Absolute Dweller

[Episode 03] Goblin Hunt (2)

Descending to the first floor, Choi Hyeong-jun was drenched in cold sweat, trembling like a bamboo tree shivering in the wind.

Watching him with concern, Yoo Hye-rin said to him.

“Sir, are you really okay?”

“I-I-I’m fine!”

He looked far from okay.

“Sir! Don’t worry! You must have been in the military if you’re a man before, right?”

Choi Hyeong-jun patted his own shoulder and replied to Kang Deok-su.

“…I’m exempt.”

After scanning Choi Hyeong-jun’s body up and down, Kang Deok-su asked with sincerity.

“With that body?”

Exceeding 180 in height, with a sturdy physique, even if he were an athlete, it would involuntarily make one nod in agreement.

This person was exempt?

In Kang Deok-su’s perplexed gaze, Choi Hyeong-jun offered an explanation.

“This, this is all fat. It was worse before. Not muscles.”

“No…”

Even if you look closely, it’s muscles.

“Focus.”

At that moment, the team leader, Ha Dong-geon, gathered the attention of the team members.

“We will now begin the briefing.”

They were gathered in the corridor on the first floor.

Before entering the underground parking lot, which served as the goblins’ headquarters, they conducted a final mission check.

“The ultimate goal of the Goblin Hunt is to lure as many goblins as possible up to the 30th floor.”

They had already experienced the presence of the transparent wall on the 30th floor.

Just before receiving citizenship, Kang Deok-su had swung a bat to directly confirm the strength of the transparent wall.

Thanks to that, they could be sure.

“With the goblins’ power, we can’t break through the transparent wall. On the contrary, we will be able to attack them from within the wall.”

So, the objective of this operation was clear.

“Lure as many goblins as possible and lead them up to the 30th floor. That’s our role.”

Ha Dong-geon pointed to the emergency exit stairs leading down to the basement as he spoke.

“That’s why we are simultaneously targeting B1 and B2 floors.”

Kim Jae-hyun, who instructed them on the operation, was even thinking about conducting the Goblin Hunt operation multiple times.

Because goblins were clever, he was determined to lure as many goblins as possible, even if it meant pushing beyond their limits in the first attempt.

The operation was simple.

“Divide into two teams and provoke the creatures on B1, then lure the creatures on B2.”

The key to this operation was for the B1 team to withstand the goblin waves until the B2 team came up.

Everyone looked at Choi Hyeong-jun.

That was because he was in charge of blocking the goblins using the emergency exit iron door as a shield on B1.

The exact reason was unknown, but Kim Jae-hyun had given him the direct order.

Considering Choi Hyeong-jun’s physique, it was indeed the optimal role.

At that moment, Kim Geon quietly raised his hand.

“Say…”

“…What if more goblins come than we thought? Won’t we be isolated on the 30th floor?”

Kim Ga-yeong twirled the bow in her hand and spoke.

“If they do, we thank them. If safety is secured, I can wipe them all out by myself.”

“Ga-yeong is right. We have bows, and the goblin horde blocked by the transparent wall will be a good target.”

Kim Geon looked at the team with a face that sincerely reflected his thoughts.

Then he quietly hit the nail on the head.

“…What about the corpses? Goblin corpses will pile up like mountains. How are we going to handle that?”

“…”

“…Being blocked by a pile of corpses might prevent us from moving.”

When everyone fell silent, Moon Byeong-ho calmly responded.

“That person will find a way, somehow.”

And with those words, Choi Hyeong-jun nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. If it’s him, he’ll surely find a way to handle it. Besides, it seems like such a problem won’t arise in the first place. After all, it’s a mission directly ordered by him.”

Kim Geon looked at the two with an unsatisfied expression.

At that moment,

“Kegyeuk?”

At the familiar sound, everyone turned their heads to the end of the corridor, where three goblins were staring at them.

The first to react was Kim Ga-yeong.

“Kkiaak— Take this!”

Swish!

Having faced goblins for the past ten days, she had reached a point where her body reacted instinctively upon spotting them.

“Puk!”

In an instant, Kim Ga-yeong’s two arrows pierced through the foreheads of the two goblins.

And then.

Boom!

The remaining one belonged to Kang Deok-su, who ran towards the goblin and swung his bat.

Kim Geon asked with a puzzled expression.

“Senior. If this is going to be the case, why did you bother bringing a bow?”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

Kang Deok-su, wiping the blood off the bat, responded nonchalantly, “I didn’t even realize…”

“Huh?”

At that moment, Kim Ga-yeong muttered in astonishment, her expression changing.

“…It’s disappearing.”

“What? What’s disappearing?”

Kim Ga-yeong quickly took out her phone and turned on the flashlight.

“!!!”

In the illuminated area, the goblin corpses were disappearing in real-time.

“This is…”

Seeing Kim Geon’s surprise, Moon Byeong-ho smiled casually and said, “See? He’s resolving it in this way. He directly answered your question.”

Kim Geon couldn’t muster a response, muttering to himself.

***

[Citizen Ha Dong-gun’s trust has increased.]

