Chapter 31

"Sorry for the wait!

We are starting the second part today.

I would be delighted if you continue to enjoy it.

The space of erosion from the netherworld, known as the Abyss, is generated when the concentration of mana reaches a certain level. Within the Abyss, there exists a core demon, and unless it is eliminated, the surrounding space will continue to be eroded indefinitely.

The danger level of the Abyss—what explorers call depth—has thirteen stages in total. The higher the number, the more powerful the demons that manifest.

Demons at depth twelve and above can cause disasters equivalent to natural calamities, and thus, they are referred to as Demon Kings. To deal with them, a coalition of multiple clans is generally required.

On the other hand, the shallower layers are easier to handle, and can be conquered by a small party of three to five people. However, this does not mean that the demons that manifest are weak; it is only because the methods of conquest have been established thanks to the noble sacrifices of our predecessors.

Depth one, the shallowest danger level, is where only one type of demon manifests: the goblin, a common resident of the netherworld.

Goblins are short in stature, with green skin. They possess a low but distinct civilization and are characterized by their ability to use tactics and equipment similar to humans.

There is a saying among explorers: 'Those who laugh at goblins will be eaten by goblins.'

Indeed, the combat ability of goblins is significantly lower compared to other demons. However, they are armed and use tactics. If you underestimate them, it is the explorers who will be hunted. Even if you are skilled, if you lack the knowledge of group combat, you will end up being killed.

The extremely high death rate among explorers who have not graduated from training schools is due to their lack of this knowledge.

Moreover, there are four types of goblin combatants.

The most numerous are the low-ranking soldiers, goblins armed with clubs, wooden shields, and bows, known as soldier goblins.

Goblins that can use elemental magic skills of fire and lightning are known as mage goblins.

Goblins that have undergone mutation and acquired a robust body over two meters tall, equipped with iron armor, are known as heavy goblins.

Among the heavy goblins, those that have further developed both physically and mentally are known as general goblins.

These four types form a group of goblins numbering from several dozen to over a hundred.

This time, our party of three, the Celestial Outsiders, received an external commission from another clan to slay these goblins.

The location where the Abyss has appeared is a fortress on a small hill overlooking the fields. The fortress, long abandoned and turned into a ruin, is now the dwelling place of the manifested goblins.

The goblin group we face numbers roughly two hundred.

While this is nearly twice the maximum value recorded in data, it is a good scale for a new party's debut in the Abyss.

'Order! Alma, kill the archers and mage goblins on the ramparts!'

'Understood!'

Following the order, enhanced by the Speech Skill: Tactical Deployment, Alma throws a barrage of iron needles.

All of them, thanks to the Scout Skill: Guaranteed Hit, follow trajectories that defy physical laws, killing all the archers and mage goblins on the ramparts.

Good, now we won't be targeted from above.

'Kouga, charge into the enemy ranks! I and Alma will open the breach!'

'Aye!'

Kouga runs at lightning speed. Blocking his path are two heavy goblins, holding thick iron shields to obstruct his advance.

'Alma, Armor-Piercing Needles!'

A new barrage of iron needles is thrown.

Scout Skill: Armor-Piercing Needles.

Combined with my support, the needles' power, which reduces the target's defense by half, easily pierce the thick iron shields and slay the heavy goblins.

The other heavy goblins try to close the gap in the formation, but I bark before they can.

'Stop!'

Speech Skill: Wolf's Roar.

The goblins stop moving, and I point my magic gun, Silver, at them.

'Kouga, lower your head!'

The magic bullet I fire passes over Kouga's lowered head. Upon impact, a loud explosion and a powerful electric shock surge, blasting the nearby goblins into charred remains.

The formation is completely breached. Ahead is the core of this Abyss—the boss, a general goblin.

'Kouga, slay the general!'

'Leave it to me!'

Kouga charges forward, increasing his speed. The general goblin, towering at nearly three meters, swings his greatsword at Kouga.

'Not so tough!'

Kouga easily dodges the general's strike and uses the sword skill, Iaijutsu Flash, to sever the general's arms.

'Got you!'

