Chapter 5: 100 Goblins, One Swordsman

[★★ Wandering Swordsman: Trait: Goblin Exterminator effect!]

[The attack and defense of hostile Goblins are reduced by 20%!]

As I jumped into battle, letters floated before my eyes.

“Huh?!”

“Hek!”

All the Goblins shrank back.

I charged in and swung my sword with razor-sharp precision.

Swish! Thud!

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

“Attention”

“Wow. So you’re totally broken for this dungeon, huh? I see you in a new light!”

The fluttering Fairy was amazed.

“Keh! As expected of the Goblin Ex… exterminator, or whatever! Truly amazing!”

Even the Goblin clenched his fist in joy.

He didn’t seem to care that his own kind was dying.

“But bro! Why are you already level 7? You’ve only killed twenty so far. Is this a bug?”

The Goblin watching from the side looked puzzled.

Level?

I had no idea what he was talking about.

“Level? What’s a level?”

“Huh? You don’t even know what a level is? It’s the thing marked ‘LV’ next to your name. You should have gotten a message every time it went up. Didn’t you see it?”

“Now that you mention it, nothing popped up in the sky. Weird.”

The Goblin and Fairy both tilted their heads.

Ah.

‘So this is what’s called a level?’

If that’s the case, it probably went up during the last fight.

I’d better play dumb.

“Beats me? Not sure what’s going on. But how can you see it? Is it floating above my head?”

“Huh? You don’t have a status window?”

“Status window? What’s a status window?”

I repeated the Goblin’s words.

Geez.

Every time I learned one thing, something new came up that I didn’t know.

“Wow. You really are a total newbie? You don’t know about levels, you don’t know about the status window. But you sure can fight! You’re a real blockhead, a blockhead. I’ve never seen such a blockhead.”

The Fairy giggled.

I turned to the Goblin and asked, “I just got to Valhalla. Calling you Goblin feels too stiff. What’s your name? Feels awkward just calling you Goblin.”

“Huh? My name?”

The Goblin was flustered.

“Wow, you’re even asking my name? You’re such a weirdo!”

Even the Fairy’s eyes went round in amazement.

“Bro! Was I really that memorable? Most people just ignore us… Especially for someone like me, treated like a monster! It’s a real honor! My name’s Gobori! Please feel free to call me that! I’ll follow you till I’m thrown in the grinder! Boss!”

Gobori grabbed my hand and rejoiced.

‘Do they not usually introduce themselves to each other?’

Well, the Priest never gave her name either.

I smiled softly and nodded.

“All right, let’s get along. My name is Sid. Looking forward to working with you.”

“Sid! That’s a fantastic name! So, what did you want to ask? Please ask anything!
Gobori here will explain it all, kindly!”

Excited, Gobori grinned from ear to ear.

Looking out at the hills, I continued.

“Yeah, about this status window thing. Can I see it too? I don’t know how.”

“Huh? The Valkyrie didn’t tell you? Usually they explain it.”

The Fairy chimed in, cutting in.

She perched on my shoulder with a smug look.

“Ugh, those bureaucratic Valkyries. They never do their job right. Well, since I’m in the mood, and since you’re a newbie, let this senior teach you! For the record, this is my eighth time being summoned…”

“Hey! I’m telling him! Boss, ignore this pest. These support-class types only know how to ride the bus; they don’t actually know anything! Gobori here will explain everything! Kindly! Accurately!”

“Hey! Let me talk too! I’m Rose! Usually I wouldn’t tell you, but I’m making an exception because you look so pitiful. You better treat me well from now on!”

“No, seriously, be quiet for a sec?”

“You be quiet!”

“I’m talking here!”

“I’M talking!”

The Fairy and Gobori bickered back and forth.

I calmed them down and greeted the Fairy.

“All right, Rose. We’re all companions, so I should know everyone’s names. I’ll be relying on you.”

“Uh… Oh? Yeah! Let’s get along then! But if you drag me down, you’re dead, got it?”

Rose snorted.

“It’s her thing, you know, the tsundere act.”

Gobori added something odd.

Swish, thud! Smash!

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

“So what’s this status window you’re talking about? How do you use it?”

I asked while finishing off more Goblins.

Taking them down was no trouble.

“Um… If you want to check your info, it just pops up. Don’t you see it, Boss? A small rectangle, bigger than your palm, with pictures and letters. Nothing?”

***

Gobori trotted after me.

“For real? It really doesn’t come up? Is this a bug?”

Rose fluttered and tilted her head.

