Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Tutorial (2)

The situation was something like this.

This sewer used to be the ratlings den, but one day, goblins came in, killed a bunch of them, and took away their home.

Of course, there were more details to the story, but this was all I could understand from the shallow and halting speech of these rats.

At first, the rats had also resisted the goblins, but they couldnt compete either in weaponry or in military organization, so theyd naturally lost in the end. The ones before me were the remnants who were hiding here.

"Indeed. Right. That's it.

I get it, but did you need three hours to explain that?! Three whole hours!

Three hours? What. Is that?"

Thats right, theres something like that Oh, you ignorant bastards.

I was feeling so weak even my words were slurring. Id been ignoring it for a while.

"You. Vagabond. We. Colony. New brother! Receive. Give! In return. Help! Us!"

A colony' referred to a community of rats, and vagabond' was a term for rats who didnt belong to a colony' and roamed around.

In other words, theyd accept me into their community and Id help them in return.

I hesitated for a moment. Because, just looking at the situation, I could see that he was trying to use me.

But a group of goblins was out there, and I was reluctant to just leave.

As I pondered, the ratling whod brought me here suggested something. Oh, by the way, his name was First'. He was the guy whod become my right-hand man in the future.

"First. Meal. New brother. Been a long time. Special meal.

When the phrase special meal' came out, the younger and the elderly rats all flinched.

Why? Because you get to be that special meal' if youre unlucky.

Thats common sense, isnt it? Ratlings are cunning, cruel, and greedy creatures, and theyre merciless to the weak of their own kind.

They treat their slaves and their prey much worse than humans.

The rats who were on the younger or the elderly side were quickly encircled by their stronger brethren who were in their prime, as if theyd been waiting for such an opportunity.

The younger and elderly rats were the majority, but they didn't dare put up a fight.

Realizing the situation, I cried out in surprise. To have your first meal by preying upon your own kind? I couldnt agree to that, at least not now.

What do you fucks think youre doing!

"We. Are. Not. Fuck."

"Huh?"

"Falk. Is. Your. Name. Last time. Goblin. Fight. I heard."

Fuck it, you bastards

"We. Are. Not. Fuck."

"Ah, really alright, let's say thats true. What are you doing?

Then First' said with an expression full of pity, as if he was looking at an idiot.

Special meal. Meat. Now. Our. Kin. Are. Only meat left."

Understanding his meaning, I shouted at the ceiling.

"Hey you. You made a real good game, you fuckheads. How do I log out?

"Log. Out?"

Ugh, making money sure isnt easy. Fuck Hey, forget all that. Can I get something else to eat? Something a little less disgusting.

"Need. A lot of. Food. Eat. More. Get smarter. Eat less. Weak. Die."

It was true that I needed to eat a lot to get strong and smart.

Rats require a higher amount of food than other races to survive. Not only that, the amount of food also determines their intelligence and physique.

In other words, the more nutrients they get, the stronger and smarter they become. Maybe that's why rats literally risked their lives for food.

"Meat. Goblin meat. Good. Chewy.

Can we take them?

"Oooh! Great! Goblin. Good! Strong but good! Two. Eat to the full!"

I leaned further and observed the two goblins patrolling.

The lack of torches suggests that they had natural night vision, but the conversation made it clear that they werent used to the smell of the sewers. Above all, they were poorly armed and hadnt noticed us.

In other words, they were vulnerable.

There was a sudden sense of tension thrumming in my veins. I knew it was a game, but I was feeling very nervous at the thought of the upcoming fight. This game was too well-crafted.

For a moment, I considered simply retreating, but then I remembered that I wasn't just playing for fun. I was doing this for money.

I might have to test how the game system would react if I killed them. And more than anything, First's eyes filled with expectations were bothering me. His eyes were shining far too brightly for an NPC.

It's really, needlessly high-quality.'

I passed the club to First. Because I remembered how hard itd been to catch the goblin with it. In th end, men are made to wield blades.

"Ill count one, two, three. On three, we attack.

"Great. One, two, three But. Whats count mean?

Fffuuuck

I sighed and charged at the back of the goblins. Fortunately, First followed right behind me.

Susurr-

I moved swiftly like the wind and plunged my dagger into one goblin's shoulder. The green-skinned shorty understood the situation only after hed been stabbed.

The goblin screamed in pain, but unfortunately it wasn't a fatal wound.

He turned and saw me. Those goat-like eyes gave me goosebumps.

I muttered to myself.

This is a game. This is a game. It's a really fucking well-made game.'

I couldn't finish him in one shot, so I had to tangle him from up close. Unfortunately, he was stronger than me.

He knocked me over and climbed on top of me.

I tried to ask First for help, but he was occupied with the other goblin.

Useless bastard! I shouldve taken the club!'

The goblin climbed on top of me and pulled out the dagger stuck in his shoulder. His grin was dripping with malice.

Was it instinct? The moment the goblin raised the dagger, I surged up and bit his neck with my snout.

My sharp fangs pierced flesh and cut through bone.

Blood!'

The goblin's green blood flowed naturally through my fangs and into my mouth. I mightve gone crazy, but the taste of that blood was amazing!

Just a single sip of that indescribable sweet and salty taste filled me with a surge of energy like Id just downed a bottle of energy drink, and I unconsciously bit down harder with my snout.

Then, the neck bones completely snapped, and all strength drained out of the goblin's body.

It was my victory.

Feeling excited after getting a taste of goblin blood, I immediately jumped at the second goblin that First was dealing with.

He was so distracted with his own fight with First that his side was completely open. My dagger stabbed into his earhole.

Something soft yet dense broke inside.

And the goblin trembled and collapsed.

I involuntarily licked the dagger. The sweet and salty taste of victory rode down my tongue and lit my brain on fire.

This game I loved it!

Editor's Notes:

None for this chapter.