A green wave engulfed the village. Red torches and glowing eyes flickered in the darkness, illuminating the surroundings.
1.
Kiegkiegk―
Goblins.
The creatures known as green devils prowled the streets. The goblins scattered into buildings one by one, dragging corpses out behind them.
Crunch― munch munch―
They dumped the bodies in front of them and began to devour.
Cracking open skulls to scoop out brains, stuffing entrails into their gaping grins. They gorged on flesh with greedy slurps and chugged blood like beer. Even crunching the bones—thrifty little bastards.
Whoosh―
Once they'd ransacked every house in one district, they set the buildings ablaze, torching the whole block.
'We're fucked.'
I knew there was a goblin lair outside the village. That's why my old mercenary group had hired me as a porter in the first place—and why all the mercenaries in this tavern had gathered here: to wipe them out.
We were supposed to head out tomorrow, or maybe the day after. Yeah, if not for this goddamn apocalypse.
'Should I run?'
It was the easiest option. But with the goblins already swarming the village, it wouldn't be simple. They'd come up through the residential district—the only entrance to begin with.
'Guess I have no choice but to fight.'
I was damn glad I'd handed my gear down to those guys below and gotten good stuff in return.
With that much armament, they wouldn't go down easy to goblins. They'd serve as a first line of defense.
I slipped back into the leather armor I'd taken off, cinching the straps tight. Gloves on my hands, steel boots on my feet—prepped and ready.
"Hoo―"
I drew a deep breath through my nose and exhaled through my mouth. My heart pounded faster, body heat rising. Muscles tensed taut.
The situation was grim.
I might not make it through the night. And yet, paradoxically, the emotion surging through me right now was anticipation.
If I could kill goblins—if I could just survive this night—I'd be way stronger than before.
'Survive.'
I steeled my resolve and opened the door, stepping into the hallway. The stairs creaked in protest under my foot.
Kieeeeak―!
A goblin screech echoed from not far off. Rough footsteps grew closer.
Thud!
The wooden door shook from the impact. A goblin's doing. They're cunning, but not smart.
Thud― thud― thud―!
So of course they didn't know how to use a door. Or maybe they never bothered learning since they didn't need to. Didn't matter either way.
Bang―!
What mattered was that goblin behavior was working against them now.
Kikigik― slash!
The goblin finally smashed through and entered the inn. Before it could even turn its head toward me, I severed its neck with my sword.
Purple blood sprayed everywhere. The head with its vicious face spun through the air before hitting the floor.
Thud!
I crouched by the shattered door, waiting.
The dark space began filling with red light. The interior brightened as another one approached.
Kigak?
The goblin stood at the entrance. The moment it poked its head inside...
Swish―!
I thrust the sword I'd pulled back with all my strength. The blade dug into flesh, followed by the low crack of bone.
I snatched the falling torch. Carefully withdrew my sword without a sound, dragged the goblin out, and propped its corpse behind the wall.
Hiss―
Quickly bought water from the shop and doused the torch. The inn plunged back into darkness.
Current Gold: 1584G
'Not bad.'
Water cost 100G, but I'd gained a whopping 200G. Goblins must drop solid cash.
'Save it for now.'
I still needed to stockpile for the abilities I wanted.
Kigagak―
While I checked the shop, the next guest arrived at the inn. This one without even a torch.
Slash!
The instant it barged in fearlessly, I took its neck.
I repeated the process about five times, and the goblins finally sensed something was off—they stopped approaching the inn.
'They figured it out?'
I peeked out the window. What I saw was a group slowly advancing on the inn together.
Agility [24 → 25]
I quickly opened the status window and dumped the point into Agility.
Current Gold: 2084G
I opened the shop, and somehow I'd already amassed 2,000 gold.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙You have purchased 'Good Recovery'.⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Acquiring a 'Trait' has added a new Trait window.Good Recovery – Gain good recovery from all things.
It wasn't immediately useful. But considering this fight could drag on, no trait was better.
Kigaaaak!
The moment I closed all the windows, a screech rang out right behind me.
'I'll strike first.'
As the lead goblin entered the inn...
Slash!
I rose and slashed upward. Before they could react, I charged with my shield forward.
Boom―!
A heavy impact, black shapes flying to either side. Nothing ahead anymore—I spun around.
Goblins sprawled on the floor. I rushed and stomped the head of one trying to rise.
Crunch―
Neck snapped with a sickening sound. I slashed the rest. Fast as they were...
Kiegkiegk―!
There were too many—I couldn't get them all. They rose, swiftly forming ranks.
'Can't let them form up.'
I kicked off the floor, thrusting my sword hand forward.
