Ch.77. Goblin

I was on my way back from cutting trees in the forest.

The village atmosphere was unusually tense. Residents were all outside their homes, talking with worried expressions.

“Oh, Rex!”

As I was straining to hear what was happening, a young man approached me cheerfully.

Since becoming a local celebrity after my coming-of-age ceremony, many people recognized me. I drew attention wherever I went. It was a gaze I still couldn’t get used to.

“What’s going on?”

When Rex asked, the young man shrugged and answered.

“A goblin was spotted near the village.”

“A goblin?”

Rex repeated with wide eyes. It was a reason he hadn’t expected.

He’d thought it would be something trivial, like someone’s child running away in the night or someone’s wife having an affair with an outsider.

Even in this peaceful countryside with little connection to monsters, everyone knew about goblins.

Unlike other monsters with specific habitat requirements, goblins could thrive anywhere. They were like cockroaches.

Goblins were physically weak with bodies similar to children’s, so many people underestimated them. Since any adult with a stick could easily chase them away, they weren’t particularly frightening monsters.

“They say it was just one old goblin? Hans caught it this morning. It probably would have starved to death soon anyway if left alone.”

The young man replied in a nonchalant tone, as if it were nothing serious.

However, Rex’s expression wasn’t so bright.

“Where exactly was it found?”

“It was collapsed on the path a little way from the village entrance. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but the adults are making such a fuss. Anyway, I need to get going. Let’s see each other more often. You’re always strangely hard to find.”

The young man shook his head and walked away.

‘A goblin, huh…’

Now that he understood the situation, Rex could finally grasp the emotion on the villagers’ faces.

Clear anxiety permeated their whispered voices, and Rex deeply shared their concern.

The young man he’d just spoken with hadn’t realized it yet, but this wasn’t a matter to take lightly. In the worst case, it meant there was a dungeon nearby.

“Father!”

Upon returning home, Rex urgently pushed open the door.

Rex’s father, Gert, was sitting in a chair inspecting his equipment. His quiver was full of bolts.

Ignoring Rex’s voice, Gert picked up a small crossbow, pulled the string taut, and released it.

Only after seeing it snap back elastically, evidence of good maintenance, did he turn his head.

“I heard.”

“What?”

“Weren’t you going to talk about the goblin?”

Rex nodded with an awkward expression. Of course, his father, being a hunter, would already know what Rex had just learned.

Gert put the crossbow in his bag and stood up.

“Are you going out?”

“Yes.”

It was obvious he was heading out because of the goblin incident, but it wasn’t easy to ask. As if reading Rex’s hesitant thoughts, Gert spoke.

“I’m going to check for goblin traces.”

“Ah, yes. Be careful.”

“Just stay and guard the house.”

Rex stared blankly at Gert’s back as he walked out the door with those matter-of-fact words.

‘I hope it’s nothing serious.’

Rex sighed deeply and, while closing the door, looked up at the sky.

The sky that had been bright blue until morning was now covered with dark clouds growing like weeds. It looked like heavy rain would fall soon.

Whoosh—

Sure enough, raindrops began to fall one by one.

“Ah, please.”

Rex grimaced and rushed out to the yard. He needed to move the pile of firewood under the roof before it got wet.

It was turning out to be a really bad day. Truly.

***

Gert returned only after the sun had completely set. He was covered in dirt, suggesting he’d been deep in the forest.

As Gert brushed off the thorns stuck to his clothes, Rex said:

“Welcome back.”

“I met with the village chief. Dinner?”

“I was waiting for you before eating.”

It wouldn’t be right to eat before the head of the household. As Gert took off his coat, his wife quickly took it and disappeared into the kitchen.

“I thought I was going to die of hunger. You must be tired.”

Anna, who had emerged from her room, sat at the table while scratching the back of her head. When will she ever grow up? Rex wondered, giving her a disapproving look.

“What are you looking at?”

“Sigh. Nothing.”

“Whatever.”

Anna glared at him sharply like a lynx, but it didn’t last long. When their mother laid out plates on the table, Anna’s expression brightened as if she’d never been growling.

“Wow! Meat again. Thank you for the meal!”

“Eat.”

As soon as their father gave permission, Anna quickly moved her fork.

“Oh right. How did it go?”

Anna suddenly spoke while chewing a mouthful of bread. Rex also shifted his gaze, secretly curious.

Gert took a swig of beer, put down his cup, and said with an expressionless face:

“I found it.”

“What?”

“There’s a small cave a little way from the forest. It was a goblin dungeon.”

Rex’s brow furrowed at the word “dungeon.”

Dungeon—originally meaning an underground prison, but in this era, it had other meanings as well.

It could refer to workshops created by wizards in the distant past, or nests where monsters gathered.

Since wizards’ hideouts were always well-hidden in environments hostile to humans, when people said “dungeon,” they usually meant monster nests. They were common, yet rare at the same time.

Monsters typically didn’t create dungeons near human settlements, perhaps instinctively knowing they’d be exterminated if discovered.

‘I thought it unlikely, but there’s really a dungeon?’

Seeing Rex’s serious expression, Anna tilted her head.

“What about a dungeon? Is it such a big deal?”

Rex closed his eyes tightly, wondering who would ever marry his stupid sister. She clearly lacked basic common sense because their parents had spoiled her too much.

Rex gathered his thoughts and spoke:

“An old goblin approached the edge of our village. That means the goblins’ territory has expanded that much. Plus, it was alone. Goblins always move in groups, so what does it mean if one was by itself?”

