Chapter 37

The Goblin King's rank is 4. In the lower levels of the D-Rank Gorgo Labyrinth, there are also rank 4 monsters, but despite the Goblin King being rank 4, it is recommended that at least three B-Rank adventurer parties take on the extermination quest. This is due to the Goblin King's skill, "Follower Subjugation."

According to the records left in the Uudon Kingdom Library, in the Holy Year 267, a group of 3,000 goblins led by the Goblin King attacked the Delim Empire, but they were annihilated by the 5,000 knights of the Lion Knights Regiment of Delim. However, the damage was not insignificant. In the Holy Year 302, the Goblin King that appeared in the free state of Hameln controlled over 10,000 goblins and launched an attack.

If the Goblin King is using the skill "Follower Subjugation," it would be classified as a disaster and the state would respond, not just adventurers.

"Kyaaaaa! My arm!!"

The Goblin King's sword technique, which was released after Muga's move, struck first. Its speed was like a flash of lightning.

"Impossible, that was the sword technique 'Flash.' A goblin using a Level 4 sword technique!?"

Gratz's surprise was understandable. Generally, there is a difference in physical abilities between monsters and humans, and humans hone their skills to bridge that gap. If a monster had the same skills as a human, the outcome would be clear.

"O elements of fire, gather in me."

Mimumu began the incantation of her highest-level black magic, "Thunderflame," to help Muga.

"All that gathers in my hand will burn everything."

The Goblin King, watching Mimumu's incantation, began to chant the same spell.

"O elements of fire, gather in me. All that gathers in my hand will burn everything."

(Impossible! A goblin using third-tier black magic!?)

Then both of their incantations were completed.

"Thunderflame!!"

Their Thunderflames collided, enveloping the area in scorching heat. Fortunately, the magic and power were the same, so the surrounding trees did not catch fire.

"My best magic... this can't be..."

"Gugeguge"

The Goblin King laughed, then moved backward and began giving orders to the goblins. A dozen or so goblins, including Goblin Knights, Goblin Soldiers, and Goblin Shamans, came forward.

Rena took this opportunity to cast Heal on Muga's severed arm to stop the bleeding. With her white magic, it was impossible to reattach the severed arm.

"Is it really okay to keep going without knowing where the girl Rena is?"

"It's fine. This is the right way."

Lalit was naturally worried, but Yuu's "Heavenly Net" is a magic that spreads magic power in a web-like pattern. This time, Yuu had expanded the Heavenly Net in a fan shape to detect and explore further distances while advancing.

Yuu was able to navigate the Great Forest without hesitation because the threads were leading to a place with an unusually high number of detections.

"I wonder if Rena is okay."

"Still, the Great Forest is unusually quiet and eerie today."

Lalit muttered this and looked at Yuu. Near the entrance of the Great Forest, they had encountered Black Wolves and Big Boos, but after that, they hadn't encountered any monsters. The Great Forest is a treasure trove of monsters, and one would encounter a monster every five minutes or so. They had already been advancing for about an hour, but they hadn't encountered any monsters at all.

Yuu must have some certainty, so Lalit didn't say anything more, but he was genuinely surprised by Yuu's strength. Yuu had instantly killed the Black Wolves and Big Boos they encountered at the entrance in less than ten seconds. His sword skills were already at a level that could be considered B-Class.

"Well, my detection isn't picking up anything, so let's keep going."

"You didn't have to come along, you're really too kind."

"Don't call me kind. It's Nina's request, after all."

"Thank you, Lalit-san~"

"I'll pay you back someday."

Lalit picked up his Damascus Dagger and had a troubled look on his face.

"I don't consider this a favor, but if you know a good alchemist, introduce me."

Lalit's Damascus Dagger was supposed to have a skill that would poison the target with a certain probability when attacking. Yuu wondered if it was impossible to add more skills.

"Does that dagger not have a skill?"

"Huh? It has a skill to poison the target with a certain probability."

It became even more confusing. Once a skill was added to a weapon or armor through alchemy, it couldn't be added again, right?

"Can you add a skill to a weapon that already has a skill?"

"Ah, I see what you mean."

Lalit seemed to understand what Yuu was getting at. According to Lalit, his Damascus Dagger was obtained from a treasure chest in the dungeon and came with a skill already attached. Some weapons and armor found in dungeons have skills attached from the start, and these can have additional skills added through alchemy. Additionally, when special materials are used to create items, skills can be added, and these can also have additional skills added.

Lalit was looking for an alchemist to add the "HP Absorption" or "MP Absorption" skill to his Damascus Dagger. He had prepared the magic orbs, but only a high-level alchemist, an Alchemist, could add these skills, and they would demand an exorbitant amount of money.

"I learned something. If I find an alchemist, I'll let you know."

"I'm not counting on it, but thanks."

They were close to where Rena was. A tremendous number of monsters had reacted to the Heavenly Net. Lalit seemed to have noticed and his usual carefree expression turned serious.

"Nina, we're almost to where Rena is, but there's a large presence of monsters. Stay close."

"Understood."

Nina, who had also just noticed, equipped her weapons in both hands.

---

How much time had passed since then? After stopping Muga's bleeding, he has been fighting hard despite his one arm, but he is reaching his limit. Both Mimumu and I are running out of MP. Gratz is struggling to protect himself and hasn't been able to fulfill his role as a shield.

"Damn it! They're deliberately sending the weaker ones!!"

"Mo... My MP is... running out..."

The Goblin King was deliberately sending out lower-ranked goblins, adjusting the number to what we could barely handle. He didn't seem to care if his subordinates died and was even laughing as we gradually weakened.

"Does he intend to toy with us... damn it."

Finally, Muga could no longer stand and sat on the ground. Then Mimumu proposed something unbelievable.

"Muga has reached his limit. Rena and I will cast magic and escape from there."

"Muga doesn't have the strength to run now."

"Yes, so we need you to be a decoy."

Looking at Gratz, he nodded in agreement with Mimumu's proposal instead of opposing it.

"Are... you... serious...?"

"...No."

I can't abandon my party members. If I did, Yuu and Nina would look down on me.

When I refused, Gratz grabbed my collar.

"Don't be a kid! It's the only way for us to survive!!"

"...No... let go."

"Rena, please listen to us."

"Gratz, let go of her!"

While we were arguing, the goblins didn't attack. The surrounding goblins seemed to be enjoying our discord.

"Got it? Mimumu and I will cast magic at the same time. Then I'll cut through the thinned wall."

"...Absolutely... no..."

"Damn it!!"

When I refused, Gratz, still holding my collar, punched me. I was lifted and hit repeatedly, unable to do anything.

I can't die here. I have a dream of becoming a sage. I want to continue adventuring with Yuu and Nina... My consciousness... is... fading... away...

"Gratz! If it comes to this, we'll do it ourselves—"

Just as Mimumu was about to suggest that she and Gratz escape on their own, an explosion occurred. It was a powerful blast that sent dozens of goblins flying. A gap appeared in the wall of goblins surrounding us, and there was a figure.

A boy, a girl, and a middle-aged man. They looked like adventurers. The girl had an angry face, and the middle-aged man had a stern expression. And the boy—

"What the hell are you doing?"