Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Hobgoblin Bastards #6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. The time had finally come. The hobgoblins who moved into this area would start scouting the surroundings, and sooner or later, they were bound to discover the location of our home.
And then the war would begin.
I was prepared for it.
That's why I created the phalanx.
If four shieldbearers and four spearmen stood side by side in the dungeon passage, forming their formation for defense, we were sure to win. The phalanx was an extremely defensive tactic. There was no way we'd lose in a defensive battle.
—Gulp.
But I still couldn't shake the anxiety. To think we had to go to war with those bastards... There would be sacrifices. If they smashed the shieldbearers' shields with their stone axes, trampled them, and charged, it would definitely happen that way.
I had a bad feeling about it.
But that couldn't be allowed to happen.
"Grarak."
"Grak."
Their forearms were thicker than expected. Sure, I'd win an arm-wrestling match without breaking a sweat, but no matter how I looked at them, they weren't predators on the level a goblin could handle.
"..."
What should I do?
Me and Sharan.
Against two hobgoblins out on reconnaissance.
Our side had the overwhelming advantage in strength. Hobgoblins had better physiques than goblins, but what I feared wasn't their individual power—it was their army.
Should I ambush them now and thin their numbers? This was a chance to take out two of their forces. The hobgoblin village had about thirty residents. Killing two would shave off nearly 10% of their power.
—Thump.
My heart pounded fiercely.
I needed to kill them and weaken their forces. That was my judgment. The risk? It might accelerate their invasion. Since they were organized like an army, they would definitely investigate if their scouts didn't return.
Whatever the case.
I had to make a choice.
Should I kill these scouts, weaken their forces, and face the war a little sooner? Or should I pray these guys wander off somewhere else and buy a bit more time to build up our strength?
An extreme dilemma.
"Grak."
"Grararak."
—Swish.
At that moment, the hobgoblins turned in our direction.
—Crawl.
I immediately dropped into a low crawl and retreated to our original position. Sharan and I hid behind a tree, observing the hobgoblins from there.
"Grakrak."
"Grak."
The hobgoblins scanning the area pointed in one direction. Had they spotted something? No. The atmosphere was too casual. It felt like they were just saying, "Hey, let's check over there."
And.
That direction was toward our dungeon.
—Step step.
The hobgoblins moved leisurely in that direction. Toward our dungeon.
"..."
I'd made my choice.
If they came toward our home, I'd kill them. With my minions. This was actually a good opportunity. A chance to give my minions information on the hobgoblins.
Come on.
I thought to myself as I kept watch on the hobgoblins.
—Swish.
Sharan rested her chin on my shoulder, staring at the hobgoblins too. She looked so comfortable—vines wrapped around her body had sprouted leaves, forming a natural ghillie suit.
She was a true ambush expert. A real pro.
If she'd been born on Earth, she could've just been a sniper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the end, after walking for what felt like forever, the hobgoblins arrived near our home. Had they spotted some trace of us? Was that why they'd come all this way?
Anyway, I'd felt the urge to charge in and beat them senseless the whole time I was tailing them, but I held back. I wanted to fight alongside my minions rather than just Sharan and me.
If you can gang up on them, always gang up. That was my philosophy. Being strong alone? Useless. Unless you're some wild animal cub, you win by ganging up.
"Grak."
"Grarak."
They walked casually, never dreaming they were being followed. They were wary of their surroundings, but still seemed relaxed.
But.
The moment they spotted the entrance to our dungeon home.
"G-Grak...?!"
"Grakrak!"
The atmosphere changed in an instant. Their faces twisted in shock as they panicked visibly and started looking for an escape route.
I didn't miss that opening. I poked Sharan in the side with my finger.
—Whoosh!
I leaped forward with a massive jump and shouted as I charged at them!
"Demon King Qlus! Makes his entrance! Raaaaah!"
At the same time!
"Shaaaaah!"
Sharan dashed up beside me, striking a menacing pose!
"G-Grak?!"
"Grarak?!"
The hobgoblins who saw us appear out of nowhere recoiled in horror, backing toward the dungeon. Perfect! My herding had paid off!
"Buril! Bring the kids out! Battle stations!!!"
The moment I yelled that.
"Keraaaak!"
"Kerreeeek!"
Screams echoed from inside the dungeon. Soon, my goblin phalanx squad rushed out, clutching their gear!
"Grak?!"
