Ch.22Chapter 1. That’s Not How Transformation Works! (2)

The Goblin’s outward appearance is quite ordinary.

In the original work, the Goblin is described as having disheveled hair and wearing torn black hanbok, reflecting the author’s obsession with historical accuracy.

But I appeared to the world wearing a black suit, a mask, and emitting golden light from my eyes.

Since the original Goblin seemed too much like a shabby villain, I changed my concept to that of a “gentleman Goblin.”

Does that mean I can’t take on other forms?

Not at all.

Just like now, I can transform into something completely different.

Like the sound effect that plays after a transformation, like becoming a rider on a motorcycle.

[Wow…]

The golden armor mass—Ymir—was stunned looking at me.

She remained frozen in place upon seeing the Goblin’s combat form—my second form.

“Whoa, holy shit! What is that?!”

“Wasn’t that the Goblin?! Did the Goblin just transform like that?!”

“Hey, start streaming! We can’t miss this!!”

People who came to see the commotion began pointing their Taegeuk Watches and smartphone cameras at me, recording everything.

It must be surprising not only that an S-class villain like the Goblin openly appeared here on Sejong Island, but also that the Goblin appeared in a completely new form.

“W-what are you…!”

The girl who became a demon, Lilith, pointed at me with her face distorted like an evil spirit.

“Why, why are you stealing the attention that should be mine?!”

[Is she causing all this trouble because she doesn’t get enough attention normally?]

I extended one hand to the side.

[If that’s the case, then you are evil. And evil must be destroyed. That is my iron rule.]

Others might call it a ridiculous pose, but when backed by powerful strength, it becomes style—”coolness.”

-That was fucking charismatic.

That’s what I want to be able to marvel at later when watching the related videos, like rewatching my own pentakill video and feeling that same excitement.

[Villains are to be executed.]

I strike a disciplined pose and draw my weapon.

Crackle!

Something like golden lightning flashes, and new weapons emerge from both my hands.

Ordinary rods.

But they’re not just any rods.

They somewhat resemble police batons, or perhaps just the handles of hatchets without the blades.

They don’t have any special name.

These too are “Goblin Clubs.”

‘If a club is used by a Goblin, then it’s a Goblin Club.’

I am the standard.

Whatever I use becomes a club.

And these clubs…

[Die, villain.]

Without needing to mention any special abilities, they crush villains.

“Eek…!!”

Lilith began firing magical bullets at me frantically.

Ka-ang!

I easily deflected them by swinging my clubs.

“Fall, Goblin!!”

The magical bullets continued to fly toward me, but I didn’t dodge them.

Instead.

Tadadadadak!!

I charged forward, swinging the clubs in both hands to deflect the bullets left and right.

Pa-ang!

When the magical bullets hit the ground after being deflected by my clubs, they exploded, raising dust from the parking lot floor, and I emerged through the dust cloud.

[Weak.]

As I emerged through the dust cloud, I swung both clubs in an X-pattern.

“You bastard…! Why are you appearing before me and interfering?! You’re a villain too!!!”

[Yes. I am a villain.]

When I reached close to Lilith, I swung my foot wide and kicked her in the waist.

“Kyaaak!!”

Lilith screamed and flew sideways.

Rolling on the ground, her wings broke, and she struggled to get up while spilling mana like blood.

“Kuhek, huk, heok…!”

[One who uses abilities to cause discord. People call your kind villains. The same applies to me.]

I grip the clubs extended to my left and right and slowly walk forward.

[I simply defeat villains. Therefore.]

I pointed one club forward.

[Stand aside, nameless ‘Golden Knight.’]

[I’m sorry, but I cannot step aside.]

Suddenly.

[No matter how vicious the villain, they must face legal judgment. They must receive the verdict of the law.]

Before me stood a golden female knight—just a gold-plated full plate armor, but I decided to address her that way out of respect—who had stepped between us to block my path.

[What outdated logic. How boring. Do you know how many heroes with such talk I’ve faced before?]

[I do know. And none of them could stop you. But I’ll be different.]

Whirr.

[Because I am strong.]

As the female knight extended her hand to the side, a rather large golden greatsword materialized from thin air.

[The reason why so many people couldn’t stop you before was because they were weaker than you.]