[Citizen Kim Ga-yeong’s trust has increased.]

[Citizen Yoo Hye-rin’s trust has increased.]

······

······

The situation of Ha Dong-gun’s party was being closely monitored with the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes.

When I opened my eyes to see if anything, I found that the trust of the entire party had increased significantly.

Now, it was possible to check messages even while using the Absolute Dweller’s Eyes.

At first, the overlapping vision was confusing, but now he could consciously separate the views like using dual monitors.

I thought as I looked at them in surprise.

‘I got lucky.’

It wasn’t intentional, but thanks to Kim Geon’s remark and the coincidental appearance of goblins, a situation conducive to misunderstanding unfolded.

It seemed as if he had been watching them, and when Kim Geon asked a question, it coincidentally appeared as if the goblin corpses vanished in response to his answer.

‘Well, I was indeed watching them.’

As a result.

[Citizen Moon Byeong-ho’s trust has reached 50.]

[Loyalty is unlocked.]

[Citizen Moon Byeong-ho’s loyalty has surpassed 30.]

[Citizen Moon Byeong-ho has fulfilled the conditions for vassal registration.]

Even without this incident, Moon Byeong-ho’s trust was rapidly increasing and surpassed 50.

‘It happened in just a few hours…’

He had already fulfilled the conditions for vassal registration.

While the entire Ha Dong-geon party was showing a rapid increase in trust, they still had a long way to go to reach 50.

Both Choi Hyeong-jun’s family and Moon Byeong-ho, who had already fulfilled the vassal’s conditions, shared a commonality—they were both psychologically unstable.

It seemed that directly addressing their deficiencies had a significant impact.

‘Anyway, it worked out well. If possible, I need to increase the number of vassals quickly for growth… Huh?’

When I checked Moon Byeong-ho’s citizen information, I couldn’t help but gasp.

『Name: Moon Byeong-ho (Lv. 10)

Trust: 55   Loyalty: 88

Awakening Ability: None

Experience Distribution Rate: 70%

Settlement Money Distribution Rate: 0%

★Quest Assignment 🖾Expulsion』

The loyalty value was unbelievably high.

‘What…?’

Of course, I had some guesses about Moon Byeong-ho’s attitude, but I expected it to be around 40 to 50.

However, 88 was beyond my expectations.

‘Well, it’s not a bad thing.’

In fact, it was a positive development.

It meant that I had someone who trusted me and was loyal to me to such an extent.

‘The timing for vassal registration is set.’

Thinking about the bright light that surrounded Choi Hyeong-jun when he registered as a vassal, a timely idea came to mind that could be helpful for this operation.

***

There was one thing Ha Dong-geon’s party learned after struggling for 10 days.

Goblins were sensitive to light.

Normally, it wasn’t a problem.

If they were always sensitive to light, it would make it impossible for them to roam around during the day.

It was at night that they were particularly sensitive.

They were most sensitive as they hid in their hideouts.

Flash!

“Kki-gik!”

“Kki-ik!”

“Kkwaeak?!”

In the pitch-black underground parking lot, the comfortable sanctuary of the goblins was invaded by unwelcome light.

“Kkiiieeek!”

“Kyaahh!”

The goblins, shrouded in darkness, reacted with discomfort as the intrusive light disrupted their peaceful abode.

The goblins, disturbed during their rest, suddenly vented their anger towards the emerging light.

However, the light was only just beginning.

Ssyaeeaak!

Whoosh!

Thud!

Arrows, flying through the darkness, pierced through the goblins.

Some missed their targets miserably, but several deeply penetrated the torsos of the goblins.

Furthermore, a few precisely pierced through the brows of their comrades.

And then…

Flash—!

“What, what’s going on?”

A massive light, incomparable to the light from a smartphone, burst forth from a man.

It immediately stimulated most of the goblins on the first underground floor.

“Kkieeeek―! Kkieeeek―! Kkieeek―!”

The cries of the goblins instantly spread throughout the entire cave.

“Kkieeeek―!”

“Kkieeeeee―!”

“Kkieeek―!”

The cries of their comrades, filled with hostility, echoed through the cave, waking up those who were in deep slumber.

Individually, goblins might seem quite weak. However, they were individuals who knew how to overcome their weakness with the strength of the group.

There were two things that goblins were particularly sensitive to: one was when their sanctuary was violated, and the other was when they encountered a piercing light that disrupted their peace during the night.

Both of these situations were happening simultaneously.

“Kkieeeek―!”

“Kkieeeeee―!”

Enraged goblins rushed towards the intruders, venting their frenzied anger.

“That’s enough! Fall back!”

“Team 1, cover! Team 2, retreat to the emergency stairs!”

Following Ha Dong-gun’s orders, Choi Hyeong-jun, Kang Deok-su, and Moon Byeong-ho, who had been shooting arrows for a while, ran towards the emergency stairs on the first underground floor.

Fwoosh!

While they were retreating, Ha Dong-gun, Kim Ga-young, Yoo Hye-rin, and Kim Geon shot arrows vigorously at the goblins.

