The Goblin Mine: A Brutal Lesson

“While I could bestow a buff with magic, my proficiency is quite lacking, making it inefficient. It wouldn’t last more than a few minutes. This leaves us with only one option.”

“Excuse me, but is it truly necessary to go to such lengths just to hunt mere goblins?”

“Mere? For you, this will prove more arduous than slaying a dragon.”

There’s a world of difference between hunting monsters in the open field and within a dungeon. This holds especially true for dungeons carved out of the earth like this one. They are cramped, dim, have uneven floors, and are utterly devoid of ventilation.

I gestured towards the dagger I had thrown, then spoke.

“What are you waiting for? I’ve prepared the field to this extent, so hurry and pray. Encircle yourselves with potent enhancement spells.”

The inherent advantage of a paladin lies in their ability to self-buff. These enchantments are not only highly efficient but also exceptionally potent. Typically, casting such a spell on another individual consumes double the energy while delivering only half the efficacy.

The two exchanged hesitant glances, then awkwardly shuffled forward. They knelt before the spot where the dagger was embedded and began their prayers. Soon, faint, shimmering halos of light began to bloom around them.

This was a technique I once frequently employed with my online acquaintances, the ‘Pants Squad,’ back when we’d share tips for capturing the perfect screenshot. I doubt I’ll be able to use it again for some time. Though only my arm was struck earlier, I felt an inexplicable urge to vomit my very guts.

It truly hurt like hell.

I had declared I would speak of it, yet I vow never to repeat such an act. At least, not until this pain limitation system reactivates. Perhaps I’d consider it again if I were clad in a full set of gear boasting formidable lightning resistance.

“Naturally, the first dungeon must always begin on easy mode. That’s the only way to ensure the newbies don’t flee.”

I once tried to introduce a younger acquaintance to gaming, taking them to conquer my favorite boss, ‘Zeras of Lamentation.’ Afterward, they refused my calls for three whole days. It was truly devastating. They only died 72 times! To abandon a game simply for a few deaths!

Truly, the youth of today possess no grit!

“Are these truly mere goblins?! Why are they so incredibly formidable?!”

“Naturally. These are goblins of a caliber strong enough to seize control of a mining cavern.”

“What in the world is that supposed to mean?!”

Faust, seemingly already exhausted, fought in grim silence. His movements were swift and precise, yet the tip of his sword began to waver, signaling a depletion of strength in his hand. At least Jack still possessed enough energy to be boisterously vocal.

It was a pity, however, that Jack had hardly eliminated any monsters himself.

From the rear, I erected a magical barrier to hold back the surging tide of goblins. Then, I settled in to observe, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds. The disparity in our levels was so immense that even a rudimentary barrier proved impenetrable to them.

“It’s quite simple, really. Kobolds, goblins, and similar small monsters possess a rudimentary intelligence, but they lack the sophistication to excavate such deep tunnels. Being nocturnal and aligned with darkness, they require shadowy habitats, yet natural caves offer limited space. A typical swarm of these smaller monsters numbers in the dozens.

Thus, there’s no better sanctuary for them than an artificial mine. However, active mining sites are naturally defended by powerful humans. Furthermore, abandoned mines are typically collapsed and sealed off, making well-preserved ones exceedingly rare.

It stands to reason, then, that the strongest of their kind would claim such a prize, wouldn’t they? After all, it’s the most advantageous location.”

The goblins currently before us were clad in iron armor and wielded metal weaponry. Typically, they appear with only a leather loincloth and a crude club. However, due to my exceedingly high level, we were encountering the highest tier: elite goblin warriors.

Furthermore, these creatures gained increased speed and attack power the deeper they were within the darkness. The path was narrow, and their bulky forms allowed only one or two to engage at a time, making it ideal for the newbies to hone their skills.

“Those incapable of such feats are driven out, forced to seek sunless havens. And even those who are further displaced are the very creatures you encounter in the open fields.”

Within mines, one typically finds either goblins or kobolds, though goblins predominate. Kobolds are far too feeble; I wouldn’t even perceive them due to my current level. Occasionally, bandit groups might occupy a mine, but in such instances, the entrance decorations would be distinctly different.

For one, three or four brigands would be patrolling the vicinity.

