Chapter 92 Cooperative Battle
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Cooperative Battle
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"...Hand over a woman? Are you crazy?"
Ret growled.
Iron Mask quickly intervened.
"W-Wait, Skar! That's not what he meant. Ret, calm down. He didn't mean anything strange."
"Then what did he mean?"
"He meant that we should exchange one party member each as an insurance, just in case."
Ret glared at Jeong Yoo-shin, then sighed.
"...Hoo. You should have said that from the beginning. We almost misunderstood you guys. Alright. Bryn, will you go?"
"Huh? Me?"
A brown-haired woman with freckles asked hesitantly. The woman, called Bryn, was wearing a robe but only carried a simple dagger, making it difficult to discern her class.
"Yes. We'll be fighting close together anyway. You don't have to worry too much. Can you do this for us?"
"..."
Bryn fidgeted with her fingers but didn't answer.
Just then…
The woman with short, navy blue hair, who seemed to be a guide, spoke up.
"Bryn, shouldn't you do this much? Honestly, you haven't been much help to the party so far."
"W-Well..."
"Lisa, stop it. We should all get along. We'll be spending the nights together, so why are you being like this?"
"Eek! A-Alright."
The navy blue-haired woman called Lisa replied, her face flushed.
Bryn took a deep breath and nodded.
"A-Alright. I'll go."
"Mars."
Iron Mask called out to the rat beast-person.
"Understood."
Mars stepped forward.
Bryn and Mars left their respective parties and joined the other.
Jeong Yoo-shin looked down at Bryn.
She seemed timid. And a bit too young to be in a place like this.
"Let's go."
Ret said.
The party members formed their ranks and entered the city gate.
They walked down the dark main street.
"Kekekek."
"Kreeek."
They heard the sounds of goblins in the distance.
10 Goblin Warriors.
4 Goblin Shamans.
5 Goblin Shooters.
And 80 ordinary goblins.
Indeed.
It was a number that would be difficult for a single novice party to handle without casualties, especially in such a wide-open area.
"Alright. Irene, I'll leave it to you."
Ret said while drawing his longsword.
"Leave it to me."
The pink-haired mage, Irene, closed her eyes and began chanting.
Jeong Yoo-shin stepped forward, placed the torch on the ground, tightened his shield strap, drew his arming sword, and took a stance.
"Kee?"
A goblin lurking in the distance spotted the two parties and pointed at them.
"Kueek!"
The goblin's cry echoed throughout the quiet city.
Instantly, about a hundred goblins turned their heads and glared at the parties.
'Hoo.'
Could they handle this?
It was likely to turn into a chaotic melee.
"Kreeeek!!!"
"Kueeek!!!"
A hundred goblins roared and charged at them.
The Goblin Shamans stopped at a distance and began chanting spells.
"Mars!"
Iron Mask shouted.
"Got it."
Mars pulled back his short bow with all his might and released the arrow.
Whoosh!!!
The arrow pierced through the air.
Thwack!!!
The arrow embedded itself squarely in a Goblin Shaman's forehead.
Instant death. The Goblin Shaman fell backwards.
Twang!
Not to be outdone, Lisa also fired a bolt.
Whoosh!!!
The bolt flew straight and pierced another Goblin Shaman's heart.
Another Goblin Shaman fell.
The remaining two Goblin Shamans, startled, hid among the goblin horde.
Just then…
Irene, the pink-haired mage, finished casting her spell.
[Chain Lightning]
A bright white lightning bolt shot out from the staff she held aloft, tracing a long line.
Crackle!!!
The bolt struck a goblin, and then countless other bolts branched out from it like a spiderweb.
"Kreeeek!!!"
"Kueeek!!!"
Dozens of goblins were hit by that one spell, let out puffs of white smoke, and collapsed like rotten logs.
Even the goblins that survived were trembling and unable to move properly.
"Hoo."
Irene staggered while catching her breath.
Just then…
Ret suddenly dashed forward.
It looked dangerous, with him charging into the enemy ranks with only an ordinary longsword, but his party members simply watched him go.
Sswaak!!!
Ret's sword flashed, and a Goblin Warrior's head flew through the air.
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyes widened.
He had sliced through a Goblin Warrior's thick neck with a single strike?
'Crazy.'
Every time Ret's longsword flashed, goblins fell. High-ranking or low-ranking, it didn't matter. It only took a single swing.
A whirlwind of attacks.
So that was the Genius Swordsman imprint.
It was a terrifying ability.
The goblins, recovering from the lightning magic, rushed past Ret and ran towards Jeong Yoo-shin.
Jeong Yoo-shin, for his part, blocked the path to both parties.
Regardless of their earlier conflict, he had people to protect behind him.
"Kreeek!!!"
A goblin charged at him while swinging its club.
He raised his shield.
Clang!
He blocked and thrust. His arming sword pierced the goblin's heart.
Thud!
He immediately kicked the collapsing goblin's face.
