TL Note: will be posted next week. Schedule hasn’t changed, it’s still one chapter a week. It just so happens that the first section of this chapter is one of my favorite parts in the early chapters, so I translated it quickly.

Chapter 14: Counterattack

[Race] Goblin

[Level] 99

[Class] Noble; Horde Chief

[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Insurgent Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship C+>> <<Avarice>> <<Distant Soul>> <<A Ruler’s Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> <<Dance at Death’s Border>> <<The Red Snake’s Eye>>

[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld, Altesia

[Attributes] Darkness, Death

◆◆◆

Gi Ga felt impatient as he watched the chief fight a difficult battle right before his eyes.

But at the same time, he had to do the job he was ordered to do.

Gi Ga turned to glance at the human woman. And there she was, her face as expressionless as usual, watching the chief fight.

Gi Ga was ordered to protect this woman.

But at the rate the fight is going, if he doesn’t jump out now, then the chief will be devoured by the orcs.

The chief prefers to be alone.

Whenever there is danger, the one who goes is he. The chief never lets his subordinates do something reckless.

To Gi Ga, this kind of conduct was abnormal.

When Gi Ga was only a goblin, the leader of his horde then had red skin like he does now.

Each day that leader would order the goblins to hunt for food. And the older goblins would take for themselves the best of the spoils.

——Power is everything.

That was true even for the goblins.

Gi Ga never thought it to be strange.

When he reaches the top, he too would do the same. But of course, there was dissatisfaction. And what was most unsatisfying was the matter regarding the females. The boss of the horde monopolized the females, keeping coitus with the females all to himself. The whole horde was unsatisfied.

But even so, for Gi Ga who was only a goblin, rebelling was not possible.

But then one day, a goblin who would leave that horde appeared. Gi Ga followed that goblin. Gi Ga followed him since it seems like he’ll allocate the females, and since the food was better compared to what it was then.

There were many young goblins following that goblin.

Young goblins that had circumstances similar to Gi Ga.

Eventually they found a place they could settle down in. But then, the orcs also came.

The new leader said he would drive those orcs away. And so he gathered the thirty goblins that were with him, and he told them to surround the three orcs. But it failed.

By the time Gi Ga noticed it, the encirclement was broken, and Gi Ga was sent flying, knocked unconscious.

By the time he woke up, the leader was an unknown red goblin.

Little by little, the horde acknowledge that goblin as their leader.

——Well, history will just repeat itself.

This forest is just too harsh of an environment for goblins to live in.

Like that Gi Ga followed after the new chief with his heart partly resigned.

That leader taught Gi Ga and the other goblins a new method to catch preys. A method that used traps to disable the preys.

Gi Ga doubted his eyes as he stared at the leader who thought this up, completely dumbfounded.

“Try it.”

At the chief’s words, Gi Ga timidly attempted to use the traps. And almost as if it was a lie, he managed to catch his prey easily.

——This leader is a good leader.

In no time at all, Gi Ga changed his opinion, and he recognized the new chief.

Gi Ga thought it was strange.

The new leader actually allocated the food.

He didn’t monopolize the females.

And he even gave them names.

And more than anything, the leader saved his life when he became confused from the orcs’ cries.

——What is this… this goblin?

When Gi Ga evolved, that questioned surface at the back of Gi Ga’s head. Compared to the time he was just a goblin, his ability to think had grown, and so he pondered the question.

The answer he arrived to was–

——A king. This goblin is the king who has come to save us.

And so Gi Ga who had evolved into a goblin rare, bowed his head to the chief.

With joy and absolute fidelity, he swore his loyalty.

“My king… Guu”

But that very chief right now was under pressure by the hateful orcs.

The chief won’t expose us to danger.

But what will happen once the chief passes?

The chief must be saved.

No matter what.

“Woman… I, go. You, hide!”

“Even though you were ordered to protect me?”

“For, my king, I, go! King, save! You, hide!”

While he was talking, fire filled his body, spreading to every corner as if trying to set his body on fire.

