Chapter 7: First Floor, Tutorial (4)

[Do you wish to enter the boss room?]

“Yes."

Darkness enveloped my sight as I began to feel as if I was floating. The weightlessness faded shortly after, and the solid pull of gravity replaced it, allowing me to feel solid ground under my feet once more.

[Eliminate all enemies. Time remaining: 6 hours 58 minutes.]

Opening my eyes, I found myself standing on a circular stone floor that resembled an arena roughly half the size of a soccer field. A lake of boiling, crimson lava surrounded the stone platform. I felt the oppressive heat choke the air as I shifted my gaze across the space.

... Fuck.

Ten goblins were visible on the platform: a hulking goblin in plate armor, two assassins wielding crossbows, and seven warriors armed with swords.

[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 10 seconds.]

The message refreshed as soon as I noticed the enemies. The goblins hadn’t noticed me yet since I had just appeared.

Can I handle ten goblins?

Four was the most I had ever taken on at once. Although I managed back then, dealing with ten was a different story.

My main concern was the goblin in plate armor. I stared at it, causing a notification window to pop up.

[Goblin Paladin]

- A goblin, yet a paladin.

- Larger than a typical goblin.

- Devout and wields potent holy spells.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A goblin paladin? Seriously?

I was stunned. Albeit barely, I had learned to accept the concept of goblin warriors and assassins. However, this was just too much.

[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 05 seconds.]

I quickly took out my crossbow.

“

Krieee!

Goblin! It's too hot!"

“Shut up!”

After sharply rebuking the annoying Doppy, I took a moment to devise a strategy for the imminent battle.

[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 03 seconds.]

Since I would be facing multiple goblins, I had to use and navigate the space effectively. Ending up surrounded would mean certain death for me.

[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 01 second.]

The crossbow I had picked up from a goblin assassin would be essential for carving out space to maneuver in. Even with that plan in mind, I needed to remain vigilant against the goblin paladin. I had never faced a paladin before—goblin or not—and I was unsure of what trump cards it could possess.

[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 00 seconds. Initiating combat.]

As soon as the message disappeared, the goblin warriors started charging toward me, and the goblin assassins spread out to the perimeters of the arena. They chittered among themselves loudly. The goblin paladin, on the other hand, just stayed still.

Alright, let’s do this.

“Krieee!

Human! Die!"

“Kriiiieeeee!"

“Krieee!

Human! Watch out!"

If I positioned myself at the edge of the circular arena, I would be more vulnerable to encirclement and have less space to maneuver. Hence, I tightened my grip on the crossbow in my left hand and the longsword in my right, then charged toward the challenge.

Thunk—

I rolled forward, dodging an arrow flying from the right.

Thunk—

Another arrow flew toward the spot I had rolled into. I swiftly stood up and took a step back to dodge it.

While the goblin assassins hurriedly reloaded their weapons, I seized the opportunity to return fire. Though I had planned to use my crossbow to create space, the threat of arrows firing from my flank forced my hand.

I quickly aimed at one of the goblin assassins and pulled the trigger.

Thunk—

The arrow flew straight, impaling the goblin’s forehead.

“

Ugh...

"

The goblin assassin lifelessly fell backward and dropped out of the arena. The molten lava voraciously devoured it.

“

Kriieee!

"

With no time to reload the crossbow, I threw it at the nearest goblin instead. It hit the goblin warrior three meters away from me in the face.

The goblin staggered back in pain and clutched its face. Due to its sudden loss of momentum, the goblin following closely behind crashed onto it, sending the two to the ground. This opened a gap among the charging goblins.

I tightened my grip on my sword and charged into the gap.

“

Kriieee!

"

Shrieking, a goblin swung its sword at me. In response, I quickly bent my upper body to the left. As its blade sliced sharply through the air—missing me entirely—I continued charging toward the two goblins who were trying to push themselves back up.

Upon reaching my targets, I thrust my sword twice within a single breath, piercing one through the throat and the other through the chest. Losing their balance once more, they toppled back to the ground.

