kscans

Chapter 184 - The Border Battle, Part Two

The battle at the border had begun.

Tina said to the adventurers.

"I need you all to head to the other side of the fence. Intercept the monsters to prevent them from crossing! Even if they pull back, do not pursue; focus on defense!"

At these instructions, the adventurers replied.

"""As you command!"""

And charged forward, weapons at the ready.

They looked like a pack of starving boars.

I asked.

"Are they going to be okay like that?"

To my worried question, Tina replied.

"They should be fine. At least they seem to be following my instructions."

I looked in the direction she pointed.

The adventurers had crossed the fence and set up a formation a few steps ahead.

Those skilled in close combat were at the front, while those skilled in long-range combat were positioned at the rear, and the magicians had their staves ready to cast magic at a moment's notice.

And behind them, several adventurers stood with their arms crossed, watching.

I mumbled in admiration.

"They may not have skill, but they seem to have experience. At this rate, we should be fine for a while."

I had nothing but anxiety about their lack of skill as leaders, but not all of them were incompetent.

They understood their own weapons and tactics and positioned themselves in the best possible way. This was a gift born of experience.

Even on Earth, even if you were told you lacked talent or intelligence, if you worked patiently… 'What should I do?'… 'How should I move?' Your body would move before your mind could think. Desk work has the image of using your head, but it's your hands that are doing the moving.

As long as you know what to write, typing out sentences comes naturally.

This was something I thought after watching a program called 'The Unbreakable Men' a long time ago. Though I was one of those who broke.

I've gotten sidetracked.

It seemed they were putting up with their idiot leaders and finding ways to survive.

I said.

"Alright then. Shall we go too? There's nothing for us to do here. I'm most useful fighting on the front lines."

As I started to walk, Tina said.

"I feel the same way. Even if I'm in command, my job doesn't change. Besides, I want to fight by your side, Shinsuke."

Her face was slightly flushed.

She says the nicest things. To live up to those expectations, I headed forward.

The adventurers were watching the monsters' movements.

They were overwhelmingly outnumbered. But since revealing themselves, the monsters had not moved, merely watching them. It was an eerie sight.

However, from behind the monsters.

"…Go."

A human voice was heard.

For a moment, I wondered why, but the monsters began their attack, so I put the thought aside.

The Goblins came first. As individuals, they were weak, but in a group, they were a nuisance.

The close-combat adventurers held their shields at the ready, waiting for them to come. If they charged in carelessly, they risked being surrounded. If their backs were taken, their only fate was death.

The Goblins attacked with their clubs and daggers. However, they were unable to break through the shield wall of the adventurers lined up in a row and were repelled and cut down.

Some Goblins resisted, but they were dispatched by spear attacks from the side.

An adventurer who saw this from the rear said.

"Hmph. Small fry monsters, after all. No match for me. At this rate, that lady will be mine…"

He was lost in a strange fantasy.

An adventurer who heard this said.

"What are you talking about? Getting full of yourself after just one attack. You're just someone who got ahead by giving orders, after all."

He snorted.

That adventurer replied.

"Hmph. A win is a win, no matter what. Instead of being jealous, why don't you do some work yourself? As it happens, my specialty is strategy. I leave the fighting to them."

He said this as he checked his cloak for any dirt.

Another adventurer who heard this said.

"Strategy expert? Can someone like that make a living as an adventurer? I'm different. While giving orders, I immediately take care of any areas that can't be covered and fight beautifully with this sword. Ah, someone like me is worthy of being by that beautiful person's side."

He spoke his fantasy with an enraptured expression.

An adventurer who heard that said.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I am the man worthy of that beautiful woman."

They were having a foolish and meaningless conversation.

Meanwhile, on the front lines, people were fighting for their lives, yet these guys were so relaxed.

It wasn't that they were skilled, but that they didn't understand. But the adventurers fighting on the front lines said nothing.

Because it was pointless.

No matter what warning they gave, they would just say things like 'Stay out of it,' or 'You incompetent fools should just shut up and work.'

They just kept making excuses for themselves.

Anyone can fail once or twice. Everyone does.

What's important when that happens is not to pretend the failure didn't happen, but to figure out how to improve after failing.

That's how people grow.

You don't have to do it in a big way. Even a one percent attempt is still an attempt. It's the steady work that has value. But there are those who don't understand this and blame others for their failures.

A mentally weak person would probably do that.

However, if they regret it afterward, reflect on it, and have the drive to change, they can make a comeback.

But for those who don't even try and endlessly blame others, there's no hope.