That erupting sensation was sudden.

But it felt warm.

With enough reason to stake his life, he felt strength fill his limbs with power.

“GURUUaAAA!”

Gi Ga jumped from the thickets, and struck the orc with his sword!

◆◆◇

——Not good. I can’t dodge!

“GURUaAA!”

As I thought that, a black shadow bellowed out a howl from the corner of my eyes.

Gi Ga who should’ve been hiding within the thickets suddenly appeared, and went for the orc, wielding his iron spear.

Didn’t I leave Reshia’s protection to him!?”

“King, save! I, save king!”

That iron spear was rusted, but at Gi Ga’s beast-like charge, it penetrated the orc’s flesh, and both the orc and Gi Ga fell to the ground.

——Shit!

Gripping my Iron Second (Steel Great Sword), I moved my body in an attempt to save Gi Ga ——

“PYuGaaAA!”

Maddened by fury, the orc leader swept his long spear horizontally. In response, I exerted all of my strength to block it.

Ku!?

“PUByuUuAA!”

“GURUuUAA!”

The war cries of Gi Ga and the orc resounded from behind me as I focused all my strength to dodge the incoming spear of the orc in front of me.

If it hits, it’ll be fatal.

With the follower gone, I thought I’d manage somehow, but apparently my calculations were way off.

——This orc is undoubtedly strong!

I have no choice but to recognize that fact.

“Support Gi Ga! Throw it!”

At the bellow of Overpowering Howl, I ordered the subordinate goblins to throw the stones.

I have better chances of winning than Gi Ga who is fighting the other orc behind me, so I don’t have the luxury to have them support me.

[Skill] Swordsmanship C+ activated, it is now possible to parry the heavy attack of the spear.

I need to get the orc inside my range. So go! Go deep into the range of the long spear!

I drew close towards the orc as I meticulously parried an attack that was strong enough to fray my nerves.

Three more steps, and it’ll enter my great sword’s range.

But at that thought, blood suddenly spilled

Barely failing to receive the spear handle from above, my feet were hit directly.

“Gu, uuAa”

Soundlessly, I groaned. And without being given time to rest, the spear that broke my feet crawled on the ground like a snake, and it came slashing again.

That spear came from below, and with my great sword as a shield, I blocked it.

But because of the pain from my broken feet, I wasn’t able to absorb all of the impact, and I was sent flying all the way into the thickets. Fortunately, the thickets cushioned my fall, and I didn’t fall on my back. But because of that blow, I lost sight of what was in front of me.

“PyuBuuAA!”

“PyuGUuAaAA!”

The orc that I was fighting leaped! But now it wasn’t aiming for me but Gi Ga!

——What the hell. Goblins should just follow my commands. It’s enough for you goblins to do as I say!

——Don’t try to save me!

I won’t accept that.

Because once I do, I’m not confident that I’ll be able to calmly accept your deaths.

The long sword of the orc follower swung at Gi Ga, cutting his arm. And the orc leader’s long spear swept, sending both the iron spear and Gi Ga, flying.

Gi Ga’s arms were twisted to the wrong direction, and as he lay on the ground, he coughed blood. That image burned itself on my eyes, and lit something within me.

“GURUuRUuUUAAA!!”

At the explosion of Overpowering Howl, I bolted towards the orcs to stop them.

Having carelessly gone close, I entered the range of the orc follower, and it brought its long sword down on me. I read the trajectory of that slash, and with a move that could only be considered by others as unthinkable, I went deeper into its range and receive the brunt of its attack.

My shoulder was burning. Having been deeply wounded, blue blood spurted from my wound.

But this is exactly what I wanted.

Now, tell me. Do you think you’ll be forgiven!?

“GURUuRUUu!”

“PUGyuuUAA!”

The orc tried to dig the sword even deeper, but I seized the blade of that long sword, grasping it within my bare hand.

[Skill] <<Dance at Death’s Border>> Activated.

——Physical strength and agility 20%UP.

But… it’s not enough!

With that blade in my hand, I sunk it myself even deeper into my wound.

