[22] First Time

Although Aiden found himself in a state of confusion, he wasn't afraid or backing down. After all, he was facing nothing more than a weak goblin, whose strength, speed, and physical prowess were just slightly above that of a ten-year-old child. Despite holding a wooden stick, the goblin was essentially feeble.

In the dimly lit corridor of the second floor of the underground dungeon, Aiden held Durandal, its golden blade extending outward, angled towards the goblin ahead, creating a curious standoff.

However, what surprised Aiden was that this goblin, which made him nauseous and unsure of how to proceed, didn't immediately launch an attack. Instead, it took a few steps back, maintaining a certain distance from him. Meanwhile, its pea-sized eyes kept scanning him, as if searching for a weakness.

"Are you Vision? Your eyes even come with scanning capabilities." Aiden found it strange. Wasn't it said that they would charge forward relentlessly, regardless of life or death? How come it was different now that it faced him? Aiden was puzzled.

As the two stood in this peculiar standoff, staring into the fierce gaze of the goblin's large green eyes, Aiden suddenly chuckled. He vaguely understood why the goblin hesitated to attack.

Even beasts acted on instinct to assess the threat level of both sides before blindly attacking. Although it wasn't clear why this goblin was so special, capable of breaking free from the dungeon's murderous instincts to possess such instincts, it wasn't something to dwell on. After all, there are all sorts of creatures in the forest.

In this mystical atmosphere, the dungeon seemed to sense Aiden's mockery.

"Grrr..."

More goblins emerged from the walls, but this time, it wasn't just one... it was a group!

Aiden couldn't help but recall the information about goblins he had seen in the guidebook: they roamed the first to fourth floors of the dungeon. Although individually weak, they often appeared in groups, making them extremely annoying and challenging for beginners. Goblins were known as communal creatures in all fantasy works Aiden was familiar with.

The first goblin to emerge, aware of its comrades behind it, grew bolder. It was like a lone young lion confronting a hyena, suddenly finding its courage upon reuniting with its pride. It slowly approached the solitary lion.

With the increasing number of goblins and the increasingly unbearable stench, coupled with the group of goblins pressing closer, Aiden felt more conflicted. If the slime of one goblin was already nauseating, how could he evade a group? Why wasn't there any mention of slime in the guidebook?

Although still a rookie, with only the eight-slash technique at his disposal and zero combat awareness or experience, Aiden pondered his options. Should he retreat now? Should he find a reliable team to join?

In the corridors of the second floor of the dungeon, the low growls of the goblin horde shattered the eerie silence that had prevailed moments before. Armed with various weapons, they slowly closed in, beginning their charge.

As the horde rushed towards him, Aiden swallowed hard, holding his breath. He thought of his dwindling coin pouch and his embarrassing idol play. Finally, he abandoned the idea of avoiding slime.

Encouraged by its companions' scanning, the goblin known as Vision grew more aggressive, roaring louder as it began its final charge. Its left hand, in sync with its feet, sprinted forward, while its right hand brandished a spiked club. Its expression grew increasingly ferocious.

"Grrr..."

The roar of Vision grew more ferocious as it leaped into the air, its hands gripping the club tightly as it aimed for Aiden's chest.

"Why roar so loud?" In Aiden's eyes, the spiked club seemed as feeble as a child's toy. The goblin's fierce expression and the dust it kicked up in its leap were all crystal clear, as if time had slowed down.

"Bang!"

Aiden swung Durandal with force and precision. The blade sliced through the air with a swoosh, meeting the goblin's club head-on. The club, as fragile as summer chocolate left in a pocket, snapped in half.

A sensation akin to slicing meat coursed through Aiden's hand as Vision was cleaved in two from the waist, its body splitting apart, blood and viscera flying. The mixture of blood and slime splattered onto Aiden's chest and arms, emitting an indescribable stench.

Yet, the goblin's body quickly lost its color, disintegrating into dust and vanishing before his eyes, as if it were a mere illusion.

As the body turned to dust, a small, blue crystal-like fragment fell to the ground. This was a magic stone, directly linked to a guild's value and prosperity in the Orario.

Magic stones contained magical power, their versatility rivaling the mana crystals found in fantasy novels.

In this fantastical world with a medieval European aesthetic, the level of technological development isn't particularly high. However, thanks to the inexhaustible magic stone resources, the technological advancements in this world have their remarkable aspects.

The most crucial use of magic stones is energy. In this world untouched by the second and third industrial revolutions, everyday household appliances like electric lights, refrigerators, ovens, and gas stoves don't exist. However, through the development efforts of races such as humans, elves, and dwarves, utilizing magic stones as energy, a variety of magic stone products have been developed, rivaling those of modern society.

Magic stone-powered refrigerators, gas stoves, magic stone lamps, and water heaters are all groundbreaking products under the umbrella of magic stone technology. Of course, there's still no sign of the smartphones and internet networks that Aiden longs for. These two technological marvels remain beyond the reach of magic stones.

Hence, the value of magic stones is directly tied to money within guilds. Magic stones can be exchanged directly for valis within the guild.

Apart from Orario, there are many other countries in this world that control a significant amount of magic stones and magic stone products. The annual exports bring substantial profits to the guilds.

However, these aren't Aiden's main concerns.

"Why is it that while the bodies disappear directly, the blood and slime splattered on the floor and walls are absorbed, yet mine remains?"

Despite the bodies turning to dust, Aiden's body remained splattered with blood and slime, making him thoroughly disgusted.

As he watched the horde of goblins charging towards him, Aiden's anger ignited uncontrollably.

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