Seeing this, Leo asked his master, "Master… we had agreed on many types swords. You have made only two? This is only one type."
The old dwarf burst into laughter— as if there was no one happier than him in the world.
"Oh my… my child… I'm getting old now. These days I rest more than I work."
Leo placed his hands on his shoulders and shook him lightly as he said,
"Master… I know. You must be earning more profit somewhere else. That's why you're making swords for someone else too, right?"
Suddenly— The dwarf let both swords fall from his hands. The sound of metal hitting the floor echoed through the room. Leo stepped slightly back.
The dwarf turned his back. He stood there silently… but his clenched hands… and the tension in his fingers showed that he was angry inside… or perhaps… troubled.
Until now, in my eyes, he had seemed like a cheerful, happy-natured person. But Leo… had once been his disciple. How could he not understand?
This time Leo asked in a slightly doubtful voice, "Master… is everything alright? Is there something else… that you don't want to tell me?"
The dwarf master still gave no response.
His silence… was heavier than words.
Now Leo clearly understood— something was wrong. Because when it came to jokes and laughter… his master was always the first.
I was watching all of this. And I understood at least this much.
This old man… was hiding something.
And perhaps… something was going to happen next… in which we would also get involved.
Only one thought arose in my mind, "Looks like… this old man is about to start some kind of war…"
But… What kind of war? I still didn't know.
Leo asked the old dwarf in a stern voice,
"Master… tell us who is the one troubling you? I cannot see you in this condition. And if we don't do something today… then he will continue to trouble you in the future as well."
The old dwarf let out a deep sigh. Then he came and sat beside us—slightly moving both of us aside—right between Elisa and me.
Anger and helplessness appeared on his face at the same time.
In a sharp voice he said, "They… are not just one… there are many… a lot of them. Goblins… agile… living in groups. They also know how to use swords and knives. They have a leader too… and everything happens according to his orders."
He clenched his fists tightly.
"I… am no longer as capable a swordsman as I used to be to defeat them. If it were my youth… then things would be different…"
Leo and Elisa—both siblings' faces turned red with anger.
Elisa immediately asked, "Where is their hideout?"
The old dwarf said in a low voice, "They… are dangerous… and there are many of them. I cannot tell you…"
This time Leo spoke in an even firmer tone,
"Master… tell us quickly. Don't delay anymore. We will destroy the root of this trouble. Even if you have grown old… your disciples are still young… and just as strong as your arms."
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on the old dwarf's lips.
Seeing Leo and Elisa's expressions and devotion… for some reason… I also felt a strange warmth of dizziness. As if I was lost in my thoughts for a few moments.
Then the old dwarf said, "Outside the Black Market… somewhere in the forest… their hideout should be there. They won't be very far…"
Hearing this, I also became fully alert.
Now it was almost certain— I would have to help them as well.
Just then Elisa said in surprise,
"Do… any of them know how to use magic?"
The old dwarf nodded slowly and said,
"Yes… nothing special… a D-rank magician. He is probably their leader. He is the one who tampered with the Teleportation Array here… so that I wouldn't be able to contact anyone."
Looking toward me, Elisa said,
"That's why you ended up somewhere else instead of the intended place… all of this is the doing of those goblins."
In an elegant manner, Elisa picked up one of the two swords lying on the floor. Spinning it lightly, she said,
"We'll have to deal with them."
I said in a surprised tone, "I'll come too."
No sooner had I said that than Elisa immediately handed me the sword and said,
"Yes, of course. It's better to go right now. Hunting is easier at night."
It was a strange feeling for me. It dissipated in an instant.
Leo said seriously, "I have a plan. We should kill their leader first. After that, finishing the rest of their group will be an easy task."
I didn't say anything… but just then the old dwarf picked up the other sword lying on the ground—and shouted so loudly that my eardrums almost rang. Even Elisa and Leo were startled for a moment.
"Let's go… kill them!"
Perhaps… the old dwarf was so excited because the goblins had not treated him well.
The night was growing deeper. The sky was covered with clouds, making it difficult for the moonlight to even reach the ground. The four of us—me, Elisa, Leo, and the old dwarf—were moving quickly through the dense forest spread outside the Black Market.
