Chapter 3
In the stopped time, I stared at the Goblin holding a bow.
Wait a minute...
Can I even dodge that?
I couldn't get a feel for it.
I'd need to have tried dodging an arrow in my life to know.
Just imagining it, it didn't seem easy.
With a bow, it's hard to even perceive the moment it's fired.
Swinging a sword from up close is something you can react to by watching the preliminary movements to some extent.
But predicting when the hand drawing the bowstring will let go is impossible.
The arrow flies the moment they release their Finger, so how am I supposed to catch that timing?
In the end, from the moment it aims at me, I have no choice but to split time as finely as possible, alternating between Time Release and Time Stop until it fires.
...Still, wouldn't it work out somehow if I do it right?
“The guy holding the shield is a problem too.”
A Goblin holding a wooden shield and a one-handed sword.
It felt like the difficulty had doubled compared to two swords and one spear.
This time, it was a fight where I had to face two of them while being conscious of arrows flying at me.
I have no choice but to do it. If I can't, I die.
After bracing myself, I used Time Release.
The Sword Goblin and Shield Goblin charged in.
Behind them, I saw the Bow Goblin nocking an arrow on the bowstring.
First, I'll deal with the Sword Goblin.
I ran diagonally with the thought of using a similar strategy.
Positioning myself to widen the distance from the Bow Goblin while allowing me to face the charging ones one by one.
Soon, I saw the Bow Goblin draw the bowstring and aim this way.
There was still some distance left between me and the two charging Goblins.
I started Time Splitting in preparation for the flying arrow.
I had to prepare to dodge from the exact moment the arrow was fired.
If it was going to shoot, it would shoot before the two Goblins reached me. It would be hard to aim if we were fighting in close quarters.
I focused my nerves.
“...!”
The bastard shot.
Fortunately, the timing didn't get tangled.
Because it was head-on, the flying arrow looked like a dot.
The arrow getting closer and closer.
...Wait a minute, it's faster than I thought.
I soon realized.
Ah, this isn't it, fuck.
No matter if I dodge from the moment the arrow is fired.
Compared to a flying arrow, a Human body was too slow.
From the moment I tried to gauge the arrow's path and felt something was wrong, I was already twisting my upper body to the left. It was the best dodge attempt I could make.
“Eugeugeugeugeuk...!”
I twisted my body desperately, screaming inwardly.
Truly by a hair's breadth.
The arrow grazed my right forearm.
If I had started moving even a tiny bit later, I absolutely wouldn't have been able to dodge it.
I calmed my mind.
Alright, I've grasped it.
This isn't something that will work just by doing it well.
I immediately reflected on my arrogant thoughts from earlier. 'Wouldn't it work out somehow' my ass.
Was the distance it just flew about 20 meters? 30 meters?
At this distance, if I slip up even a little bit, I won't be able to dodge.
Furthermore, there was one more problem I just realized.
Until the arrow got fairly close, it was hard to figure out exactly where it was flying.
But if it gets too close, it's already in a state where it can't be dodged.
There's no answer, fuck.
I clearly realized the unreasonableness of ranged weapons all over again.
For now, it was time to deal with the enemies right in front of me.
After I used Time Release, I regained my leaning body's balance.
The Sword Goblin had already approached right under my nose.
Thankfully, it attacked recklessly as expected.
I prepared for the attack by using Time Splitting once again.
A horizontal slash aiming for my upper body.
I stepped back and leaned my body to dodge.
After dodging the attack much more easily than dodging an arrow, I immediately counterattacked. I stabbed the Sword Goblin's neck.
I used Stop Time again and did a Hwak-in.
The Bow Goblin was just now nocking the next arrow on the bowstring, and the Shield Goblin had fully approached.
Looking at the layout, with straight ahead as 12 o'clock, the Shield Goblin was at 1 o'clock, and the Bow Goblin was sniping from around the 2 o'clock direction.
I did a Hwak-in that the Shield Goblin was about to take a Stab motion with its one-handed sword.
I quickly stepped in the Sigye direction, dodging the sword blade aiming for my waist.
Kehek-
My sword was still stuck in the Goblin's neck.
So the dying Goblin was wedged between the Shield Goblin and me.
In addition, thanks to the two Goblins blocking the front, the risk of arrows was greatly reduced if I maintained this angle.
I was able to take a breather.
It's been successful up to here, so let's stop time for a moment and think.
