Episode 3: Tutorial Dungeon 1/3

"It looks like a cave."

The dungeon's interior had a cave-like atmosphere. The rock walls were slightly damp, and the ground had a thin layer of water. Candles were spaced evenly on the walls, but it remained dim.

Silence enveloped the space. No sound echoed, creating an eerie feeling.

"It's my first dungeon... Feels tense."

I cautiously advanced, illuminating my path with the light from my phone. The candlelight on the walls wasn't sufficient, making it quite dim. Though my night vision was effective, the dungeon reportedly housed magical creatures, so I couldn't afford to be careless.

Upon revisiting the explanation, additional information about monsters was present. Apparently, monsters were classified from F to SSS ranks, and only F-ranked monsters appeared in this tutorial dungeon.

Even if they were the same rank as me, I couldn't let my guard down. Despite feeling empowered, I had no experience in martial arts or fighting as a high school student with enhanced physical abilities. No matter how heightened my powers were, my lack of skill could lead to a quick defeat if I underestimated the situation.

"Feeling tense... Oh?"

Suddenly, the ground a few meters ahead began to shimmer. A white light made it difficult to see clearly, but it seemed like a magical circle appeared abruptly on the ground.

"Gobbuuuuuu!!"

A guttural, pigsty-like voice echoed from the dark side of the cave. As the light from the magical circle faded, I directed the light from my phone towards it. There, the source of the voice revealed itself.

A creature with green skin, around five years old in height. Its head disproportionately large, body about three times smaller, with awkward and unbalanced proportions. Completely bald, with a massive hooked nose dominating half of its face. Black spots dotted its exposed belly. The creature's equipment consisted of a shabby leather loincloth and a rusted knife tucked into its waist.

"Goblin, huh?"

A monster I had encountered in novels and anime countless times. A creature that reveled in debauchery, an obscenely vile monster. The goblin I knew matched the image perfectly, making it a bit unsettling.

"Gobuuuu...!!"

Its eyes gleamed, and the goblin stared at me. Could it be... is it trying to assault me!?

I tensed my buttocks.

Although I had been exposed to goblin-themed doujinshi multiple times, I definitely didn't want to be on the receiving end! I must win this battle at all costs!

"I... have no experience in either front or rear!"

With a lewd shout, the battle began.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

"Gobuuuuuuu!!"

The goblin attacked, wielding a knife in one hand. Despite the blade being rusty and worn, getting hit would undoubtedly cause damage.

Unlike in games, this was reality. Even a slight hit would lead to unbearable pain, making it difficult to continue the fight. I desperately tried to avoid its attacks, knowing that I couldn't afford to take any damage.

"Gobuuuuuu!!"

"Ugh... this is tough."

The goblin's loincloth formed a tent, indicating that it was excited by my appearance. Although I had never experienced any romantic attention in my human life, it seemed that my physique was highly desirable to goblins. Not something to be happy about.

I couldn't switch to a counterattack easily. The goblin swung its knife, denying me opportunities to strike back.

"Moreover... my body feels light."

My movements were surprisingly agile, though not refined. Despite my untrained dodges, I easily avoided the goblin's attacks.

Furthermore, no matter how much I moved, I didn't feel tired. Undoubtedly, some force had enhanced my physical abilities.

The goblin's attack speed also felt different. It wasn't extremely slow, like slow motion, but still noticeably sluggish.

"It's irritating that it's not slow enough for a counter!"

"Gobuu!! Gobgobuu!!"

"I don't understand!! Speak Japanese!"

The goblin stared at me with shiny eyes. Perhaps... was it planning to assault me!?

I clenched my buttocks tightly.

Although I had enjoyed goblin-themed doujinshi before, I definitely didn't want to experience being on the receiving end! I had to win this battle at all costs!

"I... have no experience in either front or rear!"

With a lewd shout, the battle commenced.

"Gobuuuuuuu!!"

The goblin lunged at me with a knife. Despite the blade being rusty, a direct hit would be unavoidable.

In a game, it might be different, but in reality, even a slight hit could make the pain unbearable, rendering me incapable of fighting. I wanted to avoid taking any damage as much as possible.

"Gobuuuuuu!!"

"Uh... getting tired."

The goblin's loincloth tent indicated its excitement at my presence. Although I had never experienced any romantic attention in my human life, it seemed that my physique was highly desirable to goblins. Not something to be happy about.

I couldn't easily switch to a counterattack. The goblin continued to swing its knife, denying me opportunities to strike back.

"By the way... my body feels light."

My movements were surprisingly agile, though not refined. Despite my untrained dodges, I easily avoided the goblin's attacks.

Moreover, no matter how much I moved, I didn't feel tired. Undoubtedly, some force had enhanced my physical abilities.

The goblin's attack speed also felt different. It wasn't extremely slow, like slow motion, but still noticeably sluggish.

"It's irritating that it's not slow enough for a counter!"

"Gobuu...!!"

The goblin seemed fatigued, dropping the knife from its hand. I didn't miss this opportunity.

"Heyaah!!"

I delivered my first-ever right straight punch to the goblin's jaw. My punch, awkward and embarrassing, critically hit the goblin's jaw.

The sound of my fist hitting bones echoed—crunching bones conveyed the sensation of breaking.

With a thud, the goblin collapsed on the spot. Then, the goblin turned into black particles, disappearing without leaving a corpse.

[Level Up!]

A fanfare and mechanical voice resonated in my mind.

In other words, I had won. Unexpectedly, with a single blow.

"...It's over."

For the first time, I killed a monster.

A sense of emptiness overwhelmed me.

Despite taking a life, I felt nothing.

Perhaps because it was a monster, the reality hadn't sunk in yet. Or maybe, I was just a cold-hearted person. The reason was uncertain, but...

"Whatever the case... it feels unpleasant."

A slight self-loathing crept in.