The remaining goblin warriors glared at me from behind, but I simply ignored them. Instead, I sprinted toward the last goblin assassin, who was already aiming and ready to fire its crossbow at me.

“

Kriieee!

Human!"

Thunk

—

I barely heard the faint crossbow fire over the war cries of the goblin warriors behind me. Fortunately, I had been watching the goblin assassin closely. I easily sidestepped the incoming arrow.

Right after, I sprang toward the goblin assassin before it could draw its dagger. I push-kicked it in the chest just as it reached for its weapon.

“

Kriieee?”

The force of my kick sent the goblin soaring over the lava. I turned away before I could see it fall, only to be greeted by another goblin thrusting its sword at me.

“

Kriiiieeeee!

"

As screams echoed from the lava, I deflected the incoming attack to the side. I then used the opening to drive my sword deep into my opponent’s chest.

“

Grargh!

"

The goblin fell, creating an opportunity that I immediately exploited. I swung my sword to the right, slitting another goblin’s throat. Fatally wounded, its striking stance broke, and it keeled over.

Only three goblin warriors remained.

Across the battlefield, the goblin paladin nonchalantly eyed me with its arms crossed, as if watching an amusing performance. Its arrogance caused anger to surge within me—I would not allow a mere goblin to look down on me.

I could not immediately deal with the goblin paladin, however. The intense heat and my rapid movements had strained me, leaving me gasping for breath.

“

Huff... Huff...”

As I struggled to steady my breathing, a sword sliced diagonally toward me from the left. I leaned back just in time, the blade grazing the hem of my clothes.

Having missed its target, the goblin staggered. Exploiting its vulnerability, I jabbed my sword toward it.

“

Kriieee!”

I pierced its forehead, sending the goblin crumpling to the floor. I let gravity help slide the goblin off my sword, pulling it out of the corpse effortlessly.

“

Kriieee!

Human!"

The surviving goblin warriors charged at me from the flanks. I parried a diagonal slash from the goblin on the left, then swiftly swung horizontally at the goblin rushing from the right, slitting its throat. Right after, I turned around and plunged my sword into the other goblin’s collarbone.

“

Kr... Kriieee...

"

Green blood oozed from the neck of the goblin I had slashed. The goblin with the pierced collarbone clutched its neck with both hands as it collapsed to its knees. Within the span of a breath, the last two goblin warriors fell.

“

Ha.

.."

I steadied my breathing and pulled out my sword from the corpse, watching it plunge to the ground.

Now, only the goblin paladin stood in my way. It was still watching me with its arms crossed.

[Eliminate all enemies. Time remaining: 6 hours 53 minutes.]

I tried to slowly gulp down air to stabilize my breathing before the last enemy moved. The intense heat filled my lungs, and sweat trickled down my jawline.

Stay just like that. I just need a little longer to catch my breath.

As if the goblin paladin had read my mind, it uncrossed its arms, pulled a shield off its back, and drew its sword. The broad shield, covered in shining silver, was shaped like an inverted triangle.

I sighed, admiring its gleaming plate armor that sparkled in the light of the lava. Gazing back at my shabby Chipped Longsword, I couldn’t help but compare the two. After so many battles, the unimpressive, battered blade had been dulled immensely—it was a miracle that it hadn’t snapped yet.

... How can I penetrate that armor with this?

“

Kriieee

. Quite impressive for a human."

“The fuck did you just say?”

Impressive for a human? Isn't it more impressive that a goblin is a paladin?

Its arrogance caused my irritation to flare up again. I didn’t like that the goblin thought it had the upper hand.

“

Kriieee

, human. Now that you've met Goblin, all that awaits you is death! Your death will atone for your sins!" The goblin paladin exclaimed as it stomped on the ground. It then broke into a charge.

Although caught off guard, I managed to quickly adjust my grip on the Chipped Longsword.

It moved strikingly fast, demonstrating that its confidence wasn't just for show.

Its blade fell toward me, prompting me to dodge to the left. The heavy strike hit the ground instead, embedding the sword in it. Seeing this as an opportunity, I swung my sword at the goblin. However, the goblin paladin swiftly raised its shield to defend.

