An Unfavorable Alien Experience

North of Alterna, there is a forested region. Towards the northwest, there is a former large city known as Damuro. We're heading specifically to the Old City of Damuro, the Heaven of Goblin's Outcasts from New City.

Goblins are child-sized humanoid creatures. Is their lifespan as short as their stature? Who knows? They have green skin and ugly faces. It seemed that they were a race that humans looked down upon, regarded only as savage animals.

"We've never had this conversation before," I glanced down slightly, observing my footing and the shrubbery on the rather soft ground of the forest. "but who is going to be the party's leader?"

I wasn't so eager to be one. I wanted to be loose with my role, and not be liable should anything happen to them through the fault of only the leader could make. Many volunteer soldiers can make a living on their own. I have no doubt I can do the same.

'What am I doing this all for...?" I wondered.

I can get any kind of job in Alterna apart from being a volunteer soldier. However, while one's skills can help you find other alternatives, you have to be very proficient at it to secure the standard position. I'm pretty sure I have a far above-average ability to get a more peaceful alternative than being a volunteer soldier. Yet, why didn't I take them? No, I know. And it's not a good one.

"If no one objects, I'll take the leadership."

Kei was indifferent to Suzune's remark. "You seem capable. I guess that's alright."

Kushida nonchalantly agreed. "You've acted like one already."

No one raised any objections. In all honesty, she'll be the one I wanted the most either.

"If so—" Suzune proceeded to explain our positions on the battlefield. "—Kiyotaka-kun and Ken-kun will be in charge of the frontline, fighting most of the enemies. In case some are getting past, I'll intercept them and try to take them down if possible. Kanji-kun and Kikyou-san should lighten Kiyotaka-kun and Ken-kun's load with long-range attacks when the time is right. I'd prefer Chiaki-san to help more in the middle line, but you may shift around if needs be. Conserve your magic the best you can, Yousuke-kun, Kei-san. Kanji-kun would engage in melee combat if push comes to shove, so he and I will cover you two in the backline. Kikyou-san remains with the two priests. The Old City of Damuro contains goblin groups of three to six, and they are easy prey for the volunteer soldiers trainees, but don't let your guard down. Sometimes there are groups larger than those wandering around."

It took about an hour from Alterna to arrive at Damuro. The place was ruined.

Most of the protective walls had collapsed, and many more housing estates were far from inhabitable. I can see many rusty weapons lying in disarray among them. Animals such as monkeys, crows, and the like were hanging out on the few roofs of the intact buildings. They ran away when we approached.

"Chiaki-san—" Suzune started.

The girl, Chiaki, went scouting for enemies while we trailed her some distance away in the back. Moving simultaneously would stand out. However, even if it was her specialty, the trainee Chiaki went on her own is still worrying by itself. 

Chiaki came to a stop at a certain point, turning to the group. She gestured for us to head in her direction.

"There are five," she informs us the moment we arrive, taking a step back. "What's your call, Suzune-san?"

Suzune filled the space she left, peering slightly into the collapsed wall. We were between two ruined buildings in an alley, but it was a wide one. I followed her lead.

'The one goblin armed with a spear, full chain mail, and head armor seemed to be the leader of the group. He was the tallest. Well, not as tall as Kanji.'

Another goblin wielded an axe with head and body protection, but not the legs. He was the shortest, and paunchy.

Two were armed with swords. One was rusty and the other was slightly bent. Needless to say, they would still inflict serious cuts if struck. Both of them only covered their genitals with some dirty rags. Barely any defense.

One was armed with a long sword, for his size. He was the second shortest one. That goblin was also not equipped with body protection, but unlike the previous two goblins, it wore a fairly clean fabric over its body. 

They were sitting inside the ruins opposite the building we peeked into. A fire trace was in the center of their circle. I found myself staring at Suzune afterward, narrowing my eyes. 'Was she having second thoughts about doing this?' If so, I might go solo in the near future. 'Ah, it didn't seem like I should.'

Suzune shook her head. "Let's take them down in one fell swoop," she declared decisively. "Kikyou-san, use your Magic Missile on the fully-armored goblin. Hit it in the head if possible. Kanji-kun will fire his arrow at the nearest goblin. Kiyotaka-kun, Ken-kun, and Chiaki-san are to surround this building in order to get closer to them. Take Yousuke-kun or Kei-san with you. When the enemy group gets disoriented, Kiyotaka-kun and Ken-kun will immediately rush at them, killing as many goblins as possible during the process. Chiaki-san would protect the priest. The four of us will steadily approach while all that happens."