[You’re different?]

[Of course.]

Gooo.

The golden energy flowing from the female knight’s body is no joke.

By my estimation, just roughly scanning the mana light particles flowing from her feet, she’s at least S-class.

‘Were you perhaps also a heroine candidate?’

Maybe she would have been one of the heroines if the author had continued the series into the second year instead of stopping at the first year of the academy.

A golden female knight from Canada like her never appeared in the original work.

Of course, there was a throwaway line suggesting “there might be S-class beauties in various countries,” but that was just a teaser.

However, I can’t back down here.

That woman not only attacked the restaurant recklessly but also killed people directly.

[Trying to protect an ability user who killed people and went berserk after selling her soul to a demon. Well, I suppose that’s what heroes do.]

Protecting even such a woman is what makes a “hero.”

[Golden Knight, what is your name?]

[Solar Platina.]

Platinum Sun?

[…A name I’ve never heard before.]

[I’m showing this form to the world for the first time today. Just like you. But…]

Click.

The female knight gripped the greatsword with both hands and pointed it at me.

[That title of Golden Knight, I’ll defeat you and take it officially.]

[As you wish.]

I lightly turned my hand and lowered my stance.

[If you can take it!]

* * *

When A-class ability users battle each other, the royal box tickets for friendly matches cost over ten million won.

This is no joke.

-The battles between ability users are like watching a movie!

Those who watch soccer, those who watch movies, those who watch anime, those who read novels.

All of them are fascinated by the “real battles” of ability users.

-Why watch movies! Watching ability users fight is the real movie!

The battles of ability users excite all humans.

Even if people die and property is damaged, the battles of special-class ability users drive not only ordinary people but also ability users themselves crazy.

Especially if it involves a golden armored knight never seen before.

Especially if it involves the S-class villain “Goblin.”

Moreover, the golden female knight is strong enough to easily subdue a rampaging female student.

And the Goblin has shown his “second form” that he’s never shown to anyone before, wielding rods in both hands.

[Snow White! Maintain the site! Make sure students don’t get caught in the crossfire!]

“Yes, Principal!”

Baek Seol-hee quickly drew up her mana, trying to create ice walls to prevent anyone from getting caught in the crossfire between the hero and villain.

[No, no! What are you doing?! Stop! Ice walls? Are you in your right mind?!]

“Excuse me?”

[Are you trying to prevent everyone from seeing this spectacular battle unfolding?! That shouldn’t happen! This Sejong Island is a place of ‘education’! Watching such things is also education!]

“No, Principal!!”

A female knight of unknown identity who might not even be a hero—someone not registered anywhere until now—is fighting the Goblin, and he’s saying to just watch?

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

[You haven’t been at Sejong Island long, so you might not understand, but look around! Everyone is focused on their fight!]

“…!”

Baek Seol-hee felt a chill down her spine.

Indeed.

Smartphones were recording the battle between the two.

Cheering for the golden female knight who blocks the Goblin’s barrage with just one greatsword.

Marveling at the Goblin who easily dodges the greatsword and seems to stand in mid-air as if placing his foot on top of the sword.

“Damn, this is insane…”

Those who rushed over to see the commotion were just watching in awe as the two S-class fighters engaged in close combat.

“Kugh…!”

Baek Seol-hee’s head started to ache.

What about saving lives?

What about capturing the villain?

What about recovering the bodies?

Is watching, recording, and appreciating the battle between these suddenly appeared S-class fighters more important than all that?

“Don’t be ridiculous…!”

Baek Seol-hee stepped forward.

Or rather, she tried to.

“Kyahahaha!!”

Having recovered somehow, Lilith spread her wings and flew up into the sky.

Baek Seol-hee, realizing her mistake, created ice “spikes” and aimed them at Lilith flying high in the sky, but the Goblin’s actions were faster.

[I’ll catch her! Ultimate technique-]

[ONE TWO THREE!!]

While manipulating something like a belt, with a deeper sound effect—as it seemed—different from the Goblin’s voice.

[Secret technique.]

The Goblin, gripping the rods crossed like an X.

[Grand Cross.]

Toward the fleeing demon Lilith, he released a brilliant golden cross-shaped light.

[This is how you catch a villain.]