Chapter 15: The Trial of Competition (4)

As soon as I finished speaking, the battle began immediately.

About ten goblins rushed over in a group.

Keeeeeek!

A goblin with a shrill scream and glowing yellow eyes charged at me. Despite its small size, it was carrying a lot of equipment: poison needles, leather armor, wrist guards, and a spare dagger, among other things.

Though crude, it had quite a bit of equipment that could be useful in battle.

Even this was different from the typical goblin.

Even the supposedly weak goblins had been adjusted to match the difficulty level.

Whiiik!

The rusty dagger in the goblin's hand drew a crescent-shaped trajectory and lunged at me.

A cleaner and more refined slash compared to the orc laborers I saw in the previous floor.

This, too, was a clear difference from the typical goblin.

However,

'Moving better, but the physical stats are no different from the orc laborers.'

It was as if the movements were easily readable, and there was no need to be tense.

Kaaang!

After reading the goblin's attack, I easily deflected the dagger with my shield.

There was nothing particularly special in the process.

Just the gap resulting from the overwhelming difference in stats.

Is that why?

Puhwaaak!

The goblin couldn't respond properly until the dagger was embedded in its heart.

It made me wonder what all the equipment it was carrying was for.

'Well, there's no need to know now.'

However, it seemed that Lee Seung-hoon, who was behind me, didn't think so.

"What are these goblins moving so systematically...!"

Lee Seung-hoon was barely blocking the attacks he had read with his eyes.

Tututeng!

He was using his greatsword like a shield to block the goblin's poison needles, but there was no room for relaxation.

He was just barely holding off the attacks.

Even the poison needles he couldn't block properly were being deflected by the armor covering his body.

At that moment, the first thing that came to mind was a question.

'Is he just toying with the goblins...?'

Of course, he wouldn't do such an inefficient thing.

But this absurd situation couldn't be explained otherwise.

Shouting confidently and then struggling against two goblins...

But soon, that question was quelled by a roar.

"Useless brat, what are you doing! Hurry up and fight!"

Seeing him speak without even looking at the battle, I sighed.

At this point, I couldn't help but know.

He was genuinely struggling against the two goblins.

I had somewhat expected that the gap in skill wouldn't be too large.

My unique trait was growth specialization, and I had received quite a few additional rewards.

Still, since we had climbed the tower of trials at the same difficulty level, I thought we would be similar.

But reality always exceeds imagination.

This was exactly such a situation.

Lee Seung-hoon wasn't stronger than me, nor was he at a similar level.

If I had to evaluate him clearly, Lee Seung-hoon was weaker than me.

'Even with a fully equipped goblin, not being able to defeat it...'

I began to doubt what he had been doing while climbing the tower.

At that moment, Lee Ha-yeon, who was behind me, said in a strained voice,

"Just hold on a little longer, and the magic will be complete. Just hold on until then..."

"Stop talking nonsense and cast a support spell! As quickly as possible!"

Frustrated that he could only use his greatsword as a shield, he seemed to be in a hurry.

However, even with a support spell, it didn't seem like he would do much better.

"..."

It was a frustrating scene, but the solution was obvious.

Ultimately, I had to take on these goblins to some extent.

Of course, I could just protect Lee Ha-yeon and defeat the goblins.

'Safely, that would be better.'

I would cast a support spell on Lee Seung-hoon and protect Lee Ha-yeon.

Just maintaining that simple structure would safely end the battle.

However, this trial has a 'remaining time.'

It's a time attack with a set time limit.

'But with competitors here, we need to clear it faster.'

If we wasted time like this from the beginning, we might die.

Or, worse, beg to die?

I had to step in and resolve this situation to properly proceed with the trial.

If so, the problem was...

'Can I resolve the situation before the goblins touch Lee Ha-yeon?'

The goblins' physical abilities were on par with the orc laborers I saw on the second floor.

Their combat sense was probably around the level of an orc guard, but that was it.

After a brief consideration, the conclusion came quickly.

"Excuse me for a moment."

At this level, I could handle it sufficiently.

At least, I was confident I wouldn't draw attention to Lee Ha-yeon.

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

Lee Ha-yeon expressed her confusion, not understanding what I meant, but I decided to ignore it.

Since it was just a statement, I had no intention of explaining further.

Bang!

I kicked off the ground and rushed toward the group of goblins.

As my body accelerated like a projectile, the distance closed in an instant.

Swoosh!

The head of the goblin in front was severed and sprayed blood into the air.

The agility I had cultivated by absorbing commands began to shine.

The goblins, only then realizing I was approaching, hastily fired their poison needles.

Of course, just like before, I blocked the poison needles perfectly with my shield.

It was a bit awkward to block them all at once, but it was just awkward to that extent.

I just needed to see the poison needles coming and block them.

It wasn't that difficult.

Anyone with high stats could do it.

Overwhelming stats to dominate the opponent.

Since I couldn't perfectly suppress these goblins with skill, I had to do it this way.

Tututeng!

I deflected the poison needles with my shield and took a large step forward, swinging my sword.

The effect of the Hunter's Dagger Technique made my movements smoother and sharper than before.

Thanks to the skill's inherent effect of deepening proficiency in dagger techniques.

It was as if I could see the path my sword needed to take.

My body seemed to know where to extend the dagger and how to thrust it.

The theoretical knowledge of dagger techniques that I had in my head was naturally applied to my body.

Just that alone made the Dagger Technique skill worth its value.

However, the goblins, as if determined not to give in easily, tried to block the dagger with their wrist guards.

They must have worn the wrist guards for this purpose.