Even the time spent talking to them is a waste.

They let the opinions and advice of others go in one ear and out the other. There's a saying for this: 'like water off a duck's back.'

Of course, the adventurers who didn't know such a saying fought on silently, focusing only on what was in front of them. They didn't notice the monster that had fallen from above.

A large black shadow appeared from the left of the bickering adventurers.

The adventurers who looked up at it were speechless.

Its face was that of a Goblin, but it was a giant, probably three meters tall, holding a huge club.

Before they could understand 'Why?', the adventurers were crushed by the club the Goblin brought down.

The magician who saw this scene said.

"A Goblin Guardian… Why is it here?"

He began to tremble.

A high-ranking Goblin monster had suddenly appeared. It was only natural to be afraid.

But the archer adventurer said.

"Don't lose your nerve! This thing is weak to fire! Burn it with magic!"

At this shout, the magicians all raised their staves in unison.

Seeing this, the Goblin Guardian charged. Its target was the magicians.

In front of the terrified magicians, several adventurers with shields and swords stood in their way. It was a pain to leave the front line, but since it was a high-ranking monster, being cautious was a higher priority.

The swordsman said.

"We'll buy you time! While we're at it…"

Before he could finish, the Goblin Guardian swung its club down.

A direct hit. There was no way to dodge or block it.

It's over. The swordsman closed his eyes.

But no matter how long he waited, the end never came. He cautiously opened his eyes.

A man in armor was blocking the club with his sword. He recognized the man. He was an A-rank adventurer he often saw at the guild. He was from 'Red Lightning.'

It was a close call.

As I was about to approach the battlefield where the adventurers were fighting, those idiot leaders were having a meaningless conversation.

I had no intention of getting involved, so I was about to take a detour when a huge Goblin fell from the sky. And in an instant, the leaders were dead.

As I stood there in shock, Tina said.

"That's a Goblin Guardian. A high-ranking Goblin monster. It's a tough enemy with abnormally high defense and durability."

She explained.

I asked.

"So, does it have any weaknesses?"

To my question, Tina replied.

"I hear it's weak to fire. But a weak fire won't be enough to defeat it. It requires flames that can cover its entire body. Experienced adventurers use large amounts of oil to burn Goblin Guardians. Without that, a magician would have to use all of their magic."

She explained.

To this, I said.

"I see, thanks. Tina, you take charge of the front line in place of those idiots. I'll take on the Goblin Guardian."

To my suggestion, Tina replied.

"You're right. As you are now, you won't fall behind. Be careful."

She said, then headed towards the front line.

I saw the Goblin Guardian about to attack the magicians and threw the hammer I was holding with all my might.

The spinning hammer hit the Goblin Guardian in the back. It staggered for a moment. In that instant, I activated `Thunderclap Incarnation` and ran to intervene.

Taking the blow, I felt how tough it was.

The weight was appropriate for its giant size. This was no time for testing the waters.

I infused my magic and said.

"Fuuu. Flame Demon Sword!"

Flames erupted from my sword.

Seeing this, the Goblin Guardian retreated. It seemed to have sensed it. That those flames were dangerous.

I said.

"You did well. Leave the rest to me. I'd like you to protect the magicians."

At these words, the warrior said.

"Understood. I'll repay this favor someday…"

He said, then fell back.

I readied my flame sword and faced the Goblin Guardian. The enemy was wary but still held its ground. It had no intention of running.

The two of us glared at each other.

It was the Goblin Guardian that moved first.

It brought its club down with a speed that was incomparable to before.

It came at me with a preemptive strike. I calmly waited with my sword held at my left side.

As the club came down, I shouted.

"Cheeeeeeeeeeeestooooooooo!"

I swung with all my might.

The sword made of Orichalcum was hotter and sharper than before. No matter how hard the club was to cut, it was powerless before this sword.

Spaaaaan

The club was split in two. The Goblin Guardian was surprised for a moment, but it quickly regained its composure and brought its left fist down. I dodged it by moving diagonally to the right and back.

It's used to fighting. But I was just as eager to end this quickly.

The moment I fell back, I immediately counterattacked. I aimed for its left leg. The Goblin Guardian hadn't yet regained its balance. I took advantage of that opening.

I was behind the Goblin Guardian.

Naturally, I cut its left leg. It tilted to the left and fell. Flames erupted from the wound. The battle was decided.

However, the Goblin Guardian turned to me and attacked.

A do-or-die resolve.

I respected that resolve and said.

"May you find peace in the flames."

I offered a prayer and cut off the Goblin Guardian's head with my flame sword.