For I Am A Side Character - 47: Goblin Hunting

Where we were right now was known as the Famous “Starter’s Dungeon” a place where new-starting hunters would gain their experience by fighting a certain weak classed monster known as the Goblin.

Here, only two things would roam. Goblins and Orcs.

Two of the most naturally appearing monster in the dungeons, as they were known as the most invasive species of monster, where sometimes they would be found on other dungeons that have no correlation to its nature.

They can be found in an insect biome dungeon, a forest dungeon, a dragon valley dungeon, and even the weirdly known sky dungeon. Through their invasive nature, it was said that Goblins were quick to reproduction…and quick to death. Only lasting for about ten years at the highest age, the goblins were very driven by the idea that they should multiply.

Here in the forest-like Starter Dungeon, at this time of day, the forest was fillled with hunters all around.

As we parked the Humvee at a designated safe area, we noticed that maybe it wasn’t all that good of an idea to hunt in a well-known dungeon at today’s time, with how its packed with students looking for a hunt in the same way we were doing.

“Damn, there’s not a goblin in sight.” I said. We have already walked for about an hour now and to our notice, in the well-known goblin dungeon, we have only spotted two corpses of goblins, spotted one goblin who was too far away, and one goblin who was killed while it was being chased by another group of hunters.

“We only need to hunt five, for each of us.” said Zelisha as she was keeping a keen eye on top of a tree.

“Maybe we can change our tactics on how we go about this. Maybe we lure those goblins in with a bait?” asked Jessica.

“…That does seem effective, but on our way here we already saw over about 20 laid bait-traps And only about two of them actually worked. The goblins are keen with that kind of trap, so it won’t work that easily.” said Marilyn.

“Hmm, how about we to its nest? Don’t Goblins usually hide under small holes in the tree roots?” suggested Thors.

“Or maybe even a cave. A cave is filled with monsters. It might even have an orc inside.” I said.

“Okay, that’s a good idea. I know a good cave in this forest and on our way, maybe we can hunt some goblins lurking under a tree’s root.” said Marilyn as she conjoined both my idea and Thors.

As we walked our way there, we were able to see about five trees with a passage under its stump.

When we tried to look for a goblin inside, we were lucky to find about tree of them. We hunted them in place and now, we were only left to hunt 5 orcs and 2 goblins.

When we arrived at the cave, we were shocked to find a somewhat crookedly built wall around it. Stood by sharpened wooden lo stakes and tied using vines, the place looked like a simple fortress found in the olden times.

“…What the, this wasn’t here a month ago when I hunted here.” said Marilyn as she was quite shocked by the scene in front of her.

“…” and seeing it now, I knew where this was.

This was the place where Jason would meet Juel Millard, the certain person who is connected to the Armadillo Knights Guild. AKA, Miles Millard’s little brother.

If I knew that we were going to this cave…I would have tried to go somewhere else. I don’t have any interest in mending myself with the story. And the mission clearly entails that I don’t get myself involve.

But its okay…as long as I don’t do anything too story-altering, things can go well enough.

“…I heard about this. I think The Goblins and Orcs are now being lead by a leader. A few reports have been said that lately the Goblins are starting to get harder and harder to hunt in some dungeons. They go in groups, almost like a squad and try to face off against as many hunters that come their way.” said Zelisha a she brought out a pair of binoculars.

“Huh, so what do you think? Should we go in and try to find out what’s behind that wall?” asked Jessica.

“…That’s a bad idea. We can’t just go in and slaughter the place…we don’t know what awaits us in there and if we can even handle the things in there.” said Marilyn.

“…We should just wait. I’m interested on what’s behind that wall, so if anyone else tries to go in, maybe we can see what happens.” Said Thors who I was surprised to see that he was the patient type.

“Hmm, okay. We’ll wait.” said Jessica as she somewhat agrees with Thors opinion.

so as we moved to a different location, somewhere with a more greater view on the fortress, about an hour goes by and to Zelisha’s surveillance, she noticed a group that was nearing the walls.

“Hey, looks like someone is finally going to the fortress…” said Zelisha.

“…” in my assumption, its probably Juel Millard and his group, the Armadillo Knights Guild.

“Do you know who they are?” I asked.

“No…I don’t think so. Their carrying a banner that seems like it comes from a guild, but I don’t recognize this guild…-wait, is that who I think it is?” said Zelisha.

“What is it?” asked Marilyn

“Its a bunch of people from Class A. Uh….Jason Emory, Jessabelle Morrison…and Audrey Yagami!?”

“What?” Jessica was somewhat surprised to hear those names.

“…Yeah, those three are meeting up with the first group…they’re talking about something, I just don’t know what…Hmm, looks like their negotiating.”

“Its probably about who gets to go in first into the fortress.” I said as I remembered what I knew in the story.

It goes like this.

The Armadillo Knights already knew about this fortress…or at least its location. And since its discovery, they decided to come back to this day with a lot more preparation…with a whole group of 10 members to investigate what was inside. Lead by Juel Millard, a 17 year old hunter who goes to the academy and is a member of the Armadillo Knights. He himself kept this a secret from his brother Miles Millard.

By coincidence, Jason, Jessabelle and Audrey also came by this fortress in their curiosity to see what was also inside.

The both groups meet up and decided to form some sort of alliance when entering the Fortress. Seeing as how it was unpredictable on what was going to happen inside.

