Chapter 4

---

The isolated island of Japan, in the East.

Currently, a certain news report was the talk of the town among elementary school students to adults.

--- In a room of a high school in a rural area.

"Good morning, Kotaro. Did you see the news?"

"Kanami, good morning. I didn't see any news. I barely woke up on time."

"Hey, seriously? Look at this article."

Kanami showed an article on his smartphone. The article read:

"Strange Phenomenon in the World? Mysterious Caves Suddenly Appear Worldwide"

Currently, numerous mysterious caves are suddenly appearing around the world. In Japan, five caves have been confirmed. They are located in Hokkaido, Niigata Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Oita Prefecture. All of them are currently surrounded by the Self-Defense Forces and cannot be confirmed from the outside. This is clearly an abnormal situation, isn't it? However, this response is not limited to Japan; similar actions are being taken by military forces in the United States, Russia, and South Korea.

Furthermore, there is a notable point. Around the caves, several unidentified animals have been confirmed.

Moreover, numerous images of these unidentified animals have been uploaded to the internet, sparking discussions about some kind of anomaly occurring on Earth.

(Images)

"What? Is this a goblin? Is this in Japan?"

"No, it's in Thailand. It's surprisingly close, isn't it?"

"It's close, but is this really not CGI or something?"

"Hmm, I don't know. A lot of photos are being uploaded online, but some are clearly fake."

"Probably just a prank by Americans. Look, the teacher is here, let's go back to class."

Kotaro said, and Kanami returned to the neighboring class.

"Hey, let's start homeroom. Everyone, take your seats."

The teacher said, and a student spoke up.

"Teacher, did you see the news about the goblins?"

"Goblins? Oh, that one? It's probably fake. Hey, you guys, be quiet. Monsters appearing on Earth is impossible. Focus on reality. Now, I'll take attendance."

That day, the classes were supposed to proceed as usual.

--- From Kotaro's perspective.

During the 6th period.

Currently, it's a sleep class.

No, it's actually a classical literature class, but it just sounds like a lullaby.

At that moment, a student from the back row whispered to him.

"Hey, Kotaro. Wake up, Kotaro."

"Mmm, what is it?"

"Look outside. Isn't that the goblin from the news?"

Thinking he was joking, Kotaro looked outside.

There, he saw three green-skinned creatures.

"Is that... really, Kotaro?"

"Yeah, they look like goblins."

Just then, the classical literature teacher, Mr. Takayama, noticed them.

"Hey, you two. Be quiet. You can sleep, but don't talk."

In response, the student from the back row said,

"Teacher, there are goblins outside, just like in the morning news."

"There's no way. Are you still half-asleep?"

The teacher's response caused a ripple of laughter from the students.

However, a popular student, Yasuda, spoke up loudly.

"Teacher! They're really there. Look outside. There are green-skinned creatures."

Hearing this, all the students gathered by the windows.

And they all said,

"Wow, they really are goblins."

"Wow, it's true."

"They have weapons. Isn't that dangerous?"

"Teacher! We need to call the police!"

Due to the students' reactions, the teacher had no choice but to confirm and then ran out.

"Hey, gather your things and wait at your desks! I'll be back from the staff room!"

The teacher ran out.

Despite this, the class remained noisy.

Some foolish students were even shouting, "I'm going to be an adventurer."

They'll probably be eliminated by the Self-Defense Forces with guns before that happens, fools.

At that moment, I was thinking such leisurely thoughts.

Soon, the principal's announcement echoed throughout the school.

"This is Principal Watanabe. Please stop what you're doing and listen carefully. Currently, suspicious animals have been confirmed outside the school building. They are believed to be armed, so please do not leave your classrooms. Teachers, please gather in the staff room. I repeat—"

After this announcement, the sound of footsteps echoed throughout the school building.

Everyone was probably checking outside.

What a bunch of rubberneckers.

I gathered my things and checked the news on my smartphone. It seemed that goblins were being confirmed in more locations than in the morning news.

What is happening?

Then, our homeroom teacher entered the classroom and urged us to return to our seats.

"Everyone, as you heard in the announcement, there are strange creatures outside. They are likely goblins. The news was true. The police have been contacted, and the Self-Defense Forces are being dispatched. This is a significant situation. It is most dangerous to leave the school building. You are allowed to use your smartphones to contact your families, but please don't panic."

As the teacher was speaking, a large number of vehicles, including tanks and large trucks, believed to be from the Self-Defense Forces, entered the school grounds.

The teacher clapped her hands.