“Yeah. Nothing. Maybe my Valkyrie’s really bad at her job.”

I answered as I kept walking.

Maybe this status window was like the ‘screen’ I had.

But somehow, there was a fundamental difference.

The status window only showed information, but the screen even gave the user special privileges.

“Ugh, that’s typical Valkyries. When I got brought here, it was just assumed I’d come. Only later did I learn I had a choice.”

“Pfft. Maybe that’s because you’re a monster? They practically begged me to come.”

“You’re really pushing your luck, huh. Want me to rip your wings off?”

“Ha! Listen to the greenie talk! Wanna get smacked?”

“Smacked? You know how many pests like you I’ve caught? I put your kind in jars and used them as lanterns!”

“What? That’s an insult to my whole race! Apologize!”

“You called my race dumb first!”

“Because it’s true!”

“Well, so was mine!”

Gobori and Rose growled at each other.

Come to think of it, the Dwarf said something.

That it’s better to just accept what happens in this world.

Even not having a status window.

Even having a screen instead.

It was better to just accept it.

Trying to find a reason was pointless.

“Oh! It’s the last stage! Did you know, Boss? This prologue is designed so you have to lose. Goblins keep coming endlessly!”

“Hmmm. This is the last part? It’s my first time seeing it in person. I’ve heard it’s infamous.”

We finally arrived at a familiar place.

Gobori and Rose looked out over the hill.

It was a place I knew well, the last stage of the prologue.

Soon, a massive horde of Goblins would pour out from there.

“Hey! I’m confiscating this! Hand it over!”

Suddenly, Rose zipped over and snatched Gobori’s shield.

[★★★★ Rose Fairy: Adorable Fairy Wings effect!]

Then she shoved it into my hand.

I had no idea what she was doing.

“What’s this? Why the shield all of a sudden?”

“Don’t you get it? In this event, Goblins are hardwired to betray you. So, it’s better to take the shield first. Not that I’m doing this for you or anything.”

Rose smiled slyly.

“Hey! You can’t just take it! I was going to hide behind that!”

Judging by Gobori’s reaction, she was serious.

“Wait, really? You’re going to betray us?”

“Well, you could call it a racial trait, or just out of my control. It’s not that I want to betray you! How could I betray you, Boss? It’s a forced event. I have no choice! I don’t mean it, Boss!”

A flustered Gobori tried to explain.

‘Are these ‘traits’ forcibly activated?’

Just like how I reduced Goblin stats, or Rose took Gobori’s shield?

I fell silent, thinking.

Then something occurred to me.

“Right. In Valhalla, death isn’t permanent, right?”

“Of course. You’ll just be revived anyway.”

“Yeah, worst that happens is you become a ghost.”

Rose and Gobori nodded.

“All right. Sorry, Gobori.”

“Huh? Sorry for what?”

Thunk!

Without hesitation, I swung my axe down.

[★★ Goblin Sentry has fallen!]

I pulled out the axe and wiped off the blood.

Rose looked at fallen Gobori in shock.

“Eek! What the—? Was that team kill? You could team kill?”

“Kek! Boss! How could you kill me without warning! That was scary!”

Gobori, now a ghost, stood up.

I bowed my head in apology.

“Sorry. Did it hurt?”

“Hurt? I was dead before I could feel anything! Why’d you do that?”

“I’d be in trouble if someone as strong as you turned against me. Sorry if you’re offended, but this was for the best.”

“Me? Strong? Well, I am pretty tough. Still, what’s dying? Better than being a burden! It’s fine! Haha!”

Gobori forgave me readily.

I thought there’d be hard feelings, but thankfully not.

“What the? How did you do that? Team kill’s allowed? You could do that in this game?”

Rose looked puzzled.

Team kill—what did that mean?

“What’s team kill? Was that not supposed to be possible?”

“Nope! Team kill means killing your own teammates! Normally you can’t!”

“Ah, right. Makes sense, really. Morally, you shouldn’t be able to.”

“No, no. I mean system-wise. If you try to do something outside your traits, the status window blocks you. You literally can’t do it!”

Gobori’s eyes were round with surprise.

I hadn’t expected such a restriction.

“Eh, must be the Goblin Exterminator effect, or it’s a bug. Bugs happen all the time! Haha!”

Gobori scratched his head with a laugh.

“Still, that was refreshing. Breaking your own guy’s skull before the fight even starts. I like it!”

Rose also laughed at Gobori.

Whether she liked my move or just Gobori being dead, I couldn’t tell.

[A horde of enraged Goblins is charging! There’s no end in sight!]

