Goblin (1)
Goblin (1)
Goblins.
Monsters characterized by green skin and diminutive stature.
Though physically unimpressive, they're considered troublesome foes among mercenaries.
The first reason is their poison darts.
Not lethally toxic, but reportedly paralyze victims temporarily.
"Can't you just dodge or block them?"
"Hard when they ambush you. Anyone skilled enough to easily evade darts wouldn't bother hunting goblins anyway."
Thus Daygan emphasized bringing paralysis antidotes.
Even low-tier monsters can reverse the tide if you're paralyzed.
"What's the second reason?"
"Goblins are cunning. Clever and cautious."
Their forest habitat is practically their home.
Their skulking makes even experienced hunters struggle to track them.
"So we usually wait for their ambush, then counterattack."
"Then we should appear vulnerable. Small groups work best?"
"Right. Three people is ideal."
Hence goblin hunts remain unpopular missions.
The paralyzing darts, ambushes, and party size restrictions deter most.
"Found teammates? Need at least three for safety."
"I'll handle that myself."
"...You're not going alone, are you?"
Of course I was.
No reason to share earnings.
Nor did I have anyone trustworthy enough to watch my back.
After bidding Daygan farewell, I exited the guild.
Preparations complete, I left through the city gates.
Destination: Goblin territory.
A half-day's journey northward.
Once the road grew empty, I broke into a sprint.
Periodic Recovery use prevented exhaustion during the trip.
Eventually reached an unnaturally dense forest.
The distinct ecosystem confirmed this was the goblin woods.
Checking the sun's position,
roughly 40 minutes had passed.
Commuting daily wouldn't waste much time.
Could this become my regular hunting ground?
Tensing up, I stepped cautiously into the woods.
Deeper in, sunlight faded as surroundings darkened.
Mysterious insect chirps echoed through thick foliage.
An eerie forest indeed.
No wonder goblins move like they own the place.
Beyond the outskirts, I stopped glancing around.
Now walking defenselessly with fixed forward gaze.
Sword at my waist concealed beneath robes.
To invite ambush, appearing vulnerable was key.
Just as my guard began slipping—
A faint whistling sound reached my ears.
Instinctively pivoting, my hand lashed out.
"...Tch."
A bluish dart now protruded from my hand.
An attempted neck shot.
Numbness spread as surrounding flesh stiffened.
I yanked the dart out and activated Recovery.
My left hand healed completely.
But I deliberately let it hang limp, feigning paralysis.
Deception matters in combat.
Whether goblins would notice this ruse remained to be seen.
"Kreek, kreeek."
Disgusting laughter echoed.
Drawing my sword with right hand, I surveyed the area.
Four green monsters had me surrounded.
So these were goblins.
All four had scrawny frames with protruding bellies.
Abdominal obesity?
Uglier than expected.
"Kreeek."
They advanced cautiously from all sides.
I had no intention of playing along.
Kicking off the ground, I charged forward.
The front goblin hesitated, clearly surprised by my speed.
Its hastily raised club couldn't stop my downward slash.
The blade crushed through its skull like rotten fruit.
One down.
Retrieving my sword, I whirled around.
The laughter had ceased.
Remaining three now eyed me warily with weapons ready.
The encirclement was broken.
I could flee now if desired.
But why would I?
Hunter and prey had switched roles.
During that brief pause,
goblins reformed their formation.
Two frontline, one rear.
The backliner's intention was obvious.
Preparing another dart.
No need to endure that again despite my healing.
End this now.
I exploded forward with a diagonal slash.
The blade bit deep into a hastily raised club, getting stuck.
Another goblin seized this opening.
Aiming precisely for my "paralyzed" left side.
Definitely intelligent.
From ambush to formation tactics and exploiting weaknesses.
Truly cunning as described.
But that's all.
Low-tier monsters can't surpass human intellect.
I'd baited that left-side attack intentionally.
My "limp" arm suddenly shot forward.
