Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: A Mage Does Magic - 3
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I had no idea what those goblins were up to.
But I knew enough to realize that a goblin with a twisted head wasn't exactly normal.
-Giggle. Giggle. Giggle.
The goblin let out a creepy laugh as it suddenly sprang to its feet.
And then it flopped over.
Or... was that even flopping?
Its limbs twisted grotesquely while its head remained spun around backward, lying flat on its back.
Ugh. This is a bit...
-Griiind!
With a horrific grinding laugh like stones scraping together, the goblin started crawling toward me.
Is this a goblin or a spider?
-Grrrrowl!!
Of course, I didn't just let it be.
Arthur lunged out, swinging his sword to bat it away, then aimed his blade at the other goblins.
-Kyaaak!!
-Kyararak!!
Magic?
As the two goblin mages raised their hands, light rippled in the air.
It was the kind of magic I'd seen countless times on TV and the internet.
"Magic Missile!! Dodge!!"
The goblin mages unleashed their spell, sending it flying toward Arthur.
That thing packs a sneaky punch.
Can Arthur handle it unscathed?
"Dodge!!"
-Clang!!
"...Huh."
He's fine.
Arthur swung his sword effortlessly, dispelling the Magic Missile like it was nothing, and charged forward.
His blade swept in a wide arc, sending one goblin mage's head soaring into the sky, followed by the mad goblin getting blasted away in a single strike.
Whoa. I figured he'd be strong, but not this strong...
-Giggle. Giggle. Giggle.
The creepy goblin that Arthur had smacked away suddenly lurched back up.
And it started crawling fast.
What the hell is that thing planning...?
-Gaaaasp!!
Its mouth split open.
Black smoke billowed from jaws stretched nearly as wide as its head.
Even at a glance, that smoke looked harmful.
-Grrrowl!!
Arthur staggered back after taking a hit of the smoke.
This guy brushed off goblin magic like it was nothing, and now he's recoiling from mere smoke?
-Giggle!! Giggle! Griiind!!
Mocking laughter.
Then another blast of smoke shot out.
This time, aimed at me.
-G...iggle?
Whoa. It worked.
Thanks to the holy dye that wards off evil, the smoke had zero effect on me.
In that case, game on!!
"Arthur. I'll handle that one. Take care of the rest."
-...Grrrowl...!!
He must've been seriously pissed from that hit. I barely held Arthur back from charging straight at it.
"Hey, hey. Tomorrow I'll buy a 500-lumen LED light and feed it to you."
The LED bulb at home right now is only 250 lumens.
Twice the brightness, and Arthur actually listened.
-Giggle!! Griiind! Giggle!!
Maybe frustrated that its desperate attack fizzled out, the mad goblin went berserk.
As it unleashed another eerie laugh, goblins hiding here and there burst out.
"Arthur. Those ones don't look normal."
They weren't like the goblin mages from before or the ones I'd seen online.
They looked soul-less, eyes glazed and limp, like puppets being controlled.
-Grrrowl...!!
Arthur raised his sword, as if he didn't care what they were.
Right. Doesn't matter.
Controlled goblin or not, the only good goblin is a dead goblin.
"Kill them."
-Grrrowl!!
Arthur went wild.
So my job is just to deal with this mad goblin?
-Giggle... Giggle...
"What? Why not show off like before?"
-Griiind!!
Another puff of black smoke.
But it vanished before even touching me.
Okay, so I can block this guy's attacks no problem.
Now, what do I do?
I glanced at Arthur. He was busy smashing goblins.
-Giggle giggle giggle giggle giggle.
Let's see.
I opened the grimoire.
When I was looking for the dyeing spell earlier, there was something about dealing with things like this...
Ah. Here it is.
"Tch."
Holy water.
I made some last time, but didn't bring it.
Too bad, but can't be helped.
I was baptized at the church back at the orphanage.
Though I also took precepts in Buddhism.
Couldn't resist burgers, though.
"Let's see... In the name of the great Lord, I ask your name."
-Giggle! Giggle! Giggle!
