Goblins

For Gagnor, Kalkulo's sudden change of heart was undoubtedly good news. After all, it meant he would have an excellent guide for his trip to South Sea Town.

The two immediately set out together, heading southwest along a forest path.

They first needed to reach Duke's Road.

So-called "Duke's Roads" were important roads protected by Duke of Nordanland. They were usually maintained and patrolled regularly, were in good condition, and were rarely harassed by bandits or wild beasts. Inns could also be found along the way for travelers to rest.

Leaving Driftwood Town, they could reach the nearest Duke's Road after roughly two days on foot. From there, things would be simple. If they were willing to spend money, it would not be difficult to find a carriage bound for South Sea Town and hitch a ride.

At night, insects occasionally chirped in the nearby forest.

The two sat before the campfire, eating dry rations.

Kalkulo's gaze lingered on Gagnor's neck for two seconds. "What's that?"

"This?" Gagnor pulled Raymond's Brass Necklace out from beneath his collar.

Kalkulo nodded, his expression somewhat strange. "I never expected you to wear a tripod necklace. Even its edges have been worn smooth. I thought only people who truly believed in Mosa would do that."

"It's a memento. It has nothing to do with faith." Gagnor did not explain further.

"Either way, it makes you look very devout." After finishing his rations, Kalkulo touched the ring on his hand, and a portable tent seemed to appear out of thin air.

Although it was not the first time Gagnor had seen Kalkulo use a Storage Ring, he could not help feeling envious. By comparison, all he could do was take out a sheet of cloth from his pack and spread it on the ground, looking downright shabby.

After making his "bed," Gagnor took out a bottle of potion and sprinkled it around them. It was a beast-repelling potion he had prepared specifically to ward off certain wild animals and mosquitoes.

After that, the two lay down to rest.

Using the hypnosis of Feign Death, Gagnor could still maintain partial awareness of his surroundings while sleeping. As for Kalkulo, who could foresee danger, he naturally had even less to worry about.

As the night deepened, creatures belonging to the darkness grew increasingly active. Distant howls and rustling sounds sweeping through the grass could be heard from time to time in the forest.

Occasionally, animals appeared nearby, but the beast-repelling potion and the flames made them detour around the camp, leaving Gagnor and Kalkulo undisturbed.

Then, at some point, Kalkulo suddenly opened his eyes inside the tent. He drew a short sword from his Storage Ring and gripped it in one hand as he said quietly, "Gagnor, wake up!"

No reminder was needed. The sound of him getting up had already awakened Gagnor from his sleep.

"Did you sense something?"

"Danger is approaching." Kalkulo spoke through the tent, his voice carrying a hint of tension. "Behind me. We should be able to see it soon."

Using the tent as cover, Gagnor readied his Wolf-Sinew Bow and took out three Fletched Arrows, staring intently into the darkness beyond the tent.

About half a minute later, several short figures vaguely emerged. They clustered together as they approached, occasionally making sounds that seemed like speech but were completely unintelligible to Gagnor.

As the distance between them closed, Gagnor finally saw what they looked like—several ugly, small green-skinned creatures. Compared to their childlike bodies, their oversized heads and ears were especially conspicuous.

Goblins.

A cruel lesser intelligent species. They were not powerful, but they were disgusting enough. Their formidable reproductive ability was the foundation of their race, and though humans hated them to the bone, they had never been able to eradicate them completely.

Although Goblins were no more dangerous than ordinary wolves, Gagnor's expression remained grave.

The reason was simple: there were six Goblins in this group.

While there were only two people on his side, and Kalkulo seemed to have little combat ability. His greatest use was merely giving advance warning.

"Six Goblins." Gagnor let out a breath and pulled several more Fletched Arrows from his quiver, his gaze moving between the six approaching Goblins. "Prepare to fight."

"Okay." Kalkulo's face was somewhat pale as he tightly gripped his short sword.

Gagnor placed four Fletched Arrows on the bowstring at once and aimed at the Goblins.

Kalkulo froze when he saw this. "Four arrows?"

Gagnor did not explain. In an instant, he created four clusters of Swift Breeze and attached them to the arrow fletchings, then drew the bowstring to the limit of his strength.

Whoosh—

A sharp whistle tore through the air as the four Fletched Arrows shot out.

Then, under Gagnor's control, the four clusters of Swift Breeze guided the arrows as they adjusted their directions, successfully striking three Goblins.

"Ah—" The struck Goblins let out shrill screams.

Though three had been hit, only one lost its ability to fight. The remaining five Goblins immediately charged forward with enraged cries, swinging their spiked clubs.

Gagnor's hands did not stop. He repeated the process and nocked another four Fletched Arrows.

The four arrows flew together, striking three Goblins again.

This time, two fell, leaving three.

Gagnor drew his bow and nocked arrows once more, again firing four at once.

However, although Goblins were inferior to humans, they were still intelligent creatures. After taking two volleys of four arrows, they scattered their formation.

As a result, in the final volley, the four Fletched Arrows knocked down only one Goblin.

Two Goblins remained.

All twelve Fletched Arrows had been fired, and the distance between them was no longer enough for Gagnor to complete another shot. The moment the arrows left the bow, he grabbed his short sword and charged at the nearest Goblin.

Kalkulo charged at the other one with his sword in hand.

Two humans against two Goblins—the outcome was beyond doubt.

Even though Kalkulo possessed almost no fighting skill, he hacked wildly at the Goblin and inflicted wounds all over its body, gaining a decisive advantage.

Meanwhile, Gagnor had already ended his battle.

Before leaving Driftwood Town, he had trained his archery to lv3. This raised his Agility to 16 points, giving him reaction speed far beyond that of an ordinary person—and naturally far beyond that of a Goblin.

With his overwhelming advantage in agility, the Goblin's spiked wooden club could not hit him at all, while several thrusts from his sword pierced the ugly creature's throat.

"Waaah—" Seeing all its companions fall, the last Goblin could no longer maintain its fighting spirit no matter how vicious it was, and fled with a howl.

Kalkulo tried to pursue it, only to trip over a Goblin corpse on the ground and fall midway.

Gagnor stared fixedly at the fleeing Goblin. He gripped his short sword, attached four clusters of Swift Breeze to it, and hurled it with all his strength.

Guided and propelled by Swift Breeze, the flying short sword traced a powerful curve through the air, then struck the Goblin squarely in the back amid a piercing wail!