide in. The crude huts, without even a fence—just the huts themselves—looked utterly primitive, like something cavemen had slapped together right after crawling out of their caves.
"Hmm…."
We'd reached the goblin village described in the request form, but there were way more goblins visible than expected. From this decent distance, I could already spot about twenty. Factoring in those probably lurking inside the huts, that put us at a minimum of thirty.
Typically, a goblin village was considered cleared once the numbers dropped below fifteen. This was a hefty count—enough that it would take a party of five or more, including at least one or two Bronze Badge adventurers, to handle. For a newbie exam quest, the difficulty was off the charts.
Time to head back to the guild. I turned to Ju Cheong-ah.
"Uh, Cheong-ah? There are a bit too many goblins in that village."
"Oh? How many?"
"Just the ones I can see: twenty. Including the hidden ones inside, probably at least thirty."
"Hmm. Is that a lot?"
"Of course it is. You'd need a party with some Bronze Badges mixed in. We should retreat for now…."
As I explained, I shot a glance at Ju Cheong-ah. She looked utterly relaxed—not just calm, but humming a little tune like she was about to break into song. What the hell? Why is she so nonchalant? I'd told her straight up that I could barely handle one goblin.
Even if there were exactly thirty in that village, subtracting my one share left twenty-nine for her to solo. And yet, she acted like it was no big deal, her face saying, So what?
"Well, I think it'll be fine. Just thirty goblins."
"Just thirty? You think goblins are a joke? They're weak, sure, but…."
Even as one of the weaker monsters, thirty-plus goblins packed real punch through sheer numbers. Soloing that many would require at least a Silver Badge adventurer. And she calls it "just"?
I stared at her in disbelief, falling silent. She waved it off reassuringly.
"Ian, I'm pretty strong, you know? Even if I can't see…."
"…Yeah."
Strong? Right. I scanned her up and down. Slender frame. Thin arms. Her thighs, exposed by the side slits in her outfit, were surprisingly toned and sexy against her delicate build—but her untouched, snow-white skin looked more like soft flesh than muscle. Ask a hundred passersby, and they'd all call her a fragile beauty, nothing more.
And no visible weapon, either….
Wait, the cane. Was she maybe a mage? With that heavy Eastern vibe, probably something like a shaman. If she was a mage, her confidence made sense. Even the basic fireball spell—beginner stuff—could wipe out thirty goblins, or hundreds, in seconds. Mages started at Silver Badge minimum, or so I'd heard.
I'd never actually seen one, though. They were supposed to be common enough, but somehow I'd missed out. Being isekai'd, I really wanted to witness some magic at least once.
"Cheong-ah, are you a mage or something? Like a shaman?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask?"
"No reason. You said the numbers don't matter, so I figured maybe you could blast them all at once like a mage…."
"Hehe. Sorry to disappoint, but no, I'm not a mage or shaman."
"Oh… then what are you?"
"Want to see?"
"Huh?"
With a soft laugh that answered for her, Ju Cheong-ah rose from the bushes.
"Ch-Cheong-ah?"
"I'll be right back."
"Wait, no—!"
Before I could stop her, she parted the bushes with her cane, tapping the ground and sides rhythmically as she strode toward the goblin village.
Crunch. Crunch. Her footsteps rustled through the underbrush. Stunned, I called out desperately.
"Ch-Cheong-ah?! It's dangerous!"
"It's fine."
What the hell is she doing, charging in like that?! Sure, I could barely take one goblin myself, but they were weak monsters. Excluding small herbivores, almost everything was their predator in this world. They'd survived the wilds despite their frail bodies for good reasons: insane breeding rates, growth speeds that no other creature could match.
Here, they said if you spotted one goblin, assume ten more nearby. That said it all.
But goblins weren't scary because of numbers. It was their cunning. Frail as they were, they had the slyness and viciousness to match—plus enough smarts to use basic tools. Unlucky humans, basically. A step above Australopithecus, maybe?
That's why they mimicked human behavior for defense. Like that suspicious patch of discolored ground ahead.
"Cheong-ah! Stop! That's a trap!"
"Oh? My."
She halted right at the edge the instant I yelled. Tapping her cane ahead, she confirmed it.
"You're right. Hehe… thanks, Ian."
Crack! The cane's tip sank in, and the ground collapsed into a pit trap. The noise drew every goblin in the village—they spotted her and shrieked piercingly.
-Kieeeek!!
"Human!"
"Female!"
Starting with that one cry, about thirty goblins—right on my estimate—poured out. Alarms blared in my head.
…Run.
What about Cheong-ah…?
Tough call. They were closing fast. Ditch her now, run solo, and I'd live. Turn tail immediately, and I'd make it.
My life matters most. No time for others.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
But me, Ian? Yeah, my skills were shit—utter garbage—but I wasn't heartless.
"Fuck it."
I bolted toward her.
"Cheong-ah…!"
"Ah, Ian…?"
"Retreat for now! Too many! I'll shield us from their poison darts or whatever!"
"Ian."
"Get behind me quick…."
"Ian."
Her calm voice calling my name. She nudged me aside and stepped forward.
"Move. You're in the way."
"…Huh?"
The goblins charged.
-Kieeeek!!
-Kyaaak!!
-Kirrrk…!
Ju Cheong-ah gripped the middle of her cane with one hand, the end with the other, and sank into a low stance. Her lips parted softly.
"Saintess Sword, first form."
Butterfly Wing.
With her faint murmur, the cane's tip slid free. What I'd thought was a cane was a sheathed sword.
Flash.
A silver streak sliced the air before my eyes. The drawn blade arced toward the oncoming goblins.
A diagonal slash through empty space. I couldn't believe it.
I wasn't the only one who sensed something off. The goblins slowed, one by one, puzzled cries escaping them.
"Kiak…?"
"Kik…?"
They began mocking the swing at nothing.
"Kikikik! Stupid human!"
"Kakakak! Dumb female!"
Ju Cheong-ah didn't flinch. As they bulged their eyes and advanced….
"Hmph."
With her snort, the lead goblin's head—and every one behind it—tumbled simultaneously, without a millimeter's error. Blood fountained from their necks.
Roll.
One head came to rest by my feet. The goblin's eyes weren't even fully closed—it died without grasping why, or even that it had died.
"Wha—what…?"
In this absurd, overwhelming scene, I pinched my cheek numbly. It hurt—like when I'd first arrived in this world and tested reality the same way.
In a daze, I stammered, "Cheong-ah… what the hell…."
She sheathed the blade casually, holding it like a cane again.
"Told you. I'm strong."
"No, but…."
Was "strong" even the word? Three years isekai'd, two and a half as an adventurer. I'd seen my share of hotshots, even Gold Badge elites from the guild's top ranks. None pulled off a performance this dominant.
"So, Ian?"
Snapping me from my stupor, she asked.
I blinked dumbly. "Huh? What?"
Her voice brimmed with smug pride.
"Wanna party up with me?"
The question hit me with doubt. Why would someone this skilled want to team with me? Didn't matter. Overthink it, and I'd blow my shot. Opportunity's bald at the back of the head, right?
"Of c-course…."
I started nodding—
-Kuoooohhh!!
A bone-chilling roar. My body shook like a leaf, but Ju Cheong-ah just tilted her head nonchalantly.
"Oh my. Ian, looks like we missed a goblin. But that cry's awfully loud. Mad about its kin?"
What the—?!
"Cheong-ah, that's no goblin!"
"Oh? Not a goblin? Then what?"
"Ogre!"
"Huh?"
"It's an ogre, damn it! Run!!"