There was a strange smell in the forest… dampness, soil, and a faint odor of burnt flesh… which made the atmosphere even more terrifying.
After walking some distance, Leo raised his hand to signal us to stop.
We all immediately crouched behind the bushes. My gaze fell ahead—and I was shocked. There… really were… more than fifty goblins.
Some were standing guard… some were sitting near the fire eating raw meat… and some were sharpening weapons. Their bodies were small but muscular… their eyes glowed red… and their teeth were sharp like animals.
Behind them, in the mountain wall, there was a large tunnel… from which yellow light was coming out. Torches were burning… and a thin line of smoke was rising upward. Leo whispered softly, "This is their hideout… the leader will be inside."
Elisa nodded. The anger in the old dwarf's eyes was clearly visible… his fists had tightened around the sword handle.
The four of us slowly moved through the bushes toward the hill… so the goblins in front wouldn't see us.
My heartbeat was getting faster… but strangely, more than fear, there was excitement inside me. Within a few minutes, we reached near the tunnel.
I peeked inside— there was a large open space… torches were fixed on the walls… bones were scattered on the ground… and in the middle there was a high platform made of stones. From there, a view of the open sky was visible.
On that platform… a goblin was sitting. Bigger than the others… black markings on his body… a faint blue glow in his eyes… and a crooked magical staff in his hand. Just as we stepped inside,
Suddenly his gaze lifted toward us. My feet stopped right there. The goblin… spoke.
His voice was heavy… but clear. " Who…are… you?"
I was truly shocked. A… talking goblin.
Elisa and Leo immediately took fighting stances. The old dwarf looked like he wanted to attack at that very moment. The goblin leader slowly stood up.
A dangerous smile appeared on his lips. "Humans… have walked into my cave… themselves…"
He struck his staff on the ground.
Thak!!!
Suddenly the sound of dozens of footsteps echoed from outside the tunnel. The rest of the goblins… were returning.
Leo said in a low voice,
"Now there's no chance to hide… get ready…" Elisa looked at me.
I tightened my grip on the sword. A slight smile appeared on my lips. And I said to Leo, "Your plan didn't work very well… now there's only one way left."
Leo looked at me and said, "Do you still have some plan?"
The old dwarf angrily said to Leo, "To hell with the plan… come on… let's start hunting them one by one."
And the very next moment— I made the first attack.
Seeing this, the leader lunged toward me—and I also moved toward him without any delay. I struck with my sword, but the very next moment he pushed his staff forward.
Thaaak!!!
My sword strike collided with his staff and stopped. At that same instant— a blue flash of lightning burst from the staff… and a shock ran through my entire body.
"Argh…!"
My hands went numb… my muscles locked for a moment. I staggered backward.
That's when I understood, "There's… lightning magic in his staff…!"
The electric shock wasn't lethal… but it completely destabilized me for a moment.
A smug smile appeared on the goblin leader's lips.
"Interesting… you didn't die from that lightning…"
He thought… he had gained the advantage. The repeated crackles of electric shock sent shivers down my spine and filled me with fear, and it was justified.
I immediately glanced around. Where my three companions were— the scene was completely different.
Leo and Elisa… were cutting down the weaker goblins' necks as if they were slicing flowers. Their swords flashed through the air… every strike precise… fast… and deadly.
The old dwarf was not behind either. His movements might have looked aged… but his swordsmanship was still alive. Every strike carried years of experience. All three… looked like seasoned warriors on a battlefield.
And… Me…
I was the only one… silently calling for help in my mind.
Because I clearly understood— If I didn't do something now… the situation could turn against me.
I now had… only one option left. I tightened my grip on the sword.
I steadied my breathing. And focused on the mental concentration of the magic within me.
The words echoed in my mind— "Massive Slash of Fire…"
The very next moment— a wave of flames rose from my sword… as if a blazing ocean of fire was taking shape… And I moved forward with all my strength.
"You… carry… Magic power of the Underworld… Technique. Who are you…?" Goblin said.
⭐ Goblin Leader
Rank: D Monster
Magical status screen level,
Magic —18 (Lightning)
Speed — 17
Stamina — 17
Plus advantages,
Magic Staff (Lightning)
Intelligence
Home terrain
Monster durability