He shouted in surprise, but Mr. Song remained silent. He just moved quietly as if he had to do his job.
“Oh.”
Watching him, I felt a certain professional aura. Could this guy really be a master? Is that why he was so full of himself?
There’s a sense of gravity, a very serious one.
If I had successfully become an actor as planned, I might have ended up as a reserved and dignified man like Mr. Song.
“Jaemi Son. Doesn’t that Mr. Song have a bit of weight to him?”
“Indeed… You’re quite observant.”
“We’re on the same page.”
“Kick.”
The more I looked at this guy, the cuter he seemed with that smiling face.
“No, Mr. Song! What are you doing on your own? If you keep moving around like that, you might get ambushed! Follow my instructions!”
But Gu Jumang seemed to be a bit dissatisfied.
When I first saw him, he seemed like a carefree guy, but as we spent more time together, I noticed some stingy traits. It looks like he thinks he should be in charge. Fortunately, Mr. Song didn’t say anything, so it didn’t escalate into a fight.
“Oh dear!”
Whether Gu Jumang showed his dissatisfaction or not, Mr. Song skillfully searched for the trees, carrying out his task.
“Let’s join in!”
Then we should too.
After shouting a battle cry, I mimicked Mr. Song while searching for the Goblins’ traces.
This was a golden opportunity.
A perfect chance to learn Mr. Song’s professional skills. Honestly, I know nothing about this world and am utterly clueless about the demons that will be my long-term livelihood.
I need to gather as much information about demons as possible.
For instance, the characteristics of these Goblins.
Naturally, I became more focused on sneaking glances at Mr. Song rather than searching, and the two of us grew unexpectedly closer.
“Mr. Song. You seem to know a lot about Goblins. I didn’t realize you were such an expert when we were at the inn…”
“…”
“To effectively deal with them and defeat more of them, your insight and skill are absolutely essential. Could you give me just one piece of advice for smoother quest execution?”
This is the Kim Geunhyeop method for making friends.
Complimenting the other person while asking about something related to their interests. Would this tactic work on Mr. Song too?
“…Goblins.”
It worked!
“They patrol their territory diligently. They leave marks on the trees while patrolling. If you find and wait for those marks, the Goblins will soon come.”
What a precious piece of information!
“This can’t be… I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a demon expert like you before! Thank you for the good advice! So, would it be okay to use a capture tactic while we wait?”
“Two of them patrol together. If you kill one and injure the other, the injured one will flee back to their base. This way, you can locate their hideout.”
Legendary!
“I’m blown away! Mr. Song, you must be a scholar! To know so much about Goblin behavior! Your quiet, no—cautious and heavy demeanor shows you’ve learned from somewhere properly?”
Praising Mr. Song like that peeled away his reserved exterior. Finally, he began to share personal stories.
“…I only have a grudge. I learned their habits through repeated tasks.”
There’s a guy living in a remote area of South America named Kaegan Drakkar, who was also quite taciturn. What melted his heart were none other than his cheerful friends.
I was treating Mr. Song with a friend’s warmth, which opened his heart.
“A grudge! No matter who that being is, they won’t escape the hands of an expert like you, Mr. Song!”
“…”
I guided the conversation by praising Mr. Song appropriately until I could receive the answers I wanted.
This won’t do.
After the mission, I should treat him to dumplings and hear his stories. Mr. Song not only has more experience in the Martial Arts World than I do, but he also possesses substantial knowledge.
If I can gain just a sliver of his wisdom with a drink, it’s a good deal.
“Hey, Kim Geunhyeop! I feel like your searching attitude is lacking in sincerity!”
“Ah, I apologize. Gu Jumang. I just wanted to listen to Mr. Song’s advice for a more certain quest success. I’ll get right to it.”
“If you have questions, ask me…”
Even though he only holds the position of a mere adventurer party leader, Gu Jumang seems very sensitive about authority.
For now, I’ll just get on with what I need to do.
As we all spread out to search, I suddenly noticed something.
“Hmm?”
I found a mark engraved on a tree!
“Song…!”
I was going to call Mr. Song immediately, but my heightened senses went off like an alarm. It was the danger detection sensor I honed while growing up in my aunt’s house. I quickly covered my mouth and lowered my posture.
“Kerrek.”
I felt strange noises coming from the other side.
“Kerrek, kerrek.”
That’s right.
It’s a Goblin.
A patrol of Goblins has appeared…!
“…!”
