Published: September 9, 2025
February 11: Typo corrections made.
This time, the perspective is not Satou’s. It’s from the viewpoint of the rookie Demon Hunter, Kon.
“Kena! I found some traces! As I thought, this animal path is definitely used by goblins.”
“All right, good job, Gadi. When we get back, I’ll treat you to a mug of ale.”
“You stingy guy. Treat me to better liquor next time.”
Gadi stuck a picked-up branch into the fallen leaves and said this to Kena, but I couldn’t see where the trace was at all.
“Hey, Gadi. Where exactly is the trace?”
“Are your eyes just holes? There’s goblin poop right there!”
Gadi nudged me, and at least he explained properly. It’s fine that he grabbed my head to point out the trace’s location, but…
That’s too close!
You’re getting poop on my face!
I couldn’t see well because of the shadow from the fallen leaves. It’s amazing how he spots such a hard-to-see mark.
Uh-oh, Kena looks annoyed.
“Quit goofing around and let’s move.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Woo~”
“Wait up.”
I hurriedly picked up the gear I’d thrown on the ground. There’s a hook on my right prosthetic arm to hang the straps, so my left hand is free. It’s a big help to have one hand free when moving on sloping ground like this. Unlike before, I don’t lose balance and roll down slopes multiple times.
◇
“Lower your head more.”
“Ow, hey, tell me before you hit me!”
Pomi, who was hiding with me, smacked my head. She’s quick to use her hands.
We finally found the goblins’ nest and are preparing a surprise attack. They seem to have taken root in a cave on the mountainside. Two goblins are gnawing on some raw meat in front of the entrance.
Kena moved around and gave a signal.
Pomi and Gadi attacked the goblins outside the cave with short bows. Pomi’s arrow pierced the goblin’s mouth and took it down in one shot. But Gadi’s arrow missed a bit and hit the goblin’s arm, so it’s not down yet. Pomi hurriedly shot an arrow, but it was slightly late.
“Ughglaa, grl, gerora—”
Damn, the surprise attack failed.
Pomi’s arrow struck a bit after the goblin’s scream. A shot to the temple. Pomi’s archery is amazing as always.
The goblin’s shriek stopped, but it got noisy inside the cave.
Kena and Bahana broke through the bushes and rushed out in front of the cave, signaling us to charge from the bushes as well.
Goblin after goblin burst out from the cave, pierced by Kena and Bahana’s short spears. Both took theirs down with a single thrust. The goblins tried to attack the two while their comrades were killed, but both kicked them away and kept their distance.
I dodged the goblins’ attacks while hiding behind the shield attached to my prosthetic arm. Unlike the others, my weapon isn’t long enough, so I have to block first or we’d clash head-on.
With my sword’s tip broken off as a keepsake, I slashed at a goblin’s thigh visible beyond the small shield. Usually, I’d make several small cuts to weaken them before delivering the finishing blow, but this time, it was different.
Splat.
My sword sliced halfway through the goblin’s thigh so cleanly it almost sounded sharp. What? This cutting power.
“Kon! Don’t stop moving!”
A goblin kicked me and rolled over, then leapt from the ground. And it came at me from the left side where I just swung my sword. The right move would be to push the goblin ahead away and retreat backward, but I can’t.
With my weak arm strength, just holding my ground is tough.
If I had strength like Kena and the others, I could kick it away, but if I lift my leg now, the goblin I’m pinning with my shield will push me down.
Before I knew it, the goblin’s fangs pierced my side while my head was spinning. I instinctively screamed. It reminded me of the severe pain from the last bite.
The pain never came. The goblin biting my side opened its mouth wide, trying to tear off my flesh.
“Kon, hit the goblin’s head with the elbow of your sword-holding arm!”
Without thinking, I followed Kena’s advice and struck the goblin’s head with my elbow. It peeled off surprisingly easily, and Pomi rushed over to finish it with her dagger.