Chapter 23

Chapter 22

The appearance of the goblin is, for the moment, quite ordinary.

The goblin in the original work, while described in the novel, is so engrossed in historical accuracy that it appears as a figure with disheveled hair and torn black hanbok.

However, I appeared to the world wearing a black suit, wearing a mask, and emitting a golden light from my eyes.

The goblin in the original work was too crude and villainous, so I changed my concept to that of a 'gentleman goblin.'

Does that mean I can't have a different appearance?

No.

I can transform into a completely different form, just like this.

Wow...

Yumir, the girl in the golden armor, was dumbfounded as she looked at me.

The goblin's combat form—this second form—left her completely still.

"Wow, damn it! What the hell is that?!"

"It's not a goblin?! The goblin just transformed like that?!"

"Hey, turn on the stream! You can't miss this!!"

People, either drawn by the commotion or just curious, began to aim the cameras of their Taeguk Watches or smartphones at me and started filming.

It's no wonder that the S-rank villain, the goblin, revealing itself here on Sejong Island would be surprising, but the goblin appearing in a completely new form would also be astonishing.

"Wh-Who are you...!"

Lilith, the girl who had turned into a demon, pointed at me with a face twisted like a demon's.

"Why, why are you stealing the attention that should be mine!!"

[Is it because you usually don't get attention that you're causing such a fuss?]

I extended one hand to the side.

[If so, then you are evil. And evil must be destroyed. That is my principle.]

It might seem like I'm just putting on airs, but when combined with powerful strength, it becomes 'cool.'

-You were so charismatic.

I wanted to be able to marvel at myself later when watching the related video, just like when I rewatch my own pentakill videos and feel moved.

[The villain will be executed.]

I took a decisive pose and drew my weapon.

Crack!

A golden lightning-like flash appeared, and a new weapon sprang from my hands.

An ordinary stick.

But it's not just an ordinary stick.

It resembles a police baton and also looks like a handle attached to a simple hand axe.

It has no special name.

This is also a 'goblin stick.'

'If it's a stick used by a goblin, it's a goblin stick.'

All standards are mine.

What I use is a stick.

And this stick...

[Die, villain.]

Without any special abilities, it simply smashes villains.

"Yeeek...!!"

Lilith began to wildly cast magic at me.

Clang!

I easily deflected them with my stick.

"Fall, goblin!!"

Magic attacks started to fly one after another, but I didn't dodge them.

Instead.

Thud thud thud thud!!

I ran forward, swinging the sticks in both hands to deflect the magic attacks to the left and right.

Clang!

The magic attacks that were deflected by the stick hit the ground and exploded, sending up clouds of dust, and I emerged through the dust.

[Weak.]

As I emerged from the dust, I swung the sticks in an X-shape.

"You...! Why are you appearing in front of me and interfering with me! You're a villain, too!!!"

[Yes, I am a villain.]

The moment I approached Lilith, I kicked her in the waist.

"Aaaah!!"

Lilith flew to the side, screaming, her wings broken, and she struggled to get up, mana flowing from her mouth like blood.

"Cough, cough, gasp...!"

[Those who use their abilities to cause chaos are called villains. I am the same.]

I gripped the sticks in both hands and walked forward slowly.

[I merely topple villains. So.]

I pointed one stick forward.

[Move aside. O Gold Knight.]

[I'm sorry, but I can't.]

Suddenly.

[Even the most heinous villains must face the judgment of the law. They must receive the law's verdict.]

I am.

[Strong.]

The knight extended a hand to the side, and a rather large golden greatsword appeared in the air.

[The reason many people couldn't stop you is that they were weaker than you.]

[Are you different?]

[Of course.]

Roar.

The golden aura emanating from the knight's body is no joke.

Just by roughly glancing at the magical light particles flowing from her feet, it's probably S-rank or higher.

'Were you perhaps a potential heroine?'

Perhaps the author, who only serialized up to the first year of the academy, might have introduced you as one of the heroines if you had advanced to the second year.

There was no such golden knight from Canada in the original work.

Of course, the author did leave a hint that 'there might be S-rank beauties in other countries,' but that was just a hint.

However, I can't back down here.

That girl not only attacked the restaurant arbitrarily but also killed people.

[To not kill a villain who has killed people and sold their soul to a demon. Well, that's what a hero does.]

Protecting even such a girl is what a 'hero' does.

[O Gold Knight, what is your name?]

[Solar Platinum.]

Platinum Sun?

[...I've never heard of that name.]

[This is the first time I'm showing this form to the world. The same goes for you. But...]

Click.

The knight gripped the greatsword with both hands and pointed it at me.

[I will defeat you and take the title 'Gold Knight' officially.]

[As you wish.]

I casually turned my hand and lowered my stance.

[If you can take it!]

* * *

When A-rankers engage in battle, the price of a royal seat ticket for a friendly match is around ten million won.

I'm not kidding.

-The battle of ability users is like a movie!

People who were watching soccer, movies, anime, or reading novels.

All of them are enthusiastic about the 'real battles' of ability users.

-Why watch movies! Watching ability users fight is like watching a movie!

The battles of ability users make everyone enthusiastic.

Even if the battle results in deaths and property damage, the battles of top-tier ability users drive not only ordinary people but also ability users crazy.

Especially when it's a knight in golden armor appearing for the first time.

Especially when it's the S-rank villain 'Goblin.'

Especially when the golden knight is strong enough to easily subdue a rampaging girl.

Especially when the goblin shows a 'second form' never seen before and wields sticks in both hands.

[Snow White! Maintain the scene! Try to prevent the students from getting involved!]

"Yes, President!"

Baek Seul-hui quickly gathered mana to create an ice wall to protect people from the confrontation between the hero and the villain.

[No, no! What are you doing?! Stop it! An ice wall? Are you in your right mind?!]

"Huh?"

[Are you trying to prevent anyone from seeing this magnificent battle?! No, that can't be! This Sejong Island is a place of 'education'! Seeing such things is also part of education!]

"No, President!!"

A mysterious knight, unregistered anywhere, fighting the goblin—just watching?

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Baek Seul-hui, who had only been on Sejong Island for a short time, didn't understand.

But look around! Everyone is paying attention to their battle!

"......!"

Baek Seul-hui felt a chill run down her spine.

In reality.

Smartphones were filming the battle, chasing the two.

Cheering for the golden knight who blocked the goblin's rapid attacks with a single greatsword.

Admiring the goblin who lightly dodged the greatsword and stood in the air as if stepping on it.

"Damn, it's intense...."

The people who rushed over to see the commotion could only gawk at the close combat between the two S-rankers.

"Ugh...!"

Baek Seul-hui's head started to hurt.

Rescue operations?

Capturing the villain?

Recovering the bodies?

Is it more important to watch and record the sudden appearance and battle of S-rankers?

"Stop joking...!"

Baek Seul-hui stepped forward.

Or rather, tried to.

"Kya-ha-ha!!"

Lilith, who had somehow recovered, spread her wings and flew into the sky.

Baek Seul-hui, realizing this, aimed an ice 'spike' at Lilith, but the goblin's action was faster.

[I'll catch her! Ultimate—]

[ONE TWO THREE!!]

Manipulating something like a belt, a more resonant sound, different from the goblin's voice, accompanied it.

[The ultimate technique.]

The goblin, gripping the sticks in a cross, released a brilliant golden cross of light at the fleeing demon Lilith.

[This is how you catch a villain.]