Panting as her breath left her Wizard ran as fast as she could to get to Goblin Slayer's side with several goblins behind her and wondered not for the first time, who the hell gave goblins such a low danger rating!
"Goblin Slayer-san!" Wizard cried reaching him as she reared back his sword, "Hit the ground!" he ordered, Wizard droppes eating dirt as his sword swung faster then the goblins chasing her could react to, to save themselves. Their eyes were given just enough time to widen in horror before the blade hit flesh slicing then muscle and bone, green little heads went flying in the air landing on the gound as Wizard jump to her feet and race behind Goblin Slayer.
"That makes forty-seven." Goblin Slayer stated standing in the middle of a sea of green corpse's as Wizard look there was still about two dozens of them left and she groan noticing they were surrounded.
"There still so many of them."Wizard commented as the goblins shifted back and forth clearly fearfully of the armored.
"Hmp, we wouldn't be in this position if you had waited for my single to attack the Shaman." Goblin Slayer said flatly, Wizard couldn't really tell because his tone never chanage but she got the feeling that Wizard may have done the impossible and made him feel just a tiny bit annoyed at her going outside the plan.
the quest they had been on was to eliminate another goblin nest in a old dwarf stronghold which was no surprise there but the goblin this was surprisingly huge and was being ran by a shaman and a hobgoblin. Goblin Slayer had a mediately come up with several plans his first one was to simply flood the cave using a nearby River wizard had been against it since the stronghold could prove to be of use as a hold fast for the nearby village should ever be attacked, thinking of another plan they had infiltrated the stronghold making their way to the lower levels where surprisingly enough nearly all the goblin sales for a few who were patrolling around the stronghold above were centered in the area of the forge.
from there goblin Slayer had come up with a simple plan from his point of view wizard was to remain in a high position in ready her spells wow he entered below his plan was to engage the hobgoblin after killing several goblins join the hobgoblin and into a one-on-one fight while the shaman provided long-range magic attacks Goblin Slayer plan to use the shamans own spells to severely damaged the hobgoblin in any surrounding goblins did got near to try to help out. It was a tactic he'd use multiple times before and was well-versed with watching his surroundings and knowing when and where to maneuver his opponents into best serving his purpose. When the Shaman spell hit the Hobgoblin chances are it wouldn't kill it but it would definitely bring the Hobgoblin to its knees giving Goblin Slayer the chance to finish it off at the moment that happened Goblin Slayer with send Wizard the signal to launch a firebolt directly at the Shaman to kill it.
However when the Shaman launched a powerful spell that look like it would hit the Hobgoblin Goblin Slayer knowing he saw the spell coming didn't give Wizard the signal but Wizard believing the attack will land fired her spell anyway managing to kill the Shaman but the Hobgoblin realizing where she was ordered the remaining goblins to go after her sending there's plan into disarray.
"Okay so I messed up, I'm sorry." Wizard muttered, looking at the surrounding goblins with barely concealed worried.
"Well it matters not what's done is done for now I need you to follow my lead I have a plan." Goblin Slayer said looking down at the dead hop goblin he had managed to kill most of the regular goblins using the hobgoblins reckless attacks as when he gorged out its eye using a dagger the oversized goblin became in rage and began smashing any place that Goblin Slayer was without care if there were little goblins nearby or in its way eventually Goblin Slayer slay the Hobgoblin by cutting off its leg then slicing off its arms and finishing it with cutting open its neck.
"Back step slowly." Goblin Slayer whispered getting a frown Wizard.
"There's a drop hit behind us, we'll be cornered." Wizard commented.
"That's the point, we lure them in as they corner us, on my mark get ready to bind my left arm protector to that torch holder to the far-right of us. And set it for only on return." Goblin Slayer said pointing to said torch holder, wizard couldn't stop the confused expression from entering her face as they slowly backed away or rather as goblin Slayer slowly backs and towards the edge of the pitfall.
"What's the point in binding a torch holder to you?" Wizard asked as they were nearing the edge.
"I didn't say bind the torch holder to me I said bind my right arm protector to the torch holder. Just trust me." Goblin Slayer reply, Wizard nodded knowing he had yet to give her a meaningless request yet. they head reach the edge and halted their advance when goblin Slayer held out his sword in front of him looking at the goblins all cluster together goblin Slayer not it's himself on the inside noting that this was just the way he wanted it.
