HPDBC Chapter 7: First Floor, Tutorial (4)
Chapter 7: First Floor, Tutorial (4)
Chapter 7: First Floor, Tutorial (4)
[Do you wish to enter the boss room?]
“Yes."
Darkness enveloped my sight as I began to feel as if I was floating. The weightlessness faded shortly after, and the solid pull of gravity replaced it, allowing me to feel solid ground under my feet once more.
[Eliminate all enemies. Time remaining: 6 hours 58 minutes.]
Opening my eyes, I found myself standing on a circular stone floor that resembled an arena roughly half the size of a soccer field. A lake of boiling, crimson lava surrounded the stone platform. I felt the oppressive heat choke the air as I shifted my gaze across the space.@@@@
... Fuck.
Ten goblins were visible on the platform: a hulking goblin in plate armor, two assassins wielding crossbows, and seven warriors armed with swords.
[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 10 seconds.]
The message refreshed as soon as I noticed the enemies. The goblins hadn’t noticed me yet since I had just appeared.
Can I handle ten goblins?
Four was the most I had ever taken on at once. Although I managed back then, dealing with ten was a different story.
My main concern was the goblin in plate armor. I stared at it, causing a notification window to pop up.
[Goblin Paladin]
- A goblin, yet a paladin.
- Larger than a typical goblin.
- Devout and wields potent holy spells.
A goblin paladin? Seriously?
I was stunned. Albeit barely, I had learned to accept the concept of goblin warriors and assassins. However, this was just too much.
[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 05 seconds.]
I quickly took out my crossbow.
“Krieee! Goblin! It's too hot!"
“Shut up!”
After sharply rebuking the annoying Doppy, I took a moment to devise a strategy for the imminent battle.
[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 03 seconds.]
Since I would be facing multiple goblins, I had to use and navigate the space effectively. Ending up surrounded would mean certain death for me.
[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 01 second.]
The crossbow I had picked up from a goblin assassin would be essential for carving out space to maneuver in. Even with that plan in mind, I needed to remain vigilant against the goblin paladin. I had never faced a paladin before—goblin or not—and I was unsure of what trump cards it could possess. rἁŊОΒΕs
[Time left until combat begins: 0 minutes 00 seconds. Initiating combat.]
As soon as the message disappeared, the goblin warriors started charging toward me, and the goblin assassins spread out to the perimeters of the arena. They chittered among themselves loudly. The goblin paladin, on the other hand, just stayed still.
Alright, let’s do this.
“Krieee! Human! Die!"
“Kriiiieeeee!"
“Krieee! Human! Watch out!"
If I positioned myself at the edge of the circular arena, I would be more vulnerable to encirclement and have less space to maneuver. Hence, I tightened my grip on the crossbow in my left hand and the longsword in my right, then charged toward the challenge.
Thunk—
I rolled forward, dodging an arrow flying from the right.
Thunk—
Another arrow flew toward the spot I had rolled into. I swiftly stood up and took a step back to dodge it.
While the goblin assassins hurriedly reloaded their weapons, I seized the opportunity to return fire. Though I had planned to use my crossbow to create space, the threat of arrows firing from my flank forced my hand.
I quickly aimed at one of the goblin assassins and pulled the trigger.
Thunk—
The arrow flew straight, impaling the goblin’s forehead.
“Ugh..."
The goblin assassin lifelessly fell backward and dropped out of the arena. The molten lava voraciously devoured it.
“Kriieee, human. Now that you've met Goblin, all that awaits you is death! Your death will atone for your sins!" The goblin paladin exclaimed as it stomped on the ground. It then broke into a charge.
Although caught off guard, I managed to quickly adjust my grip on the Chipped Longsword.
It moved strikingly fast, demonstrating that its confidence wasn't just for show.
Its blade fell toward me, prompting me to dodge to the left. The heavy strike hit the ground instead, embedding the sword in it. Seeing this as an opportunity, I swung my sword at the goblin. However, the goblin paladin swiftly raised its shield to defend.