To block the blade and use the gap to thrust into the opponent's body.

Should I call them clever or cunning?

'For bladed weapons, definitely a challenge.'

While impact-based weapons might not be affected, cutting weapons would be blocked by the wrist guards.

But I had no intention of retracting my swing.

Bladed weapons would be blocked, but that was only for typical bladed weapons.

The Black Iron Dagger was a properly graded weapon, and I had the Hunter's Dagger Technique.

The skill effect increased the weapon's cutting power by 1.5 times when using a dagger.

I was confident in its sharpness, having experienced it in the waiting room.

A mere piece of iron couldn't block the Black Iron Dagger's blade.

And that confidence soon became reality.

Swoosh!

Despite the resistance from the metal, there was no hesitation.

The goblin's wrist, along with the guard, was cleanly severed as if cut by a knife.

Poke!

I thrust the dagger into the neck of the goblin whose arm was severed and then moved on to the next one.

Swoosh! Poke! Puhwaaak!

With each swing and thrust, the goblins spewed blood.

Without proper equipment, they couldn't fight properly, so this was a natural outcome.

'They just had a lot of equipment, but it wasn't that good.'

It was fortunate in a way.

If the equipment was of better quality, I wouldn't have been able to move so boldly.

After killing about four goblins in succession,

"Achievement 'Goblin Hunter' unlocked."

A message appeared in my field of vision, and my body felt lighter.

It was probably the achievement system that granted fire resistance on the second floor.

"Agility increased by 1."

Unlike before, it didn't grant a skill, but it was a more useful effect.

There was no need to block poison needles with the shield or see the various equipment they used.

After all...

The goblins couldn't keep up with my faster movements.

The dagger in my hand took the lives of the goblins in an instant.

Poke!

When I had killed eight goblins, no more came rushing at me.

The battle was over.

It seemed that the monsters appearing in the castle city had been dealt with.

At least, there were no signs of more monsters appearing immediately.

'This is the end for now.'

I took a short breath and looked around.

Lee Seung-hoon had already taken down two goblins.

Of course, it seemed he did so with the help of Lee Ha-yeon's support spell.

However, the atmosphere was strange.

Lee Seung-hoon's face was stiff, and Lee Ha-yeon was staring at me with wide eyes.

Then, as if regaining his senses, Lee Seung-hoon spoke.

"Despite being a mere aspirant, you have some skill. It seems you were lucky, only facing weak goblins."

For a moment, I couldn't understand what Lee Seung-hoon was saying and just blinked.

I couldn't grasp what he was saying.

At that moment, Lee Ha-yeon, who was behind him, frowned at Lee Seung-hoon.

"No matter what, it doesn't seem like it was just luck."

"Should I soften it even more by saying you only faced weak goblins?"

Even Lee Ha-yeon, who had been holding back, spoke up, but Lee Seung-hoon was more bold.

"You did it with pure skill, and saying it like that is a bit much."

Hearing this, Lee Seung-hoon glanced at me, who was standing still, and smiled.

I wondered how he perceived my stillness, but his mouth became more active.

I couldn't help but wonder how he saw me to speak like that.

"Skill? A mere aspirant killing this many goblins is just luck."

'Just luck.'

Now I understand why he was looking at me in surprise.

Unlike Lee Seung-hoon, who couldn't handle even two goblins, I had faced eight.

So, Lee Seung-hoon's pride must have been hurt.

People who overestimate themselves often react this way when they taste bitter reality.

It was exactly like this when talented aspirants among hunters were crushed.

Trying to belittle the opponent to preserve their own value.

Of course, it was ugly, but if it were outside, I would have just let it go.

As a perennial hunter aspirant, I had no right to say anything.

But now, it was different.

"Stop talking nonsense about luck and weak goblins."

Lee Seung-hoon is my teammate and the one who criticized me.

If he had skill, I wouldn't mind, but with his words, I had to respond harshly.

If he wanted to establish a hierarchy, I had to play along.

"Wh-What did you just say...!"

Lee Seung-hoon's face turned red as he opened his mouth, but my words were faster.

"Stop nitpicking about being a hunter aspirant and a shield bearer."

"But I never said anything about nitpicking..."

"You said I should just be a shield bearer, and you just said it was luck, and that I only dealt with weak goblins."

"..."

"Considering we're in the same challenge, I've been quite patient."

Honestly, I had endured so much that I no longer wanted to endure.

Outside, in the tower.

I had endured it all, but now I had reached my limit.

"Considering it's a life-or-death trial, it's ridiculous that you're arguing instead of cooperating."

A trial is a matter of life and death.

Seeing such a relaxed attitude, I couldn't help but speak.

"Only one day is left, and the competitors are killing monsters right now."

Mentioning the time wasted since the fourth floor, Lee Seung-hoon's expression stiffened.

It seemed he was also somewhat uncomfortable with it.

"If you can't even do your part, it's better to keep quiet."

I said this and walked up to Lee Seung-hoon.

"Since the trial fails only if all team members die, I'm prepared to kill if you interfere."

Of course, I didn't want to abuse the failure condition, so it was just a bluff.

This direct threat worked well on Lee Seung-hoon.

"W-What are you talking about...?"

"If you have any complaints, say them now."

Hearing this, Lee Seung-hoon flinched and took a step back.

Looking at him, I continued in a firm tone.

"Fortunately, it seems you have no complaints."

It might have been a bit excessive, but I had to do this to prevent him from underestimating me.

I looked directly into Lee Seung-hoon's eyes and said my final words.

"Then, let's cooperate well for the remaining time."

Of course, the answer to that was already decided.