"When I drop my sword start casting immediately." goblin Slayer said in a firm voice that broke no argument, Wizard nodded not that he could see her. holding the sword out of the goblins that were glaring at the two adventurers goblin Slayer suddenly tossed it to the side out of reach this momentarily started all the goblins confused as to why he just threw away his weapon however a greedy twisted grin quickly formed on their faces at seeing the unarmed adventurer and the remaining goblins quickly rushed at the two even the remaining even as wizard race through the enchanted needed for the object binding spell holding up his left arm and taking hold of wizard just as he finished goblin Slayer was suddenly pull through the air out of the charging goblin path whose own momentum made it impossible for them to stop leading to the remaining goblins falling into the pit fall as Goblin Slayer and Wizard were quickly pulled to the torch holder he had pointed out earlier grabbing a torch holder Goblin Slayer made sure to sling Wizard over his shoulder as both their weights proved to be too much to hold them up causing the torch holder to snap off the wall in Goblin Slayer landed on his feet before setting Wizard down who had a completely stunned expression on her face and she tried to process what just happened.
"You used my object binding spell to slingshot us out of the path of the charging goblins letting them fall into the pit while we reach safety without any hassle?" Wizard asked more to herself, she had neven even thought of doing such a thing and seriously doubt it if as was meanly used to keep from losing object's suchbas weapons, shield, important items, even gold. Not a make shift escape line, had it made wizard really question just how terrifying this man would be if he had been born a magic user like her. This was only their third mission together 'not counting her botched first quest' Wizard was really amazed at some of the ideals and traps he use and it really verify to her just how well deserve the silver rank was on to the man.
"Yes, this pit was likely used to dispose of they're useless weapons by the dwarfs. Wizard that well over there still has running water through it, it was likely it used during the forging process use Aqua Shield over the pitfall." Goblin Slayer said, Wizard was once again confused by his request but by now had learned not to question him.
"How did you know there was still running water through." Wizard asked as she begin the chant to fall in the water shield over the pit of ravening goblins they were clawing at the wall trying to get out.
"When I was moving about battling the hobgoblin in the wrist I passed by it and heard the sound of flowing water." Goblin Slayer said as Wizard staff begin to Glow and water begin to rush out of the well for me into a ball floating in the air.
"You notice the sound while you were running about and killing goblins?" Wizard ask just a bit incredulously at the same time a bit of a chuckle escape her.
"Of course I did why wouldn't I?" goblin Slayer questioned as if him noticing something so small during a battle of life and death was no big deal.
"No just asking I got to admit that awareness of yours is pretty damn scary." Wizard said forming the Aqua Shield over the pitfall like a lid completely closing it off so (He's using the shield to make this place into a prison that's interesting.) Wizards thought as the goblins begin clawing at the walls of the pit more frantically trying even harder to get out.
"Awareness on quest are vital they could mean the difference between life and death." goblin Slayer stated watching as the goblins actions between four more frantic than before Wizard begin to look on in curiosity as she noticed some of them were clenching their necks and looking as though they were having a hard time breathing.
"It has begun." goblin Slayer stated Wizard begin to feel a bit of a chill and she noticed that the goblins were starting to look like they were suffering like something was choking the life out of them looking at Goblin Slayer she was once again reminded of how she hated that she couldn't see his face but still had to ask as to what was going on.
"it's asphyxiation." Goblin Slayer answered her unasked questions causing Wizard.
"There are no air pockets down, there no way for air to get ventilation inside and with the Aqua Shield closing off the top completely sealing it tight there is no chance for new oxygen to come in there. Cluster together like that and raving about in lunacy their quickly using up all their oxygen so all that's left is for them to suffocate to death." Goblin Slayer Explain watching as some of the goblins begin to fall to the ground foaming at the mouth with her eyes rolled into the back of their head wizard I had always known that goblin Slayer was ruthless when it came to slaying goblins but this was a first it's seeing such a brutal tactic if it hadn't been made clear before then it sure was now there was not to beat any mercy found when it came to slaying gobilings for this man.
it felt quite morbid watching as the suffocation setting in, tears began to form at the goblins eyes as they continue to claw at the stone walls of the fall pit some even clearly begging for help but they would never receive any from either of them. She had seen what these goblins do to people, what they did to not just adventurous, even simple villagers who only want to live a normal life, torturing them just for the fun of it regardless of a age race or sex. On one of their missions goblins were even using babies as playthings. No even with such a brutal tactic Wizard had no planned on helping them, that being said seeing Goblin Slayers tactics gain just the smallest amount of pity for any goblin that ran across the man and the only mercy that she could ever offer a goblin is a quick and painless end as it wasn't the case for goblin Slayer, quick and painless or agonizingly slow, as long as the goblins died Goblin Slayer could care less how it happened.
