Okay, I finally gained some practical combat experience.”
I was satisfied after confirming the feeling of wielding a scythe and using [Light Magic]. However, I had no intention of pursuing the path of a magic swordsman, or rather, a magic sickleman.
Now that I was confident in my ability to move at the very least, my plan was to continue providing support from the rear, just as I always did. Undoubtedly, that’s where I excelled the most.
“Isam swinging the scythe looked so cool!!!” Iris said.
“The scythe looked really impressive! Though your use of [Light Magic] felt quite uncomfortable!” Ruby added.
Iris was wriggling her tentacles in excitement. This girl really tends to have more masculine tastes. Well, as for you, Ruby! Even a skeleton can use [Light Magic]! Though that silver mask did give off a somewhat dark and suspicious vibe.
Alright, time to get down to business and skin these creatures. Well, I know that the goblins won’t yield anything significant.
――――――――――
- Broken Straight Sword – Quality: Scrap, Rarity: C (Common Class)
A straight sword that is broken halfway. Rust covers the entire surface.
It holds no value as a cutting tool and has essentially turned into a blunt object.
- Goblin’s Club – Quality: Scrap, Rarity: C (Common Class)
A club used by a goblin.
It’s a shoddy piece that was simply carved from a thick branch for an easier grip.
――――――――――
Oh wow, it’s just as the bulletin board described. I think people also mentioned that they dropped “Goblin’s Liver ” as an ingredient for [cooking], right? It’s supposed to have some sort of nourishing effect, but who would even eat something like that?
“I knew it; it’s all just trash.”
“Swords can be melted down and used as iron again, but that’s about it.”
The experience points gained weren’t that satisfying, and the drops were nothing but junk. There was no need to continue hunting Goblins any longer. Let’s hurry up and move on. We aimed to reach our destination by the end of the day.
“Hey, hey, you can’t be satisfied with just that,” Jigoro said.
“Huh?”
Jigoro furrowed his brow and began to speak in that manner. I mean, why was he wearing such a stern expression? Let’s just keep moving.
“That’s right. Your movements weren’t bad, but that’s because the opponents were too weak. I can’t say you’ve gained much practical combat experience,” Genjuro added.
“Eh?”
No, no, no, Genjuro, you don’t have to join in either. Besides, your tone of voice sounds quite serious.
“Isam, from this point on, deal with the enemies that appear using only your ‘Scythe Technique’ and ‘Light Magic.’ Of course, you’ll be doing it alone,” Jigoro said.
“That’s right. And I’ll tell you the areas you need to improve on,” Genjuro added.
“Huh? What? Wait, I…”
Huh? What? What is going on? Why are these two trying to push me into close combat? I don’t understand!
“Hey! It seems there are monsters over there! They’re over that way!”
“Go, Isam!”
“Well, even if you tell me to go…”
“Come on, hurry up!”
“Okay, okay, I got it!”
Why? How did it come to this?
◆◇◆◇◆◇
――――――――――
The level of [Scythe Mastery] skill has increased.
The level of [Light Magic] skill has increased.
――――――――――
“Well, your reading is getting somewhat decent, isn’t it?” Jigoro said
“Yes, but your instant judgment is still lacking,” Genjuro added.
Why has it come to this? Ever since then, I have found myself compelled to engage in countless battles against hordes of Goblins all by myself. What’s more, I’ve been restricted to relying solely on my skills in [Scythe Mastery] and [Light Magic].
As a result, both of these abilities have surged to level 4. I can practically taste the imminent achievement of level 5. This alone should give you an inkling of just how much fighting I have been doing. I have become a relentless force, eliminating these Goblins without mercy within this vicinity!
“Um, excuse me, but isn’t that enough?”
“No, it’s not,”
“That’s right. Even with a handicap, you’re still no match for us,” they said.
Their aim is to mold me into their suitable sparring partner. Prior to each fight, I am expected to strengthen myself with [Enchantment] while simultaneously weakening them with [Curse]. They want to raise me to a level where I can at least provide some challenge to them in that state.