Wham!!!
The goblin's head exploded, and its corpse flew through the air, colliding with the oncoming goblin horde.
Crash!!!
The goblins tumbled to the ground. A Goblin Warrior and a Goblin Hunter emerged from the chaos.
Goblin Hunter.
A high-ranking goblin that primarily used a bow.
Whoosh!
The Goblin Hunter's arrow was aimed squarely at Kubo, the dwarf priest.
Clang!
Jeong Yoo-shin threw himself forward and deflected the arrow with a flick of his arming sword.
"Kraaaa!!!"
A Goblin Warrior, having approached him unnoticed, roared and swung its massive axe.
Crack!!!
The axe came down as if to cleave his head in two.
Jeong Yoo-shin sidestepped and swung his arming sword. He aimed for the wrist. He wasn't greedy. He only wanted muscle and tendons.
Swooooosh!!!
"Kreeeek!!!"
The Goblin Warrior screamed, its wrist half-severed.
He seized the opportunity, lunged forward, and thrust his sword under the goblin's chin.
Thud!!!
The Goblin Warrior's body collapsed to the ground, its brain turned to mush.
Thump!
He pulled out his sword and shook off the blood.
The blood droplets splattered into the eyes of the oncoming goblins.
Three goblins had their vision obscured.
He lowered his stance, rushed forward, and smashed his shield into a goblin's face.
Wham!!!
The goblin's jaw twisted, and broken teeth flew through the air.
He slammed the pommel of his sword into another goblin's head and then kicked it.
Crack!!!
His walker boot sank deep into the soft flesh of the goblin's solar plexus.
"Gah!"
He stomped on the collapsing goblin's head.
Crackle.
The skull shattered, and bits of brain matter splattered across the main street.
One more.
It was shouting something while swinging a rusty sword.
The goblin's sword swung towards his arm.
'Hmm.'
He swung his arming sword and met the attack head-on.
Clang!!!
The rusty sword snapped and flew through the air.
The goblin's eyes widened.
He swung his sword.
Sswaak!!!
The goblin's head, cleanly severed, spun through the air.
Thump, thump, thump, thump!!!
Six Goblin Warriors rushed past Ret and towards him.
Jeong Yoo-shin's expression hardened.
'Too many.'
If he were alone, it would be a different story, but he had to protect the rear. His movements were severely restricted.
[Fireball]
Irene, the pink-haired mage, cast her spell from behind him.
A giant fireball flew towards the Goblin Warriors and exploded.
Boom!!!!
"Kreeeek!!"
Jeong Yoo-shin quickly ducked and covered himself with his shield.
Thud. Thud.
Bits of flesh and bone rained down on his shield.
He lowered his arm and raised his head.
'Are they all dead?'
Four goblins, charred black, were still charging.
'Not yet.'
"I-I can't do it anymore!"
Irene shouted from behind.
Jeong Yoo-shin glanced back.
The guides were moving around while firing arrows and bolts at the Goblin Shamans.
They couldn't provide ranged support at the moment.
And…
Ret was off in the distance, performing a solo sword dance. He seemed to be enjoying himself while swinging his sword with abandon.
The good thing was that Ret was drawing the goblins' attention, preventing them from swarming him all at once.
"I'll join you."
Iron Mask stood next to Jeong Yoo-shin.
"What about the rear?"
"Let's stop these guys first, then think about it."
Thump, thump, thump, thump!!!
The Goblin Warriors charged, shaking the ground as they ran.
They quickly arrived and swung their massive weapons.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Iron Mask simultaneously sprang forward.
Iron Mask swung his greatsword down.
Swooooosh!!!
The massive two-handed sword sliced through a Goblin Warrior's arm and shoulder.
"Kyaaaaaack!!!"
The Goblin Warrior let out an unearthly scream.
'Crazy.'
He had known that Iron Mask was strong, but he hadn't realized it was to this extent. Has he gotten stronger since they last met?
Whoosh!!!
Another Goblin Warrior swung its club at Iron Mask.
Wham!!!
But Iron Mask didn't dodge. He took the hit head-on.
'Crazy?!'
"Iron Mask!!!"
Jeong Yoo-shin shouted.
Iron Mask, who was sent flying, stumbled and stood up.
"I-I'm alright. Skar!!! Be careful!!!"
Iron Mask pointed in front of Jeong Yoo-shin and yelled.
Three Goblin Warriors charged simultaneously while swinging their massive weapons.
A club, an axe, and a greatsword, all aimed at Jeong Yoo-shin.
The sound of tearing air echoed through the street.
Jeong Yoo-shin gritted his teeth.
This wasn't his crisis. It was his party's crisis.
He couldn't keep hiding his trump card.
He dropped his arming sword and round shield.
[Sacred Weapon]
He wanted Ingrid's greatsword.
He envisioned the overwhelming force of the massive greatsword cleaving heaven and earth.
As he wished, it appeared in his hands. A greatsword radiating a brilliant golden light.
