Chapter 4: A Question of Power
The Gods were in panic, how did they get back in this realm? The gate was supposed to be closed for eons! And what's more… They were stronger now?!
For the moment only three of them appeared but it won't be long before more will come…
They turned to look at the intruder, that… 'Doom Slayer' who looked so much like their current favorite piece. Did that man bring them with him? Or did they chase him here?
It didn't matter, they were connected. That's for certain.
And so, that Doom Slayer will have to clean up the mess he brought. But again… They didn't know if he'd be enough… They didn't want to ruin their 'game' once again…
That's when Discord suggested a trial. A trial of power, of strength! Send a rather powerful creature to that Doom Slayer and let's see how he deals with it. If he's strong enough, there will be no need for 'gifts' and everything will be alright.
That sounded about right, the decision was unanimous.
Now… To choose what will become a 'random encounter'...
He didn't like to admit it himself, but Doom Slayer was feeling pretty frustrated at the slow pace 'normal time' was. In Hell he could run for weeks non-stop because there was no notion of Time.
Here?
It was normal and so after hours of walking with the party, night time already arrived and they weren't even close yet to the gobin nest.
He sighed.
They were now somewhere, beside the road, camping. All members were sitting around a bonfire talking about their latest day off while eating and drinking.
The Elf said that she went to visit her home to tell some tales. The dwarf ate and drank as he usually does in his free time. And the lizardman went to visit the farm to learn a bit more of how the 'nectar of Gods' was produced.
Doom Slayer raised an eyebrow in interest at the sound of that, but then almost facepalmed himself when he understood it was just cheese.
The young priestess said that she just spent her time at the Temple praying and helping while Goblin Slayer was helping a bit in the farm.
Everyone besides Doom Slayer were surprised to hear him join in the conversation and that what he answered wasn't something about goblins or preparing strategies or weapons against them.
Was that man really that obsessed with those green devils?
Then obviously the attention fell onto him.
"Hey Doom Slayer! What do you do in your free time?" High Elf Archer asked, her face a bit red, was she drunk? ?
He shook his head, not giving an answer because there was nothing to answer. He just doesn't have any free time.
"Whaaaat? Come on! I'm sure you must have some moment of rest in Hell!"
"When demons... aren't attacking me… I search… For them…" He answered.
"You search for them?" Priestess asked.
Doom Slayer nodded mechanically, which made them all stare at him and then at Goblin Slayer again. They were probably thinking that the two slayers were way too similar, one was just more talkative.
"Alright then, Doomie-"
"Doomie?"
"-How about your past then?" the dwarf asked, "I mean! You are a warrior who fought in Hell against the army of Evil for many centuries, there must a story behind that!"
"Yes yes! I would love to hear your adventures, Milord Doom Slayer!" Lizard Priest exclaimed happily, slamming his tail on the ground.
"I'm afraid… there are no… adventures… just a soldier… sent to the… wrong place… under… the wrong superior…" Doom Slayer sighed.
"What do you mean?"
Doom Slayer didn't know if he should share his story like that, but again it's not like it was a secret or anything like that. Besides, these guys have been nice to him for a couple of days now and he got to know that they weren't bad people. So he will share his story with them.
He told them how he was a human soldier, one like any other but turned against his superior when they ordered them to kill innocent people, he got punished by being sent to Mars.
He then got to explain how there's more planets than their own, at least in his world.
On Mars, he was just a bodyguard for a bunch of scientists, the UAC (Union Aerospace Corporation) who literally opened a gate connected to Hell.
"Why would they do that?!"
"I can guess…" Goblin Slayer said, "Power?"
Doom Slayer nodded then continued his story. He explained that he died shortly after clearing many buildings from the invading demons who killed everyone in the personel: he fell into a trap and got killed by an army of Imps in a small room.
He then woke up in Hell, stronger and fought his way out of it and managed to get back home…
"But the demons… Were faster… They were already… on Earth… and killed… Daisy…"
"Daisy?"
