Volume 2 Chapter 15 The Test Has Started, But...
As soon as I entered the forest, I suddenly encountered three Kobolds. They spotted me and attacked with bloodshot eyes and bared fangs.
"These Kobolds are as fierce as ever."
"Their minds must be full of hunger."
I swung my spear and calmly took down the attacking Kobolds.
In the past, I would have been shaken by such a sudden attack, but after experiencing the despairing Monster Rampage, it was almost anticlimactic.
"I've said it before, but familiarity can be both good and bad. Don't miss the opportunities to take shortcuts."
"Understood."
I nodded earnestly at Gram's advice and calmly struck the final blow on the Kobold.
After confirming that all three of them had completely stopped moving, I sheathed my spear on my back. I took out a butcher knife and began peeling off the Kobold's fangs.
Normally, I would also skin and dismantle the fur and meat to sell to the guild, but this time the number of Kobold kills is important. I only peeled off the parts needed as proof of the kill and left the rest as it is. After the exam, someone from the guild will come into the forest and handle the Kobold carcass.
"Three down early on. Should I express it as a good start?"
"If it were other mercenaries, maybe, but if it's you, I think so too, partner."
Encountering a large number of Kobolds during the exam is probably a shortcut to passing, but as someone who experienced the Monster Rampage, I can't genuinely be happy about it. Gram also understood my state of mind and gave a wry smile.
As I ventured deeper into the forest, I kept running into these Kobolds. I made sure to stay alert and used Gram to gradually defeat more and more Kobolds.
Fortunately, I didn't encounter too many Kobolds at once, unlike when the Kobold King appeared. Their attacks were scattered and didn't come in overwhelming waves.
"Even if there are five or so, they can still work together. But anything beyond that is just impossible. That's because of the overwhelming power the Kobold King holds."
Kobolds are only slightly smarter than wild animals, with very limited intelligence. It's unlikely that they could use advanced tactics based on numbers.
"Still, not all Kobolds are stupid. Some of them are actually quite clever. I can't stress this enough, don't let your guard down── Ugh."
"If you say 'they don't have a mouth,' I'll throw you away!"
"Wow, you're quite impressive, partner!"
"You're impressed by that!?
Even though we continued to have seemingly pointless conversations, there was no hesitation in the tip of the spear. If a Kobold attacked, I would swiftly swing the spear and defeat it.
Over the past week, including a review of my equipment, I had been taught how to use the 'Black Spear (Gram)' by Gram himself. At first, it seemed suspicious, but when I actually used 'him', I couldn't help but be amazed.
However, at this rate, it seemed like it would be postponed to showcase the results of my training. If it was a Kobold I was facing, using Gram as just a 'spear' would be no problem──
"Hmm? ──Wait a minute, partner."
When I had completed about 80% of my target for subjugation, Gram suddenly stopped. At first glance, there seemed to be no abnormalities in the vicinity.
"Partner, a little ahead to the left, there's a mercenary in big trouble. You have to help, or they'll die."
"Wait, seriously──?!"
I ran towards the direction Gram pointed, carrying the black spear on my shoulder.
"It's impressive how you run without hesitation, partner."
Gram seemed really happy, almost like he had musical notes at the end of his words.
"Stop babbling and tell me the situation!"
"Alright. There's one mercenary surrounded by ten Kobolds. And the crucial thing is, the mercenary isn't moving from the center. He's alive, but... probably got his leg injured."
"Didn't he use the emergency magic tool!?"
"I don't know that part."
I pushed through the bushes and ran through the forest.
Eventually, I reached a slightly open area, just as Gram had informed me. There, I saw a young mercenary, not much older than myself, sitting on the ground. The Kobolds formed a circle around him. The mercenary held a sword in his right hand, but his left hand was clutching his thigh, which was stained red. Just as Gram predicted, his leg was injured, and he couldn't move.
"Oops, looks like there's a smart Kobold around. It probably cleverly lured its friends to its side."
"Stay calm, hey!"
"To be honest, it's none of our business."
"You heartless guy!"
"It would actually be scarier if the weapon (me) was covered in blood."
I tightened my grip on Gram, ready to run.
"Oh no, don't come! Don't come!!"
The mercenary swung his sword wildly. I could hear the strength in his voice, but also the trembling.
"The kobolds seems really confused."
Perhaps because the mercenary was swinging his sword recklessly, the Kobold couldn't get close. Even if it was hungry, it seemed to have enough sense to stay away from danger.
"Well, that's probably..."
As Gram muttered, my figure rushing towards the mercenary appeared in his line of sight.
"H-hey! Help me!!"
"Ah, you idiot!"
The mercenary's hand stopped swinging his sword when he thought help had arrived. Even though that movement had kept him alive.
As expected, a Kobold saw this as a chance and approached the mercenary from behind. The mercenary noticed the monster approaching with a roar, but fear made his body freeze, unable to touch the sword.
He realized he couldn't run in time from this distance.
Then──
"Gram! I'm throwing you!"
"Alright, anytime!"
I held Gram in reverse, using its momentum,
"Let's go──, take thisss...!!"
And threw him with all my strength.
"Woo-hooooo!"
As if it were a javelin, Gram soared through the air, straight into the open mouth of the Kobold that was about to attack the mercenary. It pierced through the back of its throat.
"Alrighty! Bullseye!"
I clenched my fist in triumph after my amazing shot.
The Kobolds finally noticed me and turned their attention towards me after one of their comrades fell. They aggressively charged towards me, throwing their weapons aside.
Were they angry that their friend was taken down? Or did they think I, with my bare hands, would be easier to defeat compared to the injured mercenary who still wielded a weapon?
If it's the latter, then they're in for a disappointment.
I stopped in my tracks and faced the approaching Kobolds, raising my left arm with the mark of 'Stigma' on it.
And with a confident step forward, I shouted,
"Come forth, 'Magic Blade'!"
The 'Stigma' on my left arm pulsated, and a deep black light gathered in my hand.
"I've been called, *Shing* and ready to go!"
And in the next moment, light took shape and form, and the black spear Gram appeared.
I tightly grasped the long handle of the spear and swiftly mowed down the Kobolds in front of me.
The movements of the Kobolds stopped. Perhaps they were either foolish enough to challenge me here or surprised by the sudden appearance of the black spear in my hand.
Without missing a beat, I quickly annihilated the remaining Kobolds.
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