Chapter 10, Can You Kill a Goblin?

Translator: Lizz

 

Once they had reached an agreement, the next step was to confirm their abilities. Explorers were a merit-based profession. Without real strength, there was no point in forming a party. Deciding to hunt monsters, the two parted ways with Rekka, prepared their gear, and moved to the 1st floor of the Tokyo Dungeon.

 

The time was past four o’clock. It was late to begin an exploration and right in the crowded hours.

 

After completing entry procedures at the gate, they entered the dungeon. Masato’s appearance was the same as always. He wore a metal breastplate, gauntlets, and boots, carrying two large knives. Of course, his backpack for collecting magic stones was still with him.

 

Rika’s equipment, on the other hand, was simple. She had only a double-edged one-handed sword. It was made with dungeon iron, but mixed with ordinary iron, so its strength wasn’t very high. She had no armor at all, just a tracksuit and sneakers—quite flimsy.

 

When Masato saw her, he almost told her to go home. But at the last moment, remembering her circumstances, a desire to help her welled up. He decided to put equipment aside for now and focus on testing her ability.

 

He walked at the front as a guide, leading them into the dungeon as planned.

 

“There really is a forest inside the dungeon.”

 

“It’s all fake, created by magic. Be careful—unless it’s something dropped by a monster, you can’t take it outside.”

 

“I know. I studied that when I got my license.”

 

The plants, minerals, and animals inside the field were all false existences created by magic. Once taken out of the dungeon, they vanished.

 

The only exception was the drop items left behind by monsters. The dungeon iron used in Masato’s weapon came from insect-type monsters called Iron Ants that appeared on the 4th floor. It couldn’t be found by digging into the earth.

 

The efficiency of acquiring dungeon iron was poor, so ordinary iron continued to be used.

 

If everything inside dungeons could be acquired in large quantities as resources, Japan would be overflowing with dungeon-made goods, and the nation would have become much wealthier.

 

“Knowledge isn’t the problem. Well then, it’s time for the real test. Can you defeat a goblin on your own? I want to see how you fight.”

 

“Understood.”

 

When Rika nodded, the two began to walk.

 

They searched for a goblin to quickly achieve their goal, but in the crowded area it took time to find one. They moved forward, listening to shouts and screams as they searched.

 

Rika’s gaze was restless as she watched the battles unfolding before her eyes, darting here and there. Watching others fight made her throat dry and a faint sweat broke across her skin.

 

A sixteen-year-old girl was about to fight a monster with naked hostility; to expect her not to be nervous would be unreasonable. In such situations, no words from anyone could help. In the end, experience and familiarity were indispensable, and she must overcome it alone.

 

Masato deliberately said nothing, cutting away obstructing grass and branches as he continued searching for a goblin. After walking for more than twenty minutes, they finally found one.

 

“It’s yours.”

 

Muttering softly, Masato stepped back. Naturally, Rika ended up at the front. Her throat made a gulping sound. Sweat broke on the hand gripping her sword, and she adjusted her grip.

 

The goblin was too absorbed in eating nuts to notice.

 

Rika stopped her shallow breathing, closed her eyes for just a moment, then opened them again, shifting her focus before charging forward.

 

“Gugya!?”

 

Startled by the sound of her footsteps, the goblin threw away the nuts and blocked the downward slash of her sword with its club. The blade cut a few centimeters in, but the wooden club did not break. She simply lacked the strength. If she defeated monsters and absorbed their magic, her body would strengthen, and the outcome would change. But without enhancement, this result was inevitable.

 

After a brief struggle, the goblin shook off the sword. In terms of raw strength, Rika was weaker. Screeching wildly, it began swinging its club around.

 

“Gya! Gya! Gyagya!!”

 

The whooshing sound of the club cutting through the air reached Rika’s ears. She calmly dodged each swing.

 

“Once the fight starts, she remains composed. Her movements don’t seem like those of a complete novice. I’m glad it wasn’t a lie that she studied swordsmanship.”

 

For Masato, who had already begun to side with her, there was no longer any reason not to accept her as a companion, and he felt relieved.

 

Strength, skill, and experience could be gained later. But personality did not change easily. A liar could not be trusted, and if her character was flawed, he had planned to part ways no matter how unpleasant it might be.

 

Masato continued to observe the progress of the battle.

 

Rika’s breathing grew ragged, and just as her strength was reaching its limit, a major shift occurred. She read the goblin’s attack and launched a counterstrike.

 

Swinging her sword upward, she struck the goblin’s club, sending it spinning into the air. As the goblin stared in shock, Rika brought her sword down. The powerful blow split its head in half. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and the goblin collapsed lifelessly.

 

“Good work. No injuries?”

 

Masato approached, clapping softly to celebrate her first victory.

 

“Yes!”

 

Rika turned with a smile at his voice from behind.

 

Her face, painted red with goblin blood, looked grotesque. But soon the blood faded and vanished.

 

The substances that had formed the monster were returned to the dungeon. At the same time, magic was absorbed into Rika’s body.

 

“Ah!”

 

An exclamation escaped her lips at the sensation of warmth spreading from her core.

 

Her face took on an expression of ecstasy at the unfamiliar feeling.

 

“H-how was that?”

 

Rika asked, her cheeks faintly flushed.

 

“As a first battle, I’d say you passed. Next, let’s head to the 2nd floor. If you can fight well there too, I’d like to officially form a party with you.”

 

Her first strike had been blocked, but afterward she handled the fight calmly, winning without injury. She had a reason to continue as an explorer, her ability was sufficient, her personality posed no issues. Furthermore, she was cute… Yet defeating a goblin on the 1st floor alone wasn’t enough. That was the conclusion Masato reached.

 

“Got it!!”

 

The previous battle had gone smoothly, and she had earned a chance to move forward. Literally hopping like a rabbit, Rika celebrated with joy.

 

Masato smiled at her adorable movements, but his expression quickly turned serious. He spun the knife in his hand half a turn, gripping the blade.

 

With a loud rustling sound, another goblin appeared. The knife flew past, grazing Rika’s face as it shot by.

 

Moments later, the goblin’s ugly scream echoed.

 

“Eh!?”

 

Rika hadn’t noticed the newly appeared goblin. Frozen in place, she needed several seconds to understand what had just happened.

 

“There was a goblin behind you. You have to stay alert not only during battle but afterward too, or you’ll get injured by a surprise attack. As they say, tighten your helmet strap after victory.”

 

Staring blankly at the vanishing goblin, Rika recalled statistics she had once read online: 15% of explorer deaths were caused by surprise attacks after battles ended. Carelessness, reduced fighting strength from injuries—these were the moments when mortality rates spiked.

 

She had thought she understood from prior research, but in her first real experience, she had let her guard down without realizing it.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Rika’s voice trembled slightly. This was a job lived side by side with danger. Age and gender didn’t matter. Danger fell equally on everyone. At last, she truly felt it.

 

For someone timid, this moment might have planted a lasting fear of combat. But for Rika, who had no way back, it was irrelevant. It gave her no reason to quit.