"My only… family… Murdered by them… fucking demons…" The aura around the slayer got a bit more threatening from his anger but slowly calmed down.
The adventurers looked at each others, wondering who should ask the question first. Surprisingly, it was Goblin Slayer.
"That Daisy… Who was she for you?"
Doom Slayer took some time to answer this question…
"She was… like a daughter… I guess…" He whispered.
"I'm sorry for your loss…" Priestess bowed her head
"Me too." the dwarf and lizardman imitated their young friend.
Goblin Slayer and the Elf stood quiet. Doom Slayer smiled slightly behind his visor, he then continued his story. He told them how he went back to Hell for revenge and killed the mastermind behind the invasion. A few months later though, the demons invaded Earth again but with much more forces. After he made sure that the remaining humans fled the planet without problems, he stood behind in Hell to start a purge.
"Because… As long… as there's demons… worlds… Like mine… or yours … will be in danger… That's why… They must all die."
"You really are similar to Goblin Slayer." Priestess smiled.
"That's right. Beard-cutter said something similar when we first met."
"Did I?"
"That is correct. You said that you can't help with the Demon Lord's army because as long as there's goblins, towns and villages will be attacked." Lizard Priest licked his muzzle in a smirk.
"I did say that, didn't I?" Goblin Slayer looked up to the night sky, "That was a long time ago…"
"It sure was! And ever since then we've been companions and friends! Hahaha!" The dwarf laughed, he then turned to the elf, "You've been quiet for quite some time, long-ears, that's rare! Are you drunk already?"
Doom Slayer then noticed that the elf was sitting next to him, closer than before he started telling his tale.
When did she get that close?
She was looking at something in her hands. When he leaned closer to take a look, he almost had a stroke.
She showed what it was to everyone to see: it was a brown rabbit foot.
"Why do you have a rabbit foot with you? Is it for luck?" she scolded him, her face red from the drinks.
The change of aura that emanated from the Marine took every single one off-guards as he slowly extended his hand to the elf, not a single word was spoken but one thing was clear.
He was extremely upset about her having taken that rabbit foot without permission.
And it was with a shaky hand that High Elf Archer gave back the rabbit foot with a small apology.
Once the momento in his hand, Doom Slayer put it back in his pocket and sighed loudly, the dangerous aura disappearing, calming everyone else. But no one dared to say a word. Thinking that he might have made things awkward, Doom Slayer added.
"I carry… Daisy's left hind foot… as a reminder… of innocence lost… not for luck… after all… It wasn't lucky for her…"
He could tell by everyone's look that they were surprised that Daisy was actually a bunny. He was just glad they didn't make any comments about it, not even the drunk elf.
Dawn was close and the party were just a few meters away from the entrance of the cave where the goblins made their nest. Only two guards, no wolves nor totems and not that well equipped. So no shamans in the nest, Goblin Slayer informed the group. There were ruins of a city near the cave so it was possible the cave connected to it.
They took down the two guards before any of them could even notice that a group of adventurers were nearby, both died by the same arrow.
High Elf Archer grinned at her skill show then glanced at the dwarf with a proud smirk. The small man just rolled his eyes at that, now used to it.
She then turned to Doom Slayer and repeated what she always loved to repeat to anyone who sees her skills for the first time: 'Sometimes, mastering a skill is almost no different than magic.'
But the Doom Slayer didn't say a word and just walked towards the entrance with Goblin Slayer, almost in sync, soon followed by the Lizard Priest and Priestess.
"...Well that was rude…" the elf pouted like a child.
"Looks like someone doesn't remember how rude they were last night." The dwarf sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you later if you behave nicely." the dwarf smirked and joined the rest if the group.
"I'm older than you, remember?" she grumbled again.
Doom Slayer was first to enter the cave and looked around. He almost didn't hear the elf shout to Goblin Slayer not to get close with 'that filthy thing. It won't be much later, after seeing the elf and Priestess covered in red that he'll understand what happened.