"Twenty-five plus forty-seven make seventy-two. It is done, cancel the shield." Wizard nodded at the goblin Slayer seeing the last of the goblins stop moving. With a tap of her staff on the ground the shield drop into nothing water showering them. Seeing no goblin araised from the cold bath they just got confirm they were all really dead.
"Good, we will do one more sweep of this bottom level then we will take our leave." Goblin Slayer said, turning around Goblin Slayer began taking his leave with Wizard at his side who said nothing as she walked with him, the wizard hated to admit it but goblin slayers ruthless actions towards goblins disturbed her sometimes.
Due to how large the strongholds bottom level was they had been walking for almost two hours before reaching one last room on the floor goblin Slayer had told her that with this once they have checked this out the hole stronghold would have been cleared and they could take their leave of the quest. pulling out a sword in goblin Slayer kick the door open while readying his blade and shield as wizard took up a firing position behind him to office support however like the rest of the rooms this one was mostly empty save for mustard a surprise a large chest into small ones lying on the floor at the end of the room.
"Tread cautiously." Goblin Slayer said as they slowly entered the roomlooking around from corner to corner and finally putting his blade away after not seeing anything above them.
"Clear." Goblin Slayer said as Wizard walked drom behind him.
"Dusty but otherwise clean and undisturbed. Just like the last few we saw, why?" Wizard question thinking that the goblins would have checked everyroom.
"This nest seem to have been made of mostly trouble makers." Goblin Slayer answered catching her interested, since joining the goblin hunting only Silver Rank Wizard had learned many things about goblins, any of which she found of interest, granted she still hope the day came where this man wiped out every last one of the little monster's but that didn't mean she couldn't learn more about them.
"Trouble makes are outcast from nest that were kicked out for either starting fights, being lazy, or being mischievous among their own kind." Goblin Slayer explain as they slowly made their way to the chests.
"Goblins maybe cowards by nature but they also understand grouping up to survive is the best way for them to live. However there are a few who think they can get away with anything. Those ones are kicked out of the nest becoming what is known as a goblins without a nest." Goblin Slayer said kneeling to the middle chest of the three that was the largest looking it over for traps.
"I see, then I'm guessing that said trouble makers likely didn't do a very good job of looking through this place." Wizard mused as he pulled out a lock pick set.
"You would be correct, which is a good thing to since if the goblins managed to get ahold of whatever is inside of these chests that would have been troublesome." goblin Slayer replied finally hearing a clip as the top of the chest snapped open, looking inside Wizard gasp at seeing it filled with gold coins!
"Not bad, I suppose there was some value in not just flooding this place." Goblin Slayer said in a mono tone causing Wizard's left eye to twitch as it seem he really would have rather just destroyed the place.
"this chest is large so there should be at least a few thousand gold coins in here split evenly between the two of us and the 10% that needs to go to the guild I'd say we should be still left with a pretty pretty coin." Goblin Slayer concluded.
"Right now let's see what else is in the smaller chests." Wizard said letting a bit of excitement entered her voice, Goblin Slayer simply nodded leaving the chest of gold and picking up the smaller chest, picking the lock with little effort he open it to find much to there surprise a ring with a gem stone, a upon closer inspection the two saw a tiny sword mark into it.
"A basic Ring of Swordsmanship level 2." Goblin Slayer mused in surprise which in turn surprised Wizard as she could hear it very slightly from his voice.
"What what's a ring of swordsmanship?" Wizard asked as he stood up.
"it is a ring that embeds whoever uses it a certain degree of swordsmanship skills, seeing as this is a level 2 ring of swordsmanship that means that they gained not just basic level of swordsmanship but also basic techniques regarding swordsmanship." Goblin Slayer replied causing her eyes to widen as she eyed the ring with interest.
"I believe I have heard something like that before but this is my first time seeing such a ring is it real?" Wizard asked looking the ring over.
"Yes, I only have common knowledge of said ring, there is an adventurer in the Guild, a Heavy Swordsman who could tell you much more than I."Goblin Slayer said then to Wizard.
"Your giving it to me?" Wizard asked as goblin Slayer took her hand and drop the ring into it.
"Yes, in my hands such a ring would be redundant as my skills in the use of the blade has already surpassed it but you who has only five spells at her disposal and no knowledge of how to use a sword. At the very least if we should ever get separated during a quest and you find yourself out of spells you will have at the very least one back-up plan." Goblin Slayer stated, as Wizard looked down at the ring in her hand, she really had no interest in ever using a sword and the only reason she kept Young Warriors sword at her hip was in the vain hope that Fighter and Priestess would return someday so she could return the sword to Fighter.