“…I don’t know.”

“It means it was driven out of the group. Do you understand so far?”

Anna nodded slowly. Her eyes were rolling around, suggesting she might be lying, but Gert was watching as if encouraging Rex to continue, so he went on.

“It’s still early spring, but outcasts are already appearing. That means their habitat is overcrowded. They must have increased their numbers during winter without starving to death. Hmm…”

Rex looked at Gert with eyes asking if he was correct. Gert’s lips twitched slightly. He seemed pleased.

Anna blinked with a puzzled expression.

“But where did you learn all this?”

“These are things you can figure out with a little thought. It’s basic knowledge.”

“Yeah, you’re so smart… tch.”

Anna snorted and grumbled.

“So what do we do now? This isn’t the first time a dungeon has appeared nearby, right?”

Rex also fell silent at that.

Indeed, he had never heard rumors of a dungeon appearing in the vicinity since he was born.

Occasionally, one or two stray goblins would wander around the village, but they would quickly flee when adults gathered.

However, this time wouldn’t be resolved so smoothly. There must be dozens of goblins swarming in that cave.

Gert said:

“We kill them.”

“Us?”

“No. We’ll call mercenaries.”

“That’s good.”

Rex agreed without realizing it.

Come to think of it, calling mercenaries was the easier option.

It was wiser to leave it to professionals rather than trying to handle it within the village and risking casualties.

In the long run, it could even be cheaper. Even if it meant financial strain in the short term.

“You’re too young to remember, but a dungeon appeared before. We called mercenaries then too.”

Gert paused briefly, as if recalling the distant past.

“It’s late. Go to bed.”

Gert waved his hand while downing his beer. Rex still had more questions, but it seemed he would have to give up for today.

Back in his room, Rex stared into the darkness. He recalled the blessing from the giant.

‘I wonder if killing goblins would strengthen the power of the mark.’

The thought suddenly occurred to him. But he quickly dismissed it. It would be dangerous, and besides, what could he do when they were calling mercenaries?

‘It will be resolved soon.’

As he closed his eyes, drowsiness quickly overtook him. The sound of raindrops hitting the roof was as sweet as a lullaby.

His consciousness slowly sank.

And when he opened his eyes, he was in a snowy field.

[I have been waiting, my warrior.]

Beyond the swirling blizzard, the giant was looking down at Rex.

***

Having gained some resistance to cold from the mark’s energy, Rex had improved—now he didn’t even blink when bathing in the stream.

But the cutting wind in this dream’s snowy mountain was still terrible. Rex hugged himself with both arms, his teeth chattering.

“Huh?”

Previously, he had been wearing full plate armor, but this time he was in the pajamas he’d worn to bed. He could feel the thin fabric under his fingertips.

‘What’s the difference?’

The giant answered Rex’s question:

[The soul of your past life has completely seeped into you. You have inherited the traces and fully absorbed them as your own.]

“P-past life? *sniff*”

The words didn’t come out properly in the maddening cold. When Rex sniffled, the giant chuckled.

[Do not try to understand. Just accept it. It’s nothing bad.]

“Um… alright. But couldn’t you change this to warmer weather?”

[No.]

The giant answered firmly.

[This cold is fundamentally your problem, my warrior.]

“I never asked for this, *sniff*…”

[As I said before, this is a world manifested from your mental image. If you want to blame something, blame your own heart. Strictly speaking, it’s the influence of your past life.]

Rex found this completely incomprehensible.

[Anyway, just accept it. If you can’t avoid it, enjoying it isn’t a bad approach.]

It meant he would have to come to this snowy mountain every time he met the giant. He couldn’t refuse, nor should he, so he had no choice but to endure as the giant said.

Come to think of it, he had many questions. Not knowing when the dream would end, Rex hurriedly asked the questions he had been thinking about.

“About the mark. How exactly does it get stronger?”

[The Heart of Steel? You already know. Kill enemies and overcome hardships. There is no other way.]

“Does ‘enemies’ include animals or insects?”

[It could. But they should be worthy opponents for you. Creatures that are too weak have no value. One piece of advice: my blessing grows fastest in life-or-death battles. If you harbor a weak heart, the power of the mark will fade.]

The giant’s eyes flashed like burning suns. Rex’s heart pounded involuntarily at that gaze. It was a look that would not tolerate even an inch of retreat.

[My warrior, you seem to have many concerns.]

The direct comment hit the mark. It was true. It felt like two paths lay before him.

A future of remaining in the village, living an ordinary life, versus challenging himself to venture into the wider world. Conflicting feelings clashed in his mind.

[It’s alright.]

The giant spoke as if he already knew what Rex would do.

[Your soul is destined to walk a thorny path from birth. Being a swordsman is your true calling.]

It was unclear whether this was praise or a curse. As Rex scratched his cheek, the giant bent his knee.

[Now return. As I’ve said many times, you need not worry. As it happens, hardship is coming your way.]

“What? What do you mean…”

As Rex widened his eyes at this statement that couldn’t be ignored, the giant cut him off.

[I look forward to meeting you again in a somewhat different form.]

The giant extended his open palm toward Rex. Though not the first time, it was still an unbearable sight, and Rex squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Do we really have to do this every time?’

Soon, the world turned to darkness.

***

Two weeks passed.

The person who had left the village to hire mercenaries still hadn’t returned.

The village chief declared with a serious face:

“We can’t waste any more time. Given the situation, we’ll have to exterminate them ourselves.”

A heavy atmosphere weighed down on everyone.