Chapter 65: THE FIRST DEFEAT

Race: Goblin

Level: 10

Class: Lord; Horde Chief

Possessed Skills: Ruler of the Horde; Insurgent Will; Overpowering Howl; Swordsmanship B+; Insatiable Desire; King’s Soul; Ruler’s Wisdom I; Eyes of the Blue Snake; Dance at Death’s Border; Red Snake’s Eye; Magic Manipulation; Soul of a Crazed Warrior; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;

Divine Protection: Goddess of the Underworld

Attributes: Darkness; Death

Suboridnate Beasts: High Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)

The instant Rashka’s shockwave crashed into the king’s descending great sword, a violent tremor shook the earth. Aluhaliha who was sitting by the side on his rider-beast called out to Gi Gu Verbena, who was leading the horde in the king’s absence.

“Are you sure you don’t need to save him? Rashka’s strong, you know.”

But Gi Gu did not move an inch

“It is the king’s will. We shall obey. If you try to interfere, I will use all of my power to stop you. Even if your purpose might be to save the king’s life.”

With his arms folded, and his eyes looking down, he watched the battle between the king and the enemy general unfold.

“The king will win. Today’s no different. And from now on too, that is how it should be.”

A glint like burning fire shone within his two eyes as Gi Gu Verbena gritted his teeth tight and folded his arms even stronger.

He wanted to move. He himself wished to do so, but he desperately kept that urge at bay.

“Right…”

Since that’s how this goblin who is his senior in service to the king, then he, Aluhaliha, could only do the same.

As he stifled the stirring of vexation within, he kept watch over the

king’s duel.

In the background, the bird of misfortuneSkyura, provokingly sang.

◆◇◆

My sword slammed into the shockwave, and an explosion of dust literally blew up in the aftermath.

Shockwaves continued to fly toward me. But each and every time, I would swing my sword and crush the shockwave head on.

“Nu.”

For a short moment, Rashka’s pained voice leaked. It seems he’s realized that that magic he’s so proud of isn’t working.

Long Range attacks are impossible for me. So there’s no other choice, but for me to slip through these attacks, and challenge him to a melee. Unfortunately, it’ll be a narrow margin even in a close fight. But I mustn’t think of losing.

If anything, if I end up distancing myself from him, all it means is that a shockwave will come flying at me again.

As my great sword met his shockwaves, I resisted the pressure of the exploding wind, and I stepped forward.

“Laughable.”

An attack that looked to crush me, descended. Be it strength or speed, Rashka was indeed above me, however…

“My life is like a cloud of dustAccel!”

With my magic supply bolstered by the[Skill] >, I increased my speed to the limits. As a shockwave resulting from the explosion of ether hit me from behind, I rocketed off. Then in an instant, I suddenly stopped the ether.

By the time my sound and vision returned to me, what was before me was Rashka’s figure, swinging his club down.

“Tch!”

“Turn my body into a blade!Enchant”

—Make it in time!

I swung the blade at my side to meet the descending club. The two enchanted weapons crashed into each other, causing black sparks to scatter. Both weapons were blown away, but the one to recover his posture first was… the enemy!?

My great sword, held by both of my hands, was blown away, while the enemy swung down his club one-handedly. If the two forces were the same, then of course the resulting shock would be weaker on the enemy’s side.

I needed to leave the range of his club, so I separated from him to shake off the force I received just now. As I gradually managed to stifle the strength of that force, I immediately fixed my stance as soon as I stepped out of his range,

In front of me was a black shockwave, let loose from a downward swing. That attack that was strong enough to hollow the earth, crashed into the ground and caused an explosion, giving rise to a tempest. For an instant, our eyes met.

Aiming for his arms that’ve just swung down that club of his, I took my sword, and slammed it into him. But the enemy also took his club, and he managed to meet my great sword. Again, I was blown away.

—Sheet, what kind of strength is this!?

I’ve already used > and yet his strength is still greater. Not to mention, on top of his superior strength in melee, he is even able to attack me from a distance. Doesn’t this mean that I virtually have no chances of winning? But still… I can’t lose.

Isn’t there something? Something I could use to defeat him!?

I checked my skills inside my head, but the only two remaining skills were > and >. These two skills are too risky.

I don’t want to kill this goblin. I want to make him kneel before me and serve me.

That is my objective.

The Ganra Tribe might’ve something to say about that, but I want his power.

As I was thinking that, I continued to keep alert., but for one moment, just one moment, I might’ve let my guard down. And in that moment, Rashka’s body neared a place that my great sword could not reach.

---Not good!

Leaving it to my instinct, I swung my enchanted sword.

“My fury howls!Slash”

“Turn me into a blade!Enchant”

At the two explosions, the two forces were offset, and I once again stood before the enemy.

For a moment, I glanced at the sword in my hands that had been blown back by the shockwaves from the explosion. At that moment, it was as if the goddess of knowledgeHera whispered to me.

It’s possible in theory, but can I actually do it? It has been some time since I first learned Accel.

—No, I don’t have the time to test things out at my leisure!

As if to intercept my thoughts, the enemy’s club started freely attacking me. A downward swing. An attack from both sides,

followed by a thrust. Attack after attack after attack came, but I somehow managed to answer to the enemy’s herculean strength with my magic.