When they entered the cave, Doom Slayer was leading the march surprisingly. Almost as if he knew where he was going. He didn't need a torch because of his special helmet and he had a smaller weapon than usual in his hand.
Behind him, Goblin Slayer had a torch and was with the rest of the group.
When the green slayer suddenly stopped and looked to his left, the other slayer approached the torch towards the left to see another path in the cave. An amateur wouldn't have noticed it, and yet Doom Slayer did.
"Wow Doomie! You're an expert at this!"
But 'Doomie' shook his head, confusing the rest except Goblin Slayer who quickly understood why Doom Slayer was doing so well.
"I see."
"What is it Goblin Slayer?"
"He's using his 'minimap'. Some sort of magical map that fill itself with the surroundings he explores, correct?" explained the warrior.
Doom Slayer nodded then pointed at the path. Goblin Slayer nodded back and got next to the marine, they stared at each other and nodded again. Meanwhile the others saw that exchange with a clueless expression plastered on their faces.
"We'll see what's that way then we'll continue." Goblin Slayer informed them.
The party walked down the corridor and soon enough Doom Slayer noticed that everyone except the warrior had a disgusted face as they covered their nose, his helmet was protecting him from odor by giving him pure air. After all, it's hard to breathe in Hell.
But from what he learnt about goblins, he had pretty much a good idea of what they were smelling, and he hated that.
A crude goblin-made door stood before them, and two distinct laughters could be heard coming from behind it. Goblin Slayer stepped first and opened it slowly before Doom Slayer kicked it open. And what they saw inside was just utterly disgusting.
Two goblins were having their way humiliating a female prisoner who clearly has lost her voice long ago from screaming. The filth on her face made her impossible to guess her age but she was crying and trying to scream again.
The sight of this scene made the adventurer boil in anger and made the Marine radiate anger. To the point it could be felt around him, making every single living thing in the room freeze.
The two goblins ceased their laughter as they very shakily turned around but before either of them could see who was behind them a blade found itself a new home between the first goblin's eyes and the head of the second goblin exploded in a firework of blood and brain matters from a charged energy shot from the Doom Slayer's pistol.
"Four." Goblin Slayer counted as he walked towards the corpses to retrieve his sword.
Priestess quickly ran to the girl and healed her with her miracle while the Lizard Priest summoned a Dragontooth Warrior to bring the prisoner to safety.
Doom Slayer signed to the elf and dwarf that he'll be waiting at the crossing, surprising High Elf Archer that he wasn't speaking. She then realized that he didn't speak a word ever since they started the raid. And he also didn't say a word during the sparring with the Silver trio nor when they first met in the goblin nest. It was only when there was no danger that he talked.
Once the prisoner sent to safety to the nearest village and the party reunited at the crossing again, they walked down the main path. Doom Slayer leading the charge once more.
"... This is bad…" Goblin Slayer said.
"What is it, Orcbolg?"
"His aura of anger is too strong. We're going to be spotted too soon."
"You're right… Hey Doomie! Can't you calm down a bit? You could attract them to us!"
Doom Slayer stopped a second to look back at the party then shrugged before walking forward again.
"...looks like that's his intention." Goblin Slayer translated.
After a few minutes down the path, they had to walk through a giant hole made on a wall of stone.
"Looks like we reached the ruins…"
"I guess we can expect some maze…" Dwarf Shaman said while scratching his beard.
Doom Slayer answered with a grunt as he turned around and made a blue map appear in the air in front of him. Everyone stared in amazement at the three-dimensional map, he then pointed at the white arrow head, then at himself. Then he pointed at the five white dots besides the arrow head then at the party.
It was clear as day: those white markings were the group.
He then zoomed in the path ahead, it did look like a small maze but it was nothing difficult and no place for setting an ambush, so they won't encounter any obstacles along the way.
