A Jealous Goblin
Disclaimer: I don't own Goblin Slayer or any of its characters.
Clang!
Swipe!
"Come on, Goblin Slayer! That can't be all ya got? Show me the skill that got you a silver ranking!" Taunted Spearman, as the two to circle each other in the training grounds. Surrounded by the crowd of Heavy Swordsman, Female Knight and their wards, Goblin Slayers' party with Cowgirl, Female Witch and Guild Girl. Some of the adventures looked on in worried as the fight dragged on, while others looked intrigue at the skill being displayed by them.
You might be wondering how and why this sudden fight happened to begin with.
Well it started just that very morning. Spearman and Female Witch had just gotten back from a quest to defeat a level 7 Hydra that was destroying a nearby village; bit of a challenge, but nothing he couldn't handle. He went into the Guild hall to brag about his success to Guild Girl and impress her with his skills. But, he got stopped in his tracks.
"Oh, it seems…they got back…before us." Announced Female Witch.
It was there, he saw the back of Lizard Priest in front of the counter. If he was here, then that meant his party was here and that meant…
"Goblin Slayer." He thought miserably, before trudging forward to the desk. Soon, he saw the rest of the party: Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Priestess; only Lizard Priest and Priestess spared him and Witch a welcoming smile, while the rest listen in on the report Goblin Slayer was making.
"There was a small goblin nest near a village, kidnapped 5 young girls from their homes late at night."
"Oh dear. Were they...?" She asked in worry.
She was relived when he shook his head. "No, we were able to get there before they could start reproducing. It was a small nest; either they were separating from their previous pack, or the rest were destroyed, and they were stragglers some adventures left behind."
Guild girl's eyes softened at the news. "That's great to hear." Before taking a deep breath to retain her professionalism; Spearman saw and became intensely jealous, why does Goblin Slayer get to have that kind of look from her!
"Well, if that's everything done and with the goblins slain, l say your quest was a complete success. Congratulation!"
With a nod and a goodbye from everyone, the group turned to head out and get some food.
"Hey, Goblin Slayer!" A voice called out.
They all turned around to find that it was Spearman who called him out.
"Yes."
"Y'know, even after all that's happened this year, l still can't believe you got a Silver Ranking just by slaying goblins all this time, while l had to kill even bigger and probably scarier game."
"Nothing is more terrible than a goblin." Declared Goblin Slayer.
"Yeah, yeah l know." He said, waving at the air as if brushing off his words. "But what l like to know, is if you can take on something bigger, and with a lot more skill than your average goblin." Smirking confidently, the others around the two starting to see where he was taking this (except G. Slayer). "How about me and you go a round, so l can test you for myself."
At this point, the conversation was being heard from most if the guild hall, getting the attention of the other Silver ranks, interested in seeing Goblin Slayers skills in battle, as they didn't see him and Priestess handle the Goblin Lord, except…
"Why should l?"
Goblin Slayer had no interest if it wasn't a goblin.
"I don't see a problem with a friendly spar to sharpen your skills Breadcutter." Said Dwarf Shaman.
"Indeed, Sir Goblin Slayer. A spar among comrades can deepen a friendship and increase your knowledge of their techniques for future combat." Explain Lizard Shaman.
Goblin Slayer took this all with a (I was going to say stare, but he wears a helmet so… *Shrug*) quite demeaner, not interested at all.
Priestess, knowing G. Slayer the longest, already had an idea to pique his interest in the fight.
"Think of this as training if you ever come across a goblin with a spear and had training."
He turned towards her, catching his attention.
Elf Archer immediately caught on to Priestess idea and latched on to it. "Yeah, plus you still owe me two 'real' adventures together, so it would be good practice to fight enemies that are not goblins.
"I see." Goblin Slayer thought on it; goblin always were evolving, maybe soon he might come across one who learn the art of bojutsu, he already encounter one when it stole that Spearwoman's spear he saved 2 months ago.
Everyone in the guild were holding their breath, awaiting his answer.
"Alright."
Spearman's grin grew wider. "Great, in that case, lets do this at the training grounds now, unless you want to get food first?"
He shook his head. "No, food before a battle would slow me down, leaving me open for a goblin attack."
"Hehehe, sure." Spearman chuckled, before walking outside with Witch and Goblin Slayer following close behind him. 'This is perfect. When l beat him with my cool skills, everyone will have greater respect for me, especially Guild Girl, and forget all about Goblin Slayer."