“How do I deal with this guy.”
The Shield Goblin.
The presence of the shield covering almost its entire upper body was extremely bothersome.
Even after running simulations in my head this way and that, subduing it at once seemed difficult.
Instead of aiming for the neck or upper body, I decided to aim for the lower body.
As soon as I used Time Release, I kicked the Goblin and pulled out my sword.
The Shield Goblin in the back was pushed away and faltered before thrusting its sword again.
I have to catch the timing well.
I used Time Splitting to dodge the attack and snatched the Goblin's wrist holding the sword.
*At the same time, I struck down with the sword in my other hand.*
The Shield Goblin, its instep struck by the sword blade, let out a shriek.
While trying not to lose my grip on my sword, I also held tightly onto its wrist and didn't let go.
The shield swung at my face.
Uh, I can't dodge this.
Smack!
I clenched my teeth and took it with my forehead, making my head ring.
While struggling with our strength, the Shield Goblin fell backward.
I also lost my balance and fell, pinning it down.
When I hurriedly raised my head, an arrow went swoosh past the top of my head.
Wow shit, I was almost f-ed...
I hurriedly grabbed my sword and moved to finish off the Shield Goblin.
The guy pinned under me had its upper body completely exposed from falling.
I thrust the sword blade into the lower jaw of the disoriented bastard.
Kek-
Suddenly, something trickled down from my head and stung my eyes.
Blood? Ah, did my forehead tear?
I hastily snatched the shield first and covered my front.
After I used Time Stop, I took a moment to gather my senses.
The Bow Goblin bastard was already aiming this way again.
“That son of a bitch.”
Perhaps because I had almost died several times, my emotions were also highly agitated.
More than simple anger, it felt like adrenaline was wildly secreting in my body.
For now, getting the shield was good.
Blocking with a shield is a much easier difficulty than dodging arrows.
Now only the Bow Goblin was left.
Having gathered my senses, I used Time Release and raised my body.
I covered my upper body as much as possible with the shield.
This way, I could cover everything above my waist just by moving the shield a little.
I didn't have to make a fuss twisting my whole body to dodge arrows like earlier.
“...”
I used Time Splitting in preparation for the arrow that could fly at any moment, but.
The Bow Goblin only aimed this way and didn't shoot.
Yeah, you're scared too, right?
It seemed to think that if it missed once, it was over.
Because if it shot an arrow, I was planning to immediately charge in and stab it with my sword.
If I just close the distance, I obviously win.
It was a distance I was confident I could reach before it shot another arrow.
I paced around the Bow Goblin with the shield held out in my left hand and the sword hanging loosely in my right.
The Goblin ultimately didn't shoot the bow.
I saw it loosen the drawn bowstring and just aim.
I clicked my tongue, tsk.
If it acted like that, I couldn't just recklessly charge in either.
Right now, exactly this distance is the distance I'm confident I can block from.
If I got closer, the pressure would be immense no matter if I had a shield.
Even if I charged while covering my head and upper body as much as possible, if I was unlucky, I could get hit in the leg or something and be retired.
Of course, it wouldn't be able to hit everything it shot either, so the odds were fifty-fifty, no, still, it seemed like I had the advantage...
“Hey, you son of a bitch! Are you scared?!”
I tried provoking it once like earlier.
I shouted loudly and tried mocking it irritatingly, but the Bow Goblin remained unyielding.
What a calm bastard. Annoyingly so.
Kugugugu-
*At that moment, a loud roar suddenly echoed.*
A Stone Gate was descending from above the Passage where the Goblins had come out.
“Huh?”
What is that all of a sudden.
I used Time Stop.
Am I being trapped?
Right now, the only path in this space was that straight Passage.
If the Stone Gate came all the way down, I would be trapped.
I didn't know why it was suddenly trying to trap me, but it felt fucking ominous.
No, more than that, there's still something left? This isn't the end?
“Do I have to get out before it closes?”
Should I go out through the Passage, or should I stay still.
I couldn't tell which one was the correct answer.
...I should get out. I decided to follow my gut.
But there was one problem.
The Bow Goblin was standing right in front of the Passage.
To escape, I had to break through it.
It was a crossroads where I had to take a risk.
Then I have no choice but to take it.
I used Time Release and charged straight toward the Bow Goblin.
I raised the shield just enough to barely secure my vision and protected my vitals.