It only took less than five minute to reach the end of the maze. Doom Slayer deployed the map again and showed it to the group. At the end of the maze was a big room with no exit…
"That's the nest." Goblin Slayer said.
"And there's no escape route for anyone getting caught inside…" Lizard Priest noted.
Doom Slayer nodded then cracked his knuckles.
That meant that the goblins will have no way to escape from him.
He gestured the team to stay behind him at all cost. Everyone exchanged looks in confusion but when they all felt the aura of murder radiating from the Doom Slayer they all looked at him in worry as he ran inside the large room. Everything was pitch black inside the room but the slayer noticed some torches hanging on the walls, with a few precise shots he lit up three.
All Goblins in there were sleeping… and one after another they woke up screaming in fear from the extremely terrifying presence they just felt. There was at least a good dozen of goblins in the room.
"GROOOOOROOOOB!?"
"GROOO?!"
Then something moved.
"There's something else!" shouted the Lizard Priest.
A big shadow slowly rose from the back of the room. It took one step forward and the sound of hooves hitting the floor echoed throughout the room. Two horns shone from the crackling fire from the torches.
Doom Slayer thought for a second it could be a Baron of Hell. He was ready to pull out his rocket launcher… But when he noticed that the creature had fur on the head and a bovine tail, he slightly calmed down.
The creature was enormous. It had a head and its legs were of a bull with a long tail. Giant muscles everywhere on its body that could make any macho men jealous. It was a minotaur, his size was between a Goblin Champion and an Ogre. It grabbed a giant mace filled with spikes and roared.
"WHO DARES WAKING ME AND MY ARMY UP?!"
The giant creature looked at the source of the threatening aura, it didn't seem to be much fazed by it.
Doom Slayer concluded that some creatures of this words were close to demons for not freezing when seeing him in this angry state.
The minotaur let out a roar of laughter then pointed at the party.
"IS THAT IT?! SOME PESKY ADVENTURERS?! GOBLINS! TAKE ARMS! AND KILL THEM ALL! NO QUARTER!"
As every goblins quickly got on their feet to prepare for battle, the party also drew out their weapons but Doom Slayer just raised an arm to tell them to stay behind.
"What are you doing?! They are coming!" the dwarf shouted.
But Doom SLayer just grunted back as he put his pistol back in his pocket.
"What the- Doom Slayer! This isn't just a group of goblins! There's a minotaur with them!"
"I'll cast Pro-"
"Hrng!" Doom Slayer grunted louder to make them shut up.
He then materialized another kind of weapon. One that screamed danger just by looking at it. A weapon very big. It was large and looked really heavy, even in the hands of the Doom Slayer despite how easily he lifted the weapon. It was grey and had some green lights, and in the center was some tube emanating some green glow.
What the party laid their eyes on was known by many UAC searchers and demons as: the BFG-9000.
Goblin Slayer's instincts immediately told him that whatever this weapon was, it was extremely dangerous and the reason why Doom Slayer was pushing them behind him was probably because he didn't know himself what it could do to them.
"Do a Protection miracle between us and Doom Slayer." he instructed Priestess.
"Wh-What?! B-But what abo-"
"He'll be fine. Do it!"
"F-Fine! O Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, by the power of the land grant safety in we who are weak! Protection!"
Once the Miracle of Protection cast, separating the marine from the party with an impassable barrier giving off a faint glimmer; Doom Slayer and Goblin Slayer shared a nod. The marine stared at the small army coming at him. His weapon started to buzz to life ready to fire. But he waited.
"Doom Slayer!" he heard someone shout behind him.
Not yet, he needed all of them to be gathered.
"DOOM SLAYER!"
Now.
He fired the green plasma ball… slightly over the army, towards the minotaur.
"What are you aiming at?! What ar-" the elf exclaimed but quickly stopped talking.