Swish― crack!
Air sliced, front goblin's heart pierced. I yanked the blade free and dove into the gap, swinging wide.
Splaaash!
The arc cut chests and necks precisely—blood erupted. Goblins collapsed in unison.
Kieeeeak!
Plenty still alive. Looked like they'd brought the whole tribe.
"Hoo, hoo..."
Breath burned from the frenzy, but it settled fast. The trait was working.
I stepped forward again, plunging into their midst.
Goblins were cunning. That really showed when they formed ranks.
Small stature meant quick movements. They knew their strengths, peppering with annoying attacks that weren't lethal.
But without formation? Just puny weaklings.
Kieeeeeek!
One swing dropped three at once. Their wooden shields were useless.
Kigaak!
Poison darts and dagger jabs to force openings—all futile. To me, it just looked like cute tantrums.
Slash!
Another head rolled. Their budding formation crumbled, ugly smirks twisting to terror.
Kigak! Kigak!
The leader-looking one frantically waved a staff and shrieked. The remaining goblins slowly backed away.
'Telling them to retreat, huh.'
But I had no intention of letting them go.
'Kill that one first.'
I charged the masked one fleeing ahead, slicing nearby goblins along the way.
Kiaaaaak!
It glanced back and bellowed. Goblins swarmed from all sides. Using itself as bait, apparently.
'Thanks for the help.'
Slashed with sword, bashed with shield.
Thwack― bang!
Goblin smashed into the wall. Debris from above crushed it dead. Cleared the rest—but the leader slipped away. Distance too great.
'Let it go?'
The thought flashed, then vanished. Regular goblins gave good XP and gold—what would the boss drop?
Strength [23 → 24] Agility [25 → 28]
I invested points fast. Vision accelerated. Gap closed—I thrust the sword.
Stab!
I felt its heartbeat through the blade. Wild thumping. Then nothing.
Kiaak―
Body toppled forward. I approached and removed the mask from its head.
'Made from human skin.'
The feel, the holes—it screamed face flayed from a person.
"Tch."
I tossed the mask far away and surveyed the surroundings.
Crackle―
Fire had spread beyond control. Even modern times it'd be tough; medieval era? Forget it.
'Gotta abandon this area.'
I slipped into an unburnt inn, grabbed bread and strawberry jam, and emerged. Up above, people rushed down.
"Hm?"
The uphill path was overrun by zombies and goblins. Could the militia handle it?
'From what I saw last time, they didn't look that strong.'
As I debated helping, one figure charged the group. Suicide wish?
Splaaash!
Suddenly, torsos of nearby goblins and zombies hit the ground.
"Crazy."
Soldiers joined from behind, and the group was mopped up in seconds.
They eyed the corpses, chatted briefly, then headed down. Our eyes met naturally. They flinched, realized I was alone, and approached.
'A woman?'
The one who'd shown insane skill was female. A knight, too—the armor gave it away.
"Did you do these bodies?"
The blood-soaked knight lady scanned around and asked.
"Yeah."
"Hm."
She eyed me a moment, then extended a hand. Glove caked in blood.
"Ah, sorry. Rushed down from above."
"It's fine."
I was drenched in blood anyway, so I gripped it without care. Even that brief shake showed her grip strength.
"I'm Anne Rosley, knight serving Lady Amelia Bardi."
A knight, as expected.
"I'm Hanson."
No frills to add, so I kept it plain. She looked a bit surprised.
"Something wrong?"
"No, I figured you were at least a knight's squire. Mercenaries with skill like yours aren't common."
"Thanks. More importantly, why come down here?"
"To deal with the goblins invading the village. If one side falls, it'll turn into a goblin nest in no time."
Most knights knew little about monsters, but she was well-informed.
"Got it. Good luck."
I figured no need to butt in and turned to leave, but she spoke up quick.
"Care to help with the goblin subjugation?"
"Hm."
If the village hall guys asked, I'd refuse flat out. No gain. But a knight? Different story.
'Someone who could take my head right now... Building a debt here might pay off later.'
Calm amid the apocalypse. Still serving a noble? Probably decent character.
How'd I know?
'I'd have ditched and bounced.'
I pretended to mull it over, then nodded.
"Sure."
"Thanks. Village is big—thought it'd take forever, but one worry down. I'll sweep this district. You head straight down and help the people."
"By myself?"
"I'll split some troops."
She nodded at the militia. A few approached me, faces full of complaints.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Yeah."
The knight vanished after that. Once she was gone, the militia openly sighed.
"Just don't get in the way."
I beat their gripes to the punch. The men chuckled dryly; one stepped forward.
"Hey. What'd you just say?"