The passage Yuuto stepped into slanted downward, unfolding into a long stairway that spiraled deep beneath the earth. Strange carvings crawled along the walls—far too intricate for goblins, their design whispering of an intelligence far older and far crueler. Dense pressure gathered around him, the air vibrating with thick magical energy.
At the bottom of the stairs opened a vast chamber. The dome above arched high into shadow, like the ceiling of a colossal arena. And at the far end, a throne loomed—a grotesque seat built entirely of piled bones.
Upon that throne sat a monster like a king.
It was a goblin, yet far beyond any he had fought before—over two meters tall, its flesh a sickly dark green, its body wrapped in armor-like muscle. In one hand it gripped a massive iron mace.
(...So that's the Goblin Lord.)
Just as Yuuto had predicted, two subordinates waited beside the throne: a Goblin Mage clutching a crooked staff, and a Goblin Archer drawing a powerful bow.
(...A mage and an archer. Two rearguards. The worst combination for a solo fighter.)
He observed their formation, memorized the positions. Reconnaissance complete. His mission accomplished.
Yuuto turned to leave. Pushing any deeper would be reckless—he would withdraw as planned.
But then—
A thunderous boom echoed behind him.
The stone gate slammed shut, sealing the passage entirely.
(...So it's an automatic lock triggered by intrusion. Old-fashioned, but foolproof. I walked right into it.)
His first miscalculation.
The foundation of his plan—'I can always retreat'—shattered in that instant.
Yuuto immediately activated his [Sort] skill, pushing it to maximum output. A pale light flashed across his vision as data flooded in.
[Threats Detected]
[ Goblin Lord ]
[ Goblin Mage ]
[ Goblin Archer ]
[Overall Threat Level: S]
(Threat level... S!?)
According to the guild's records, a Goblin Lord alone ranked only C+. Yet his skill reported a rating that screamed of despair.
(So the mage and archer, plus the blocked escape route—all factors combined yield this 'S'. I underestimated it completely! My arrogance in trusting the rank system... this is the price!)
His brain screamed a warning. But escape was no longer possible.
A low growl rolled across the chamber.
The Goblin Lord rose from the throne, eyes burning crimson. Its gaze met Yuuto's—cold, contemptuous, amused.
It said nothing, only jerked its chin. The order was clear.
The Mage raised its staff, chanting in a guttural tongue. The Archer drew its bow, the arrowhead glinting with poison.
(They're coming—from both sides!)
A hiss split the air.
A fireball and a venom-tipped arrow streaked toward him, two perfect lines of death converging.
"Damn it—!"
Yuuto dove and rolled across the floor, barely dodging both. The fireball struck where he had stood, melting the stone to molten red. The arrow buried itself in the wall, releasing violet smoke that hissed like acid.
One hit from either would have ended him.
He pushed himself up—but that heartbeat of recovery was all it took.
The lord's shadow swallowed him.
With a roar of displaced air, the giant leapt from the throne and brought its mace down.
(So fast!?)
That mass shouldn't have been able to move so quickly. Yuuto couldn't dodge. He crossed his daggers before him.
Metal shrieked. His leather armor groaned.
The impact came like thunder.
Yuuto was hurled across the chamber, crashing into the wall.
"Gah—haah!"
Blood splattered from his mouth. His HP bar plunged to half in an instant. Pain screamed through his body; some bones must have snapped.
(What... the hell...)
He had blocked—yet the mace hadn't even touched him. The Lord had struck the ground at his feet. The shockwave alone had done this.
A different league. Everything about this creature existed on another level entirely.
Through the haze of dust, he saw the giant shape advancing. The Goblin Lord spared him a brief, dismissive glance before turning back toward its throne, as if saying the rest could be handled by its underlings.
That gesture of supreme indifference plunged Yuuto's heart into a pit of despair.
(I can't win.)
For the first time, the thought came without denial. His skills, his gear, all the experience he had earned—none of it mattered in the face of this overwhelming difference.
The Goblin Mage began chanting again. The Archer nocked another poisoned arrow.
Death gathered in the air.
And Yuuto felt its shadow, clear and cold, settle across his mind.