Sighing Wizard took off her right glove in place the Ring of swordsmanship on her index finger before slipping the glove back on. Well she certainly had no interest in ever using a sword she couldn't deny the fact that what Goblin Slayer said was true. Her spells did tend to run out on quests and at that point she was basically useless so in the event that she was able to return the sword to Fighter she may consider buying another standard or cheap sword to keep on her person if she ever found herself was out of spells and would have to fight in close quarter combat.
"Well now this is certainly interesting." goblin slayers mono tone voice cut in looking towards him wizard raised an eyebrow at seeing him holding a golden bracelet with three blue gemstones on it in a large Ruby Stone in the center look in the shape of a paw print of some kind.
"This is a power bracelet, but this is the first time I have seen one in person. I'll have to ask the blacksmith about it in detail." Goblin Slayer said pocketing in the bracelet and his satchel. from there they divided the treasure into three sacks with it he going out to a total of five thousand gold coins which was a significantly large fine when it came to adventuring split two thousand, two hundred and fifty a piece with an additional five hundred gold coins in a small sack, the two quickly began making their way out of the stronghold and begin the walk back to the guild.
Wizard sigh as she exited the guild, Goblin Slayer like always take care of the questioning and paperwork, They had made it back early morning and rested up at the inn for a few hours before the guild workers finally came in for the days of work and they turn in the report, however sad to say, there was still no word on either Fighter or Priestess which was depressing to say the least. Though she new it was just part of being an Adventurer she couldn't help but be annoyed at having to give them ten percent of their hard earn find. Goblin Slayer couldn't careless which Guild Girl knew but when Wizard question about the ten percent fee she went into a long winded explanation which she really didn't care for but knew better then to talk back with the person in charge of paying her and also the promotion's as well.
Clearing her thought Wizard realized that she had been walking without herself noticing amd ended up in front of the housing department. Smiling as she walked inside Wizard, she knew Goblin quests didn't pay as well as most other quests and the reason they made off so well for the most part was because other experience Adventurer's like Goblin Slayer hated hunting what they thought of as small gain.
Wizard saw it as them being able to hunt goblins as they please plus other newbes wouldn't take them and ended up like her first quest. However Goblin Slayer had told that every now and then there would be a quest that would yeld a high reward such as the one they just got back from. Sitting down on the chair in front of the manage Wizard was happy that she could buy that cabin home she had been eyeing for some time now.
"My, my, my, my, Goblin Slayer. It would... seem... that you've... come across... something rather... interesting." Witch mused tilting the gold bracelet on the table with a finger while continuing to smoke her pipe.
"That you know what type of magical item this is?" Goblin Slayer asked and she smirk
"This... is a body... enhancement... bracelet. Judging from... the looks of it... it's the type... to empower... the user... with the strength... of a round... fifty men." Witch answered, Goblin Slayer eyed that bracelet.
"I see, I've heard of them before but this is my first time seeing such a magic item in person." Goblin Slayer stated.
"Well it's... certainly a rare... find... my partner... has one... as well... but... his is of... much lower... level. Only enhancing... his body... by just... ten man... and he... hardly... ever uses it." Witch said.
"Is that so, that is understandable it would be best not to become too reliant on magical items perhaps I should just sell it now that I've identified what type of item it is." Goblin Slayer mused in a dry voice only to have Witch wag her right index finger in front of him.
"Now now... simply keeping... it... doesn't mean... you become... reliant... on it. This is certainly... a rare... item... and while you... could fetch... a very good... price... on it... I believe... would also... be much... more... effective...to use... if you... were ever in... a pinch." Witch stated Goblin seem to be thinking about her word.
"Also it... is thought... activated... so simply slipping... it on... your wrist.. and then... concentrating... on the bracelet... will be... enough to... activate it... why not... give it... a try... and see... what you think... of it... before you... decide on... whether or not.. to sell it?" Witch suggested.
"A reasonable idea very well I will give it some more thought thank you for your counsel." Goblin Slayer told her, Witch smiled with a small nodd, unknown to most she was rather pleased with the fact that she was one of the few people who could hold a conversation with the Goblin Slayer and have him actually listen to her, it's certainly inflated her ego quite a bit to have the mysterious goblin slaying adventurer take her advice too heart and she generally considered the man to be a good friend and reliable adventurer should they ever require his help.
