Chapter 6

We entered the area and were searching for prey. This area only has goblins, and since the desolate wilderness has little of interest, even beginner adventurers rarely come here.

We deliberately chose an unpopular area. Our combination of an Infinite Mage and a Spatial Mage, perhaps the first in history, would surely stand out. We didn’t want any unnecessary trouble.

More than that, I just don’t like popular areas.

When you say "popular area," you can tell that many parties are swarming in, right? It’s not like they’re so tense that they fight over each other, and they do nod in greeting when they pass by. But the looks they give when they nod, like “Oh? You’re alone? No party members?” are really annoying. I end up thinking, “Why don’t you all just die?” ... I don’t say it, though.

Seeing parties of four or five working together nicely, I find soloing as a loner really tough. The loneliness hits me hard.

That’s why, inevitably, unpopular areas become hunting grounds for people like me.

While I was thinking about the gap between the socially active and the socially inactive, Fururu spoke up.

"They’re here. Goblins."

When I paid attention, I saw four goblins approaching. This area is a barren wilderness, but the wide-open view means we won’t be ambushed.

"Alright, Vice-Captain. I’ll leave it to you."

"Understood."

Fururu nodded and pointed at the ground. A circular pattern with five concentric rings appeared. It’s the entrance to the subspace box. By the way, only Fururu and the one she chooses can see this mark.

Fururu stood at the entrance and vanished. I followed. As I entered, I said to No. 1,

"Alright, do your best. Really, really do your best."

"I’ll show you my true strength without you holding me back."

... How can a clone be so cheeky and disrespectful to its master? I wonder what’s going on.

Shaking my head at the many mysteries surrounding my job, I entered the subspace box.

"Huh. So it’s like this."

That was my first reaction.

The subspace box was a 5-meter square with pale white walls and ceiling. It felt gentle on the eyes.

Inside, there was a round table and several chairs. In the corner, futons and pillows were piled up.

From the number of chairs and futons, I guessed Fururu’s previous party had eight members.

"Can I borrow a chair?"

"Sure."

I sat down and focused on No. 1’s situation. To explain how I monitor No. 1, it’s like having a TV and radio in my head.

No. 1 had rushed at the goblins and was being beaten with their clubs. He was completely useless...

I reset and restarted. My mana decreased by one point.

No. 1 stood next to me.

"Hey, you’re getting beaten up! Aren’t you supposed to show your strength?"

"Even if you say that, I’m your clone! My strength is limited!"

Damn, what a frustrating clone.

"Shut up and get going!"

"Yaaaaaah!"

With a mysterious cry, No. 1 left the subspace box.

Well, the plan is working. Only those recognized by Fururu can pass through the entrance, but No. 1 had no problem.

Just as I thought it was going well, No. 1 was beaten again.

I reset and restarted. My mana decreased by one point.

"Hey!"

"What can I do? It’s four against one!"

"Go again!"

"Uryaaaaah!"

No. 1 charged again.

As I watched No. 1, Fururu asked,

"Shouldn’t you at least give him a knife?"

Yeah, I get it. Fighting monsters bare-handed is like being a Steel Body Warrior.

But...

"No. 1 will come back, but the weapon won’t."

Actually, I gave him a sword at first, bought with the money I received from my parents. But in the first battle against three goblins, he fled and lost the sword. I was really depressed then.

If I give a clone a weapon, it’s disposable. Weapons are generally expensive. Even a low-rank knife costs 20,000 zenny, and a sword costs 70,000 to 80,000 zenny. By the way, a goblin’s magic stone is worth 20,000 zenny. It’s a terrible deal.

"I do have a plan to give the clone a weapon, but it requires money. For now, we’ll stick with this."

"I see."

Just as we were talking, No. 1 was beaten again.

I reset and restarted. My mana decreased by one point.

"Still going! Never give up!"

"Hold on a second."

I stopped No. 1, who was about to charge again.

"What is it?"

"We need a strategy meeting. I’ve been watching from here, and you shouldn’t try to fight cleanly. Get a bit dirtier."

"What do you mean?"

"Goblins do cluster and are quick, but they’re not strong and are small in stature."

Goblins are about the same size as Fururu. I’m not particularly built, but I can still beat a goblin.

"Got it? You don’t need to avoid their attacks. Go for a mutual kill. With their size, you’ll definitely deal damage. And you can always try again."

"Like 'we die together'?"

"Exactly. Go for it."

"Shaaaaaah!"

No. 1 charged again.

The mutual kill strategy worked. No. 1 had to retry three times, but he finally defeated one goblin. With the odds at 4 to 1, it became much easier. After two more retries, he defeated another goblin.

"Two more to go!"

"Good, keep it up."

"Go, No. 1."

Soon,

"It’s done. Let’s go outside, Vice-Captain."

Outside, No. 1 was letting out a war cry. I don’t do it because I have to maintain my captain’s dignity, but I understand the feeling. Honestly, I want to scream too. Thinking about how much I’ve been running from goblins for the past six months, I don’t feel like stopping No. 1.

At No. 1’s feet were two goblin corpses and two magic stones. A 50% drop rate is considered lucky.

As I picked up the magic stones, I felt that I had finally started moving after six months of stagnation.