Kouga aims for the general's neck with a return strike. Just as the blade is about to reach its target—

Alma's knife, which had flown out unnoticed, decapitates the general first.

'Hey, what are you doing, Alma!?'

'Hmph, Kouga was too slow, so I helped.'

'What!?'

The two idiots start bickering amidst the collapsed enemy ranks.

'What are they doing...'

As I sigh, the Abyss begins to purify itself with the loss of its core. The goblins have already stopped moving, and the sulfurous air from the netherworld has cleared.

I sigh and give the final order.

'Combat action, terminated...'

†

†

'The Abyss isn't as scary as I thought it would be.'

After the battle, Kouga laughs.

The area is littered with goblin corpses, and a terrible stench hangs in the air, but we can't leave until the material recovery team from the client clan arrives. According to the contract, they should be here in about thirty minutes.

If we succeed, we will receive a reward in exchange for the goblin corpses; if we fail, we will pay a penalty. The goblin liver is a good material for alchemy. Despite being the weakest demons, the demand for their materials is high. This time, the reward is one million fil.

'Idiot? To get cocky after defeating the weakest demons is unbelievable.'

Alma's sharp criticism makes Kouga grimace.

'W-well, that's true...'

'You couldn't even decapitate the boss properly.'

'That's because you interfered!'

'Your sword is slow, but your excuses are fast.'

'Noel, this girl is crazy! She only spouts nonsense!'

I start to say, 'Don't bring me into this,' but swallow it at the last moment. As the leader, resolving conflicts among members is part of my job.

But it is also a hassle...

The root of the problem lies with Alma. She seems to be harboring resentment over not being able to settle things with Kouga, which is leading to her sharp attitude.

She is usually a friendly person and could get along with Kouga, but with this lingering resentment, it's impossible.

On the other hand, letting them fight until they are satisfied would result in both of them getting severely injured, or even killed. I can't allow that.

So, I decide to forcefully end the conversation.

'Stop this pointless argument. Alma, I won't allow any more reckless actions during combat. Kouga, stop getting cocky. Both of you, understood?'

'...Yes,' '...Understood.'

I smile wryly at their obedient nods.

It's easy to work with them, and I appreciate their straightforwardness. However, I don't think I can entrust them with the role of sub-leader. No matter how strong they are, their personalities are too inconsistent.

A sub-leader needs to be even more calm and make accurate judgments than the leader. Otherwise, they will just be a yes-man and cannot take charge in the leader's absence. They also need to have the character to act as a mediator among the members.

Unfortunately, neither of them possesses these qualities. To expand the organization and establish a clan, I need to find someone who can take on the role of number two.

'Anyway, both of you did a good job. This was a successful debut as a test. I am truly proud to have you as my comrades.'

'Hehehe,' 'Hehehe.'

The two of them scratch their heads, looking pleased. They are so straightforward and simple.

'This battle has given me confidence. Although our party is newly formed, we have the strength to establish a clan. Therefore, as soon as we return to the capital, I intend to submit an application to the government to establish a clan. From then on, we will no longer be a party but a clan.'

'Is a clan, in essence, an official organization of explorers?'

I nod at Kouga's question.

'Exactly. Only officially recognized clans can receive Abyss commissions from the government. Explorers not belonging to a clan can only participate in the Abyss through external commissions. This commission, for example, was originally taken by another clan from the government.'

I straighten my posture and look at each of them in turn.

'Once we become a clan, we won't be content with small-scale monster hunting. We will aim for the big game. From the next battle onwards, every fight will be a life-or-death struggle. Be prepared.'

'Understood!' 'Aye!'

Both of them give good responses. As pure fighters, they are not intimidated by my words but rather feel their blood boil. They are truly reliable. If they were also excellent in character, there would be nothing to complain about, but as the saying goes, 'Heaven does not give two blessings at once'...

'Noel, what is that?'

Suddenly, Kouga points at my right hand. I tilt my head and check my right hand, and there, on the back of it, is a pattern shaped like a book.

My comprehensive PT has exceeded 57,000 PT! Thank you so much for all the support!"