kscans

Chapter 45 - Episode 41: The Trump Card

Returning to a spot overlooking the plaza, I spot two goblins there, bows at the ready, scanning the area with nervous glances.
These are the Goblin Archers I’ve seen occasionally during earlier reconnaissance...

『Only two left, then?』
『No, probably more inside the cave, I think.』
「Gyagyaa!」

Huh? One of the Goblin Archers turns toward the cave entrance after hearing a sound, nodding as if acknowledging something.

If there are still more inside, this is going to get annoying. But at the same time, it’s about time we put an end to this.

「Lupi, I’m counting on you.」
「Waf!」

I whisper, and Lupi silently slips away to the east, padding forward with stealthy steps.

『Are we going to flank them with Lupi-chan?』
『Yes. Though I suspect some diversion will come first.』

After gaining sufficient distance, Lupi turns back toward me, waiting for the signal.

Alright. Let’s do this.

「Bau! Bau-bau!」

The Goblin Archers immediately swing their bows toward Lupi as she bursts into view and barks.

Please dodge properly, Lupi—I silently pray as I wait for the moment their arrows fly.

Fwip! Fwip!

I dash forward in a full sprint, closing the distance. If I can reach them before they nock a second arrow, I’ll have the advantage in close combat.

The arrows fly, but not with much speed. I watch as Lupi neatly evades both, then close the gap until I’m right in front of the archers.

「Gyaaah!」

One collapses with a dagger thrust to the chest. The other turns to flee into the cave—but—

「Bau!」

Lupi lunges from behind, clamping down on its right ankle and dragging it to the ground.

「Nice!」
『Yes!』
『Now!』

I rush over and deliver the final blow to the struggling Goblin Archer.

【Dagger skill level has increased!】
【Dagger Arts acquired!】
【Dagger & Throwing Arts acquired!】

Huh? Gaining arts from the dagger skill is great, but getting a combined art with Throwing? That’s a thing now…?

「Waf!」
「Crap!」

Lupi barks, snapping me back to reality—just in time to see a fireball streaking toward us from the cave.

「Lupi!」

I pull her into my arms, shielding her as the fireball explodes against my right shoulder blade. A sharp, stinging sensation races through me.

『Shou-kun!』
『It’s alright. A Goblin Magician’s fireball won’t kill you instantly.』

My HP drops by about 20%. Not too bad, really. Still, I grab Lupi and sprint to a spot out of the cave’s line of sight.

「Kuuuun…」

She whimpers, worried—probably because I took the hit for her.

「I’m fine, really.」

This was within expectations. I came prepared.

I pull a Heal Potion made from Hermit Bamboo Grass from my inventory and pour it over the scorched area. The burning sensation vanishes instantly, and my HP begins to recover gradually.

『You had a Heal Potion ready, but the recovery method is different?』
『That’s a potion made from Hermit Bamboo Grass. It restores HP slowly over time.』

But more importantly—my beginner’s leather armor is in bad shape…

「Looks like they’re coming out. Not ideal, but better than going in after them…」

My sense of presence picks up movement approaching the cave entrance.

I’m certain there’s one Goblin Magician—but there’s another presence, too.

I was considering retreating into the woods when Lupi slips from my arms and fixes her gaze on the cave mouth.

「Hey, wait…」
『Eh…?』
『No way…』

Out they come. A goblin taller than me by a full head. And behind him, another wearing a robe, clutching what looks like a grimoire.

【Goblin Leader】
【Goblin Magician】

I’d seen Goblin Magicians during Seth’s (Miki’s) live stream when he showed a goblin village extermination quest—but what the hell is a Goblin Leader?

「Gyaggyaggya~」

Damn it. That Goblin Magician is definitely laughing at me.

If only that bastard would stop interfering, I could use my trump card and maybe stand a chance.

「Guga!」

I dodge backward as the Goblin Leader swings a club at me.

But in that instant, the Goblin Magician behind him launches a magic projectile—stone shards.

『Danger!』
「Wait—!」

I step sharply to the left, barely avoiding it. At the same moment, I wonder where Lupi is—only to see her already dodging cleanly and charging straight toward the Goblin Magician.

『Lupi-chan!?』
『Targeting the backline!』

The goblins, distracted by her movement, start to give chase.

Now’s my chance to use my trump card!

I draw the rusted knife tucked in my belt and launch it with , aiming for a .

The target is…

「Gyaaaaaah!」

The Goblin Leader screams in agony as the knife buries into the back of his neck.

He turns toward me—then freezes mid-motion. His body stiffens… and he collapses like a log.

『Incredible!』
『Huh? What just happened?』

From my now-clear line of sight, I see Lupi clinging to the Goblin Magician’s face, claws dug into his cheeks.

「Lupi!」

As if understanding my voice, she leaps away.

I throw my second rusted knife—another with . It plunges into the Goblin Magician’s chest.

「Gyaa! Aaaaa…」

His hand reaches to pull it out—but stops halfway. Then he pitches forward and collapses.

「We did it…」
「Waf!」
「Ah, sorry, sorry. Gotta make sure they’re really dead.」

Looking at the fallen Goblin Leader, a status window appears: 【Goblin Leader: Paralysis (Approx. 4 minutes remaining)】.

The paralytic venom from the Saloon Lizard… seems stronger than I expected. Maybe the just hit a good spot.

『So the paralysis worked!』
『Huh? Paralysis? How!?』

Well, never mind that. I deliver a second from behind to finish him off.

【Character Level has increased!】

Ah, yeah. I’ll check that later.

The Goblin Magician shows: 【Goblin Magician: Paralysis (Approx. 29 minutes remaining)】. Seems the stronger the enemy, the harder it is to fully paralyze—makes sense.

No need to use any arts. I quickly deliver the finishing blow.

【Goblin village has been exterminated】
【Safe Zone has been added】

「Huh?」
『We did it!!』
『You did it!』

I quickly scan the area, but don’t see anything that looks like a Safe Zone. If it’s like the one at the coast, there should be a faintly glowing spot somewhere.

＜Shou-kun! Shou-kun! Is it okay if we talk to you now?＞

Ah, crap! I completely forgot—I was still live streaming!

「Ah, yeah, I think it’s fine now.」

I give a small wave toward the camera.

『Shou-kun, that was amazing!』

Mion cheers, clearly excited. Then—

『You were incredible! I almost forgot you were even live!』

Bell-san’s voice follows, warm and impressed.

「Glad I prepared everything beforehand. Just barely made it through.」

『Um, there are a ton of comments and questions—can you handle them?』
「Yeah, within reason.」

＜Since Shou-kun has cleanup to do, let’s keep it to about ten minutes, okay?＞

Yata-sensei chimes in with a helpful reminder. Yeah, chatting while surrounded by goblin corpses isn’t exactly ideal.

I sit down in a relatively undisturbed spot, pulling Lupi into my lap.

Well, how many questions could there really be? Should be quick, right?

『First up, a question from Bell-san.』
「Fire away.」
『Um, how exactly did you defeat the Goblin Leader?』

Ten minutes passed. Then five more. Then another five.

I never expected it to go on until the very last minute of the allowed streaming time at 10 PM…