Goblin Subjugation #4
I yelped in surprise, but Song-ssi remained utterly silent. He just moved methodically, like it was his job and nothing more.
"Oh."
Watching him, I couldn't help but feel this professional vibe, like a true expert at work. Was this guy actually a master? Is that why he carried himself with such swagger? He had this weight to him, a real gravitas.
If I'd become an actor like I'd planned, maybe I'd have ended up like him—a brooding, taciturn type with that heavy presence.
"Jae Mi-son, that Song-ssi guy... doesn't he kinda have some real weight to him?"
"As expected... sharp eyes."
"It worked."
"Kick."
The more I looked at this bastard, the more his smirking face grew on me.
"Hey, no, Song-ssi! Don't just move on your own like that! You'll get ambushed if you charge around blindly! Follow my orders!"
But Gu Juman seemed pretty pissed. At first glance, he struck me as this boisterous guy, but hanging with him revealed a petty side. Looked like he had this itch to take charge.
Luckily, Song-ssi didn't say shit, so it didn't escalate to a fight.
"Whoa!"
Whether Gu Juman bitched or not, Song-ssi kept at it with pro-level skill, inspecting the trees for traces.
"Let's get to it too!"
Yeah, no choice. I shouted a quick rallying cry and mimicked Song-ssi's moves, hunting for goblin signs.
This was my chance. A golden opportunity to pick up tricks from this pro over his shoulder.
Honestly, I knew jack shit about this world, and even less about yokai—the key to my long-term meal ticket. I needed every scrap of info on them. Like the traits of these goblins, for starters.
Naturally, my search turned into straight-up spying on Song-ssi, and just like that, the two of us got real close real fast.
"Song-ssi, you seem to know your goblins inside out. Didn't say much at the inn, so I had no clue... You a specialist or something?"
"..."
"To hunt 'em more surely—and bag more—we need your eye and skills. Can't do without 'em. For an easier job, mind giving a tip?"
This was classic Kim Geun-hyeop bonding tactic: butter 'em up, then probe what they're into. Would it work on Song-ssi?
"...Goblins."
Jackpot!
"They patrol their turf diligently. Leave marks on trees each time. Find a mark, wait, and a goblin shows up soon enough."
Holy shit, goldmine info!
"No way...! You're the first yokai expert like you I've met! Thanks for the tip! So, we can wait and ambush, right?"
"Patrols are pairs. Kill one, wound the other, release it. It'll flee to their base. Follow it, find the nest."
Legend!
"You're insane! Song-ssi, you a scholar or what?! Knowing goblin habits this deep! That quiet—no, prudent, heavy demeanor... You trained proper somewhere, huh?"
After sucking up that much, even his stoic shell cracked. Finally, Song-ssi opened up personal-like.
"...Just a grudge. Learned habits from repetition."
Reminded me of that guy Kegan Draka deep in the Amazon boonies—super quiet, they said. What melted him? His fun buddies. That's me right now, playing the buddy role, cracking Song-ssi open.
"Grudge! Whoever did it, they can't escape an expert like you!"
"..."
I kept praising him just right till the end, steering to the answers I wanted.
Screw it. Job's done, I'll treat the client to dumplings and pry his stories out.
Song-ssi was my murim senior, knew tons more than me. Worth a few drinks to snag even a sliver of his knowledge. Profitable as hell.
"Hey, Kim Geun-hyeop! Your searching's half-assed!"
"Ah, sorry, Gu Juman. Just getting tips from Song-ssi for sure success. On it now."
"Ask me if you got questions..."
Party leader was just a title, but Gu Juman was touchy about control.
Anyway, time to work. We spread out searching.
"Hm?"
Found a mark carved on a tree!
"Song...!"
Was about to call him when my senses screamed—honed from eating cold stares at Aunt's place.
I clamped my mouth, dropped low. Right then—
"Keruk."
Weird noise from ahead.
"Keruk keruk."
There—goblins. Patrol pair incoming...!
"...!"
Just like described: green, dwarfish runts! Short, hunched, long ears, huge noses—yokai gripping stone spears, keruking along!
Heading my way!
What now? Call the crew? Nah, I didn't know goblin strength. Two of 'em. They could skewer me before I blinked.
I flattened out, thinking.
"Keruk keruk."
"Kerek."
Closing in. Good—they missed me, stopped at the marked tree.
Too close!
"Keruk."
Keruking, they marked the tree with spear butts. I was behind 'em. Both focused forward, backs to me.
Go time? Pop up, ambush these fuckers?
Thump, thump!
Heart pounding like mad. Just fantasy trash mobs, goblins, but armed, patrolling pros. Humanoid too—could fuck me up if I slipped.
Stay put?
"..."
Nah. Toughen up. They're weaker than humans anyway. I killed a robber—can't pussy out to this or lose all swagger, turn into a bitch.
In this murim, worse shit daily. Back down? Hell no.
Strike first, before they spot me.
Swish.
I rose slow, careful. You're fucked.
"Keruk, keruk."
"Kerurruk."
Heart exploding. Blood rushing so hard, veins felt swollen. Eyes locked on their backs.
Do it. Commit!
"Hup!"
I shot my left hand out like a perv grabbing ass. Snagged the goblin's ponytail hard.
"Keruk?"
Dumb noise—then
Whoosh!
Yanked its head back, rammed my right-hand sword into its lower back.
Pfuk!
Instant kill. Blade tore muscle, guts, burst out the other side—intense feel!
Blood reek spread fast. One-shotted the runt.
"Gek, guk...!"
Shudder.
Ambushed, assassinated—it just twitched and gurgled.
Its buddy whipped around in shock—
"Kek—!"
Before it could—
"Shut it!"
Smack!
Ditched sword, smashed fist into its face.
"Keheeeek!"
Spear dropped, ass-planted— I swung my leg like splitting bamboo, slammed sole into its mug.
Kwang!
"Uwaaaaaah!"
Wrestler-style, I launched, crushed it down.
"Krweeeek! Krwek! Keeek!"
Humanoid yokai wailing—kinda pitied it, but no stopping. Pity cows? Still eat burgers!
"Here! Got a live goblin! Hurry up!!!"
Choked it out, yelled for the team.
Rustle rustle.
They came running.
"W-whoa! Hold it like that!"
"Nice kill...!"
"Finally!"
Gu Juman, Jae Mi-son, O Gi-su. Last, Song-ssi.
"Song-ssi! What now?!"
"Break its arm, release."
Urgent tone.
"Got it! I'll hold—everyone, do the deed!"
"I'm the leader, I do it!"
Gu Juman stepped up bold.
"Keruk...!"
Goblin wailed in despair.
Crack!
"Kerayaaaaak!"
Merciless arm-snap. I released the choke, set it free.
Looked painful as fuck.
"Keruk, keruuuuk!"
Broken-arm goblin sobbed, stumbled off—limping, tripping, pathetic flight to base, per Song-ssi.
"It's really running...! Song-ssi, just like you said!"
"Their habit."
"But what if it lures us wrong to screw its pals?"
"Never seen it. Goblins ain't that smart. Keep distance, pursue."
"Roger."
I nodded heavy. This Song-ssi... total badass. Real cool.