Once the instructor had declared the start of the expedition, we both dashed straight into the forest at full speed before separating from the others. We are now briskly walking down a Straight path that was cleared from trees, bushes, and other obstructions. I took out the map we were given before the start of the expedition to check the location we were told to visit. The map showed the entire forest and the locations where each monster inhabits.
Goblins are weak monsters who have low intelligence. They mostly live in places where there is vast greenery. However, they are known to attack people and monsters in large groups. So, the chances of seeing one alone are really rare. Maybe we should head towards some place where there are a lot of goblins present, which would be the ideal choice.
"So... Haruto, do you have a plan?"
He asks anxiously, as a noble, I guess he's not used to being out in the wilderness. I've only been camping two times, and all of that was only a school trip; there were adults there to take care of our needs, but now it seems I'll be the one taking care of our needs. Though we were given the necessities we needed.
"Why don't we try going over there?"
I said, pointing at a huge hill that went past the trees, it was hard to tell from here, but there was a lot of greenery visible on top of the peak of the cliff. We then made our way towards that mountain. It was difficult to traverse through the bushy path as our shirts and pants would sometimes get stuck on either branches or thorny bushes.
Using the sword I was given, I cut through the outgrown branches that were in the way. Roughly 5 minutes of walking, we stop to take a break as I notice Tracy is staggering on his feet. There was also fatigue present on his face. I would feel like a villain if I made him continue walking after seeing the condition of his body.
We both sat down on a rock, trying to regain as much stamina as possible. I took out the map and scanned the entire area we were currently located. I wonder how everyone is doing so far. We didn't cover much ground. If I were alone, I'm sure I would have reached much faster, but... this is a test to see how well we do in teams; it goes completely against the point of this exercise. Tracy took out his water bottle and gulped down his water with a refreshed expression.
(Alya, are there any monsters around?)
-Hmm... I don't sense any powerful monsters as of yet, but there are weaker ones. One is actually heading your way right now.
She said, I see well as long as it gives us points, I really don't care what kind of monsters we have to face. As long as it benefits our scores, I'll even burn down these trees to force those monsters out if it comes down to it. About that time, the rustling of the bushes could be heard. A small creature came jumping out, it had the appearance of a small rabbit from my former world, the only difference I could find was its deep red eyes with slit pupils. Its fang was also a bit longer than the rabbit I'm used to.
Is it a harmful monster? By appearance, it's looks don't look that harmful, but... I tried to slowly approach it when-
"Wait!"
Tracy suddenly grabbed my left hand, preventing me from going any further.
"Is there something wrong?"
I asked, confused.
"That bunny is bad news; their fangs are poisonous, they use their cuteness to get foes to lower their guards and then attack them."
He said, panicking as he explained. I see the rabbit looked startled as it slowly backed away, trying to flee into the bushes, when-
SWOOSH~
A spear came flying through the air, piercing the body of the rabbit. The rabbit let out a sharp cry as its body was struck through.
"Huh?"
I froze for a moment; that happened so fast that I couldn't keep up. I turned my gaze to the direction of the spear and saw a humanoid creature, it had the body of a small child, red eyes and green skin. Their clothes were rather rough and had been torn in many places. There were 6 of them in total, all armed with spears in hand. What should I do? I looked down and saw my hands shaking. Am I scared? No, impossible, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist.
Another goblin, through the spear he had in his hands, with great force, the speed of his throw was like that of an arrow being fired at high speed. However, before the arrow could hit us, the wind gathered around and changed the trajectory, pulling the arrow in another direction.
-What are you doing, Haruto? This isn't the time for you to space out. Will you exterminate them already! What happened to all that confidence you had before?
Alya's voice resounded inside my head. I could sense a lot of anger coming from her voice, yeah, you're right... I-I can't get scared of these guys, they're not even the strongest monsters out here. Why was I so scared before? I wondered, was it because I feared I was going to die? Or was it because I feared I might lose the chance of ever seeing my parents again? Didn't I promise I'll become stronger? This is the reason why I fight, I'll cut down the weak and surpass the strong!
"Huh.... did the wind just protect us? H-Haruto, were you the one who-"
"Stay back... mother of wind slices my target wind blade!"
A 2-layer magic circle was formed, followed by a strong gust of wind which took the form of blades. The heads of the 6 goblins were completely severed from their bodies, and their bodies then dropped to the ground, painting it red. Seeing that, I sighed tiredly.