The hobgoblins alternated their gazes between me and the goblins! They must have been totally flustered! Demon King in front! Demon King army behind! Completely surrounded in seconds!
"Ke, Kerak?!"
"Kerruk!"
The goblins that poured out quickly formed something like a formation. It was sloppy, but perfect. In pairs, shields up front and spears behind, trying to encircle the hobgoblins!
But.
"Ke, Kerruk...!"
"Carung!"
In that instant, the goblins flinched and showed their fear. Of course. In nature, they were predator and prey. They instinctively cowered at the sight of hobgoblins.
This much was within expectations.
"You little shits! Don't chicken out! I've got your backs!"
Right away.
"Demon Breeeeath!!"
—Fwoosh!
I spewed flames toward the hobgoblin bastards.
"Graaaak?!"
The flames licked the air harmlessly. Of course, my range was short, so they didn't hit. It was just a visual threat with the fire show. Still, with this Demon Breath, the hobgoblins got even more scared.
"Keruk!"
"Kerrruk!"
And my minions regained their morale. Seeing my awesome display reignited their courage!
"Attaaack!!!"
The moment I gave the order!
"Keruk! Keruk!"
"Keruk! Keruk!"
"Keruk! Keruk!"
Following Buril's commands, the goblins slowly advanced, thrusting their spears at the hobgoblins.
"Graaaak! Graaaak!"
"Grararak!"
The hobgoblins.
—Whoosh!
—Whoosh!
Just flailed their stone axes wildly, clueless on what to do. In front: the evil fire-breathing monster that was me and the dryad. Behind: eight goblins in formation.
No way they could think straight.
Total panic.
"G-Grak!"
And so we slowly tightened the encirclement.
—Stab!
—Thud!
In the end, wooden spears pierced the hobgoblins' backs!
"Grak...!"
"Kerrrruk!"
—Stab!
—Stab!
—Stab!
It didn't end with one hit. The goblins stabbed like maniacs, and the hobgoblins collapsed without any counter... Victory!
"O, Oooh! Ooooooh!!!"
We won!
"We did it!"
An extreme thrill, an explosive rush!
—Crackle!
All those emotions surged through my body! We won! Victory! And so easily too!
Just encirclement!
By simply surrounding them, we took out these two hobgoblins effortlessly! A shining victory thanks to our tactics!
"This is our victory! Hurrayyyy!"
"Kerrrruk!"
"Kerrrrrruk!"
"Shaaaaah!"
As I declared victory, the goblins cheered in unison.
"Well done! You all did amazing!"
I immediately praised my little heroes.
"Kerung!"
Buril hopped around excitedly, and the other goblins rolled on their backs, wriggling and squealing in delight.
"Ugh...!"
Tears welled up.
This battle had given us so much.
First, morale and victory experience. The goblins had defeated stronger foes, building their confidence. Plus combat experience—they'd learned how to fight hands-on. And finally, intel on the enemy. We'd gained info on the hobgoblins.
"We can win."
Even if the hobgoblin army invaded, we could win. I felt it clearly.
"Alright, kids! Let's eat these bastards and absorb their power!"
"Keruwuk!"
I tossed out a line, and the goblins started prepping the meal. I went straight to the hobgoblin corpses and looted anything useful.
"Let's see... Stone axes. Handles. Oh, right. This leather armor."
Leather armor.
Come to think of it, they were wearing clothes.
—Gulp.
I swallowed hard. Mesmerized, I stripped the leather armor off the hobgoblins. This was... loot, right? We'd gotten clothing as spoils of war?
"Holy shit!"
Not just meat, but equipment drops too!
These guys are awesome!
Hold on. If we kill all the hobgoblins, all their clothes and gear become ours. Then we can outfit our goblins in these uniforms!
"One more reason to win."
Then.
"Sha. Shasha."
Sharan approached with a smile and groomed my face. Yeah. You get the value of victory too.
"Yeah. Love you too, Sharan."
I immediately pulled her into a waist hug.
Now.
Time to eat and run one intense training session. Collision was inevitable now. They'd come charging soon. No time left. We needed harder training.
They'd probably gained some insight into spear-thrusting from today's fight. In other words, real combat experience had skyrocketed their proficiency.
The goblins' spear skills had jumped two levels.
They'd train even better now.
"Alright! Let's eat!"
"Keruk!"
"Sha!"
My blood.
It felt like my blood was boiling. Because of the victory? Or because I'm a demon? Didn't matter. Victory and growth. I could see it right in front of me.