I had simply swapped out their weapons for common iron swords. There was no point in giving them anything superior, as they couldn’t wield them effectively, and it felt like a waste to diminish their durability. Those high-tier weapons are also notoriously difficult to repair. Besides, their current armor is so exceptional, they won’t perish from a single strike, will they?

Armor, on the other hand, is comparatively simple to repair. And since I’ll soon be performing intricate enchantments and precise crafting, it won’t matter if I mend it then. Materials are abundant. Weapon repairs, however, are an utter nuisance.

“Damn it! Why have creatures like these remained undiscovered until now?!”

“Because anyone who stumbled upon them simply perished. You two arrived equipped with legendary gear and ample blessings, yet you’re struggling this much. An ordinary NPC would possess no means to endure such an encounter.”

Having sunflower seeds again after so long, I found their subtle flavor quite pleasant.

This game’s flavor rendering is far from sophisticated. While some elements vaguely resemble real-world tastes, most are remarkably simplistic. They aren’t particularly delicious either.

Yet, ironically, nuts are inexplicably well-rendered.

“Furthermore, creatures powerful enough to establish themselves within a mine typically avoid interfering with humans. They prefer to rule their immediate vicinity, preying on lesser beings. Humans may be weak, but their armies are a formidable force.

I’ve already told you: they possess intelligence, however crude. Leaders among them can even communicate well enough to engage in trade with humans. Though, I suppose you wouldn’t have encountered such on the open field.”

In truth, the only talking goblin one can encounter in the game is Bodangbo, who operates a business within the subterranean waterways beneath the capital. They are never found in dungeons. While shamans or primitive priests dedicated to malevolent deities occasionally appear, true talking goblins are rare.

Bodangbo, in human terms, might be considered the Einstein of the goblin world—an unparalleled genius. He is, in fact, more intelligent than most humans. If one manages to skillfully persuade and recruit him as a companion, he can even impart knowledge of magic.

However, being a monster by birth, his mana reserves are far too meager to be of significant use.

“It’s akin to cockroaches. You know the saying: the moment you spot one, it means tens of thousands more infest the house. Similarly, if these creatures, nocturnal and malevolent by nature, are forced to emerge during the day, it signifies they are the weakest faction in this entire region. It means they’ve been displaced.

To dismiss them as trivial simply because you’ve slain a few of those lesser creatures is, frankly, utterly foolish.”

All of this, of course, is merely lore. What is actually implemented within the game remains confined. These creatures exist in their designated spots simply because they are necessary for the game’s mechanics. They are there because it was predetermined.

“Therefore, never again underestimate a goblin.”

Jack merely gasped for breath, his gaze fixed resentfully upon me. Faust, meanwhile, could barely remain upright. I began to tally the number of goblins slain thus far.

“Faust, fifteen goblins; Jack, eight. Jack, if you possess the breath to speak, use it to slay more. Your captain appears on the verge of shriveling if he continues to fight.”

“Is that… as easy… as it sounds?!”

“Ah, now nine.”

He finally managed to kill one. After a prolonged, desperate struggle, he barely succeeded in severing its neck. He performed better than I anticipated, yet his stamina management was abysmal. He had swung wildly in a panic at the outset, and now, barely past the dungeon’s halfway point, he was already flailing weakly.

With the exception of those still trapped beyond the barriers I had erected both front and back, everything was dead. The faces of the two paladins drained of color as they witnessed the goblins still raging furiously beyond the shimmering magical walls.

“Hmm, there’s no help for it. Let’s conclude our efforts here for now. [Ice Wall], [Wind Sucker].”

Was that the final beginner spell? It was hardly remarkable; merely a touch of frost and a gust of wind.

The instant I invoked the spell, every goblin beyond the barrier froze solid. Then, they shattered into countless fragments under the merciless, biting wind. Blood splattered across the magical barrier, staining it a gruesome crimson. I frowned, muttering to myself.

“Damn it. Not frozen thoroughly enough. Now there’s blood everywhere. Perhaps I should have bothered to retrieve my staff, despite the inconvenience?”

I should have frozen them completely, but in my laziness, I cast the spell casually from my seated position, bare-handed. It seems only their surfaces froze. Unintentionally, I’ve created quite the visceral spectacle.