The reason was that the ball of green flame-thunder suddenly started to strike every single goblins under it, making them all glow. The small monsters stopped their chase to look at each other in confusion. The Minotaur also stopped its march to glare at the green ball coming towards it, it stroke him with the green lightning but felt nothing.
"HA! RIDICULOUS!" the creature laughed as it readied its hand to backhand the ball of energy.
But the moment its hand touched the ball, it melted then the ball exploded in an enormous flash. A loud dull sound was heard followed by the gross sounding explosions of flesh all around the room.
When the light disappeared, all that was left of the army and the minotaur were pieces and blood scattered everywhere.
No one said a word, Doom Slayer waited a few seconds then finally relaxed.
"..it's over…" He turned around, "...there was… no Demons… from Hell…"
The miracle of Protection came down and everyone slowly entered the room.
"My my! Milord Doom Slayer! This is certainly the most powerful weapon I ever laid my eyes on!" Lizard Priest exclaimed with glee, he might have missed a chance to fight for his gods but instead witnessed something very interesting.
"...But it's limited… I used… The BFG… to make this... quick…"
Goblin Slayer walked around the bloody corpses and let out a sigh.
"Too many pieces… I can't count them."
He then looked around, this place really was completely sealed, why would goblins hide in a place without escape? He then noticed that one wall of the room was down and a tunnel was started to be dug. So they were about to make another exit before they came. Good thing they took this quest first.
He looked down at the splattered blood and the rest.
Whatever that weapon was, it really was extremely powerful. Enough to annihilate a whole army in one shot. In one big explosion. Wait…
"Hey."
"Yes…?"
"That thing you did… It was some sort of explosion, right?"
Doom Slayer shrugged.
"You shouldn't use that anymore." he pointed at the elf, "She doesn't like that."
"HEY!"
"Oh."
"She'll kick you."
"Oh come on!"
"I see."
Night have fallen once more on their trip to the next goblin nest near a forest mountain. This time dinner went faster and they needed to sleep to wake up early as the description of that nest was rather worrisome.
Doom Slayer volunteered again to guard the camp for the night since he didn't need to sleep. And he refused any kind of opposition.
Before going to sleep though, High Elf Archer approached him.
"Hey… So… The dwarf explained to me what I said and did yesterday when I was drunk…"
"..."
"So… I'm very sorry!" she bowed in apology, "It was very rude of me. I ask for your forgiveness."
"...It's okay… Apology… accepted… Now go… to sleep." The Slayer chuckled with a nod.
"T-Thank you..." the elf blushed in embarrassment and left, "I swear you're too similar to Orcbolg." she grinned before sliding inside her sleeping bag.
Doom Slayer smiled under his helmet and heard a light chuckle, he turned to see Priestess smiling at him. She waved at him good night and he waved back. Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest noticed the exchange and with a smirk plastered on their faces, they also waved good night to the marine. The later rolled his eyes under his visor in amusement as he waved back before putting out the fire.
This party… was nice. They were all good guys.
He had to admit it, if he had the choice: he could live here. This world wasn't in ruins, people were rather nice and he's strong enough to defend himself. Heck they even said that he might be strong enough to be a Hero! But he didn't care about that. He'd rather find a place to live, somewhere peaceful, with a bunny. He might call it Daisy Jr. or something cute and he would leave happily…
But his work was way far from done. It might never be done. But someone have to try. He will purge the demons and destroy Hell once and for all… A never-ending quest…
Talking about never-ending quests… He looked at one of his sleeping companions, the warrior human: Goblin Slayer.
He understood that he wanted to kill all the goblins of this world… but unlike himself, he wasn't immortal, he wasn't special and have a limited time. One day he'll grow old and won't be able to lift his sword anymore…. What then? Would he give up? Would he have taught all his knowledge to someone?
He might not have known the kid for long, but as everyone said so, they were similar. He won't lie that he kind of saw himself in him. They might have different experience in life but they share a similar hatred.
If he could help him at least a minimum before leaving this world… it would be nice.