As I fought back the enemy’s continuous attack, I gradually took some distance.

◇◇◆

He’s resisting my attacks quite well.

Even from amongst the tribes, there isn’t anyone who could fight this well. A unique sword technique, good judgment, and more than anything else, courage. My club was cut down in his earlier attack, but after that, I’ve already seen through everything this goblin has to offer.

Be it power or technique, I am superior!

He also can’t attack from a distance.

Then in that case----

There’s no reason for me to lose!

I swung my club down to suppress the enemy’s blade rising up from below. As I barely missed the tip of his blade, it grazed past my cheek. Blood spilled out, but if he couldn’t do this much, then there wouldn’t be any point to this fight.

I will defeat this goblin before me, and name myself king. And for that, there is no better opponent.

As the gray goblin passed me by my side, he once again launched an attack from below.

Don’t think the same trick will work on me twice! That conceit of yours will cost you your life!

“Clad me in violence’s dignity!Ra Gilion”

As a black light wrapped around my club, the surrounding air constricted. The entirety of that swelling black light met the incoming sword. With this attack, even that great sword of his will be buried along with him.

Take it as a present in the afterlife!

“My life is like a cloud of dust!Accel”

You won’t escape!

I’ve already grasped your speed.

As I felt the sensation of my club hitting him, a smile appeared on my face---

But then suddenly, because of the great sword suddenly speeding up, I missed the timing of Ra Gilion’s explosion.

I should’ve had already grasped the speed of his sword. So why!? Why did his sword suddenly become faster!? Shocked, my eyes unconsciously followed my club which has been blown away.

By the time I noticed it, the goblin was nowhere to be seen.

---I messed up!

As I felt a shock run through me from the side, my club had already been flicked away. Ra Gilion blew up behind me, and the resulting shockwave brought me down to my knees.

“Ku…”

When I immediately looked up, what appeared before me was the goblin’s sword thrusted right in front of me.

◇◆◆

If I could increase my body’s speed, then I should also be able to increase my sword’s speed. Theoretically speaking, it’s possible. After all, Accel is a spell that detonates ether behind one’s body to propel one forward. So if the same principle is applied to the sword, then the same effect should be achievable.

After I sent back Rashka’s attack, I followed up with another attack, and sent his club flying. Immediately after, an explosion blew up behind Rashka.

After those two attacks that went better than expected, I had Rashka’s neck at the tip of my blade.

“Ku…”

That giant goblin looked up to me.

Just how should I coax this goblin who could easily be amongst the five strongest that I’ve fought? How can I make him my subordinate?

I thought of just giving him a speech, but seeing how the resolve to fight still burned within those eyes of his, I doubt that’ll have much of an effect.

Also, it’s only my impression of him after crossing swords, but while his attacks are fierce, he isn’t unscrupulous. When we were fighting, he didn’t rely on petty tricks, but instead magnificently met my attacks from head on, giving the impression that he’s an honest person.

“You lost.”

Frustrated, Rashka looked down. Although he had lost, I couldn’t sense even the slightest sense of fear from death in him. His body only shook from that frustration.

But of course, he wouldn’t easily accept his defeat, would he? Or perhaps, he’s simply confused after losing for the first time. According to the information I’ve heard prior, this goblin hasn’t lost once.

“I will have you and your tribe serve me!”

Half dumbfounded, Rashka looked up to me and asked.

“You don’t think I’ll betray you?”

I wryly smiled. Aluhaliha’s one thing, but why on earth would a traitor go out of his way to confirm that? Is it a tradition of you four tribe chiefs to spout things you don’t really mean?

“If you think you can win against me, then feel free to come anytime.”

The first taste of defeat is a lot heavier that one might think. Especially when that defeat is a one on one against a goblin from outside whom you looked down on. So before he manages to shake off that shock, I went ahead and drove the nail into the coffin.

As doubt and anxiety in himself started to rise, he lost whatever he had left of his spirit. Rather than be thinking of rebelling, I’m sure he’s recalling his defeat. And every time he thinks of rebelling, the image of his defeat should flash through his mind, and he would ask, “Can I win?”

I don’t know what’ll happen to the difference in our strength once he shakes off the shock of his first defeat. I might be the weaker one then, who knows. Regardless, I don’t have any intentions of confining myself in a small place such as this.

What I seek is the ends of the world.

So from here on out, I need to become even stronger and bigger.

So there’s no problem.

I will run in pursuit of the world, and Rashka will run in pursuit of my back. As for who will be the stronger, well, isn’t that something to look forward to?

Besides, it’s a king’s duty to answer to those who challenge him.

“…Understood. For the time being, I’ll follow you.”

For the time being, huh?

I laughed sarcastically at those words. To think a sore loser could be this bad, how amusing.

Now as for my subordinates who are now coming over, just how should I persuade the Ganra, I wonder.

◆◆◆◆◇◇◇◇

Level has risen.

10 -> 15

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Author’s Note: The sore loser Rashka and the protagonist who wants more people… Will the protagonist be able to make Gilmi consent? Find out in the of GK!