"Okay, I'm not done yet. You can contact your families while listening. We will evacuate to the gymnasium in order. Please gather your things."

Then, the class was called over the intercom and we evacuated to the gymnasium in an orderly manner.

Inside, about 30 Self-Defense Force members in green camouflage uniforms were standing with guns.

This is a serious situation, isn't it?

Is this happening on a global scale?

When all the students gathered in the gymnasium, the principal stood at the microphone.

Everyone stopped talking.

The principal is impressive; when he stands at the microphone, everyone stops talking.

"This is Principal Watanabe. The Self-Defense Force will now give an important announcement, so please listen carefully. Thank you."

A Self-Defense Force member without a gun stood at the microphone.

"Hello, I am Kawaguchi from the Self-Defense Force. I understand this is a sudden situation, but please listen calmly. Currently, various reports are being issued through the media and the internet, but what I am about to say is the truth. Unidentified creatures and caves have been confirmed in various countries around the world, including Japan. For high school students, it might be easier to understand if I call them 'goblins.' These creatures, which do not normally exist on Earth, are armed and wandering around various places. This school is no exception. Therefore, residents in this area will be staying at a Self-Defense Force base until the danger passes. You will be transported to the base in vehicles outside, so please follow the instructions. Please contact your families during the transportation, as the communication lines may become congested. You will be moving to the Tachibana Third Base, so you can inform your families of this. We will now begin the evacuation in order."

I was listening to this important announcement from the toilet.

Was the milk I drank at lunch bad?

I couldn't hold it and rushed to the toilet during the evacuation.

Oh no, I might be left behind.

But I can't leave the toilet because I'm sick.

I strained to hear if anyone was nearby, and I heard footsteps.

Great, they're here!

"Excuse me, are you from the Self-Defense Force? Or a teacher? A student is sick in the toilet, please don't leave him behind. I'm Kotaro Tandou from 2-C."

"Kyaah!"

What? That response is scary.

Maybe it's not the Self-Defense Force or a teacher?

Is it a goblin?

I held my breath and tried to wait it out.

"Gurururu"

My stomach is very honest about its needs.

"Kyaah!!"

The footsteps, which I assumed were from a goblin, entered the toilet.

Really? Really?

I hope they just turn around and leave.

I need to prepare a weapon.

I searched my bag but found nothing useful, and my pencil case was left in the classroom.

Damn, this is all I have.

I decided to use the keychain with a small holy sword (laughs) attached to my bag.

Phew, phew, calm down, me.

The opponent is just a weak goblin with a weapon.

I am a high school student with abnormal status, and my weapon is a holy sword.

The chances of winning are... non-existent!

The goblin started opening the stall doors one by one.

Oh no, next is my stall.

Suddenly, the door to my stall was opened.

The goblin, finding no one inside, turned around.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over the goblin.

I stood above the stall, waiting for the right moment, and kicked the goblin's weapon away, then stabbed it in the eye with the holy sword (laughs).

The goblin dropped its weapon and writhed in pain, holding its eye.

I picked up the goblin's dropped weapon, a short spear, and thrust it at the goblin's chest, but it narrowly dodged.

I swung the spear horizontally, creating a wound on the goblin's body.

Regaining my stance, I feinted a thrust and then aimed for the goblin's chest again.

The goblin, fooled by the feint, was impaled through the chest.

The goblin collapsed, leaning against the wall.

"I won!!"

I shouted loudly to calm my rapidly beating heart.

"Hey, is anyone still here? Where are you?"

Hearing my voice, a man's voice responded.

"In the toilet!"

I answered, and two Self-Defense Force members immediately entered the toilet.

"Are you okay? We received a report that a goblin entered the school building..."

The Self-Defense Force member noticed the goblin leaning against the wall.

"Ah, probably this one. I took it down."

I answered, and the Self-Defense Force member looked surprised.

"You did this?"

"Yes."

The Self-Defense Force member, who seemed to have a good grasp of the situation, spoke into the radio.

"This is Aikawa. Confirmed a goblin, appears to be dead. Additionally, confirmed a survivor. Will bring to the vehicle immediately."

As he put down the radio, the goblin disintegrated into particles of light.

I couldn't help but exclaim.

"Ah, the goblin... Wow, is this a fantasy world?"

"Let's go to the vehicle together, shall we?"

"Okay."

I said, retrieved my holy sword, and followed the Self-Defense Force member.

Thus, I arrived safely with everyone else and spent my days talking to many important people as a key witness.

This is the story of Kotaro Tandou, who would become a "dungeon adventurer" in the near future.