-Was that so hard?
(I honestly don't have the strength to retort to your teasing right now.)
However-
SWOOSH~
SWOOSH~
Two spears came flying through the air, this time I was able to react, as I hadn't let my guard down even as I killed those goblins from before. Another wind barrier covered us from the upcoming spear, from behind the trees, five more goblins came out holding spears in their hands. Why are there so many of them?
-Goblins never appear before humans alone, I thought I already told you about this.
(I know, but I never expected this many would appear at once)
I thought. Though I guess they make good experience points.
-This isn't a game, you know; if you die here, you won't get a do-over.
(Wait, you know what games are, too?)
-Let's talk about that later; you have more important matters to deal with right now.
She said, avoiding the question.
"Haruto, please let me help too. I promise I won't get in the way."
He said, determined though his hands were shaking, I could easily tell he was scared, but even so, he wanted to continue fighting. He's a much better man than I am. I completely lost my composure and had to be scolded to regain my cool. I'm a bit disappointed in myself.
"…. Yeah."
I said, nodding my head, with a bitter face.
"Can you use magic from a distance to stop their movements? I'm going to decapitate them using my sword."
"Got it."
He said, holding out his palm.
"Zora Toris!"
A magic circle was formed, followed by a shower of light bullets, each of which had enough power to seriously damage the human body. The light bullets hit two of the goblins who had thrown their spears earlier without a way to block the bullets they were both instantly killed while trying to retreat; the other three goblins blocked the light bullets using their spears with quick movements. I thought so before, but they seem really skilled in using spears, don't they?
-That's because those are their go-to weapons. I don't think I've ever seen them using any other weapons before. So, it makes sense why they're so much more adept and skilled at using them.
She said, while studying the movement of the goblins, I dash at the three goblins with great speed while holding my sword. The goblins got on guard, seeing me rushing at them, they all charged together, hoping to overpower me using their numbers, however-
"Hah."
Using my momentum, I jump over the heads of the goblins the goblins all made a confused expression as they were carried by their own running momentum, as I fell on to the ground I promptly turn and swung my sword at the goblin that was at the back of the other two, before it had the chance to turn its body its head was sent flying spraying droplets of blood onto the ground. Its lifeless body then fell to the ground, staining the ground where it fell.
The other goblins both slowly back away with a wary look on their face. But I wasn't going to let any of them get away. I dash towards the two goblins. In a panic, the goblin at the front thrust its spear in my direction. If it's attacked, its spear would have pierced my chest. Using my sword, I hit the tip of the spear away, knocking it in another direction. Before sending a sharp kick in the goblin's chest, sending it flying backwards towards a tree.
"Grarara!"
The goblin let out a loud cry as it hit the back of its body against the tree and stopped moving. The last goblin then tried running away towards a bush to hide. If it hid inside a bush, it would be difficult to find it since its green skin naturally camouflages with the greenery of the bush, but before that could happen. I held out my palm towards the direction of the fleeing goblin.
"Mother of fire, burn my target, incinerate."
A magic circle was then formed, followed by a torrent of flames which went straight towards the goblin.
"Grarararar!"
A loud cry resounded in the surrounding as its body was burned until there were not even ashes of it left behind. I now turned my gaze towards the goblin, who was still passed out from the impact of hitting its back against the tree. Swinging my sword, I split its body in two from its head to its chest. It was repulsive. I honestly don't enjoy the act of killing.
Even if it was just a monster, I still find it unbearable, but... I'll have to harden my heart to the feeling of being overwhelmed by your opponents, the feeling of being cut down by your opponents, I'll make sure I never experience it again!
"Haruto, that was amazing. I didn't know you were that skilled with a sword."
He said with eyes sparkling. Skilled with a sword? It's my first time using one, right?
-The way you moved moments ago was excellent; it definitely looked like someone who has trained in swordsmanship.
She said, somewhat confused. Hmm... Maybe it was beginner's luck? With that being said, I looked at the watch attached to my right arm and saw the numbers going up. The watch was now showing the number 11. All we have to do now is keep slaying every monster we find and get the most points right.
"We should go, that mountain looks like it has a lot of greenery, so there should be other monsters up there, shall we go?"
I said while making my way towards the mountain, Tracy also started walking with a brisk gait. We both went on our way toward the Rocky Mountains.