"Hrm…" Doom Slayer heard a grunt coming from one of the sleeping persons, it was from Goblin Slayer.
"Can't sleep…?"
"It's not that. I always sleep lightly. Who knows when goblins can attack." the warrior explained as he stood up.
"...You can… trust me… to protect you all… Go get… some sleep..."
"I know. But I can't. What if I lose this habit once you're gone. We'll be in trouble." he answered automatically, as if he already repeated something similar before.
"...True… have a seat…" Doom Slayer invited him to seat wherever he found a place near him.
Goblin Slayer just sat on a rock then looked at the night sky. Doom Slayer did the same and they both stood in silence for a good dozen of minutes until the warrior spoke again.
"I wanted to talk to you. About the quest today."
"...What is it…?"
"It was not good."
Doom Slayer blinked twice at the comment.
"Your aura… The threatening one that made you way too noticeable. It's not good."
Doom Slayer stared at the warrior, wanting to hear a bit more about that.
"I don't know how you work with your demons… but goblins aren't like them. A strong presence like yours could have many downfalls, especially in a party. Alone it can be useful, especially when you're strong like you are."
"..."
"I admit it was really useful to paralyse them just with your presence."
"...Then… What's the… problem…?"
"What if they run away? What if one of them is brave enough to not be fazed and manages to attack us by surprise or escape to look for help? There's many ifs that can jeopardize the whole plan."
Doom Slayer had a lot to say against that… but he was right, they were not as strong as him and definitely less resistant. There might have been no problems this time but he's right. There's a lot of ifs that could happen. He never cared about them before because he was always alone in Hell and even if a demon attacked him from behind he'd just have to turn around and shoot it.
"If you want. I can teach you."
What now?
"The only problem really is that murderous aura. I had it before, not as scary as yours though. But by controlling it, you can be good at hiding and hitting the enemy by surprise. My master taught me well… Maybe I can too?" Goblin Slayer turned to Doom Slayer.
The marine chuckled.
"...I don't… think… it will help… against demons… But… If it can… help you lot… Alright." Doom Slayer stood up, "But… In one… condition." he added, hiding a smile under his helmet.
Goblin Slayer tilted his head to the side and slowly stood up too, facing the Marine.
"I'll… teach you… something… too… Slayer to Slayer…" he said, fistbumping Goblin Slayer's chest plate, "Tomorrow…after the mission… We can start... the lesson… I'll… teach you… Glory Kills…"
The next morning, Doom Slayer was, as he promised, the only one awake. He stretched his arms and legs once he stood up. Not moving much for many hours was making his members numb.
But he suddenly froze and turned towards the forest. He glared at it, something was coming. He grabbed his shotgun.
"Everyone. Wake up!" he roared, getting on a battle stance.
"Uh! What?! What?!" The elf exclaimed, drool dripping from her face.
"What is going on?" Lizard Priest shouted, immediately getting on his feet and turning towards the forest, feeling that something was there.
"Is it goblins?" Goblin Slayer imitated his companion.
Everyone quickly got ready for battle against whatever was coming at them at full speed. They could now hear the giant steps.
"A beast. Quadruped. Big!" High Elf Archer described what she could hear.
"Imminent Encounter!"
"A goblin on a giant wolf?!"
But what jumped out of between the trees, tearing them apart, was a giant lion with the face of an ugly man, big wings of a bat and the hooked tail of a scorpion. The creature had its big brown eyes on the green Marine and ran towards him at full speed and before anyone could react it took the slayer in its mouth, sharp teeth catching him tightly and circled around the party to crash back between the trees, going back to the forest with Doom Slayer in its mouth.
"M-MANTICORE!"
"Doom Slayer!"
"A Random Encounter?!"
"Not a goblin then."
"Shut up! We gotta help him! Let's go!"
Doom Slayer groaned in annoyance as the creature he recognized as a manticore from the old fairy tales he read when he was on Earth tried to bite him, but its teeth couldn't pierce through the Praetor Suit. But that didn't mean it wasn't doing any damage. His armor was actually dropping quickly! He quickly freed his arm before he crashed into another tree.