Grabbing the goblin's throat before its club connected.
"Kee, kreek!"
It struggled violently in my grip.
I hurled it forcefully toward the dart-thrower.
"Kreeeeek!"
The two collided messily, tumbling across the ground.
Only one opponent remained before me.
"Kee, kreek! Kreeeek!"
The panicking goblin hesitated.
I stepped in and brutally kicked its bloated belly.
The violent impact sent it sprawling backward.
"Kreek...!"
Closing in, I stabbed through its exposed abdomen.
A single slash finished the remaining two as they tried rising.
All four eliminated successfully.
Only injury being the initial dart strike.
Goblins proved surprisingly easy opponents.
My strength, speed, and healing ability completely outclassed them.
- Pain (438pt)
My Pain Points had increased by roughly 120.
Half what killing four humans yielded.
Murder apparently generated more points than monster slaying.
Or perhaps stronger foes provided better returns.
Needed more data for certainty.
Setting that aside, I drew my dagger.
Time to collect proof of kills.
Severed left ears from all four went into my pouch.
Each ear worth 20 Grange.
Five kills equaled 1 Arshen.
One silver coin.
Decent pay for the effort.
Though only easy money for someone immune to darts.
With cleanup done, my blades needed wiping.
Reluctantly, I reached toward a goblin corpse.
Their lower halves were crudely covered in untanned hide.
Not for modesty, but likely protecting vulnerabilities.
I grabbed the hide to clean my blades.
Then something glimpsed beneath caught my eye.
A vicious green shaft.
The male goblin's genitalia.
Color aside, not drastically different from humans.
But one striking feature stood out.
Its disproportionate size relative to their small frames.
Larger than an average human male's.
And likely even bigger when erect...
I caught myself staring blankly.
Flushing crimson despite no witnesses.
What kind of pervert stares at monster genitals?
Letting Lilith's Scent drive me to such depravity.
This had to be her pheromones' influence.
No other explanation.
I stood abruptly, packing my gear with nervous energy.
Plenty of daylight remained.
Countless more goblins awaited slaughter.
Better keep moving.
Physical exertion might purge these lewd thoughts.
* * *
"Thirty-one total. Please verify."
I thumped a heavy pouch onto the guild counter.
Filled with severed goblin ears.
"Huh. You weren't kidding. Over thirty?"
Daygan counted them one by one, then gave me an incredulous look.
I simply nodded.
After the first fight, six more ambushes followed.
Having adapted to their tactics, I dispatched them without even torn clothing.
"Not something one normally hunts solo in a day. You really went alone?"
"Yes."
"What?"
His eyes bulged—apparently rhetorical.
After gaping momentarily, Daygan studied me intently.
"You're more skilled than I thought. Being an Aura User helps, but you'll reach Silver Badge rank soon at this rate."
"What changes with Silver?"
"Many things, starting with your pay grade."
He explained how escort missions and VIP protection paid significantly better.
Clients would pay one Silver mercenary more than five Bronzes combined.
Definitely appealing.
"Here's your payment."
He handed me coins.
6 Arshen 20 Grange.
Today's bounty.
"Impressive as you are, don't get careless. Especially with goblins—"
"Goblins?"
I tilted my head questioningly.
After hesitating, he continued.
"Even monsters have hierarchies. Dominant males like Hobgoblins monopolize all females."
"I see."
New information.
Worth knowing their ecology.
I listened attentively.
"So roaming goblins are constantly sexually frustrated."
"Uh-huh. And?"
"Meaning they develop... urges toward humans too. There's a reason they kidnap village women. Understand? You mustn't lose to them."
I comprehended his meaning.
That massive green member from earlier flashed through my mind.
I shook my head violently to dispel the image.
"Understood. But no need for concern."
No way I'd lose to mere goblins.
Could defeat over ten simultaneously.
Even more wouldn't best me.
Yes.
Such a thing would never happen.
...Never.