Goblin Kingdom (Part 1)

Chapter 11: Spider Hunting

[Race] Goblin
[Level] 45
[Class] Noble; Horde Chief
[Possessed Skills] <<Horde Commander>> <<Defiant Will>> <<Overpowering Howl>> <<Swordsmanship C+>> <<Avarice>> <<Distant Soul>> <<A Ruler's Wisdom I>> <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>>
[Divine Protection] Goddess of the Underworld, Altesia
[Attributes] Darkness, Death

The forest stretches endlessly.

And in it, I stand before a powerful foe. At times like this, my very being cannot help but quiver, elated at the thought of battling a worthy adversary.

"Kisha"

Eight giant, long legs support its body. And its eight eyeballs gleam a light of dark-red.

Not a hint of life could be felt from those eyes. As if they were naught but balls of glass, those dark-red eyes of it, gleam lifelessly, gazing into me. Only one thing is certain, it acknowledges me as its prey.

I bring the Iron Second (Steel Great Sword) over my shoulder. I balance myself, and I tilt myself forward.

The weight of the sword, my grip on its hilt, the sensation of my feet planted firmly on the ground, all of these information are surging into me, my senses heightened. Now, not even the movement of the giant spider's capillaries can escape my eyes. Similarly, my sense of hearing has also heightened, allowing me to hear even the breathing of all that is living around the spider.

I look at the spider and ascertain the distance between it and me.

I exhale.

As I exhale, the breath that came out was hot like the raging fire within my body.

I am standing here now. Here, right before the strong of the forest, the giant spider. Yes, I dare challenge it.

Gi Gu and Gi Ga are in the surrounding thickets, watching attentively with bated breaths.

In a normal hunt, we would've prepared traps beforehand, ensuring our victory, however, this time is different. In truth, it could be said that this is nothing more than my selfishness.

Right now, I am insufficient. So I'm doing this to remedy that. That I might be able to overcome Reshia's overwhelming power.

So far I've lost twice. Once when I was swallowed by the will of the goddess of the underworld, and another when I ended up bowing my head to her.

Reshia is alluring, very alluring. In fact her charm is so powerful that even when we're only talking it feels as if my very soul could be pulled out by her at any moment. Such atrocious power... there's no other way to put it –

Absolute charm.

It is highly probable that there is something going on between the goddess of the underworld and the goddess of healing. A special bond that's causing this unexplainable phenomenon. This sensation that's seducing me to drown within that woman.

And that's why I must do this. I must, at all costs, challenge a foe that I have little chance of defeating.

As for whether I can or cannot win...

I must bring out all of my power, from every fiber of this body of mine, and present to my partner in this dance of life and death a bloodbath.

... Must? No, I WILL!

I WILL bring to it a bloodbath!

Else how could I ever dream of conquering that woman, that saint's overwhelming power!?

"GURUUUuuAA!"

Out of my mouth, bellowed out Overpowering Howl, greeting the foe before me.

[Skill] <<Eyes of the Blue Snake>> activated, computing the target's weakness.
<<Weakness: The head of the spider>>