Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: 14. I Can't Hold Back Anymore. (7)
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Slash—slash—
The three of them pushed forward, hacking away at the vines blocking their path with machetes. From a distance, it hadn't been noticeable, but as they drew closer to the cave entrance, even Isabel—not of the Ronin Tribe—could smell the revolting stench of blood.
This must be their main base.
It felt completely different from the goblin nests they'd cleared out so far. No beasts roamed the surroundings, and the closer they got, the more the plants seemed to lose their vitality, their heads drooping limply.
When they'd dismantled the other nests, traces of the natural environment had lingered, but stepping here felt like entering a polluted zone.
"Hmph... This could be tricky..."
Sylvia muttered as she fixed her gaze on the cave entrance, wrapping her hands in martial artist bandages. Earlier, she'd insisted they turn back, warning that meddling might piss off the higher-ups, but now she was gearing up to smash the place to pieces.
"You sure you're okay with that body of yours?"
"Hmph... My body's still a bit stiff, but not so much I can't fight. Why? Telling me to rest again?"
"...No. Fine... Time's tight anyway. Let's go."
Sylvia cracked her neck with a series of pops. Isabel had planned to tell her to stay put if she seemed unfit, but with Sylvia speaking so confidently, she didn't bother stopping her.
And besides...
She must be fully recovered by now.
The Ronin Tribe excelled at stamina recovery above any other race.
On top of that, she'd been healed with holy water, so after lying there like the dead for an hour or two, she was probably more than back to full strength.
So, time to fight as hard as she'd rested.
The three reached the cave entrance without much more talk. A grim, bottomless darkness yawned wide like a gaping maw to greet them.
"Vice Priestess, be careful. From here on, even we might not be able to protect you."
"Ah, yes..."
Rachel gave one final warning—not quite a warning—that now was their last chance to turn back, but as expected, she ignored the unspoken implication and stepped inside. Figuring she'd handle herself, Isabel plunged into the pitch-black darkness.
"Sylvia, see anything?"
"Hmph, not yet... But stay sharp. They could pop out from anywhere, anytime."
Sylvia, with her night vision, took point for scouting. Normally, a sentry or two would guard the entrance, but after a quick scan, she reported no goblins in sight.
What? All hiding inside?
The goblins must have taken heavy losses, abandoning the entrance to hunker down deeper within.
If they hadn't kidnapped Priest Isaiah, no one would have known they were here—or where they'd fled. Leaving a trail on top of taking him? That was their stupid mistake.
This time, I'll wipe them out for good. No survivors.
Finding Priest Isaiah was priority one, but while they were at it, they'd hunt down every last goblin hiding here and slaughter them all.
After all, no other monsters caused as much direct harm to the village as these bastards.
Isabel planned to exterminate them thoroughly, not letting a single one escape if possible.
Of course, rescuing Priest Isaiah came first.
Massacring the rest could wait.
As they ventured deeper, their eyes slowly adjusted to the dark. Things invisible before began to come into view.
"Ugh... W-what is this...? All corpses?"
Rachel gagged from the back at the sight of bodies littering the floor, her vision shaking violently. Perhaps too gruesome for someone who'd spent her life in the church.
Still, they'd killed a ton...
From wild beast bones to human ones so old their death dates were unknowable. Overflowing in excess, the goblins had even fashioned them into weapons and tools.
The larger beast bones were on display like trophies scattered about, making the place look no different from a cannibal den.
"Hold up, sis. Fork in the road."
"Huh?"
A split path appeared ahead of Sylvia. They halted at the center.
"What now? Looks like it splits here..."
"Smell... Can't tell by scent."
Sylvia sniffed at the air in response to Isabel. She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head as if something was off.
"No good... Goblin stench is too strong. Can't pick it out."
Damn... No time for this headache.
Checking each path one by one would take too long... It was a decent-sized cave, deep and vast. That approach could take days.
Isabel had wanted to stick together with the Vice Priestess, but no choice now...
"We'll have to split up."
It raised the risk, but it'd be faster. With Priest Isaiah who-knew-where in who-knew-what danger, they couldn't afford to creep around as a group.
The issue was who took Vice Priestess Rachel...
"Sure? I'll take her then."
Sylvia crossed her arms, reading Isabel's mind. She glanced at Rachel standing blankly behind, then continued.
"I can track scents and handle the dark. Better if she's with me."
"Got it. Do that."
No argument there. Sylvia had the edge in these conditions. She'd done this before; she'd manage.
With permission granted, Sylvia turned. Rachel, grasping the situation, quickly fell in behind her.
"This way."
"Yes, understood."
Soon, the two vanished into the darkness. Isabel felt a twinge of worry as they left her sight, but she shook it off and refocused on rescuing Priest Isaiah.
Damn... Where are you?
Fleeing this far in so little time was impressive enough, but to hole up here of all places... Even for hobgoblins, Isabel had figured some remote forest ruin at worst. Rumors said only one remained, homeless besides—how far could it go?
But they'd ended up somewhere totally unexpected, and now she was exhausted, body aching all over.
Kirrr—
Kir—
Charging ahead blindly through unknown paths, goblin cries finally echoed. Reverberating through the wide cave into Isabel's ears.
Two of them, at least?
Isabel darted silently but swiftly to hide beneath nearby stalactites. Peeking out, she waited as the repulsive green monsters emerged from the shadows.
Krrrarrr—
Krr—
No more?
Rushing in could complicate things. Sylvia estimated at least twenty inside; if she didn't finish them quick, stragglers might swarm.
But seems like just these two...
Lucky—exactly two machetes ready.
Whish—whish—
Isabel gripped the cords at the machete hilts and spun them with both hands. Holding her breath to steady her core, she hurled both blades at their heads.
Whoosh—
Thuk—thuk—
Kruk—
Kuk—
The machetes embedded perfectly in their skulls. With mere mortal strength, those craniums were unbreakable, yet she shattered them with flimsy weapons.
"Haa... My wrist hurts..."
Isabel sent them to the afterlife before they could cry out. Clutching her aching wrist, she approached to retrieve her blades.
Too many fights...
Wrists strained to the limit? A sharp pain stabbed downward. Her body signaled it was time to stop, but she'd promised to save him—withdraw now felt weak. A woman going back on her word? Uncool, no matter how you sliced it.
Thuk—thuk—
Isabel yanked the machetes from their heads. As she shook off the clinging brains and crept forward silently—
Krrrarrr—
"Huh?"
Kwachik—
Before her head could turn, her body reacted first. Sensing the horrific killing intent, she kicked off the ground backward. A massive club crashed where she'd stood, shards flying everywhere.
What the—?
She'd confirmed only two before moving. Extra careful not to get spotted and turn it into a slog, yet she'd fallen right into one's trap.
"Tch..."
Regaining balance, Isabel backpedaled to widen the gap. Clicking her tongue at the unwanted mess, she glared fiercely at the goblin.
Hobgoblin...
She didn't know how it'd detected her for the ambush, but that swing was its last chance.
Because...
From here on, that club would never touch her—not if it killed it.