A metallic clang echoed—

Kling! Crack!

In shock, I stared at the hilt in my hand. The shield had shattered my Chipped Longsword into pieces.

Fuck. Why now of all times?

Panic briefly seized me, causing me to lose track of the paladin's movements. Just as I began to recover, its sword came hurtling toward me from the right. I instinctively moved to block it with my sword, only to remember at the last second that it was broken. I rolled to the left as fast as I could, evading the blade.

Fuck! What do I do?

At that moment, the dagger I had retrieved from the goblin assassin flashed into my mind. I quickly discarded the broken longsword and drew the shorter blade. The dagger was about thirty to forty centimeters long—roughly a third of the length of my old sword. It felt unfamiliar in my hand, but I had to adapt quickly.

“

Kriieee!

Human!"

I maneuvered toward the goblin, dodging another of its swings. As it recollected itself from its attack, I thrust my dagger through the opening in its defenses and toward its chest.

The blade clanged against its plate armor, failing to penetrate. Just then, I noticed a small gap in the armor. My mind raced.

Should I stab it again now or pull back and plan another attack? Alright, just one more try at the gap!

I aimed for the narrow opening determinedly, but the paladin shifted at the last moment, causing my strike to miss its mark.

... Ah. It seemed I had been too greedy. As if confirming that realization, I saw the goblin’s shield hurtling toward me, already too close to evade. It struck me right under my chin, the tremendous impact sending me flying backward.

While in midair, I stared at the rough ceiling of the arena. For a moment, I thought I was floating, but gravity harshly brought me back to reality.

My head slammed against the ground, fogging my senses. A sharp pain shot through my head, making me wonder if I had gotten a concussion. Exhaustion overwhelmed me. I yearned to rest, to simply lie down and sleep. Was this all just a terrible dream?

Before I could even recollect my bearings, I saw a flash of silver through my blurring vision. I instinctively rolled to the side just before something heavy struck the ground where I had just been. Each roll sent waves of pain through my head, disrupting my thoughts.

Ah, that was right. I was still in the midst of battle. I had to regain my focus.

“

Kriieee!

Human! Die! Kal-Lain be with me!"

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand. As I did, a thrust came directly at me. I felt weaker, causing me to doubt my current ability to dodge. Nevertheless, I used all my willpower to manage half a step, shifting my center of gravity forward and twisting my waist to the left to avoid the blade.

Unfortunately, I reacted too slowly, and my waist didn't twist as much as needed.

I heard the goblin’s blade cut through the air, and a searing pain flared on my right side. Fortunately, the strike didn’t hit any vital organs.

Utilizing my weight to generate forward momentum, I extended my left foot swiftly. Before the goblin could block with its shield, I launched my right foot forward and dove between its extended arm and the shield it had pulled back, grappling the goblin paladin.

Despite its size, it was still a mere goblin. I had the advantage in weight and brute strength over it. I hooked my foot behind its right foot and used my body weight to force it off balance. It stumbled.

My last-ditch plan succeeded.

“Kriieee!?"

I pushed the goblin’s head down ruthlessly with my right hand, which was still holding the dagger. Once it had fallen, I pinned it firmly to the ground.

As it tried to recollect itself, I repeatedly bashed its head against the floor.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

“You son of a bitch!"

I pulled its head back with my left hand to expose the gap between its armor and helmet. Without hesitation, I thrust the dagger into its green collarbone.

Squish, squish!

Green blood spurted. The paladin twitched and convulsed before finally falling limp.

It was finally over. I had defeated them all.

“

Ha

...”

The fatigue set in as I felt the heat of the blood running down my cheek. Giving in to exhaustion, I collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed. My head spun, so I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, my chest heaving heavily. Even the air I breathed felt unbearably hot.

“.

.. Hmm?

"

I tuned into a strange mumbling noise coming from beside me.

“

Kriieee

...

ick

, heal... wounds..."

Turning my head, I noticed a brightly shining glow emanating from the goblin paladin’s neck.

Ah, that’s right, this bastard is a paladin. Fucking hell...