Chapter 21
Keeping out of sight, I move along the wall until I reach the co-op.
Now that I'm this close, the entire building is within range of 'Enemy Search.'
I can get a general sense of the goblins inside.
This Skill really is incredibly useful.
"One near the registers, two in the meat section, and four goblins and one hobgoblin in the produce section."
I remember the layout of the sales floor.
The goblins aren't trying to move much from their respective positions.
Are they eating?
So they eat meat, too.
And the one at the registers is probably the lookout.
There are seven goblins total.
Plus a single higher-ranking hobgoblin, for eight total...
That's the most I've faced so far.
"But this is a hurdle I'll have to clear sooner or later..."
"Woof."
I've been hunting lone zombies and goblins—in other words, easy prey—but that has its limits, too.
The experience needed to level up keeps increasing, so I have to start considering taking on groups of enemies and stronger monsters.
...Ideally, having one more companion would make things easier.
Momo and I are specialists in close- and mid-range combat.
If I had someone capable of ranged attacks, our odds of survival would rise considerably.
"Well, wishing for what I don't have won't help."
I have to rack my brain and make do with the forces I have.
For now, I have to deal with these goblins.
The co-op has two entrances.
One is near the produce section, and the other is near the prepared-foods section.
If we're going in, the prepared-foods entrance is the obvious choice.
The best plan would be to whittle them down one at a time from there, then take on the hobgoblin last.
But there are checkout counters right beside both entrances, and a guard goblin is watching the outside.
If I tried to walk in openly, I'd be spotted immediately.
"Should I throw a stone to draw its attention, then slip inside while it's distracted?"
"Woof."
Momo nods.
"All right, Momo. Just like we planned, get into my 'Shadow.'"
"Woof."
At my words, Momo sinks into my shadow.
This is the new Skill Momo acquired.
The ability to hide inside someone else's 'Shadow.'
Even while inside a shadow, Momo can hear my voice, and I can hear Momo's.
Even while hidden, Momo can manipulate the shadow to some extent. Better yet, if it connects that shadow to 'other shadows,' Momo can emerge from them. It's a very useful Skill.
That only applies to 'emerging,' though. To enter a shadow, Momo must always enter through mine. Even with that restriction, the benefits are substantial.
Thanks to it, our tactical options have expanded considerably.
Once I've confirmed Momo has completely entered my shadow, I begin moving, too.
Using 'Presence Concealment' and 'Silent Movement,' I move right beside the entrance and hide.
"...Hm?"
What was that? For a moment, I could have sworn I felt someone watching me...
I immediately look toward the goblin beside the registers, but it doesn't seem to have noticed me.
I don't sense any monsters or people nearby, either.
'Enemy Search' and 'Hostility Detection' aren't picking up anything, either.
...Was it just my imagination?
No, I shouldn't let my guard down.
I need to stay focused.
I throw a stone in the opposite direction.
"...Gii?"
The goblin on guard turns toward the sound.
―――Now!
The instant the goblin's attention shifts, I slip through the entrance into the co-op.
My Agility stat, now in the triple digits, proves its worth.
I quickly get inside and hide behind some cover.
Good. It hasn't noticed me.
The guard goblin tilts its head, as if puzzled.
Infiltration successful.
"First, the two goblins in the meat section."
The goblin at the registers has a clear view of the produce section.
By contrast, the meat section in back is in a blind spot from either direction, making it harder for the goblins to notice me.
I make full use of 'Enemy Search' as I move through the sales floor.
Merchandise is scattered across the floor, making it hard to walk, but thanks to 'Silent Movement,' I make no sound.
In the corner of the prepared-foods section, the corpse of what appears to have been an employee lies abandoned.
It was a man's corpse.
It had been brutally abused, but there were no signs it had been eaten.
Do goblins not eat human flesh?
Thinking that, I approach the two goblins in the meat section.
The goblins haven't noticed me; they're stuffing raw meat from the packages into their mouths.
They seem completely off guard.
"...Momo."
When I give the signal, Momo pokes just its head out of the shadow to confirm their positions.
It immediately stretches out the shadow, restraining the goblins' movements and sealing their mouths.
"―――!?"
The goblins look startled, but it's already too late.
I close in on the goblins and drive my kitchen knife through their chests.
Perhaps because I was so focused, the blade slipped into one goblin's chest as if sucked in.
I thrust and twist.
The two goblins instantly turn into tiny pebbles.
≪You acquired experience points≫
"...Got it."
I somehow catch the pebbles before they hit the floor.
I immediately head for the produce section.
"Gii, gigii."
"Gya-gya-gya."
"Gii-gii!"
I peer at the goblins through a gap between the shelves.
They laugh among themselves as they eat vegetables and fruit.
Meanwhile, the hobgoblin I'm keeping an eye on sits cross-legged on a display table, chomping on an apple.
...It still hasn't realized its companions are gone.
As I watch, one of the goblins stands up.
Is it heading to the meat section?
This is my chance.
Once I confirm that the goblin has moved far enough away from its companions, Momo binds it with 'Shadow.'
I thrust and twist.
"―――!?"
The goblin dies without even understanding what happened.
≪You acquired experience points≫
All right, that leaves four goblins and one hobgoblin.
This is going well.
Maybe we can keep this up.
That's what I thought—until the very next moment.
"Giiiiiiiiii!!"
The guard goblin at the registers suddenly lets out a scream.
The other goblins all turn toward it at once.
―――! This is bad.
Have I been spotted?