Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 28: Hobgoblins

Episode 30: Hobgoblins

“(Ugh… hmm…)”

I woke up and stretched.

Looking around, I could see the clearing through the gaps in the branches. 

This was the top of the Treant’s body. 

Even though the Treant had died, the large tree remained intact.

The trunk was thick enough that it didn’t break under my weight, so I had been using it as a makeshift bed.

“(But it looks like I can’t stay here much longer.)”

I thought this as I observed the leaves gradually withering.

The number of fruits had also decreased significantly, but that was just because I had eaten them; it wasn’t directly related to the tree withering. 

…Well, maybe I shouldn’t be so sure. 

If the Treant were still alive, the fruits might have replenished quickly, possibly with some kind of [Skill] like my [Self-Regeneration].

As I pondered these trivial thoughts with my sleepy head, I climbed down from the tree. 

I grabbed a nearby fruit and ate it. 

Thanks to the [Antibody] skill I acquired yesterday, I only felt a slight tingle.

“(Alright, time to look for enemies again… oh?)”

Just as I started moving toward the forest, unexpected visitors appeared.

At the base of the gentle hill, at the edge of the clearing, a group of about six goblins emerged.

“Ge-gyo-ge-gen-gya (Kill it and take it.)”

“Gyagya! (Understood!)”

Using my [Understanding Intent] skill, I understood the meaning behind their cries. 

Following the orders of a goblin clad in iron armor, they spread out and advanced toward me.

“(These guys have surprisingly good equipment.)”

I thought nonchalantly.

Each goblin was armed with iron weapons, and it was easy to see that both the condition and quality were excellent.

They were also well-built. Likely Greater Beasts, these goblins were as tall as high school students.

The group of armored Greater Beast goblins—let’s call them Hobgoblins—would normally be formidable opponents even for a Grand Beast.

“Ge-gyagya!”

“(Well, that doesn’t matter to me. [Slash].)”

Clang!

My whip-sword clashed with the goblin’s iron sword, producing a sharp, ringing sound.

I won the clash.

The Hobgoblin, having taken the full force of a Grand Beast’s blow head-on, was sent flying and rolled down the slope.

“([Slash], [Slash]!)”

“Gegya!?”

I grew a second whip-sword and delivered a series of slashes with dual-wielding strikes.

The goblins tried to surround me, but a slime doesn’t really have a front or back. 

While my vision might blur in directions I wasn’t focusing on, I didn’t take any damage even if I was hit.

Each time my whip-swords danced, the Hobgoblins screamed. Eventually, they seemed to learn they couldn’t win. They began to observe from a distance, outside my range.

“(If you’re not coming to me, then I’ll come to you!)”

“Gya! (Run away!)”

The Hobgoblins began to flee all at once.

I targeted the one that seemed the most troublesome—the one in armor. 

I jumped forward with [Jump], then used [Aerial Jump] to land right on top of it.

The additional force from [Impact] killed it instantly.

I turned my attention to the other Hobgoblins scattering into the forest.

“([Jump], [Thrust]!)”

Next, I targeted the one that had injured its leg during the battle.

I closed the distance in one leap, then transformed my body into a spear and thrust forward. The spear pierced beneath the axe it had raised in defense and went straight through its abdomen.

“([Throwing].)”

As soon as that was done, I threw the sword the armored Hobgoblin had been holding.

The sword flew through the air, piercing the goblin that had thought it was safe as it ran through a sparse area of trees, out of my range.

“([Weapon Storage], [Jump].)”

I stored the axe and moved towards the third Hobgoblin I had just taken down.

This was my first time using [Weapon Storage]. But once I covered the weapon with my body, I could absorb it almost instantly, with no noticeable delay. 

This is going to be quite handy.

“(I’ll take this too.)”

I stored the sword that had been stuck in the third Hobgoblin and the spear that had fallen at its feet, then leaped again.

Of the three remaining Hobgoblins, I had already lost sight of two, but I still had one in my sights.

“(But there’s not much point in hunting just one now.)”

This battle hadn’t raised my <Level> at all.

At this point, killing a weak Greater Beast wouldn’t yield much benefit.

“(Besides, there’s something that’s been bothering me a bit.)”

I recalled the weapons the Hobgoblins had been carrying.

They were clearly different from those of the Goblins I’d fought before.

In fact, the Hobgoblin weapons were so good that they might even surpass those of humans.

After all, they managed to clash with my [Slash].

Even though I had just {Evolved}, the fact that the Hobgoblin’s weapon showed no significant damage after taking a blow from a Grand Beast was odd for something that would just be leftover adventurer gear.

“(Did they just happen to pick them up, or… is there a Goblin in the group with a skill that enhances equipment?)”

There are two reasons why I’m considering this.

One is the existence of a massive monster, the Red Ogre, that once fought against the Forest Turtle. That monster created glass rods by melting the ground and rapidly cooling it. It’s not surprising if a similar skill exists elsewhere.

The second reason is the abnormality of the Hobgoblins’ weapons. At first, I thought they all just had iron weapons, but calling them “iron weapons” doesn’t quite capture it.

Their weapons were 100% iron, from the blade tips to the bottoms of the handles. 

Ordinary humans wouldn’t make something that strange. 

So, I decided to let the Hobgoblin go for now and have it lead me to its group.

The Hobgoblin was running desperately. But even without skill enhancements, I could easily keep up with its speed in my Grand Beast form.

Just to be safe, I activated [Stealth], making sure I was fully prepared.

Time to start tailing it!