Hmm. Got it.
I picked up a club from the floor.
Probably one the goblins used.
-Giggle...?
I approached the hesitant goblin.
"Time to hit."
Every swing of the club I brought made it shriek.
-Kieeek! Kieeeek!!
Lucky it didn't splinter—must hurt like hell.
-Kirerek! Kieek! Kiiiik!!
"What're you saying? Speak Korean."
-Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!!
I beat the goblin's body relentlessly.
After a good while, I picked up the grimoire again and asked,
"In the name of the great Lord, huff. Haaa... Whew. Out of breath. I ask your name."
-Giggle... You... puny worm. Do you know who I am?
"That's why I'm asking."
-You're clueless. A wretch like you invoking a great one's name... Agh!!
"Talk too much."
I swung the club again.
-Stop!! Stoooop!! Hitting me won't do shit—it'll just kill this one!!
"Don't care."
-.....
I'm not trying to save it anyway.
Gonna kill it regardless, so what...
The evil spirit inside the goblin seemed to realize its mistake and pleaded desperately.
-Give me a chance. Give me time. Do that, and you'll rule them all.
"Don't need that. Just say your name."
-Thwack thwack thwack!!
-Stoooop!!
"Name."
-Thwack thwack thwack!!
-You bastard!! A gutter rat invoking a stable whore's name!!
-Thwack thwack thwack!!
-Stooop... I, my name is... my name is Bezet-sa...
Should've said that sooner.
"By the great one's name, I command you. Bezet-sa, return to where you belong. And fear the day it comes."
I chanted the incantation from the grimoire, and the mad goblin's body began crunching and twisting like it was screaming.
Its warped form was reverting to normal.
-Kiiiik...?
Now fully a goblin mage again, it looked at me.
And then.
"Arthur."
Arthur's sword flashed, decapitating it.
Rewards?
A massive platinum chest appeared.
What is this?
Inside was a huge magic stone.
And a skillbook.
Ooh. A skillbook.
Even those conquering Hell-grade towers don't get these easily.
-Shrrrrrr!!
"Wh-what?!"
The grimoire flipped open on its own, pages flying rapidly, and the skillbook vanished.
Cool Grimoire Summon level up.
Usable grimoires increased.
"Huh."
I stared at the grimoire.
As if nothing happened, it just sat primly in my hand.
"Huh. You little... Jealous? Worried I'd read another book?"
No answer, naturally.
Instead, a new window appeared.
Extra rewards?
Can't pass that up.
I looked at Arthur.
"Think you can do more?"
-Grrrowl...!!
As if to say of course, Arthur raised his sword.
Saint Martha's Staff?
For something a saint used, it looks awfully crude.
More like a club, honestly...
"You know what this is?"
-Grrrowl...
Arthur shook his head like he had no clue.
Thought extra rewards would be something fancy...
"Saint. Saint, huh."
If a saint used it, it's a holy relic, right?
Not bad loot, considering the grimoire had spells needing relics.
"Let's go."
Nothing left to see here. Time to head back.
I returned home.
-Grrrowl...!!
The moment we arrived, Arthur headed to the living room.
He turned on the 500-lumen bulb I bought yesterday and basked in its light naturally.
He's resting well, so I'll leave him be.
As expected!
Nyaggle jackpot again!!
Man, such little faith.
I snapped a pic of my forearm and showed them.
Does it?
Guess so.
Anyway, clearing Extra grade's got attention pouring in from everywhere.
Feels great thinking about the Nyaggle haul.
Hmm.
That sounds doable.
.
.
.
.
Most daily goods I buy online, but I still need to go out sometimes.
I grabbed Saint Martha's Staff and strode out confidently.
"Uh, eww."
"Thought it was a frying pan..."
"Isn't that a club? Why carry that around?"
Heads turning.
Saint's staff must be luxury goods after all.
Big difference from walking alone.
-Wheeeee!!
Warning siren.
I turned my head.
The sky over Seoul was cracking open.
"Whoops. Rift. Everyone, get clear."
Just another anomaly in our daily lives now.