Just as I heard, they were small, green, squat creatures! Short stature, hunched backs, and long ears—those were some terrible demons!
Two of those little brutes were walking toward me, brandishing their stone spears!
What should I do? Should I call the party right away? No, I don’t know the combat capabilities of Goblins. There are two of them. I have to consider the chance that before I could do anything, they might skewer me like a shish kebab.
I lay flat on the ground while thinking about that.
“Kerrek, kerrek.”
“Kerrek.”
The Goblins are getting closer. Luckily, they seemed unaware of my presence and stopped right in front of the marked tree.
The distance… it’s close!
“Kerrek.”
The Goblins were buzzing as they used the tips of their spears to leave marks on the tree. I was currently positioned behind them. Both were so absorbed in marking that they weren’t looking back.
Should I go now?
Should I just spring up and ambush these guys?
—Thump, thump!
My heart felt like it was going to explode.
They were merely two Goblins, the typical fantasy fodder, but they were demons wielding spears and patrolling, implying a certain level of professionalism. Plus, looking at their humanoid forms, I had to be careful—if I messed up, I could be the one in trouble.
Should I just stay quiet?
I considered doing that, but…
“…”
I resolved to be brave. After all, they are only weaker than humans. If I, who killed bandits, cowered in fear from these guys, I’d lose all my face and become nothing but a fool.
If I’m going to survive in this Martial Arts World, I’ll definitely face worse things than this on a daily basis. There is no way I can back down!
So.
Before they notice me, I’ll strike at the careless one.
—Swoosh.
With that thought, I carefully got up.
You’re all done for.
“Kerrek, kerrek.”
“Kerreeek.”
My heart is pounding like crazy. The blood was pumping so fast, I felt like my entire body was swelling with it.
My gaze locked onto the backs of the Goblins.
Let’s do this.
I’m going for it!
“Hup!”
Just like a kidnapper reaching out, I extended my left hand. My arm stretched, and I grabbed the Goblin’s ponytail at the back of its head.
“Kerrek?”
The Goblin made a dumb sound, and at that moment…
—Slash!
I pulled its head towards me, plunging the sword in my right hand into its back.
—Thud!
In an instant, a violent murder.
I could feel the intense sensation of my sword cutting through muscle and intestines, bursting out the other side…! The metallic smell of blood spread instantly. I had taken out that tiny creature in one hit.
“Geck, greeek…!”
—Blurr.
Caught off guard, the assassinated Goblin just trembled and sputtered. Meanwhile, the Goblin beside it turned in shock to look at me.
“Keck—!”
Before it could do anything…
“Shut it!”
—Thud!
I dropped my sword and punched it in the face.
“Keheeek!”
As the Goblin dropped its spear in shock, I kicked it in the face like I was splitting bamboo.
—Boom!
“Uwaaaaaah!”
I launched myself onto the Goblin, wrestling it to the ground.
“Kweeek! Kweck! Keek!”
Seeing the humanoid demon wailing like that honestly made me feel a bit sorry for it, but that didn’t stop my movements. Just because I feel pity for a cow, I won’t skip a hamburger!
“Here! I caught a Goblin! Hurry over!”
I called my friends while securing the Goblin with a chokehold.
—Rustle!
My companions rushed over.
“Uh, uh! Keep it like that!”
“Nice job…!”
“We finally found it!”
It was Gu Jumang, Jaemi Son, and Oh Gisoo. I turned to Mr. Song, the last to arrive.
“Mr. Song! What should we do now?”
“Break its arm and let it go.”
His response was quite urgent.
“Got it! I’ll hold it down, so everyone do your thing!”
“I’ll do it, as the leader!”
Gu Jumang stepped up bravely.
“Kerrek…!”
The Goblin wailed in despair.
—Crack!
“Kerraaaak!”
A merciless arm-breaking. Only then did I release the chokehold, letting the Goblin go.
Honestly, that must hurt a hell of a lot.
“Kerrek, Kerreeeek!”
The Goblin, with a broken arm, stumbled and cried, trying to flee in a pathetic manner, repeatedly falling as it hobbled.
Just like Mr. Song said, it’s trying to return to its base.
“They’re really escaping…! Mr. Song! Just like you said, it’s happening!”
“It’s their natural behavior.”
“But what if it lures us to some other place for its companions?”
“I’ve never seen that. Goblin intelligence isn’t smart enough to think that far. We just need to widen the distance and pursue it.”
“Understood.”
I nodded heavily.
After all, this Mr. Song.
He has quite the charisma.
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