Chapter 25: The Boss is Too Weak (5)

Chapter 25: The Boss is Too Weak (5)

“...I never expected that goblin could speak.”

That was the first thing firefighter Park Cheol-jin said.

“Huff... I can’t see ahead. I can’t hear well either... Only my sense of smell is sharp. Huff. I didn’t even realize you all were here. Huff.”

“...”

So, he detected us by our scent?

I might not have taken a bath due to the lack of water, but I did diligently wipe myself...

“So, you plan to push the Minotaur into the swamp?”

Choi Ji-won, with her arms crossed, asked me.

I gave a slight nod.

“If it were as usual, it’d be impossible... But we’re not normal. We can’t think conventionally.”

“It might be possible if we do it right...”

Choi Ji-won shrugged.

“But just to clarify, everyone in the vacant lot either has a low level or none at all. They won’t be of any help.”

Choi Ji-won stated it firmly. That was something I was already aware of.

“To be blunt, it’s a gamble. The chances of success aren’t high.” This time, firefighter Park Cheol-jin spoke with a wry smile. “But... I like the idea.”

He seemed to be fond of the notion that we might save everyone without any sacrifices.

“Let’s see... Even within our group, we might gather some people, but not many have focused on strength.”

“How many do you think can help?”

“...Five. No more than that.”

In that case, Choi Ji-won, Park Cheol-jin, and the five from Park Cheol-jin’s group. We need at least three more.

Why was I leaving myself out?

Because if I went near the swamp, I’d regress.

“First, let’s gather those who aren’t part of the vacant lot or Mr. Park Cheol-jin’s group.”

When the plan succeeds, it won’t do to have people ignorant about the portal and starve somewhere.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

It was necessary to gather the individuals roaming separately.

“Once we have the people, let’s ask for volunteers?”

Finding cooperation from the strongest among those gathered would be a bonus.

“...Hmm. I think we can gather those in the forest. One of my colleagues has the exploration trait.”

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin nodded in agreement.

He seemed quite happy with the plan.

I must say it again; the biggest advantage of this plan is that no one needed to make sacrifices:

If successful, no one will die. Everyone can survive and we can defeat the Minotaur.

“Now, while I guard the Goblin Shaman, everyone else should spread out and...”

“Huff... Human. Doing that will cause problems.”

“What?”

The Goblin Shaman, who seemed to be on the brink of death, suddenly spoke.

“If you push that protective barrier from outside so carelessly, the seal’s magic structure will break. Huff.”

“...It’ll break?”

“More like explode. Huff. Half the island might blow away.”

“...”

Then... this plan is meaningless.

But the Goblin Shaman continued.

“But there’s a solution. Huff. Huff. Just reinforce the external seal’s magic structure. Huff.”

Thud.

The Goblin Shaman weakly slammed his staff.

“I know humans seek tiny golden talismans with a mysterious power. Huff. That’s what we need.”

“... Golden beads?”

The ‘golden talisman with a mysterious power’ must be golden beads.

“Huff. Huff... As you see, I’m dying. I lack power. I need to borrow the strength of the talisman. Huff.”

“How many do you need?”

“The more, the better. Huff... Time’s running out, human. I’m about to die...”

“...”

The need for the golden bead certainly makes this operation feel riskier.

“...Hey, isn’t there another way? Didn’t you say you had a better idea?”

Out of desperation, I asked the Goblin Shaman if there was an alternative.

“Huff. While maintaining the internal seal that binds the monster, I can release the external seal about 3 seconds earlier. Huff. Just defeat the monster in those 3 seconds. Huff.”

“...And we won’t need the golden bead for that?”

“No. Huff. The talisman is needed for both methods.”

The Goblin Shaman’s staff emitted light.

“Now, let’s go! One!”

“”′′One!!!“”′′

Following Park Cheol-jin’s command, they all began pushing the spherical barrier.

Veins bulged in people’s arms, and the ground beneath their feet sank deeply.

“Grrrrrr...”

Choi Ji-won’s face turned beet red as she exerted her strength. I’d never seen her like this before.

Guduk!

A slight tremor.

“...Damn.”

While the barrier enclosing the Minotaur slightly shook, it didn’t move.

Even with our selection of those with high strength stats, was our power still insufficient?

“Whew. Everyone, ease up. We’ll take a short break and try again.”

“This... The ground is soft; it’s sinking, making it hard to exert strength.”

A man commented, rubbing his heated palm. As he said, the sinking ground made it difficult to effectively apply force on the barrier.

“...I think I can solve that.”

From among the spectators cheering for the barrier pushers, a lanky young man stepped forward.

“I’ve been hiding my ability so far... My ability is ‘Hardening’. I can solidify the ground you all are standing on.”

As the man touched the ground, the relatively soft soil became firm.

“I... I’ll help too!”

The next one to step forward was the short-haired woman, Baek Da-hye.

“I... have a buff ability! Though it’s a low rank... I’ll do my best!”

“Oh, wow...”

Energy emanated from her hands, enveloping the people. Their once strained and panting faces relaxed considerably.

“I also...!”

“I have a useful ability too...!”

Those with seemingly useful abilities supported the ones pushing the barrier directly.

“I might not have a special ability... but I’ll cheer for you!”

“We can do it! We can do it!”

“We... will survive! We’ll make it through this damn tower!”

“Fight on!! Let’s go!”

Those without such abilities screamed their cheers, their voices echoing far and wide.

Not everyone was pushing the orb-shaped barrier, but their hearts and minds were one.

“Everyone... Thank you so much.”

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin seemed to choke up, a hint of a sob in his voice.

“We must... We absolutely must survive! Let’s survive together! Here we go again! Oneeee!!!”

“”′′One!“”′′

A jolt!

“Two!”

“”′′Two!!!“”′′

Another jolt!

“Three!”

“”′′Threeeeeeee!!!“”′′

Krkrkrk!

A heavy groaning sound echoed!

Was it because everyone’s hearts united?

The orb-shaped barrier, which had been firmly rooted to the ground, began to move with a thunderous noise.

“...Huff. Huff. Huff.”

“Gasp... Gasp... Gasp.”

People were panting heavily.

Some had clenched their teeth so hard that blood streamed from their gums.

But this was just the beginning. About 50 meters remained to the swamp.

“...Goblin Shaman. How long can you hold on?”

The Shaman, holding the golden beads and staff, had his arms trembling greatly.

“Khelk... Huff... Kruk... I will hold on until I die... Human, how much longer do you think I have? Huff.”

“...”

Despite everyone’s best efforts, Time was quickly running out.

--- END OF THE CHAPTER ---

[TL: Will Jun-ho and Co succeed? Find out in the next episode of Dragon Ball—Ahem! I mean, go and read the next chapter!]