Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Path of the Magic Swordsman (4)
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"Kuhiiik!!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Goblin Observation Log 1.
Goblins have surprisingly clear hierarchies.
"Keeik...!"
"Keguk!!"
I carefully watched the two goblins conversing.
Thud!
Every time the chieftain slammed his weapon against the wall and stomped the ground with his feet, they cowered in fear.
"Kigik...."
I had no idea what they were talking about, but the goblin who'd been chatting away with the chieftain for a good while turned away with his head bowed low.
As the leader of a wild pack like this, he probably got there through raw power.
'That bone necklace could be made entirely from his own kind.'
He might even be some kind of tyrant.
I'd never fought goblins before, so I wasn't sure.
"Keeik...."
Goblin Observation Log 2.
Goblins have ADHD.
Step... step...
They couldn't stay still for a second.
Just when I thought it had been sitting there for about three minutes, it would always get up and wander around.
'Exactly five steps away.'
Step-
Just when it seemed like it was finally moving away from the cave entrance...
"Kigik."
"......"
It would come right back and plop down again.
"Keheeeek!!"
It would leap up angrily, screeching something─
"Kihik!"
And then return with a satisfied noise, reclaiming its spot at the entrance.
It was starting to feel like they all knew I was here and were doing this on purpose.
"Kehek! Keheeeek!!"
"Kigik...."
Goblin Observation Log 3.
'Does this bastard really not know I'm here?'
A few goblins who'd been poking around the cave for a while approached the chieftain.
I couldn't understand what they were saying, but from the flow of it, they gestured toward wanting to check behind the chieftain... where I was.
It was dark inside, so they might not see much at a glance, but if they stepped into the hole, they'd spot me right away.
The moment I was discovered, my future was as clear as day.
'1 vs. 100 hide-and-seek... If they catch me, it's over... No.'
In a scenario where I'd be truly fucked, I gripped my sword and magic stone tightly, tense as hell.
"Keheeeek!!"
"Keeik!"
For some reason, the chieftain flew into a rage, gesturing wildly as if he'd never let them inside.
I couldn't tell if he was pissed they dared suggest it to him, or if he was genuinely convinced no one was there.
Step...
"Kek-kek-kek!"
"......"
Watching his retreating subordinate with a smirk, one thing was clear: this guy was an idiot.
At least smart enough to know he wasn't chieftain material.
"Kuhuk... Kuhuk...!"
Goblin Observation Log 4.
This bastard's asleep.
Feels like an hour's passed.
No sign of him leaving anytime soon.
Bang! Bang!
The goblins faintly visible beyond the chieftain had decided there was no path and were breaking one open.
More like on the chieftain's orders, probably.
I had no clue how long he'd block the entrance or how long I'd have to wait.
"Kehek!!"
Goblin Observation Log...
'Fuck this.'
I couldn't take it anymore. Couldn't wait.
Chieftain or not, I had to take them all down eventually.
If he really rose through pure brute force, wasn't now—while he was wide open—the best time?
'Just fight thinking of this entrance as my advantage.'
The entrance was narrow, and the inside wasn't visible.
Whether ten or a hundred aggroed, only a limited number could enter at once.
So─
'Bye, baldy goblin.'
This was just the result of your own mess.
"Kiheeeek!!"
Grip...!
I seized my sword at the sight of the chieftain hopping mad in frustration.
I considered chucking a magic stone but at this range, beheading seemed surer.
I wanted to see the effects of my practiced swordsmanship and the 3,000 TP practice steel sword.
'Not like I have tons of stones anyway.'
Eight low-grade magic stones, one mid-grade.
Practice steel sword and wooden shield.
That was my current gear.
"Hoo."
"Keheeeek!"
I took a light breath, then charged straight at the chieftain's neck visible through the hole.
Recalling the swordsmanship I'd practiced for hours every day over nearly three weeks.
I poured every ounce of strength—real or imagined—into a full-power swing at his neck.
"Hup...!!"
"Kiek?"
'Too late to turn now, asshole...!'
Slash-
Thud...
Done.
It actually worked.
Not the cleanest, but seeing it cleanly severed made me blink.
Definitely different from a wooden sword.
A smile crept onto my face at the proof my efforts weren't wasted.
'Swordsmanship does have an effect, then.'
All I could do were vertical and horizontal slashes, but the results were solid.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblin Number 99]
Splurt-!!
"......"
The chieftain's body, blood gushing from the stump, crumpled to the ground. Behind the one blocking the hole, the goblins stared blankly at the chieftain's head rolling away.
Yelling triumphantly here wouldn't be bad, but─
'They can't see in well from outside anyway, right?'
Even after taking out the chieftain, I slipped back a bit.
From now on, I was this dungeon's trap.
If you're confident enough to reveal who one-shot your chieftain's head off, come on in.