He planted his feet firmly on the ground and twisted his waist with all his might.
An upward diagonal slash.
Sswwweeeeeeek!!!
The golden greatsword tore through the air with incredible speed.
Swooooosh!!!
The three Goblin Warriors, along with their weapons, were cleaved in two.
Their upper bodies, separated from their lower halves, floated in the air for a moment before falling to the ground.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Gasps of astonishment erupted from behind Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Wh-What?!"
"Is that even humanly possible?!"
"Crazy... Even if he's half-blood, that barbarian blood is something else!"
Jeong Yoo-shin clicked his tongue inwardly.
The activation speed of Sacred Weapon, the distribution of power, the angle of the swing... none of it was to his satisfaction.
'How embarrassing.'
Jeong Yoo-shin picked up his sword and shield and looked at Iron Mask.
Iron Mask was leaning on his greatsword.
Kubo, the dwarf priest, had approached him and was casting a healing spell.
"Th-Thank you... Priest."
"Iron Mask, are you feeling unwell?"
Kubo asked in a concerned voice. Jeong Yoo-shin agreed with the dwarf.
"Kubo is right. You don't look well. Rest in the back."
"I can't do that."
Iron Mask slung his greatsword over his shoulder and approached Jeong Yoo-shin.
He clearly didn't look well. Was something wrong?
Could it be that his illness was acting up?
Contrary to his worries, Iron Mask didn't stumble or get hit like before. Fortunately, his poor condition seemed to be temporary.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Iron Mask continued to fight side-by-side as they slaughtered the oncoming goblins.
At some point, the dwindling number of goblins started to flee. The party members didn't pursue them. They had neither the energy nor the reason to.
Ret approached from afar, his body drenched in blood.
"Everyone alright?"
Ret asked.
"No one in our party is injured. We're all safe."
Iron Mask replied, caught his breath, and then continued.
"Although you might not want to rest here, now is the time to move. Other goblins might come after hearing the commotion. Are you coming with us?"
"Well, I'm not sure. We'll rest here for a bit. You go ahead. Good work."
Ret replied while slumping down on the ground.
Iron Mask nodded and looked at his party members.
"Let's move."
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party left and continued down the main street.
Jeong Yoo-shin fell into thought while admiring the tall, pointed Gothic buildings.
'Strange.'
Ret.
He had heard that Ret possessed the Genius Swordsman imprint.
But watching him fight, he seemed more like he was being controlled by the imprint.
To be more precise…
He looked like he was possessed by battle.
To rush into the midst of the goblin horde while swinging his sword with abandon... He was like a berserker.
'...Could it be that it's not the Genius Swordsman imprint?'
He wondered if Ret had lied.
Moreover, he seemed to both care for and neglect his party. He was a difficult man to understand.
What was he thinking?
'Stop.'
He shook his head, stopping his train of thought.
There was no need to delve any deeper. Their cooperation had ended, so it was none of his business.
Iron Mask's party walked for about eight more hours and reached the edge of the city.
They hadn't walked for eight hours straight.
They marched for four hours.
They then found an empty house in an alley and rested for four hours.
And then marched for another four hours.
It was a march that lasted for more than half a day.
The party members' faces were caked with dried sweat and exhaustion as they stood before the teleportation stone to the Forest area.
Even though they had leveled up, it wasn't easy to run, fight, and walk while carrying nearly 40 kg of equipment.
"Let's rest for a while."
Iron Mask said while looking at his party members.
"Ugh. I'm drenched in sweat."
The dwarf priest Kubo lifted his hairy armpit and sighed.
The rat beast-person Mars spat out some water and turned his head away.
"Ugh! Priest Kubo, why are you showing us that? It ruins the taste of the water."
The dwarf laughed heartily.
"Mars, let me share some of my sweat with you. It's salty, perfect as a substitute for salt."
"N-No, please don't."
While the dwarf and the rat beast-person bickered…
Jeong Yoo-shin also took off his helmet.
His head was throbbing from the trapped heat.
His sweat-drenched black hair clung to his head like seaweed.
He brushed back his hair and took out his canteen, drinking some water.
The party members rested for a while in front of the teleportation stone, then stood up.
Iron Mask approached the teleportation stone and placed his hand on it.
Whoosh.
A red portal and a blue portal appeared.
"Skar, I'll leave it to you."
Iron Mask turned and looked at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Alright."
He put his helmet back on and handed the torch to Iron Mask.
Jeong Yoo-shin approached the red portal and stood before it.
'Finally, the Forest area.'
It felt like he had traveled a long way.
There had been some troublesome incidents along the way, but he had gained an opportunity to move forward more easily than he had expected.
"I'm going."
Jeong Yoo-shin said briefly and stepped into the red portal.
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T/N - Ret has an interesting imprint. It reminds me of those auto battler games that let the game AI handle all the combat without any user input. No wonder he had to find another party to babysit his harem.