Seeing it urgently draw the bowstring, I also used Time Splitting.
When I got to about a 10-meter distance.
I didn't miss the bow tilting slightly downward. It was aiming for my legs.
I immediately lowered the shield.
*At the same time, the arrow flew and stuck into the shield.*
...Blocked it! You're dead.
Having reached right under the Bow Goblin's nose, I thrust my sword into the side of the bastard who was frantically trying to back away.
I definitely didn't have time to finish it off.
The Stone Gate was already more than halfway closed.
I pulled out my sword and frantically dashed into the Passage, leaving the fallen Goblin behind.
Kuung!
The Passage closed.
Having safely made it, I caught my breath.
“Haa... Haa...”
I looked down at the arrow stuck in the shield.
It was stuck almost at the very edge of the rim.
If it had missed even a little, I would have taken an arrow to the knee.
Still, I won in the end.
Having calmed my excitement, I looked around.
The Stone Gate was firmly closed, and looking ahead, a gentle Uphill Path continued.
I narrowed my eyes upon discovering something.
Looking closely, there was something at the end of the Uphill Path.
What it was... was a ball.
As perspective kicked in, I soon realized how massive the size of that ball was.
Kuung.
“...Uh.”
That massive ball.
Started rolling this way.
Its smooth surface giving off a silver light made it look like an iron ball made of steel.
Feeling goosebumps break out all over, I used Time Stop.
No, wait, wait, wait... Wait a minute.
W-wasn't coming out here the correct answer?
The back is blocked, and there's a ball in front.
There is no space to dodge the iron ball rolling down while completely filling the straight Passage.
I felt like I had been helplessly tricked.
I realized I was truly f-ed.
‘...I'm dying like this?’
No, this really isn't right.
The door closing there was obviously a sign to get out. You son of a bitch!
Bursting with rage wouldn't change anything.
With only time stopped, it was no different from already being sentenced to death.
If I use Time Release, I'll be flattened like dried squid and die a terrible death.
No, I don't want to die like this.
I fell into despair and panic before desperately searching for a way out.
Some way to live... What is that?
Something entered my vision.
Looking closely, there was a recess carved into the wall about halfway down the Passage.
A recess just big enough for one person to fit in.
“...!”
Feeling like I had found an oasis in the desert, I used Time Release.
I threw away my sword and shield and sprinted with all my might.
The rolling ball gradually gained acceleration and approached incredibly fast.
It was obvious since I was also running toward the ball.
“Uwaaaah!”
Did they say Humans can't even scream when they feel extreme fear?
It seemed that didn't apply to me. Fuck, save me, please!
Right before my vision was completely filled with the iron ball, I barely slipped into the recess.
*At the same time, wind smacked my back.*
With a loud roar, the iron ball rolled down, and a massive impact sound echoed once more.
My legs completely gave out, and I slumped down right there.
“Heu... Heo...”
Wow.
I survived this.
It felt like I had briefly dipped my toes in the Brink of Death and come back.
I staggered to my feet.
I was so scared that I waited a good while longer before coming out of the recess.
Looking down, the iron ball had completely shattered the Stone Gate and gone all the way inside.
Because I had to retrieve my discarded weapons, I had no choice but to go back down.
Coming down and looking inside the Cave, I was momentarily at a loss for words at the sight that unfolded.
Because countless iron arrows were densely stuck all over the floor.
What is this.
Did a rain of arrows pour down from the Ceiling?
“...Coming out really was the correct answer.”
It meant that if I hadn't come outside, I was scheduled to be Riddled with Arrows.
Now I was just dumbfounded.
No wonder everyone died.
Is this a difficulty made for a person to clear?
I walked around looking for my weapons.
The shield was crushed by the ball and shattered, so I picked out an intact sword and took it. Just in case, should I take a spear too?
Holding a sword in one hand and a spear in the other, I came back outside.
“...Ah, seriously.”
What was scarier than anything else.
Was that even after all this, the Strategy Message still hadn't popped up.
I just stood still while recovering my stamina.
I wondered if another Goblin or something would pop out from ahead, but even after a long time passed, nothing came out.
...If it's like this, it means I should move forward myself, right?
I'm terrified of what else might be waiting.
“Huuuu...”
Let's go.
For some reason, I also had a premonition that this would finally be the end. It was just a gut feeling.
After letting out a deep sigh, I took a heavy step forward.