'Holograms or not, they're the same until death.'
They felt fear and rage.
Confirmed in the Tower of Trials, Tower of Wisdom, Tower of Fate.
Multiple places.
So─
'Come on, you fuckers.'
The confident ones die first, got it?
"Keheeeeeeeek!!!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Splurt-!
"Haa... haa...."
Out of breath.
Tiring faster than expected.
'Practice and real combat are different, huh...'
Swinging a sword solo in a cave for one or two hours was worlds apart from facing real enemies.
"Kiheeeek!!"
Flash-!
'Now...!'
Without Parrying auto-activating on every attack, I'd have eaten several hits for sure.
"Kehek, kuk...."
The goblin with its head lolling collapsed sideways.
It clutched its throat with both hands as if struggling, then went limp and closed its eyes.
"Hoo...."
The silver lining: corpses piling up, making terrain tough for them.
'My side's narrowing too, though.'
But since I could always nail Parrying, no big issue.
"Next customer!!"
"Keheeeek!!"
I forced a smile at the goblin charging over its comrade's corpse.
Couldn't show fatigue. If they sensed it, they'd swarm.
Had to keep pretending I was fine here to buy even a little more time.
Fighting a madman was scariest, after all.
"Come on in!!"
"Kehuk?!"
Crunch-!
Honestly, the chieftain's blood spraying at first threw me off a bit, but I snapped out of it quick.
Wonder if it's because I figured they're holograms, or just 'cause they're the most common low-level trash mobs in every game or show...
'Feels like a game.'
Lucky or not, it still felt game-like so far.
Though a VR death game where dying ends it all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Slash-
"Hoo."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblin Number 60]
Forty percent now.
Stamina already scraping bottom.
One dodge per goblin meant eighty swings.
One Parrying per goblin was forty already.
For someone with only two 1v1 kills from enemy mistakes, this was rough.
Didn't know power control, so full force every attack.
'These bastards' fear is fading too.'
Long time after chieftain died before first entered.
Made sense after one-shotting their boss, but now not so scared.
Lost reason in massacre? Or rage at losses? No clue...
Crackle-
"Kehek! Keguk!!"
"Can't understand─!!"
Now charging without much care.
Whoosh-!
"Tch...!"
Swing at charging goblin missed empty air.
Braced shield/arm for incoming, but it didn't charge.
"......?"
"Kehek! Kehek!"
Trampling fallen kin's gap, tossing dead goblins' weapons outside.
'...What're they doing?'
Weapon shortage?
Unclear, gripped sword and charged; it freaked and fled the hole.
Whoosh-
Slash.
Crackle!
After that, they kept smuggling weapons out, some I'd kill, some flee—repeating for a bit.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblin Number 55]
"Keguk!"
"Keeik! Kiiik!"
The moment I downed five more, they all started screeching together.
"What the hell are you─"
trying? Right as I opened my mouth, red light flashed at the entrance.
Once, twice, thrice.
Eyes wide at constant Parrying flashes, I smacked away incoming attacks.
Crunch!
Thwack!
'Throwing their weapons now...!'
Clubs, daggers, machetes, etc.
Their own and dead kin's, hurled full force at me.
Kwak!
Not all threats, but annoying as hell.
Occasional sharp flyers forced full defense.
'Figured out I'm a trapped rat.'
No retreat. Nowhere to run.
Done with weapons? Now cave-smashing rocks flying too.
None did big damage alone, but piling up would hurt.
"You cowardly bastards─!!"
I bellowed at them, fury packed in.
"Come in fair and square!!"
Not like I had room to talk.
Flash-!
"Argh!!"
I squinted at nonstop ranged barrage stinging my eyes.
Stamina already low, now this bullshit.
Grip...!
'Wanted to thin numbers more first...'
Last resort magic stones clenched, teeth gritted.
Think only you do ranged? Mine's better. Expect it.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Lightning Bolt!!
Kwajijijik!!
"Kehek?!"
The flung blue lightning orb flew at the head of a goblin grinning as it readied a rock.
The goblin trying to flee late got blocked by pushy comrades from behind.
The dazed goblin blinked, then got zapped full-on.
"Keggeggeggek."
Weird death screech, body convulsed, flopped limply aside.
Along with the one pushing from behind trying to throw.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblins 53]
"Ahh.... This is what they call 'magic'."
The goblins visible outside the hole changed expressions.
Clear panic.
Resentful glares like why hide such a trump card?
"Keheek!!"
One swallowed its fear hard, hoisting a big rock─
Kwajijijik!!!
Lightning orb smashed into its head; other goblins instinctively stepped back.
Foul stench of burning meat, rising pale smoke.
Proof they weren't that stupid.
'Six stones left.'
Fifty-two goblins remaining.
Still half.
