“If you have time to talk, run towards the cliff! Don’t look back!”
Somehow, the goblins resembled hares as they ran away through the trees.
The trick to hunting hares was to ensure that the prey thought of nothing but running.
And then predict their movements…and shoot.
“Bu-but, chief! It’s faster than… Ahhh!”
He shot one arrow in their direction, and then while leaping over them, shot an arrow down into a goblin’s head.
“Nara! Da-damn it!”
The last remaining goblin threw his spear. Sheto moved his head to dodge it, and without losing his balance, unleashed a mithril arrow.
“Gah! Ah…ahh…”
“Suda!? Shit!”
Now it was just the leader hobgoblin.
“Shi-shit… What the hell are you!”
The prey’s face was visibly terrified below the tree branches.
Still, he desperately tried to find Sheto’s position, which showed a degree of strength.
That hobgoblins would be able to reach the cliffs in about thirty steps. Though, it would take the time of thirty-three steps, considering the first few needed to gain momentum.
Sheto was at the same distance. His arrow would barely be within range. As for whether he could hit the target, it would be fifty-fifty.
That was no good.
He had to take the prey down no matter what. Otherwise, he would likely dodge the next attack.
When hunting, you should get close enough so that they can’t escape your arrows.
“You. Why, trying to capture me?”
The hobgoblin was startled by the sudden words.
He used the moment to take a few steps closer.
“What does it matter!? You are going to kill us!”
“Because, you said, I’m to be captured. Kobolds captured, turned into slaves.”
Perhaps the gobgoblin misunderstood him, as his arms relaxed for a moment.
Sheto moved even closer.
“Sl-lave? Not at all. We were told to welcome you with respect.”
“Liar. Then why did you, try to capture me?”
“We-well…because you attacked us first! Why would you shoot at your own comrades!”
“Comerades? Is that how, you see me?”
He lowered his bow and put away the arrow.
The enemy looked relieved then.
Not noticing Sheto took another step closer.
“Tha-that’s right! In any case, it was a misunderstanding! Please, now. Come down from there.”
“Fine.”
Sheto nodded as he went back into a hunting stance.
His hand stretched towards the quiver, and the gobgoblin who had been pretending to lower his guard, tensed his legs as if ready to jump.
(Thirty-one)
While on the unstable tree branch, he nocked an arrow, and the enemy bounced like a spring.
(Thirty-two)
He drew back and aimed at the roots of a tree. And then a moment later, the ugly face moved into view.
Just then…
“Thirty-three!”
Three steps. The distance closed by them, and then the exposed face of the goblin. It was shattered by the force of the bow.
“What the-the hell is that!?”
The goblin had looked bored, but was now shouting at the top of his lungs. Gaide looked at the thing that rolled down from the cliffs, and his body shuddered.
“Kesh!? Hey! You…!”
His partner’s face looked like it had taken a blow from a hammer. Not only that, but he appeared to be burned. It was clear that he was dead.
“Ah…arggghhhhh!!”
He roared, and then struck the others who were close by.
Both humans and goblins were frightened, and there was a stench in the air that suggested they had soiled themselves.
“Who did thisss! Who killled my frieeeend!”
In spite of being small, Kesh had been his partner many times. After losing his brothers, Kesh had been the only one who could calm his rage.
“Come out! Show yourself now! I’ll tear you apart and lay your remains at Kesh’s grave!”
Ogres did not shed tears. They did not feel sadness. Just anger. And they laughed after defeating their foes.
“You, very loud. The birds, fly away.”
Said a small voice from the top of the cliff.
A single kobold wearing a flowing cape was looking down.
“Yo…you…were the one…Kesh…”
“Not that one. In the forest, not a single one alive.”
For a second, the anger left him after hearing the kobold’s voice. Was this some kind of joke? This tiny, dog-like creature had killed nearly everyone?
“He-he, killed our chief!”
“Die, you dog!”
Before he could stop them, the goblins began to climb up the cliff.
“Agghhhh!?”
“Gaah!”
They were knocked down by the kobold’s whip. One of them broke its neck during the fall, and while the other stood up again, he quickly died from a followup attack.
“Now, it just you left. And that.”
The kobold’s eyes went to the imp, who screamed loudly and ran away. As if giving up, the kobold switched its target.
“Just you then.”
Bonus chapter courtesy of Photo. Thank you so much!!