The two, seemingly devoid of the energy to even speak, stared at the scene with vacant expressions before collapsing onto the floor. They appeared too exhausted to even register the goblin corpses littering the ground, simply rolling amidst them.

“Hey, hey, don’t lie down there. You’ll catch a chill and get a twisted mouth.”

“I have no strength left…”

“Faust, are you still alive?”

There was no response. I wondered if he had become a corpse. I stooped, gathered the two sprawling figures, and forced them into a sitting position. Their backs were profoundly slumped; they were genuinely just breathing. Had I been too severe for their first dungeon? No, that couldn’t be right. This was incredibly easy.

“This is a level of difficulty even infants could manage.”

“What infant could possibly slay a two-meter goblin clad in iron armor?! No, damn it, why is that thing so colossal for a mere goblin?! Did it devour all the food by itself?!”

Jack hurled the sword he had been clutching, throwing a childish tantrum. Faust, who had barely managed to remain seated, completely toppled backward. He merely breathed, seemingly lacking even the strength to roll over.

Well, they were a bit large, I suppose. Regular goblins usually stand just over a meter tall. But these were elite goblins. And Jack’s words were a slight exaggeration. Those creatures were, at most, around 1.8 meters. Certainly not two meters.

“First, share your impressions of today’s battle. What aspects did you find challenging, or what do you feel you did incorrectly?”

“Sir Haut. Couldn’t we do this later?”

“He must be truly exhausted if Faust is saying such a thing.”

He exhaled raggedly, then slowly, with great effort, rolled onto his side to look up at me, unable to even rise. I felt a pang of pity seeing him, but I couldn’t allow it. I spoke with unwavering resolve.

“No. You’ll forget the sensations. Speak now. You’ll only forget them later.”

“This is an experience I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I’m more likely to have nightmares…”

“Human memory is fleeting; it vanishes quickly. Hurry.”

They both glared at me, resentment clear in their eyes, but I cut them off decisively. I couldn’t coddle them too much. The fact that they were struggling so badly, even after meticulous preparation before entering, was a serious problem.

Jack and Faust exchanged glances, then began to speak, one after the other. They mentioned how difficult it was to discern patterns in the darkness, how the narrow, uneven floor hindered movement and prevented them from properly exerting force, and how the echoing sounds distorted their senses.

“Firstly, your stamina management is terrible. Don’t exert yourselves fully from the start when you don’t know what lies ahead. And finish your sword strikes on each monster within five blows. If you drag it out, their numbers will only increase. You’ll use twice the stamina to kill the same two monsters.

Faust, don’t waste mana trying to clear them quickly; use it only when absolutely necessary. Excessive use of holy power or mana increases fatigue, causing you to tire quickly even with full health.

Jack, instead of grumbling, just swing your sword. Are you going to keep running away? You’re built like a mountain, yet you’re the most cowardly, unable to even put up a decent fight.”

If they were actual players, I would have formed a party and funneled experience to them, but that wasn’t possible. While taking them as companions would have a similar effect, I couldn’t do so.

I had tried when we entered, but the system rejected it. It claimed their favorability and trust levels were too low. Damn them. I was being so good to them. I had confirmed it in the most unpleasant way.

I brushed the remaining sunflower seeds from my hands and stood up. Then, I picked up the two figures, who were little more than rag dolls, one under each arm.

“If we go further inside, we’ll find the goblins’ living quarters. It’ll be crude, but there should be a place to sleep. For now, we’ll rest here, and tomorrow, once we reach the city, we’ll resupply.”

There was no reply. Faust’s eyes were already half-closed. As I deactivated the magic barrier, the scent of blood washed over us. Damn it, I really should have used my staff.

I stepped over the pulped corpses and ventured deeper inside.

Within, a somewhat organized space emerged. It seemed designed like a series of rooms, much like an ant colony. Tattered, dust-laden decorative cloths hung from the walls.

“It seems there was a chieftain among those we killed earlier.”

The appearance of a reward chest indicated that the area had been cleared. I gently lowered the two figures onto a spot covered with a suitable cloth. Jack, who had been chattering so much earlier, must have fallen asleep in the interim.

How long will it take to raise these two to hunt demons? I have no idea how much grinding this will require.