Chapter 12: Deadline

As one of the most powerful subspecies of goblins, bear goblins shared the same vile nature as their kin and typically appeared as leaders of goblin tribes.

Naturally, the Adventurer’s Guild included these creatures on its bounty list, offering a decent reward due to their strength far exceeding that of low-tier adventurers—

10 gold coins.

It wasn’t much.

But when combined with the spoils from clearing an entire goblin tribe, the haul could be considered decently substantial.

The bear goblin the Rotten Fish and Shrimp team encountered had clearly just left its tribe, not even equipping its minions properly.

Even counting the dozen goblins from yesterday’s ambush, the only weapon of value in the entire tribe was the bear goblin’s mace.

I tried lifting it. Even with my enhanced body, it was a bit heavy. Though it looked intimidating when swung, it wasn’t suited for [Whirlwind Slash], so it’d likely only fetch a price at a blacksmith’s shop.

But fortunately, perhaps because this was my first adventure, I had some of that legendary “beginner’s luck.”

On the bear goblin, there might be something that low-tier adventurers like us could only glimpse through shop or auction house windows— that reddish-brown energy shield.

In most cases, bear goblins lacked spellcasting abilities.

Only rare individuals favored by the gods, called “priests” within their tribes, could wield crude totem-like magic.

Clearly, the bear goblin “Hunk,” now decapitated by me, wasn’t one of those.

Otherwise, the moment we reached the lair’s depths, the Rotten Fish and Shrimp team would’ve been wiped out (at least, that’s what Maji said).

On the other hand, during that brief, intense fight, the bear goblin hadn’t made any obvious motions to use a spell scroll.

That left only one possibility.

A magic item!

And indeed, it was so.

With Maji’s guidance, I found a ring in the bear goblin’s pants pocket.

…

[Deadline]

Type: Ring

Grade: Fine (Green)

Effect:

1. Deflection Force Field (Active/2nd Circle): Summons a chaotic force field to block the enemy’s next physical attack.

Description:

The night before the deadline, Noel finally remembered the assignment his mentor gave him.

Note:

“You know, I’m always highly efficient.”

—Star Sea Enchanting Academy Outstanding Graduate, “Riemann” Mage Tower Annual Best Apprentice, Noel

…

The ring was pure silver, seemingly no different from ordinary silver rings.

But closer inspection revealed faint patterns etched on its inner surface, with occasional flashes of reddish-brown light across it.

“That’s it!” Seeing me pull [Deadline] from the bear goblin’s pocket, Maji grew excited.

“This ring is definitely a magic item!”

His expression was more animated than I’d ever seen since joining the team.

“And it deflected my [Precision Strike] so easily—it’s no weak item,” he said confidently. “It’s not some parlor trick; it’s enchanted with at least a 1st-circle spell.”

Maji took the ring from me, examining it like a treasure, as if his pain had vanished in that moment.

I wasn’t as thrilled, having no extra thoughts about it.

Until, while Maji studied the ring, I searched the cave again and suggested leaving.

I keenly noticed a change in his demeanor.

Maji’s previously excited face suddenly cooled at one moment.

His gaze flicked down to his nearly crippled right leg, then quickly back.

He forced a stiff, gentle smile, then, with visible reluctance, handed the ring back to me as if nothing was wrong.

“We should leave. The blood smell here is too strong; it’ll attract other beasts.”

He said as much.

In my previous life, I wasn’t old, but I’d spent nearly a decade in the workplace, achieving some results.

I knew the basics of reading people.

So, while I kept my expression neutral, I noted Maji’s fleeting change in demeanor.

…

Leaving the cave.

Maji was heavily injured, making movement difficult;

I was weighed down by loot, slowing my pace.

Thus, our travel speed was far from fast.

Fortunately, his professional skills and familiarity with the terrain kept us on the right path.

Unlike the winding route we took tracking goblins, we could now head straight out.

So, in just a day and a half, we reached the forest’s outer edge.

The subtle tension between us seemed to dissolve in the Mist Forest’s dangerous, high-pressure environment, fading into the white fog.

“Crunch.”

Leather boots landed softly on fallen leaves, snapping twigs on the ground.

“Signs of human activity are increasing. We’re likely near the forest’s edge,” Maji said, sniffing near a tree trunk. “We’ll be back in town by tomorrow night at the latest.”

“Good.”

I set my heavy pack on the ground, propping Gagu’s double-handed axe against a tree and untying the mace from my waist.

“Day after day of nothing but trees and grass—my eyes are going blurry.”

“Heh, you’ll get used to it,” Maji replied with a chuckle, glancing at the sky. “It’s getting late. Let’s set up camp.”

The campfire was quickly lit.

We sat around the flames, eating crude provisions (a hard black bread loaf, some overly salty mystery meat slices), chatting sporadically.

“So, decided yet?” Maji looked at me earnestly, inviting, “Want to join my team?”

“Let’s talk after we get back to town. You’ll need time to recover.”

I glanced at his bandaged right leg.

“Haha, no worries.” Maji waved it off, feigning bravado. “I’ve had worse injuries. Trust me, a few trips to the church, and I’ll be fine.”

I nodded, staying silent.

“Alright, it’s been a long day, and you carried a lot.”

Maji stood with difficulty, brushing dirt off his pants.

“I’ll check the traps again. We’re close to civilization, so there shouldn’t be much danger. Rest well tonight—I’ll take the first watch.”

I watched his figure disappear into the bushes, my eyes narrowing slightly.

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