Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Seris and the Village (6)
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I spent a few hours killing ten goblins and letting two escape. I didn't forget to let those fleeing ones know where I lived—in the village.
By tomorrow, the enraged goblins would sweep through the village, but by then, we wouldn't be there anymore.
"Status Window."
With the job done, I opened my Status Window. It was because of all the notifications that had popped up every time I killed a goblin.
I'd killed ten goblins.
And gained 17 Karma in total.
Every time I killed one, a notification popped up saying I'd earned Karma—seven gave me 2 each, and three gave only 1.
'Does it vary by individual?'
There was no other explanation for the difference.
'But 17 Karma from ten goblins... To gather 100, I'd need to kill over fifty.'
It was a horrifying thought. Even killing these ten had me dancing on the edge of life and death multiple times—what would fifty be like?
'Are they skimping because they're goblins?'
Killing something stronger might yield more Karma.
"Though that'd be way riskier."
I could handle ten goblins, but charging at other monsters recklessly might get me killed.
Lost in such thoughts, I arrived back at the village before I knew it. I stopped by the inn first to see Gedric.
"What kept you so late?"
Gedric's voice was sharper than usual.
Was it because I'd slacked off on inn duties?
No. He wasn't that passionate about the work. He was suspicious of me right now.
Suspicious that I'd eavesdropped on the village meeting earlier.
He probably wasn't certain yet. If he was, he wouldn't be probing like this—he'd just smash my head in.
"I went to gather wood and ran into goblins. Those bastards toyed with me every which way, so I just got back."
"Hmph, really? I told you not to go into the mountains. You hurt anywhere?"
Gedric bought my story more easily than expected. My disheveled state from fighting the goblins probably helped sell it.
"Lucky for me, no injuries. They just messed with me a bit. Oh, and I'm eating dinner at Seris's place tonight."
"Seris's house? Why?"
Gedric's eyes narrowed again.
"I've been tipping extra when she feeds me, so she called me over about that."
"Ah, I see."
He accepted it without much pushback this time too. His image of Seris must not differ much from mine.
"Speaking of, Seris didn't come by today. You know why?"
"Seris? What's she doing skipping work?"
"Exactly. Since you're heading there anyway, ask her what happened."
"Got it."
I gave a vague reply and left the inn, heading to Seris's house.
"Oh, big bro's here!"
As I entered, Kara greeted me with a beaming face.
"Yeah, I'm here. But Kara, aren't you a bit too excited?"
"We're going to the city! How could I not be? I finally get to become an adventurer!"
At the word "adventurer," Seris flinched. From her perspective, she'd prefer Kara didn't.
Well, since I'd been the one to suggest going to the city first, it was hard to argue against it now.
I chuckled and sat at the table. Seris handed me a soup made with pork belly and vegetables.
"Fancier than usual?"
It wasn't exactly luxurious, but compared to tomato or potato soup...
"We're heading to the city tonight! It's like a celebration party!"
Kara said as she slurped away enthusiastically. She seemed to love having a proper meal after so long.
"And I heard you're coming to the city with us too, big bro?"
"What, you against it?"
I teased, and Kara flailed her hands in a panic.
"No, no, not against it! Just curious why. Didn't you say you wanted to settle down here just a week ago?"
"Why beat around the bush if you hate it?"
"I don't hate it! I'm actually glad you're—"
Kara clamped her mouth shut mid-rant.
"Glad, what?"
"Ugh... forget it!"
Kara pouted and didn't speak again until she'd finished her soup. Thanks to that, we ate in peace.
"All packed?"
"Yes. Got everything we need."
"Then let's go. Kara, it's night—keep quiet."
"I know that much. Don't treat me like a kid..."
Kara grumbled. We stepped out of the house. The dark night meant the streets were deserted and silent. They'd just shut the stockade gate without posting a night watch.
We unlocked the gate and slipped out of the village.
"But is it okay to leave it open like this? Wouldn't it be better to go during the day?"
It was a natural question for Kara, who didn't know the full story. I replied in a mocking tone.
"The villagers might let you go, but you think they'd let Seris slip away? They're all up in arms about not snagging her as a daughter-in-law."
"...Tch. What's so great about me..."
Leaving Kara's muttering behind, Seris approached.
"Yuseong, where exactly are we headed?"
"Bachran first."
"The city where you used to live?"
"Yeah, we'll start there and..."
I trailed off, squinting. Something flickering in the not-too-distant distance caught my eye. Focusing, I realized what it was.
"Son of a..."
Goblins.
Dozens of goblins were descending the mountain. I turned, scanning other directions. Far off, dozens more torches swayed.
'Already? I figured even at best, they'd hit by morning.'
It hadn't even been twelve hours since I killed their kin. Stunned by their speed, I racked my brain for a way to evade them.
"Y-Yuseong, those..."
Seris had spotted the goblins coming this way too. She looked at me with eyes pleading for what to do.
"Sh-Shouldn't we warn the village?"
Kara started turning back toward the village. I grabbed her arm.
"No. If we go now, we're done for. The goblins will overrun us."
It was earlier than expected, but the situation wasn't terrible.
It was dark night.
We'd spotted their torches, but they hadn't seen us.
We could hide, wait for them to get tangled attacking the village, then slip away.
"But if we leave them, the village is in danger. We left the gate open...!"
"Yeah, leaving it open was our fault. But even locked, what good would it do against that many? And running back now changes nothing."