This is beyond unreasonable! And what’s worse, they ignore my attempts to refuse!
“Well, you know, once Grandpa gets like this, he can’t be stopped…” Ruby remarked.
“If only I was in a humanoid form…”
The two of them were seeking a sparring partner for close-quarters combat, and it seemed that neither Iris nor Ruby was suitable for the role. They had their eyes on me for quite some time, and now that they realized I had some decent moves, they intended to use this opportunity to teach me the ABCs of close combat.
I never intended to become a front-line mage, you know! But no matter what I say, they just won’t listen, so I was gradually giving up…
Well, to be honest, I was reluctantly convincing myself that I needed to learn how to deal with the enemies when they get close, especially after experiencing the terror of [Blunt Attack Weakness] not too long ago… Even though I was the one charging in at the moment.
“But, we’re really close, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, we are.”
Well, isn’t it about time they considered me good enough? How many more times do I have to defeat those Goblins…?
“Training is all well and good, but aren’t we nearing the boss area?”
“”!!!””
Upon hearing Ruby’s remark, both of them suddenly had a revelation-like expression on their faces. I knew exactly what they were thinking.
“Please, just stop.” I pleaded.
“Very good, there’s a boss waiting for us,”
“Wasn’t it the Hobgoblin and its entourage?”
However, they completely ignored my plea for them to halt. It was a total disregard. Sometimes I wonder, am I the leader here?
“Isam, show us that you can survive this boss battle without a scratch. Of course, the conditions remain the same as before,”
“And then, we’ll give you a passing grade,”
Survive the boss battle without a scratch? And in close-quarters combat, no less? What kind of insane demand was that!?
No, think about it the other way around. If I can receive a passing grade in this incomprehensible situation, I can break free from it. With that perspective in mind, I felt a sudden surge of determination.
“Alright… I’ll do it…!”
Gripping my scythe tightly, I solidified my resolve. What does it matter who the boss is or who its entourage consists of? I will show them the tactics I’ve developed while enduring Jigoro and Genjuro’s harsh training!
While I was lost in such thoughts, I failed to notice that Iris and Ruby were exchanging meaningful glances behind me.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
――――――――――
You have entered a field boss area.
――――――――――
“Gegyagge gah!!”
“””Gegyah!”””
“””Gegge!”””
We finally entered the field boss area, and there, a figure of average build with a group of small Goblins appeared. This was the Field Boss, the Hobgoblin.
First things first, I should use [Appraisal] on it. After all, I haven’t been explicitly forbidden from doing so.
――――――――――
Race: Hobgoblin Lv10
Job: Apprentice Warrior Lv0
Skills:
- [Sharp Fang]
- [Sharp Claw]
- [Staff Mastery]
- [Robust Digestion]
- [Intimidation]
- [Night Vision]
- [Command]
――――――――――
The configuration of its skills consisted of the traits inherited from the normal Goblin, with the addition of [Staff Mastery] and [Command]. It gave off a sense of someone who had gone through a normal evolution.
“…A staff, huh? That’s troublesome,”
As someone with the [Blunt Attack Weakness] skill, blunt weapons were invariably my bane. Observing closely, I noticed that all of the goblins were armed with blunt weapons. The small Goblins wielded crude clubs fashioned from nothing more than haphazardly whittled wood. However, the Hobgoblin, on the other hand, held a spiked club-like weapon with bones sharply embedded into a wooden staff. Even with the level difference and decent equipment on my side, it was clear that I couldn’t ignore the damage it could inflict.
“First, let’s take down the minions!”
The bulletin board had mentioned that it would be easier to defeat the boss first, but that was under the assumption of fighting with an appropriate number of people. We were a group of five who had ventured into the boss area, yet we found ourselves in the strange situation of only having one person engaging in battle.
Furthermore, I had the additional restriction of achieving a no-damage victory. If I didn’t reduce their numbers significantly, this situation would be impossible to handle.
I feigned a direct charge, only to swiftly change directions and leap to the left with all my might. My ultimate target was the lone Goblin positioned at the far left.
“Hyah!”
“Gegii!?”