Letters suddenly flashed before my eyes.

777…….

The entire hill shuddered with anticipation.

I donned my helmet, gripping the Uruk Slayer in one hand and the axe in the other.

Then I looked to Rose and asked,

“Rose. Do you like dying?”

“What? Who would like that! Let’s just hurry up and die. We’re not gonna win anyway.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Huh? Then what?”

“I just don’t want to waste anything. If your health drops below 50%, I’ll kill you myself. Just keep your Potion ready.”

I announced shamelessly with a grin.

Rose turned pale and trembled.

“What… Is this guy nuts…?”

“Boss is a little scary, huh?”

Gobori muttered as he edged away.

“Keek!”

“Kkeeek!”

Soon, the Goblin charge began.

Weapon in both hands, I roared at them.

“Come! I’ll slaughter you all!”

[★★ Wandering Swordsman: Trait: Goblin Exterminator effect!]

[The attack and defense of hostile Goblins are reduced by 20%!]

There was no need to fight with my back to the trees.

Swish, thud! Smash!

I broke through the Goblins, swinging sword and axe.

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

“Kkuek!”

The Goblins at the front scattered.

‘How should I describe this sensation?’

The Goblins felt as light as empty logs.

Kicking one barely registered any weight.

“Boss! Haste! Use Haste! You learned Haste, right?”

“Haste? How do I use it?”

“Just shout ‘Haste!’”

“Haste!”

I yelled into the air as Gobori instructed.

[★★ Wandering Swordsman: Haste skill!]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman’s attack and movement speed increased by 10%!]

Whoosh!

A white gale whipped up.

My sweat dried and my body felt light.

“Thanks, Gobori!”

Swish, thud! Crunch!

[You have held off 50 Goblins!]

[Goblins are changing!]

Fifty fell in an instant.

“Whoa, could you actually beat the prologue at this rate?”

Gobori, watching, sounded nervous.

“Eek! Slow down! You’ll shake me off!”

Rose, clinging to my shoulder, tried not to fall.

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

Swish, thud!

Turning, I sliced through a Goblin’s neck.

Usually, I avoided the spine with shallow cuts, but now, even a light swing sent their whole head flying.

[You have held off 70 Goblins!]

[Goblins sense something is wrong!]

Crack! Crack!

My left-hand axe moved without rest.

Valhalla.

Valkyrie.

Even Giants and Priests.

All those wretched beings flashed through my mind.

I poured that resentment into my weapons.

[★ Ragana Tomahawk has reached its durability limit!]

Snap!

The axe broke in my hand.

Well, nothing special.

I shoved back a charging Goblin with my shield.

Thunk!!

[You have defeated Lv. 1 Goblin.]

Thud!

Then finished with a stab to the neck.

The Goblins rushing in from every side felt like clay dolls.

[You have held off 90 Goblins!]

[Goblins are beginning to feel fear!]

“This is crazy… How is this just a 2-star swordsman?!”

“He’s going to clear it! He’s going to beat the prologue!”

Rose and Gobori were in awe.

‘Huff, huff!’

But I didn’t stop.

I kept swinging the Uruk Slayer.

[You have held off 100 Goblins!]

And in a flash, it was over.

[Achievement: Defeated 100 Goblins in the final prologue battle.]

[Achievement: Cleared the prologue battle without dying.]

[Achievement: Cleared the prologue battle without using a Potion.]

“Kkieek!”

“Kkeek!”

The Goblin horde fled over the hills.

‘Was it because this was my second time?’

It didn’t seem difficult at all.

It felt like facing children.

“Wow… What are you? Why are you so strong? Is this a bug?”

“Boss, you’re a true exterminator! I’ll never mess with you again!”

Rose and Gobori were stunned.

[Speedrun: Prologue] [6m37s] [First achievement on the server!]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman’s level has increased!] [★★ Wandering Swordsman Lv.8]

[★★ Wandering Swordsman → Lv. 9]

[★★ Goblin Sentry’s level is….]

[★★ Goblin Sentry → Lv. 2]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy’s le….] [★★★★ Rose Fairy → Lv. 2]

[★★★★ Rose Fairy Lv. 3]

***

Endless lines of text appeared on the screen.

[Mission Clear!]

[+400 Gold]

[+300 Diamonds]

[+10 Normal Cards]

Then came the reward of ten normal cards.

My heart pounded.

The battle I’d once fought desperately had become this easy.

My impression of Valhalla had changed.

I’d show those who underestimated me what I was really capable of.