Chapter 4: First Request (2)
“We’ve arrived, Hunter-nim.”
“Oh.”
After climbing the mountain path with Mr. Park for 2 hours—
I looked past the thick bushes in the direction he pointed.
“A Spring?”
It was a natural Spring deep in the mountains.
As soon as I arrived, I made a puzzled expression.
‘The path here was so rough, so why is this place so well maintained?’
A small, neatly flattened clearing.
And even a simple metal roof installed over the Spring.
“Yes, it’s where the stream flowing along the mountain ridge gathers.”
Mr. Park smacked his lips, saying that water was great for joint pain.
The reason for his regret was obvious.
‘Goblins.’
The Monsters I had to deal with had occupied the Spring.
There were 3 Goblins in total.
All of them were busy drinking water.
One of them had even shoved its head into the large stone basin.
Anyone would think they were guzzling some kind of elixir.
“Th-those… doing that to the Spring…! I should snap their necks myself!”
Mr. Park gestured with frustration.
His tone sounded ready to kill them at any moment.
But crouching behind the bushes, he wasn’t very convincing.
I spoke to him as he muttered while squatting.
“I’ll handle things from here. Please head back.”
“Ah… You won’t need me to wait, Hunter-nim?”
His legs were trembling.
No point making him stay and suffer more anxiety.
I understand.
Even if they’re mere trash mobs to Hunters, to ordinary people they’re terrifying beasts.
In that sense, Goblins were far more dangerous than wild boars.
When I nodded, Mr. Park turned with a touched expression.
“Then I’ll wait down below. Please come back alive!”
He hurried back the way we came.
After he completely disappeared—
I turned my gaze back to the Goblins enjoying their Spring party.
‘No Gate in sight… so those 3 must be all of them.’
There was no spatial rift hanging in the air.
Considering how Gates disappear after releasing Monsters, it must have already vanished after releasing these 3.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
I cracked my neck , crack crack and stepped out from the bushes.
“Hello, friends.”
I greeted the Goblins, who were still splashing water on each other happily.
“Kiruk?”
Their eyes turned toward me.
A brief silence passed.
“Kiruk!”
Suddenly, their eyes sharpened.
They drew crude weapons from their waists—
Rusty hand axes and chipped daggers.
Though only about 1 meter tall, holding weapons still gave them some presence.
Not that it mattered.
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat and took out a purple sphere.
The Goblins looked puzzled at it.
Then—
I hurled it to the ground and shouted.
“Go, Goblin Slave!”
Honestly, I could’ve just dropped it.
But I’d always wanted to say something like that.
Anyone who grew up watching TV animation would understand.
Roll—roll!
The sphere rolled across the ground.
At the same time, the Status Window appeared.
[Summoning Goblin Slave.]
Pssshhh!
“Kiruk?!”
White mist burst out from the sphere, swallowing the area.
Then the wind cleared it away—
“Kiruk?”
The 3 Goblins narrowed their eyes.
Because another of their kind had appeared about 3 meters away.
It wasn’t exactly the same.
The summoned Goblin was about a head smaller.
Maybe that’s why it was treated as a Slave.
[“Stop Monsters with Monsters” Save File has been synchronized.]
But that wasn’t the only difference.
[Special bonus applied to the first hired Monster! Overlaying the inventory of the longest-surviving Goblin Slave from play records.]
I’ve said this before.
In MonMonMak, I was a veteran.
I once survived 100 Waves with a single Goblin.
That’s right.
The one in front of me—
was that legendary Goblin Slave.
And how did it survive 100 Waves?
Obviously—
< Goblin Slave Inventory >
[Wind Helm - A Rank]
[Raven Leather Armor (Dex Enhancement) - A Rank]
[Raven Wristguards - A Rank]
[Obsidian Ring (Fire Resistance) - A Rank]
…
Gear carry.
‘I must’ve been insane… spending millions on this thing.’
I stared bitterly at its inventory.
The terrifying equipment it wore proved just how much of a sucker I’d been.
“Kiruk?!”
The 3 Goblins, who had been underestimating it, began to hesitate.
This smaller Goblin was decked out in flashy gear.
Meanwhile, my Goblin Slave glanced over its glossy dark armor and fixed its sharp gaze on them.
Then—
Clink!
“?”
A clear metallic sound echoed.
It was shaking its ring and bracelet at them with a smirk.
‘This crazy Goblin…’
Even I felt annoyed at that smug grin.
“Kiruk! Kiruuk!”
Maybe they couldn’t stand the provocation.
One Goblin charged with a club.
Reckless—but reasonable.
Because the Goblin Slave’s weapon looked like a simple wooden club.
“Hmm.”
But I crossed my arms with a pitying look.
Nope.
That’s not just a stick.
“Kiruk.”
The Goblin Slave grinned.
I checked its weapon.
[Hercules’ Club (True)]
[Implements the savage power that crushed Hydra’s heads! Grants unstoppable force to your Monster! All Stats +30. Strength +30 additional!]
Crack! Splurt!
Suddenly, chunks of flesh splattered near my legs.
I blinked.
I clearly saw the Goblin leap—
but now nothing remained.
Only blood spread like ketchup, and scraps of meat.
“Kiruk.”
The Goblin Slave shook off its club—
stained with what used to be a Goblin.
“Ki-Kiruk?!”
The remaining Goblins froze.
“Kiruk.”
It smiled again.
That murderous grin made my stomach churn.
‘What kind of monster did I create?’
“Kiruk! Kiruk!”
The Goblins chose their best option.
Run!
They turned and sprinted.
“Hmm, too slow.”
I shook my head.
They couldn’t escape.
I glanced at the boots.
“You can use that too, right?”
“Kiruk.”
Of course.
I nodded.
“Then use it.”
“Kiruk!”
[Goblin Slave activates “Raven Set Effect – Raven’s Wingbeat (A)”.]
BOOOOM!
The Goblin shot forward like a bullet.
Its boots unleashed a gust like boosters.
“Kiieek?!”
The fleeing Goblins turned—
Too late.
Crunch! Splatter!
Two swings.
That was all.
More blood stained the Spring.
“……”
After it ended—
I closed my eyes quietly.
Sorry.
You just wanted to drink water.
Then this insane Slave turned you into pulp.
“Kiruk.”
When I opened my eyes, it stood before me.
“?”
It leaned its helmeted head forward.
“…You want me to pat your head?”
“Kiruk!”
It nodded.
Unbelievable.
Then—
[Goblin Slave Affinity: 20/100]
What is this, a dating sim?
That system didn’t exist before.
[Max Affinity unlocks a new Skill.]
“….”
A new Skill?
That changes things.
“Good job, Goblin Slave.”
I patted its head.
It stepped back, satisfied.
[Affinity increased by 10!]
I dismissed the window.
Then looked at the corpses.
“Now… how do I get Gold from them…”
That was the real reason I came.
To figure out how to earn Gold.
But no Gold dropped.
No system message either.
“Kiruk.”
Instead—
The Goblin Slave walked to the corpses.
Then rummaged through them—
“Kiruk!”
And returned, holding something out.