A metallic clang echoed—Kling! Crack!
In shock, I stared at the hilt in my hand. The shield had shattered my Chipped Longsword into pieces.
Fuck. Why now of all times?
Panic briefly seized me, causing me to lose track of the paladin's movements. Just as I began to recover, its sword came hurtling toward me from the right. I instinctively moved to block it with my sword, only to remember at the last second that it was broken. I rolled to the left as fast as I could, evading the blade.
Fuck! What do I do?
At that moment, the dagger I had retrieved from the goblin assassin flashed into my mind. I quickly discarded the broken longsword and drew the shorter blade. The dagger was about thirty to forty centimeters long—roughly a third of the length of my old sword. It felt unfamiliar in my hand, but I had to adapt quickly.
“Kriieee! Human!"
I maneuvered toward the goblin, dodging another of its swings. As it recollected itself from its attack, I thrust my dagger through the opening in its defenses and toward its chest.
The blade clanged against its plate armor, failing to penetrate. Just then, I noticed a small gap in the armor. My mind raced.
Should I stab it again now or pull back and plan another attack? Alright, just one more try at the gap!
I aimed for the narrow opening determinedly, but the paladin shifted at the last moment, causing my strike to miss its mark.
... Ah. It seemed I had been too greedy. As if confirming that realization, I saw the goblin’s shield hurtling toward me, already too close to evade. It struck me right under my chin, the tremendous impact sending me flying backward.
While in midair, I stared at the rough ceiling of the arena. For a moment, I thought I was floating, but gravity harshly brought me back to reality.
My head slammed against the ground, fogging my senses. A sharp pain shot through my head, making me wonder if I had gotten a concussion. Exhaustion overwhelmed me. I yearned to rest, to simply lie down and sleep. Was this all just a terrible dream?
Before I could even recollect my bearings, I saw a flash of silver through my blurring vision. I instinctively rolled to the side just before something heavy struck the ground where I had just been. Each roll sent waves of pain through my head, disrupting my thoughts.
Ah, that was right. I was still in the midst of battle. I had to regain my focus.
“Kriieee! Human! Die! Kal-Lain be with me!"
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to stand. As I did, a thrust came directly at me. I felt weaker, causing me to doubt my current ability to dodge. Nevertheless, I used all my willpower to manage half a step, shifting my center of gravity forward and twisting my waist to the left to avoid the blade.
Unfortunately, I reacted too slowly, and my waist didn't twist as much as needed.
I heard the goblin’s blade cut through the air, and a searing pain flared on my right side. Fortunately, the strike didn’t hit any vital organs.
Utilizing my weight to generate forward momentum, I extended my left foot swiftly. Before the goblin could block with its shield, I launched my right foot forward and dove between its extended arm and the shield it had pulled back, grappling the goblin paladin.
Despite its size, it was still a mere goblin. I had the advantage in weight and brute strength over it. I hooked my foot behind its right foot and used my body weight to force it off balance. It stumbled.
My last-ditch plan succeeded.
“Kriieee!?"
I pushed the goblin’s head down ruthlessly with my right hand, which was still holding the dagger. Once it had fallen, I pinned it firmly to the ground.
As it tried to recollect itself, I repeatedly bashed its head against the floor.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
“You son of a bitch!"
I pulled its head back with my left hand to expose the gap between its armor and helmet. Without hesitation, I thrust the dagger into its green collarbone.
Squish, squish!
Green blood spurted. The paladin twitched and convulsed before finally falling limp.
It was finally over. I had defeated them all.
“Ha...”
The fatigue set in as I felt the heat of the blood running down my cheek. Giving in to exhaustion, I collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed. My head spun, so I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, my chest heaving heavily. Even the air I breathed felt unbearably hot.
“... Hmm?"
I tuned into a strange mumbling noise coming from beside me.
“Kriieee... ick, heal... wounds..."
Turning my head, I noticed a brightly shining glow emanating from the goblin paladin’s neck.
Ah, that’s right, this bastard is a paladin. Fucking hell...