As they go in, they were meet with around a hundred goblin and seventy orcs guarding the entrance to the cave where what lies inside is the Goblin King. An A-ranked monster that rules the entire cave.

“Hmm, should we go and meet with them? Seeing their numbers, I think we can try to take this advantage knowing that one of the Class A students are there.” said Zelisha.

“Yeah, we can try to add support ot their groups.”

“Only if they’ll allow us.” I said as I stood up from the ground to prepare myself in meeting those people.

****

“So its settled, we share the loot by 60:40 at the end of this raid.” said Juel as he settled the talk with Jason.

“I can work with that.” said Jason as he shook Juel’s hand in the agreement.

“Good, seeing as how you’re here, it really raises our chances.”

“Chances at what?” asked Jason.

“…I heard rumors from the other hunters that what’s behind every goblin fortress is a leader…someone who’s rank shouldn’t be in this type of dungeon.” said Juel in a nervous tone.

“Hmm, well if things ever get too rough, we can just retreat.” said Jason.

“I…I can’t do that. I’m not coming out of this raid without a win.”

“W-what? Don’t be reckless! We don’t know what’s in there.”

“Aren’t you Jason Emory? One of the top rising student at the Camelot Academy? And you’re with Jessabelle Morrison and Audrey Yagami, ‘The’ Audrey Yagami…” as he said those words as if in praise, Juel looks to the three with a worrying expression.

Truth be told, he was nervous when he came in to this dungeon with just ten people, he wasn’t sure if they were enough…but by the sheer coincidence of it all, three strong well-known students came to the dungeon.

In that moment, his luck rises from the depths, and to it, he had a chance ot prove to his brother, that he can do more…he can be more for the guild.

“…What do you guys think?” asked Jason to Jessabelle and Audrey as he was now a bit uncertain of his decision to join the Armadillo Knights in the hunt. He saw Juel to be dependent on him, and seeing it so, it left a weird taste in his mouth.

He doubts Juel.

“Why not, lets just do this today so we can move on with our assignments. The goblins are probably stacked inside.” said Jessabelle.

“I agree…I still have a lot to do back in my home, so I don’t want ot waste my time here.” said Audrey.

“…Okay then.” as Jason finally agrees to the hunt to its end, all of a sudden, another group came by to visit. A certain group that somewhat caught the eye on both Jessabelle and Audrey.

“!?”

“!?”

To their notice, they saw him walking aside another group of hunters.

‘…Soril Remus.’ to Jessabelle’s thought of his name, a certain emotion suddenly sparked within her. A spark that seemed to never fade out ever since her lost…

An unknown feeling that simply caused her to never forget a certain person.

But unlike Jessabelle, Audrey voiced her thoughts forward to a certain someone.

“…Soril Remus.” said Audrey as she remembered what her grandmother asked her to do. To employ a sense of friendship with that said person. not once did it ever crossed her mind that this person was the same person inside the locked dungeon she expereinced yesterday.

Jessica quickly reacted over the calling of his name from Audrey’s mouth. In it, she was quite perceptive of their reaction…she can tell that those two women were somewhat gazing at Soril with intentions she felt threatening.

While Soril simply gazed his way to the three with an uncaring expression.

“Mind if we tag along in your hunt?” asked Marilyn as she engaged in both Jason and Juel.

“Ah, hmm…wait are you Soril Remus?” asked Juel as he noticed Soril standing by Jessica.

“…yes.” But in return, Soril simply kept quiet when he was called out to. He never responded to his call.

“Oh, dude. I was there when you fought against Jessabelle and won!…no offense.” said Juel as he turned to Jessabelle apologetically.

“…yeah.” said Soril in a calm demeanor.

“Well, if you guys really want to join us, sure why not.” said Juel as he was now more confident in this raid.

“Okay guys, make sure you have everything ready for the raid. Double check every equipment necessary and we’ll roll out in a couple of minutes.” said Juel as they started double checking their things.

Meanwhile, Jessica and her group were out a few meters away from the others. They too prepared their equipment. But during their preparation, Jessica talked to Soril.

“Hey, you seemed kind of different when you walked up to them? Was there something wrong?” she asked in worry.

“You would be worried too if the person you beat in a duel was here…and she was looking at you weird.” said Soril.

“…Right Jessabelle. Well, if you want, I’m here. Let just ignore them in the raid. Okay?” asked Jessica.

“Yep, that was my plan…” said Soril.

“Okay…but what about Audrey Yagami? Why did she blurted out your name like that?” asked Jessica worryingly…with a tinge of jealousy.

“I’m not sure. I never once meet her in person before. Maybe she just knows me from my fight with Jessabelle.” said Soril nonchalantly.

“…right, could be.” said Jessica.

“Either way, we’re just here for one thing…and one thing only. And that is to hunt.” said Soril as he raised his sword.

“Hmm, right. still, I’m a bit uncomfortable looking at you not wearing armor. We should really buy one at the market someday.” she said as she had this worrying look on her face.

“I’ll be fine, its just some goblins and orcs…I’ve faced them before in the simulation with the same no-armor style. I’ll be good.” said Soril in assurance to Jessica.

“Okay…but after this hunt, we have to go to the market and buy you some armor.” she said willingly, knowing that this was a chance for her to go on a date with him…again.

“…alright. If you insist.” said Soril as he was forced to.

“Okay everyone, lets start this hunt!” said Juel as he lead the group first.