"Hmm…" Thought Witch, looking back at the Slayer of Goblins. 'This will either boost his Ego…' Before turning back towards the back of Spearman's head. "…or severely bruise it.'
As soon has they left, the rest of the guild started placing bets.
"Two gold on Goblin Slayer!"
"Three on Spearman!"
"Goblin Slayers' got this. He's basically a walking arsenal!"
"He won't even get close to him; Spearman only needs one good hit to end it."
"What do think the outcome will be?" Heavy Warrior asked his companion.
"You're the one who went on a quest with both of them, you tell me." Requested Female.
He took a moment to think. "Well, Spearman has many good techniques with his spear in mid and close-range and a few in long, plus he's a minor in spells, but he's not really good at them, so he leaves it to Witch. Whereas Goblin Slayer is a worthy tactician, able to make strategies on the fly and have them turn out with success; used to fighting enemies either smaller or bigger than him, best example is that Goblin Lord from last month."
Female Knight went over his words. "So, what your saying is, it could go either way."
He nodded. "All it will take, is for one of them to lose focus for one split second for the other to decide the finishing blow." He said, getting up from his seat. "And l can't wait to see who."
"Indeed." Agreed Female Knight, her and their wards getting up to join him.
"He'll be alright, won't he?" Asked Guild Girl. Showing concern for Goblin Slayer, he and his party just got back form their third goblin nest.
"Not to worry, fair maiden. I have great trust that Sir Goblin Slayer shall come out victorious in this bout." Said Lizard Priest.
"Indeed, once Breadcutter sets his mind on a target, he won't stop till he concurs it head on, or he comes up with a better plan to defeat it." Said Dwarf Shaman
"We've been travelling with Orcbolg for awhile now. So, we're starting to find some of his tells when he gets to exhausted; when he hears something about goblins, he'll push himself beyond his limits to kill them. Today, there's been less goblin activity this week, so he should be alright for this match." Explained Elf Archer.
"And since l didn't use all my spells today, I can heal him if it gets to serious at the end." Assured Priestess.
"Oh, that's good." Signed Guild Girl in relief, before heading to the backdoor to join them.
They all turned to blink at her. "You can join us right now?" Asked Priestess.
She smiled at them. "It just so happens to be time for my break. Besides, I wouldn't want to miss this for the world."
++Slayer++
So, that was how they got to now. With Goblin Slayer and Spearman were circling each other first, throwing minor attacks to test ones' defences, before becoming more serious with how they countered. Spearman thrust forward with his spear, only for Goblin Slayer to knock it aside with his shield; making sure to avoid the sharp tip, hitting that would destroy it, it being a cheap model. He countered with a swipe of his own, with Spearman moving back to gain more ground.
then swiped at his legs, only for Spearman to stab down, causing him to roll away to safety and plan another assault.
"Tch."
"Hmm."
The rest of the spectators were silent, to focused into the fight; so, nobody noticed the arrival of Cowgirl, who went to see if Goblin Slayer was back yet and wanted to walk home with him. She was curious when she saw a group of adventures circling what appeared to be a fight. She walked up and saw the party Goblin Slayer was usually with, minus him. It wasn't until she got closer that she realized he was the one fighting with what appeared to be Spearman!
"What's going on?" She asked.
Priestess looked over in surprise to see Cowgirl. "Oh, Spearman wanted to see if Goblin Slayers skills were true, so he challenge him with a fight."
"Oh please." Scoffed Elf Archer. "Your being to modest; you and l both know he only challenged him because he was jealous he wasn't getting attention from a 'certain' someone." Not even discreetly looking in Guild Girl direction.
Guild Girl either didn't hear her or notice, she was to into the fight, barley holding back the urge to cheer with anyone else.
Priestess blushed but didn't argue with her.
Cowgirl also blushed also, she somewhat knowing how he felt. "O-oh, is that so." Before turning to also spectate.
Clash!
Right now, Goblin Slayer and Spearman were clashing with their sword and spear, glaring at each other, not giving an inch.
'Tch, no doubt about, Goblin Slayer is worth his buck, I'm putting a lot of power and speed behind my moves and he's taking them like its an everyday occurrence!" He thought, straining to get the upper hand with no such luck. "I need a distraction just one to end this match!" He chance his eyes for a quick sweep, to find something to turn the tide, when he spotted Cowgirl. "Bingo."
He brought his face closer to Goblin Slayer, not wanting to be overheard. "Looks like that Cowgirl friend of yours is here. She's kinda cute, maybe after l beat you, I'll take her out for some dinner."