Thunk!

“Kkieeek!”

Among them, Kim Ga-young’s archery skills stood out prominently.

Her bow skills, which had been steadily honed over the years, accurately pierced the goblin between the eyes every time.

Thunk!

The rest were not that far behind.

Perhaps due to the experience of being dragged to the archery range regularly, Ha Dong-gun’s archery skills were also exceptional.

Fwoosh―!

Moreover, the goblins flocking towards the narrow passage were easier to hit than expected.

They were all running in a straight line towards the light.

“Team 1, fall back!”

While Team 1 successfully bought time, Team 2 provided cover fire for their retreat.

Thunk!

“Kkieeek!”

Kim Ga-young’s archery skills were mediocre compared to Team 1.

However, ironically, it worked to their advantage.

Goblins pierced by arrows in the stomach, shoulders, and legs fell in a pitiful state.

Thud!

“Kkieeek!”

The goblins that stumbled over their fallen comrades blocked the path, one by one.

Unlike the corpses disappearing with a single arrow piercing their foreheads, the goblins hit by amateurish archery became excellent obstacles.

“Close it!”

Thanks to this, Ha Dong-gun and his team successfully closed the emergency exit door.

Kwung!

Immediately after the door closed, numerous goblins pounded on the iron door.

Kugugugugung! Thud! Thud!

“Ugh!”

Choi Hyeong-jun, holding onto the emergency exit stairs, single-handedly withstood the assault.

The overwhelming strength of Gorilla’s Might firmly blocked the iron door.

Clang! Clang!

Although the goblins exerted all their strength to open the emergency exit stairs, it was futile against his overwhelming power.

Surprisingly, Choi Hyeong-jun successfully defended against the strength of numerous goblins on his own.

Even though it was Kim Jae-hyun’s order, Kang Deok-su, who had been skeptical, was prepared to assist in blocking the door.

However, it seemed unnecessary.

Choi Hyeong-jun alone was sufficient, eliminating the need to waste additional personnel.

All six members descended to the second underground floor.

“Sir, just hold on a bit!”

“Hurry, go!”

While Choi Hyeong-jun held the emergency exit stairs alone, a similar scenario unfolded on the second underground floor.

“Kkieeek!”

The furious horde of goblins poured into the emergency exit stairs, creating a chaotic noise.

“Ugh, haa. Ugh, haa.”

Choi Hyeong-jun, hearing that, was shivering like someone suffering from a chill.

Once again, the nightmare of that moment resurfaced.

The sight of people dying in front of him, the moment when screams filled the air, flashed back.

“I have to do it. It’s something I have to do!”

If he were to kneel here, everything would be ruined.

That was not an option.

Kwung! Thud! Thud! Kugung!

The doorknob of the emergency exit turned briefly each time, attempting to open the door.

Each time, Choi Hyeong-jun used his monstrous strength to prevent it.

“Whoooah!”

What allowed him to stand firmly on both feet were the heavy burdens pressing on both of his shoulders.

At that moment, Ha Dong-gun’s group, who had gone to the second underground floor, was coming up the stairs.

“Sir! It’s enough now!”

“Everyone, run!”

Firing arrows intermittently towards the goblins, Ha Dong-gun’s group rushed upward.

Choi Hyeong-jun was delighted.

‘Good, it’s done. It’s a success!’

Now he didn’t have to guard this door anymore.

With a sense of accomplishment, as he was about to lift his foot…

‘―Huh?’

He realized that his legs weren’t moving.

The fear and the heavy sense of responsibility pressing on his shoulders gave him the strength to endure, but at the same time, it robbed him of the strength to escape.

“Sir!!!”

“Go ahead!!”

“But…!”

“Go! Quickly!”

Even Kang Deok-su, who was already at the farthest end of Ha Dong-gun’s group, was quite a distance away from Choi Hyeong-jun.

The goblins were approaching closely.

Moreover.

Kwaaang!

As if hitting a fallen foe while down, the goblins broke through the iron door on the first underground floor.

“Kkieeek―!”

“Kkieee―!”

“Kkieek―!”

Seeing the goblins engulfed in madness, Kang Deok-su couldn’t summon the courage to go down.

However.

“Damn it!”

In a desperate moment, what he chose was not survival but his comrades.

Pyeoek!

“Get out of here, you things! Sir, quickly this way―!”

But at that moment.

Shoosh-

“…Huh?”

Choi Hyeong-jun disappeared.

Then, all that remained were numerous goblins around him.

“…Oh damn!”

“Kyaaa―!”

Seeing the goblin rushing towards him, Kang Deok-su swung his bat in a full arc.

Pow!

“Kkeeeek!”

Pwuuk!

Fortunately, like Kang Deok-su’s choice, his comrades didn’t abandon him either.

“Deok-su! Quickly!”

“O-Okay!”

Receiving cover fire from Kim Ga-young and Ha Dong-gun, Kang Deok-su began to climb the stairs three steps at a time.

‘Faster, faster!’

Squeezing out every last ounce of strength, he ran towards the 30th floor.