'These people...' I examined my companions' expressions. 'Aren't they a little too nervous?'

Maybe it was because the enemy was humanoid. Or they just don't take the lives of living creatures very often, be they human or not. Still, they weren't looking so hesitant to do it. Just nervous. As for me, I didn't feel anything.

The four of us split up, keeping Kei as the priest on our side. I lead with Ken by my side. Because of our heavy equipment, it was prone to making noise. I meticulously searched for a footing that even Ken could keep up with by producing minimal noise, and slowly but surely advanced to the destination. Chiaki was specialized in that already, so she didn't have much trouble. However, Kei had almost fallen over several times due to the rubbles lying on the ground. Chiaki always helped her every time that occurred. 

There was no need to spend much time since the distance was close. The signal for Suzune's side to attack is when I lift my hand from behind the ruined wall, specifically the goblin hangout's building. We could still be seen from their location. I gave that signal after I locked eyes with Suzune.

A bead of light launched after a while. It must be Kikyou. That was the first and foremost of mage magic, Magic Missile. Peeking slightly through the wall, it precisely hit the face of the goblin leader. The target's head jerked back as if someone had punched it. Well, Magic Missile 'was' a bead of light with the power of an adult's punch.

Something then flew at one of the scantily clad goblins. An arrow. "Agh?!" The goblin cried out in pain. It didn't die instantly. Kanji's shot hit the part between its shoulder and neck, which isn't fatal.

'In any way, they panicked. That's enough.'

Ken and I slid in wordlessly. With a sword-drawing motion, I split the upper body and lower body of two goblins consequentively. One was scantily clad, and one was partially equipped with armor. I quickly went for the second shortest goblin with a thrust. It goes through the abdomen with ease. I tossed its body down, and right in the next moment, stomped on its head as hard as possible. There was a crushing sound as its limbs twitched.

"Hah...!" 

Ken targeted the still-confused leader with Rage Blow. It's simply a heavy sword-swinging skill. The goblin's head guard snapped down by Ken's blow. His neck twisted in a decidedly lethal angle, and Ken kicked its body into flight after that.

'—ah,' I leapt back.

Ken didn't seem to notice my existence when he did a body spin to strike the last goblin. The goblin gave a grunting cry as it was struck by Ken's swift slash. I would have been cut down as well if I had stayed where I was. 

'Well, that was quick.'

Chiaki and Kei made their way towards us. Chiaki did her best not to look at the corpses. Kei drew a hexagram symbol in front of her forehead, closing her eyes as she did. I don't think it did anything visible. I should ask her about it later.

Ken let out a slightly tired breath. He shifted his gaze from the corpses of the goblins. It looked like he was a little shaken. That was natural.

"Ken-kun," Suzune came in with a not-so-positive vibe. Ken turned towards her with a blank expression. "You should check your surroundings while you're fighting. You nearly slashed Kiyotaka-kun earlier."

Ken widened his eyes. "I did that?"

"Yes. I don't think it was intentional, however. Just don't do it again."

Ken looked down, then to me. His face was apologetic. "Sorry, man. My mind kinda wandered off at that time."

"Yeah, sure."

Kanji squatted in front of one of the goblin corpses, looking at them with slight distaste. "They say goblins like to gather precious things close to them all the time, right?" He reached down to the goblin leader's corpse, appearing to have no particular discomfort in searching its body. "Oh?" 

Kikyou brought her upper half down next to Kanji. "Silver coins...?"

"And not just one," Yousuke's eyes brighten. "There are three of them. Ah, not much, I suppose. But we can also sell those crystal stones, don't you think?"

"They look like they could fetch quite a price, yeah," Kei nodded in agreement. 

Chiaki didn't appear so enthusiastic. "We're still gonna continue doing this, aren't we...?" 

Suzune answered her as if it was normal. "Of course. Besides, more than earning money, we have to get used to this... lifestyle of being a murderer."

I eyed the goblins' corpses lying on the floor of the ruins. 'If the opponent is as weak as they are, the party won't take long to accustom themselves before switching hunting locations.'

'Let's hope that it'll be done quickly.'