He didn't know where this creature was taking him but he won't let it. He grabbed his shot gun with his free arm and aimed at the right eye of the monster.
The big eye rolled to look at the cannon aimed at it.
And with a pull of the trigger, the eye exploded with part of the face.
The monster roared in pain, releasing Doom Slayer, before rolling on the ground, its big paw rubbing the bleeding wound.
Doom Slayer stood up, ready for battle.
The two opponents glared at each other for a couple of seconds before lunging at each other. The Manticore raised a clawed paw and lowered it immediately to slash at Doom Slayer's armor.
But he dodged to the side and shot a wave of bullets with his heavy assault rifle on the monster's belly. With each bullet planted a rose of blood bloomed for a second. But the creature was far from dead. Looks like this beast is tougher than goblins, obviously.
The monster counter-attacked with a swipe of it's spiky tail. The marine jumped to dodge but his boots got hit, making him spin in the air, then he landed on his feet. He got behind the creature to shoot some more, but the armored exoskeleton of the scorpion tail was resistant enough to make the bullets ineffective.
The monster looked back and tried to stab the marine with its tail, but Doom Slayer dodged each attempts with ease. Then the Manticore turned around, swinging another paw to hit the slayer. The hit landed but Doom Slayer didn't even bulge, actually he had an arm wrapped around one of the fingers to keep the extended paw in place.
The Manticore tried to pull but the green man was stronger.
Doom Slayer grabbed his super shotgun and took aim, he pulled the trigger and the monster's right cheek exploded.
The Manticore's face contorted in pain in an ugly grimace as it screeched in pain. Doom Slayer let go of the paw to reload his weapon then took aim once more. The monster shielded itself with one wing.
Another shot but it got blocked by the wing, doing little damage to the face… not the wing. The monster jumped away and roared in pain once again. The monster opened its wings on reflex and Doom Slayer took this opportunity to grab his Gauss Cannon, aim the base 'shoulder' of the left wing and shot again.
The arrow of plasma flew at an incredible speed and ripped the muscle in half, separating the wing from the body.
The monster was starting to tremble in pain, but mostly in fear. Doom Slayer took one step forward, weapon raised, and the Manticore took one back, tears of blood pouring from every injury.
But then a rock slammed on the side of its face. The two opponents turned to the source to see Goblin Slayer. The human warrior was the one who threw the rock with a sling. His team arrived a few seconds later.
"Doom Slayer! We're here to… help… you? Is it me or he got this?" the elf pointed at the battle in front of her.
Goblin Slayer answered with slinging another rock, bigger this time, on the monster's forehead.
The projectile hit its target hard, making it dizzy. At that moment, Doom Slayer saw something that only he could see: the monster was glowing blue. Which only meant one thing…
A Glory Kill.
Perfect, he could make this the very first lesson for Goblin Slayer.
Doom Slayer ran around the creature and grabbed its scorpion tail from near the base and with a herculean force, he teared it away. The monster screamed in pain and turned around to see what was going on.
But the only thing it saw was death.
Doom Slayer swung his arms, holding the tail like a giant whip. And the pointed tip went straight to the monster's face. The scorpion tail tip pierced the skull from the mouth to the top of the head.
The monster froze, tried to use its last moments to let out a noise to show its pain and misery but in vain... then collapsed, giving its last breath.
Doom Slayer grabbed his super shotgun, aimed at the creature just in case for a surprise but nothing moved, it was dead. He turned around and left the battleground.
He joined the party who was staring at him with wide, perplexed and mortified eyes.
He put a hand on Goblin Slayer's shoulder and said.
"And that… was a Glory Kill…"
Baka's notes: And that's a wrap of this chapter!
A bit longer and lots of action!
I hope you enjoyed it, the next one will be pretty short
See ya soon