Two things happened after those word were spoken that nobody were expecting; the first shocked everyone present as they never seen this before from him.
Goblin Slayer froze in his tracks.
The moment Spearman was waiting for.
With a quick leap back, he ready his stance and thrust with the intent to end it.
"Looks like its over." Said Heavy Warrior, waiting for the finishing blow.
"Whatever he just said to Goblin Slayer, somehow threw him off his balance, a dirty tactic, but effective" Thought Female Knight
"Oh no!" Cried the party.
"Goblin Slayer!" Cried out Guild Girl, Priestess and Cowgirl.
The second surprising thing happen right after that.
Normally, a regular person would lean backwards or sidestep to avoid it to an upcoming frontal attack to counterattack. Goblin Slayer, though a normal human by his standards, is far from normal.
Instead of moving back, he rushed forward, and within a spam of a four seconds. One: He tilted his neck slightly to the side, the tip of the spear, cutting through the fluff near his neck, he crouch to move his shield arm closer to his body. Two: Spearman eyes followed this movement, still surprised Goblin Slayer would use such a reckless move, widening as he realized what was about to happen, but unable to stop it. Three: WHAM! Goblin Slayer unleashed a massive upper cut using his shield directly under Spearman's chin; and in the same move, grabbed his face using his full weight to bring him to the ground. SLAM! And then went to sit on his chest.
Four: Spearman was only out for a second before regaining focus to see a sight he wouldn't ever forget.
Goblin Slayer's body blocked out the sun, darkening his armour to look more black in color, especially his helmet, where in his imagination (what he thought afterwards) one of Slayer's eyes was a fiery red, radiating nothing but murderous intent to see its enemy destroyed. His sword raised overhead and plunging down to finish him off.
Gasped were all around.
THUD!
Silence.
And then, Spearman slowly trailed his eyes to his left, where he saw his own reflection from Goblin Slayer's sword, still trembling slightly from being buried into the ground.
"…Listen."
Spearman turned back toward Goblin Slayer, his baritone voice, dropping to a whisper that demanded attention.
"If you do approach her…then fine, I won't stop you or get in your way. However,…" The killing intent grew, causing Spearman's body to tremble, it felt like he was looking and facing a dragon level threat. "If you hurt her, deceive her, deliberate her, trick her, or make her Cry…" The red in his eye, started to burn brighter with malice, hate, anger, determination and finality.
"I WILL TREAT YOU LIKE A GOBLIN."
Never had these have so more so much meaning and deep-seated fear behind them.
"…Do you understand?" He whispered, his voice, not once going higher.
"U-understood." He replied.
He took a moment to observe his feature, searching for the truth. "…Alright." Before taking deep breaths, the heat in his eye slowly getting dimmer until it vanished, like it wasn't even there. His grip on his sword loosen as he let go, not bothering to pull it out, and stood up to begin walking.
"I won't be using this sword anymore." He proclaimed as he walked Cowgirl, the crowd parting to let him through. "I'll have to stop at the Blacksmith before we can go home."
Cowgirl snapped out of her daze when he reached her. "O-oh, that's fine. I have to take the cart back anyway."
"Understood." He nodded before they started walking together, when he suddenly stopped and turned around. "Witch." He called out, again getting the attention of everyone, Witch included. "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?"
Silence
Everyone's jaw dropped at the question. Goblin Slayer, on a date with Witch!? They all turned their heads to her, waiting for her reply to such a bold question.
Even Witch was shocked at the sudden question, until she saw the look on Spearman's face and got why. Whatever he said to him upset him greatly. Who knew Goblin Slayer did petty vengeance?
"Looks like it bruise his ego this time. He brought this onto himself." She smiled at him "I would love to." She replied, causing everyone's jaw to drop even lower. "On one condition; you have to remove your helmet for our dinner, you can have it beside you as we eat, if it makes you comfortable."
"…Understood." Before continuing onwards with a now very confused Cowgirl by his side.
The crowd was left very confused; some a little light on cash, other richer, but all the same stun and by the last two minutes.
"Seem like old Breadcutter had more energy in him then we thought."
"Indeed, I can only count the number of times on one hand I've seen Sir Goblin Slayer fight with such ferocity."
Dwarf Shaman turned to Elf companion, who looked paler then before next to the blushing Priestess. "Surely you heard the exchange between the two, care to gave us some insight to what happen?"
She gulped, than smiled. "I'll say this much, Orcbolg cares more about his friends then he lets on."