NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27 - Episode 27: Checking the Enemy's Status
Episode 27: Checking the Enemy’s Status
Mishiri and I decided to infiltrate the Demon Duke’s territory while hiding ourselves. Our goal is to see the goblin’s status. We move while hiding in the shadows.
“Hey, let’s turn back. What if the goblins spot us? We don’t have Pegasus wings anymore, you know?”
“Shh… Keep your voice down. I’m curious about the enemy’s status. I really want to see it.”
“Hey, why don’t we adventure more cautiously? Let’s search for items around Mekonderla.”
“Where do you think items are, huh? The jars in people’s homes are empty. Not even in the drawers. Even when we explore dungeons, all the treasure chests are empty!”
“But if we search harder, surely we’ll find something.”
“Nope. Not even in suspicious clumps of grass. Not even in wells! I’m cursed, I tell you, cursed to never obtain items!”
“Don’t put yourself down like that. If you adventure earnestly, surely the gods will guide you.”
“Those gods’ guidance is wrong!”
“Is that so?”
Ugh, this idiotic girl! She doesn’t know about my struggles and speaks so carelessly. If she wasn’t cute, I’d beat her to a pulp. I’ve been working hard for five years. I always check places with exclamation marks. But I’ve never obtained equipment, not even medicinal herbs!
“Just listen to me quietly.”
“Y-yeah…”
“Besides, you’re just a useless level 10. I’m level 82. I handle all the fighting. I’m the one helping you.”
“S-so I’m saying we should increase my level too.”
“Hahaha. So that’s the real intention. In the end, you just want to make yourself stronger.”
“B-but me getting stronger is also for your sake!”
“Listen, I’m taking you on this adventure because we’ve been childhood friends.”
“T-that’s… I-I understand.”
“I value you, my childhood friend, more than anyone else. Don’t you think it’s foolish to hold me back?”
“It feels like we’re changing topics. I’m talking about boosting the overall strength of the party.”
“Ah. Stop trying to change the subject just because you’ve been defeated in argument. You’re an idiot, so just listen to what I, the smart one, say.”
“Ugh… I-I might not be that smart. B-but I’m worried about you, and we have a mission as a hero party.”
“Then listen to what I say. It’s wrong for a weakling like you, at level 10, to give opinions when facing someone at level 82. Understand? Maybe I should simplify it a bit more? Huh? Do you get it? If you don’t understand, just say you don’t. You’re an adult now, aren’t you?”
“Ugh… O-okay.”
“Alright, that’s enough. Since I’ve completely defeated your arguments, listen to me.”
“O-okay…”
“If it’s dangerous, I’ll protect you. After all, my level is 82.”
“B-but, last time with the goblins…”
“Huh? Are you still trying to argue? How incompetent are you? Last time was partly due to negligence. And I’ve said multiple times this time we’re not here to fight.”
“Ugh…”
“So, we’re advancing while hiding like this. Our goal this time is to see the goblin’s status. We’re not here to fight.”
“Y-yes.”
Phew.
This girl may look perfect, but she’s minus 100 in her brain. It’s a struggle having an incompetent as a companion. We arrived near the plaza.
“Ah, there it is. That’s where the goblin and I fought.”
Several monsters were gathered there.
“Tch. Their numbers increased.”
Well, it’s fine. This time, we’re just here to check their status. Ah, the one in the middle is the goblin I fought with.
“What level are they?”
I’ll check their status.
“…………”
W-what…?
“T-this can’t be.”
I rubbed my eyes.
Maybe I’m seeing things.
I’ll confirm it again.
“….It’s not a mistake.”
“T-they have incredible stats.”
Mishiri seems to have confirmed it too. She’s trembling like me.
“S-so… Isn’t the level capped at 99?”
“……G-g-g-g-g-g”
I can’t believe it.
Is… is this reality?
Haa… haa…
N-no, this is bad.
My heart won’t stop pounding.
The goblin’s level…
“What?! 270, you say!?”
I fell backward.
“Kyaaa, Cea!!”
T-too strong… Well, no wonder. My level is only 82. It’s obvious I’d lose. I mean, there’s no way I can win with just level 82… T-twice the strength… Overwhelming strength…
“C-Cea… It’s not just that goblin. The harpies, lizardmen, orcs… The monsters over there, their levels are all over 200!”
Is this a dream? Ah… This isn’t good. I’m losing consciousness.
“Abukukukugagagagaga…”
“Ah, Cea! You’re foaming at the mouth! Snap out of it!”
I-It took me five years to reach level 82, you know? S-so, to be… 270?
Impossible, impossible, impossible…
“Cea! Pull yourself together!”
N-no, it’s impossible.
Impossible.
Is this even with goblin level?
Then what level is that boss, the Demon Duke??
Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible.
This is impossible.
It’s over.
I’m screwed.
Completely screwed.
“Cea! Ceaa!!”
Ah… My consciousness is fading away…
“Huh…! W-where is this…? Where am I??”
I’m in a bed.
Looks like I’m in an inn.
“Oh, thank goodness!!”
It was… a dream!
It was all a dream!!
Damn it! That nightmare was too much!
“Oh, thank goodness, you’re awake now. Cea, you fainted, so it was hard carrying you back.”
C-carrying?
“Y-yes…?”
“You fainted, blowing bubbles.”
“…Huh?”
“S-so… You fainted after seeing the goblin’s level.”
“Oh…”
“You’re a musclehead, Cea. You’re incredibly heavy. So carrying you was tough. It might have taken two days to get back here.”
“Eh…?”
“You’ve been sleeping all this time.”
“A-always?”
“Three days have passed since then. You didn’t wake up at all.”
“T-three days…”
“Yes. I was worried you’d never wake up. But I’m glad you did.”
“Aaaah…”
“W-wait, Cea!”
“Aaaahhhhh!”
It wasn’t a dream!
It wasn’t a dreammmmm!