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Chapter 104

「So this is the Ultimate Goblin…」

I muttered to myself as I looked at the goblin shimmering in gold.
The overwhelming pressure I felt just by its presence sent my sixth sense into maximum alert mode in my mind.

But… I thought to myself.
The Ultimate Goblin looked at me and used its enhanced goblins as sacrificial pawns.

――No, it’s more accurate to say it had no choice but to use them.

At the very least, the Ultimate Goblin recognized me as a threat.
And I myself… don’t feel the same level of intimidation from this creature as I do from my mentor or Lute.

As I smirked, the Ultimate Goblin dashed towards me.

――Fast.

But it’s not something I can’t handle.
I parried its claws with my sword and followed up with a kick.

The Ultimate Goblin was kicked back, and the sound of toppling trees echoed through the forest.

Then, as the goblin crashed into a large tree, it came to a stop.
There wasn’t much damage from the kick itself, but the goblin let out a dirty scream.

――Its primary attack method, its claws, had melted.

As expected of the Flame God’s Magic Sword, I thought wryly.

「Anyway, the right hand’s claws are no longer usable.」

That’s when the color of the Ultimate Goblin’s eyes changed.
The intensity of the golden glow increased, and black began to mix into the aura surrounding it.

「…Dark Fighting Spirit?」

With this hybrid of black and gold, a chill ran down my spine.

The Ultimate Goblin’s expression twisted in agony, and for me… it seemed like an enhancement method that put a strain on the body, much like my Berserker Mode in the past.

I couldn’t tell if it lasted for minutes or seconds.
And since it had only resorted to this method when cornered to this extent, it must truly be its last resort.

In other words, if I can overcome this, I can completely seal its movements.

But… probably――

「Gah!」

The Ultimate Goblin approached me at a speed that could be likened to teleportation, and then it extended its left claw.
An attack at a speed almost invisible to the eye.

I dodged based solely on instinct, but then it followed up with a bite with its fangs.
I barely saw it coming, so I dodged normally, but then came a kick… with its right claw.

「Damn it!」

I try to take a step back to create distance, but it closes in on me quickly, not allowing me to reset.
I’m completely on the defensive, in a dire situation.

Truly, it’s a nightmare creature, synonymous with the Great Disaster, that deserves to be legendary.
It has claimed the lives of countless heroes and S-rank adventurers.

As the Ultimate Goblin smirked, convinced of its superiority, I smirked as well.

「I didn’t expect you to pull out your trump card right from the start.」

Crimson flames ignited in my eyes.
And on my sword… literal blue flames ignited.

「Well, I haven’t heard about the Power-Up to Hinokagutsuchi, though.」

Perhaps this sword is the type of weapon that truly shows its worth depending on the skill of the wielder.

Anyway… I’ve mastered Senjutsu to explosively increase my close combat prowess.

But the Berserker Mode, my original power, remains intact.
In that sense, it’s still my trump card.

The Ultimate Goblin, with a shocked expression, launches an attack at me but—

「Unfortunately, I can’t stop here.」

Dodging its claws by a mere millimeter—

――I slash my sword.

The Ultimate Goblin’s head flies off, and I nod slightly.

「I see… because he’s already in a different realm from here. He overtook me a long time ago… left me behind… and ran far ahead all by himself.」

Then I return to the carriage and shoulder my luggage.

「Cordelia… Your power…?」

Ignoring the trembling Orsted,
I start walking towards the west.

「Hey, where are you going?」

「Disasters are happening all over the world, right?」

「Yeah, I heard that, but…」

「Then, there’s no need to ask. I’m going… to the next battlefield.」

And so I take a step towards the west.

――I don’t think I’ve surpassed Lute with my current strength.

But… I clench my fist tightly.

――The gap… is definitely closing. It must have closed in one swift move.

「That’s right. If I reach out my hand… there’s no way I won’t reach it!」