No—for my sanity, only half left.
'Lure 'em to melee like before if possible.'
Can't let it stay ranged.
If they realize no more magic, they'll keep sniping rocks from afar.
I snap and charge out? Surrounded and pummeled.
So bluff or whatever.
'Two at once.'
Gripped two stones, hurled full force at the horde.
Pajijijik!!
Goblins who learned from repetition tried dodging, too late.
Lightning magic fried three goblins golden-brown.
'Lucky.'
One tried Friend Shield to dodge, but got shocked with its pal.
Four stones left.
They panicked, frozen outside the hole.
Exchanging glances, but no chieftain meant indecision.
"Come on."
I grinned wide at them, crooking a finger.
Charge or eat more magic, I posed gripping a stone.
"Ke, keheeeek!!"
'That's it.'
At the goblin charging, unable to bear kin-slaying, my rested right hand clenched the sword hard.
Spluuuurt-!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblin Number 33]
"Haa.... Haa...."
Exhausted.
Reactions slowing, but heart pounding wild.
Sticky unknown sweat-or-blood covered my body.
Right arm trembled; barely kept grip on sword.
Even with Parrying's red flash and perfect timing, body wouldn't follow.
"Keheek!!"
"Haha... Bet you're thrilled to death?"
The more fatigued I looked, the faster they swarmed.
Down one, no breather—next charged right in.
'This pace, I'm dead.'
But how.
How to hold against the rest.
Grit and swing: five maybe.
Injuries tolerated, ten tops.
Magic only four uses left.
"Kekekuk!"
"......"
Machete goblin's sneer got my left middle finger salute—the only sign I knew.
"Kukuku...."
Monster or not, it instinctively grimaced; I burst out laughing.
'Think...'
What to do, biting lip briefly.
Flash-!
"Keheeeek...!"
"......!"
Clang!
Barely deflected enraged charge.
Its weapon flew overhead, balance lost; I gritted teeth, closed in, slashed throat.
"Keguk!"
New goblin incoming; face twisted, hand to pocket.
'Kill this with stone for time...'
Buy rest. Fumbled pocket.
"......Ah."
Smooth, bigger stone—not low-grade. One hand-sized mid-grade.
Pricy 1,000 TP one.
Saved just in case, couldn't test yet.
'...Time first.'
Pulled low-grade instead, flung at charging goblin.
Kwajijijik-!!
"Keguk!!"
Fled screeching why magic at me? Got hit, burned.
"Kehek!!"
"Kiiiiik!!"
Pointing fingers like I broke rules; I chuckled dryly.
They geared to throw rocks/weapons in response; I drew mid-grade.
'......Water Rain.'
Learned water magic for mass shocking.
Water Bolt/Arrow couldn't wet crowds, so unused...
Low-grade couldn't cast it.
But if mid-grade worked, and true to "rain," soaked everyone outside...
Thwack!
"Bet you'd be pissed eating a high-grade after this."
"Keguk?"
No Parrying flash; stood still for flying rock.
Ignored it grazing head-close, gripped mid-grade hard.
It'll work somehow, praying please succeed.
"Water Rain...!"
Hurled mid-grade full force at goblin horde.
1 second.
2 seconds─
3 seconds...
'Shit.'
Failed, I thought just then.
"Kehek?"
Goblins all craned necks; my eyes widened.
"Keguk!!"
One pointed at "raining indoors" ceiling, and─
Shooooaaa-!!
"Haha...!"
Decent downpour hit them; I grinned huge.
Ding!
'Skill book alert, probably.'
No time to check phone.
Head-tilted goblins at rain; I gripped low-grade quick.
Drip...
Rain heavy but short; stopped.
"Keguk!!"
Lifted rock again; I flung low-grade.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡
Chain Lightning!!
Pajijijik...!!
Flung stone turned lightning bolt.
Horizontal strike; soaked goblins startled.
'No escaping.'
Goblins couldn't block that.
Flash!
Kwajijijik!!!
"......Wow."
True to "chain," bolt arced from first hit to next.
Rode rain's conduction paths smoothly, threading lightning skewers between goblins; I chuckled in disbelief.
"Keggeggek!!"
"Kegggguk...!!!"
Eyes rolled back; they convulsed in place.
Unable to move, tormented by looping lightning, collapsing one by one.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Remaining Goblin Number 12]
"Keheeeek!!"
"Kiiik!!"
Beyond-imagined effect faded; survivors from back or chain's edge started screeching.
Two-thirds down, but some left.
Whatever.
Thwack.
"Keggeggek!!"
Charging into hole weapon-ready to kill me; I beamed.
Swipe-
"Ta-da~! What's this~?"
"Ke, keguk...."
Low-grade stones. Still two more.
"You're soaked."
Shall we play even more shockingly?
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