[Skill] << Dance at Death’s Border>> stage 2 activated.

——Physical strength and Agility 30%UP——Not yet!!

I lifted the Iron Second (Steel Great Sword) that should be lifted with two hands with only one hand.

“PUBYuURUu!?”

I lifted it over the confused orc’s head. And with my anger at its greatest, I swung it down. The great sword descended, and as it reached the orc’s head, it smashed it, cutting down until half of its chest was severed. And then finishing it off, I sent it flying with a kick.

“PUByuRURUAaA!”

After I’d kicked the orc away, the orc leader’s enraged voice bellowed, and with it, came lunging his long spear.

The swung spear, easily crushed the left arm that held the orc follower’s long sword.

[Skill] <<Dance at Death’s Border>> stage 3 activated.

——Physical strength and agility 40%UP!

“oooAAOooO!”

The crumbling body, my consciousness barely kept together with anger, I ignored all of those as I stepped onward.

And with that step, I swung the great sword, sending the orc leader’s long spear, flying. The orc that could absolutely not lose in physical strength had just lost in a contest of physical prowess, leaving it confused.

“BUGyuRUu!?

I held the great sword above my head, and in one straight line, I brought it down, crashing into the orc’s head. But the foe before me was also an existence who led its horde. There was no way it would just stand still and watch its death.

At the descent of that attack, the orc leader intersected its hands, and thrusted itself towards me. This sword is being swung one-handed. It can cut flesh, but it won’t be able to crush the bone. Moreover, with the distance shortened, the damage received should also be mitigated.

——A good decision.

The falling sword met halfway with the orc’s hands.

——But… this attack is

My muscles on my right arm that was swinging this sword down, suddenly enlarged abnormally.

——This wrath of mine cannot be stopped with something on that level!!!

The sword, unstopping, continued unfazed, crushing the head of the orc.

Blood spurted, and the orc crumbled to the ground. As I glanced sideward at the bloodied, unmoving orc, I pierced my sword into the ground.

“Reshia! Reshia Fel Zeal!”

As I called that name, I helped Gi Ga up.

Reshia pushed her way out of the thickets, and I brought Gi Ga to her.

“Heal this one.”

Although her face was expressionless as usual, a curious expression slightly appeared on her face.

“Even though you’re also heavily injured?”

“This one takes priority! Hurry!”

Enduring both that gradually increasing impatience that felt like it was trying to burn my body, and that sensation welling from deep inside that felt like it was trying to tear me apart, I urged Reshia to heal Gi Ga.

[… I understand.]

Reshia looked like she couldn’t fully comprehend it, but she still went to Gi Ga and chanted her healing magic. Seeing that, I finally fell to my knees.

Inside my body, something was trying to change me. That something that could also be called a chill, crawling beneath my skin, was coming from my guts, attempting to recreate me anew.

——It’s hot.

Steam came out from every part of my body.

“——*Gulp!?”

I heard a surprised gulp, but I ignored it.

As my eyes closed themselves…

“The shape of one’s appearance is the shape of one’s soul.”

I wonder why… I suddenly remembered the words of the annoying mother goddess.

◇◇◆◆◇◇◆◆

[Level] Because you have broken through level 100 [Class] will rise.

[Class] Noble; Horde Chief -> [Class] Duke; Horde Chief

Your level will also reset to 1.

Because you have evolved to Goblin Duke, your abilities will also rise.

[Skill] <<Swordsmanship C+>> will become <<Swordsmanship B->>; <<Avarice>> will become <<Insatiable Greed>>

Because you have defeated the orc leader, your level will rise.

From level one you will rise to level ten.

[Divine Protection] The one-eyed red snake that was bestowed upon you by Altesia (The Goddess of the Underworld), will also transform inside your body.

[Skill] <<Magic Manipulation>> acquired.

Items Acquired: Long Spear, Long Sword, Fang Necklace

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Author’s Note:

I tried writing from the perspective of someone other than the protagonist.

I plan to do this for several others too.