NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25 - Episode 25: Zaus' Subordinate Monsters
Episode 25: Zaus’ Subordinate Monsters
We entered the demon duke’s territory.
According to the intel, there are some pretty powerful monsters here.
But hey, I’m level 82. No matter what monsters show up, they’re just small fry.
I’ll just casually hunt monsters and rack up some experience points for leveling up.
By the time we reach Zaus’ castle, I’ll max out at level 99.
Hehehe. Alright, let the small fry hunting begin.
Though, despite my thoughts, we didn’t encounter any monsters.
“What’s this? Are they intimidated by my prowess?”
We walked quite a bit, but there was no sign of any enemies.
“Hey Cea. The atmosphere in Zaus’s territory feels different, doesn’t it? We should be more cautious.”
“Huh? What’s there to be cautious about? The small fry monsters are intimidated by my strength.”
“I-I wonder…”
“Haha. You’re such a worrywart. Well, I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”
“I… just in case, I bought Pegasus Wings.”
*Sigh*
Pegasus Wings, huh? It’s a magic item that allows you to return to a town you’ve stayed in once.
“Hey hey. Our destination is Zaus’ castle. We’re just heading there. There’s no way we’d use an item like that to go back. That’s foolish.”
“But didn’t the innkeeper in Mekonderla say something? That the monsters here are powerful. It might be necessary to think about the worst-case scenario.”
“Haha. That’s called wasting resources. You shouldn’t buy items that serve no purpose. That’s the beginning of foolishness.”
“Isn’t ‘Risqué Vestments’ also a waste?”
“T-That’s necessary!”
It’s a reward for victory. I’ll definitely have you wear something naughty. Hehehe.
We walked for half a day, perhaps.
There was an open space in the forest, and in the middle sat a goblin.
It seemed taller than the usual goblins.
A type I’ve never seen before.
But well, it’s still a goblin.
No matter how you look at it, it’s just a small fry monster.
“Finally, an enemy appears.”
“Are you the hero,gob?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m the strongest hero, Cea. It’s an honor for you to be defeated by me.”
“The one who aims for Lord Zaus’s life… Unforgivable, gob.”
“Hahaha! Such loyalty from a small fry. It’s laughable. How do you not forgive me?”
“You’re the goblin I’ll defeat.”
“Hahaha! Quite bold of you to say. It looks like you’re alone? Where are your companions? Did they run away?”
“I’m enough for you, gob.”
Hmph.
There’s no need to check the stats of such small fry.
More importantly, his attitude isn’t nice. It seems like some education is necessary.
I’ll make him deeply regret challenging me.
I moved at an incredible speed.
To ordinary people, it might have seemed like I vanished.
After all, I have level 82 speed.
Small fry monsters like him won’t be able to catch my movements.
Now, should I let him taste my fist?
But, I’ll hold back on the power. If I go all out, his face might fly off. Hehehe. I’ll slowly torture him.
“MUSCLE FAUST!”
It’s the strongest striking technique passed down from Master Gabargonza.
It’s a blow of trained muscles. If it hits, it instantly kills any monster.
Alright, fly away.
But then,
*Bam!*
Huh? That’s strange.
I meant to punch the goblin’s cheek, but?
What’s this sensation?
It doesn’t even flinch like I punched a big tree.
Upon closer look, the goblin took my fist head-on. Moreover, its position remained unchanged, with no sign of staggering.
“What?! You take a punch to the cheek without even defending!?”
Did I weaken the power too much?
“Huh? What’s with this fist? Is it a greeting,gob?”
Tch!
What a smug face!
It seems quite patient!
I understand that there’s damage.
“Hmph! Seems like you’re getting serious.”
Even though it’s a small fry, its defense seems pretty high.
Well then, I’ll show a little more effort.
“MUSCLE FAUST!”
How’s that!
A serious blow!!
*Bam!*
“Huh? What’s this, gob?”
Y-You!
You’re enduring it! If it hurts, show it on your face!!
“MUSCLE FAUST! MUSCLE FAUST! MUSCLE FAUST!!”
Fufufu!
Did you see that!
A powerful barrage of strikes!
This is what happens when you anger me!
You’ll deeply regret it–
“Could it be, the battle has begun, gob?”
Whaaat?!
There’s absolutely no damage!?
“In that case, I’ll also attack. Hyah!”
*Bam!*
“Hooooooogh!”
W-What a heavy blow.
A-Agh!
My jaw bone shattered.
The goblin had already moved to where I was blown off to.
His fist plunged into my abdomen.
“Guuugh!”
“I’m not done yet, gob. Hyah!”
*Thud!*
“Uuuugh!”
S-Strong…!!
I collapse to the ground.
The goblin straddles over me.
“Hyah. Take this, gob.”
His fists rain down on my cheeks.
“Hiiiiii!”
It hurts hurts hurts!!
I’m going to die!!
I’m going to be killed!!
“Pegasus Wings!!”
That was Misery’s voice.
With a magic item, our bodies were enveloped in light.
We floated up towards the sky.
Vwoooom!
Flying through the sky at tremendous speed.
The intense wind envelops my body.
Soon, when the wind subsides, I realize we’ve reached our destination.
Ah… I feel like I’m losing consciousness.
Her voice echoes in my blurry vision.
“Cea, stay with me! I’ll cast healing magic on you now!”
My nose is covered in blood, my head is spinning, and I can’t make sense of anything anymore.
But the only thing that fills my nostrils is the smell of rusted iron.
Eventually, even that smell of blood fades away, leaving only a dull ache throughout my body.
“Huh…! Wh-where am I?”
“Thank goodness, you’re awake!”
I’m lying on a bed. It’s the inn in Mekonderla where we stayed last night.
“D-Did you save me?”
“Yes. Wasn’t it a good thing I bought it? The Pegasus Wings.”
D-Did I lose?
I still can’t believe it…
T-The one I fought was just a goblin, right?
I’m level 82. How could I be no match for it??
I should have checked its stats…
What level is that goblin anyway?