Without using any martial techniques of the [Scythe Mastery], I swung my scythe with full force. How many times have I swung this thing before? The movements of the slashing technique had become so ingrained in me that I could execute them without any assistance.
“Gegyah! Gegigii!”
“””””Gegyaaa!!!”””””
Upon witnessing my scythe effortlessly cleave through and shatter one of the small Goblins, the Hobgoblin, recognizing their superiority in numbers, seemed to have decided to overwhelm me. It must have deemed me a formidable opponent.
Indeed, this individual had gained experience to the point of evolving. Its intelligence was likely considerably high. However, it had chosen the wrong opponent!
“Light Ball!”
While performing a quick backstep, I unleashed the Light Ball, a spell from [Light Magic]. In fact, this was more of my specialty.
The small Goblin that had been about to attack me seemed completely caught off guard by the magic attack, not even attempting to guard with its club, and was blown away. Of course, it was an instant kill.
“Gegii!”
“””G-gegyagyaaa!!””””
Once the orders were issued by the commanding Hobgoblin, the remaining four small Goblins, though trembling with fear, immediately obeyed. They had attempted a frontal assault earlier, but now they scattered in an attempt to surround me.
“Well, well, that’s a poor move,”
I swiftly dashed towards one of the small Goblins who was currently positioned on the right side and, with the momentum behind me, swung my scythe. The pitiful little Goblin was sliced effortlessly as if it were nothing more than butter.
The strategy of encirclement itself wasn’t a bad tactic. However, did they not realize that I could dispatch those surrounding me with a single blow? Furthermore, while they were in the midst of surrounding me, they became completely defenseless. That’s why one of them was slain without any resistance.
The optimal plan in this situation would have been to sacrifice two or three of their own as pawns, using them as a meat shield while seizing the opportunity to strike at me. But that was already impossible.
“Light Ball, Light Ball!”
I possessed the means of long-range attack through magic. I could unilaterally assault the goblin that was panicking after the failed encirclement. Two Light Balls were unleashed, both hitting their mark, leaving only one companion remaining.
“G-gegiiii!!!”
With a scream resembling a cry of despair, the last remaining goblin charged at me. Despite its air of desperation, I had no sympathy. Without mercy, I swung down my scythe, cleaving it in half from head to groin.
“Gegiiii!”
And so, you’ve come, the Hobgoblin. Did you perhaps use your subordinates as bait, watching them get killed one after another? If that’s the case, you’re quite the commander.
“Hmph!”
It seemed like you were closing in on me from behind, but unfortunately for you, I possess a third and a fourth arm. And within those arms, I hold an indestructible staff. Using it, I parried the Hobgoblin’s club.
This parrying technique was drilled into me by Genjuro. When I once said, “I wish I could defend myself,” he told me that if I, a mage lacking in physical strength, wanted to defend myself, I should learn this technique. That’s why my training regimen became more intense… It was truly a case of killing a snake in the grass.
“What?!”
However, thanks to that rigorous training, I’ve become adept at parrying most straightforward attacks without any feints. The hobgoblin was left powerless, caught off guard. I struck the side of its face with the handle of my scythe.
“Gegiii…!”
“Come here, you weakling boss.”
I directed my taunts towards the Hobgoblin, who was sprawled on the ground, with the tip of my scythe aimed at it. Whether my intention got across or not, it brandished its club and charged at me.
“Gaaah! Gegii! Gegyaaa!”
It swung the club repeatedly, but each swing was nothing more than a monotonous, wide motion. With such crude brute-force attacks, it couldn’t hope to catch me as I am now!
“…That’s enough.”
I flicked the Hobgoblin’s sideways swing upward with my scythe. Instead of colliding head-on, I applied force from a different direction, something even someone as weak as I could accomplish. It was an application of the parrying technique.
“I have no interest in toying around. This ends now…!”
“Gehh?!”
And with a swift motion, I severed the Hobgoblin’s head along with both of its arms. With a bewildered expression on its face, the Field Boss, known as the Hobgoblin, had been defeated.
Leave a Reply