Hearing hearing the door open the two experienced adventurers turn towards it to see Wizard walking inside with a somewhat tired expression on her face while carrying a stack of paperwork in one hand and her staff in the other taking a deep breath wizard look around to find goblin Slayer sitting at a table then blushed at seeing the witch at his table as well. Wizard generally had nothing against the vastly more experience magic user but couldn't help being intimidated with the clearly large gap of experience between them as well as the fact that she was physically more... developers in Wizard.
All throughout her class days Wizard have been commented on about her well developed chess know she could care less about such things she did have a bit of pride in her physical appearance that being said being next to the Witch did often make her question her own appeal when compared to her.
Witch seeing the girl, she smiled softly at her as she stood up bidding the Goblin Slayer farewell Witch begin making her way upstairs to the second floor of the guild to meet up with her partner.
Wizard moving towards Goblin Slayer was very tempted to ask what they were speaking about but that better of it, who is she to question on who he associated himself with though she knew it was probably nothing major it did hurt her pride to have what was his sensually her partner talkin with a more experienced magic user.
"So did you have any trouble procuring your place of residence?" Goblin Slayer asked wizard shook her head no before showing unfolding the paperwork and showing him the deed to the cabin.
"it cost me five hundred gold coins but it's mine now, so it'll be nice having my own place to live in rather than just staying at the Inn." Wizard replied goblin Slayer knotted when stood up.
"Good, there are no goblin quests today so it would be best for you to go check out your new residence and possibly procure some furniture for it to make it a bit more comfortable for yourself. I in turn will be heading to the Smith shop to buy certain weapons before heading back to the farm." Goblin Slayer stated.
"Right the quest really gave me quite a bit of extra gold to work with though if they Guild hadn't taken its ten percent I'd still have two thousand gold even." Wizard said bitterly.
"It can't be helped, it was written in the contract that you signed when you became an adventurer. Any major fine of treasure you procure a 10% cut goes to the guild." Goblin Slayer explain.
"That gold will help it stay afloat as well as give the guild a means to supply adventurers with more heath potions, stamina potions and antidotes you should stop complaining about it so much it is becoming wearying." Goblin Slayer said, Wizard couldn't tell if he was becoming annoyed but seeing as he use the word weary and she just took that to mean he was.
"Right, sorry about that." Wizard muttered, Goblin Slayer said nothing as he turn towards the door
"Make sure you are well rested I want you at your best for the next quest." Goblin Slayer stated before making his way out of the guild watching him go Wizard side she really couldn't tell if he was angry annoyed happy or anyting he didn't project his emotions through his voice and that helmet of his head his facial expressions completely yet at the same time she couldn't doubt that she had found someone very reliable someone that she could easily learn a lot from.
Wizard placed her hand on the sword hilt well thinking about her former party, she wasn't able to save them at all and the more time pass the more Wizard felt she had to accept the simple matter that Fighter and Priestess likely die shortly after escaping that cave. It would always hurt knowing that that her first party with a group ended in such disaster but now the only thing she could do for them was move on and continue to be the best adventurer possible. That was how she would honor their lost.
Elsewhere in a certain village a young blonde haired girl looked herself over in the mirror eyeing a slowly healing scar on the edge of her head rubbing it slightly wild doling noting that it no longer stung with a sigh she dropped the bangs of her hair covering it from view.
"You know the Chirurgeon did everything he could to ensure that you would heal in such a way that the scar wasn't very visible." turning to a right she saw a dark-haired girl the same age as her leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed and a humorless smile on her face the blond-haired girl simply chuckled at her.
"It fine I know it could have been much worse so I'm thankful to the Mercy of the Earth Mother that I was let off with only this much." the blond said slipping on her white robes over her blue garbs.
"Are you ready to finally go?" the blond ask eyeing the large satchel at the darke haired girls waist.
"Yeah I put it off long enough, time to go face the music. Thank you for sticking by me this whole time." she replied watching her putting on her white head cover, the blond haired girl pick up her staff and walked towards her.
"I'm sorry about the other two, I didn't know them as well as you but I'm sure they would have wanted you to move on this is simply another trial of the Earth Mother." The girl said reaching her and smiling brightly, the dark haired girl felt that she was positively glowing and promised both herself and the girl on the inside that she would make sure that she was never harmed that way again (I'll protector her even if I die.) she thought in determination as she hooked an arm around the girl's shoulder.
"Okay, then it time. Lets return to the guild." she said, in so the Fighter and the Priestess began their trip to the guild.