"But, but... it's our village! Sis, say something...!"
Kara pleaded desperately with Seris, hoping she'd convince me. But Seris agreed with me.
"Kara, no time for this. We need to hide now."
"Sis!"
"Listen to your sister. Yuseong, is there anywhere nearby we can hide?"
"Sis, are you serious right now?! I get big bro, but how could you? That's our home!"
Kara's voice trembled. Seris took her hand.
"Kara, you're right. That's the village we lived in."
"Right? So..."
"But you're far more precious and important to me than that village. I can't watch you get hurt over it."
"Sis..."
"So listen to me, okay?"
At Seris's heartfelt words, Kara reluctantly nodded, her face twisted with guilt.
"We need to hide quick. Follow me."
I led them to a hiding spot.
Rian woke to the noisy racket outside.
"Ugh... Who's making noise in the middle of the night?"
Irritated, he opened the window—and faced an unbelievable sight.
"U-Uwaaah! Goblins!!"
Someone covered in blood was crawling on the ground. The miller—Rian knew him.
-Kirik!!
A small green-skinned monster approached the miller.
"G-Goblins?! Why are they here?"
As Rian panicked, the goblin raised a crude spear at the miller.
"N-No, don't! Stop!!"
-Kirik.
The goblin grinned wickedly and thrust. Crude or not, it pierced flesh easily. The spear impaled the miller's thigh.
"Kaaaaah!! Get off! Get the hell off!"
The miller kicked the goblin with all his might. As it staggered, he crawled again. He wanted to live.
-Kirik!
-Kirik kirik!
More goblins gathered around the thrashing miller, mocking him like a wriggling bug.
Then they stabbed like one might toy with an insect.
"Aaaack! St-Stop! Please stop! Mercy, have mercy! I'll do anything!"
His pleas didn't stop the crude spears. They took care not to kill him quickly, piercing his skin over and over.
The man who'd strutted around the village was now just their plaything.
"Damn it...!"
Rian bolted out of his room. He roused his family and ran outside.
"Rian! Where are you going!!"
"Seris's place! I'll bring Seris!"
Ignoring his mother's calls, Rian ran. Glancing around the village as he went.
-Let go! Let me gooo!
-Eriya! You bastards!! Hnngh...
-Honey!!
-Dad!! No!!! Don't! Don't stab Dad!!!
The villagers were being ravaged by goblins.
'Damn, hope Seris is safe.'
He worried for her. She was stronger than him, but still a woman. As a man, he had to protect her.
-Kirik!
Three goblins charged at the running Rian. He swung his hoe without slowing. They dodged back, giving him distance.
A few minutes later, Seris's house came into view. But a familiar figure stood in front.
"Uncle Gedric!"
It was the innkeeper.
'He must've come worrying about Seris too. Good!'
With Gedric, escaping would be easier.
"Rian? Did you see Seris on the way?"
"Huh? No. I'm here looking for her too..."
"Damn it!"
Gedric punched the wall. Rian was startled—it was his first time seeing such ferocity.
"She's not inside?"
"No! Damn it, she must've heard. I hoped not, but...!"
Heard what? Rian was about to ask when an unpleasant sound echoed nearby.
-Kirik!
-Kiririk!!
"Crap...! Uncle, we're surrounded!"
About ten goblins encircled them. Rian swung his hoe to keep them at bay.
'Damn, one or two I could handle, but ten...!'
Cold sweat dripped. Gedric kept punching the wall and cursing.
"What do I even tell the baron..."
"Uncle! Not the time! Can't you see the goblins!?"
As Rian yelled, his hoe grip loosened—and three goblins lunged.
-Kirik!
"Sh-Shit..."
I'm dead. Rian braced and closed his eyes. But death didn't come; not even a scratch.
What happened?
Opening his eyes, Rian stared in shock at the scene.
"Get lost!"
Gedric's sword felled the goblins effortlessly. Five or six died easily, and the rest fled in fear.
"Rian! Closest city from here?"
"H-Here?"
"Yes! No time—hurry!"
"B-Bachran."
"Bachran? Good...!"
Gedric bolted toward the village entrance. Rian barely had time to react before following.
Rian stood stunned, watching Gedric's back, then chased after him.
"Should be good by now, right?"
"No, a few might still be around. Let's make sure."
Seris nodded at my words.
Our hiding spot was a tree hollow under a massive trunk—a place I'd found by chance. Tight for three, but perfect for a short hide.
More time passed.
"I'll scout for goblins nearby. Wait here quietly."
"Yuseong, you sure? Alone seems dangerous..."
"Big bro, it's risky..."
Seris and Kara tried to stop me. Kara especially sounded weak, weighed by guilt over abandoning the village.
"I'll be fine. My eyes and ears are sharp. Stay silent till I return."
I slipped out, circling low through bushes and trees for cover. Low chance of detection.
'Doesn't seem like anyone's around.'
Good enough to lead them out. As I turned back to the hollow, a familiar voice rang out.
-Seris! Kara! Where are you!!
'Gedric?'
It was faint—only my keen ears caught it.
But it grew louder. He was approaching, which was a problem.
Gedric was one pushing to send Seris to the baron. If clueless Kara heard, she'd cause a fuss calling him over.
I drew my dagger and headed toward the voice.
"Should've grabbed an axe."
That was my only regret.