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"Time to review my plan. So, I will first sneak up to them, take down one by surprise, and while the rest are confused, take down another. ...Hopefully, there's no wrench in the plan."
I invoked my skill «Friend Gacha» to fetch a rare item «Presence Dispersing Potion». I carried it in my left hand, and gripped «Poison Dagger» on my right, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to attack.
«Presence Dispersing Potion» was as its name implied; it was a potion that made it hard to perceive one's presence. On the flip side, it didn't work against opponents who'd already noticed my presence, and it's only effective for the duration of one minute since drinking which made it useless in the Monster House.
The effect would also wear off if I made an attack on the opponent. But the surprise attack should get me a skill, and that's what I needed in the current situation.
"But a presence concealing items that become ineffective if their eyes turn in my direction? Honestly, that sounds more like a scam than a rare item."
Apparently, Adventurer Store did sell items of similar effect for a thousand yen, so I guess one could argue over its price to affect proficiency compared to «Poison Dagger».
"Oh well, it's just a consumable item. I shouldn't be over-contemplating."
Nevertheless, how far were those goblins intended to go?
The goblins warily scanned their surroundings, and moved the woman so carefully as if she was some kind of priceless treasure.
I might give up on my location if I do not act carefully. Just as these thoughts surfaced, the goblins seemed to have reached their destination. They'd stopped at the passage's dead end, and surrounded the woman to prevent her escape, their back turning in my direction.
Alright, it's definitely now.
Seeing my chance, I drank the potion, and quietly approached the goblins group. The one minute duration worried me slightly, but goblins and I were mere 50m apart, so it should be enough time to bridge the gap.
Assuring myself, I made my way, my heart thumping fast.
I wasn't sure if my worries were unfounded, as goblins didn't even glance into my direction. Their attention was completely on the woman, their mouths breaking into sleazy smiles, and their hands rushing over the woman's body like they're trying to take a feel.
......That was strange. I never heard this dungeon had an R-18 setting. If anything, there was no dungeon in this world that had such an eroge game-like setting.
The monsters were indiscriminate killing machines, so this bizarre scene left me seeded with many doubts, but I shook my head to toss these thoughts away. All that matters was to save that woman for now.
Soon, I had covered enough distance to mount my attack. It would be too late for them to act even if they notice me now, and affirming that, I closed the distance without hesitation, and pricked all three goblin soldiers with my «Poison Dagger».
" " "Gobyaaahh?!?" " "
The effect of potion wears off the instant my attack connected, but that was within the plan. Immediately after, I tossed my «Poison Dagger» at the goblin in the center, and bashed another goblin's head at the fringe end with a shovel just as it was about to intercept me.
"Gobyaa?!"
"Go...byah......"
The goblin that had my dagger pierced through its stomach couldn't fight the encroaching poison, and fell to his knees, groaning painfully.
After quite a lot of trial and terror, I had finally learned to make «Poison Dagger» more effective. I had learned that grazing the goblins with dagger allowed me to throw the targets into a disoriented state, and that’s what I just did for the opening move.
It was far better than trying to focus on one, since this tactic would've left other goblins still in prime condition to give me a fight. Instead, my new tactic left them unable to react properly.
But, it was still too early to drop my vigilance. After waving my shovel, the third goblin drew its sword, and faced me. Well, with one already dead, and another writhing on the floor in agony, a single goblin soldier was just a tiny bit stronger than your average goblin with wooden stick.
I waved my shovel and flicked the sword out of the goblin's hand. As soon as it was disarmed, I took another swing and smashed it away just like the first goblin.
Now, there was just one goblin left, but this one was already incapacitated. I dealt with it shortly, collected the weapon they were carrying and walked up to the woman.
"Hng......"
"Ah, she's alive. Thank goodness."
I did expect she would be alive since goblins wanted to get rid of me quick. Either that, or these goblins were just some anomaly.
"Hmm? She looks familiar...... and damn, she's definitely in one heck of shape."
The girl’s—now that I see it up close, it wasn’t a woman but a girl—clothes were torn all over the place. I doubt they're even qualified to be called clothes in their current state. And her underwear was in no good condition either, just as tattered. A slip and she would be all naked.
And here I was, standing before the fainted girl. ......Wait a minute, I wouldn't be implicated, right? The fact that the girl was clearly younger than me made this situation even more risky. I doubt I will be able to get away if anyone sees me right now.
"I can try carrying her on my back, but I fear someone will definitely stop me."
Well, even beside that, there were still goblins to deal with. No way I would be able to carry her without getting interrupted by them.
I guess, the best move would be to wait for her to wake up.
In the meantime, I used «Friend Gacha» and pulled out a cloak, covering the girl up. I did have a blanket among the drops—I had already spun it 1200 times already—but I felt a cloak would be better since she could wear it later. Besides, a blanket would be too heavy to carry later, and it would be a waste to throw it.
I then turned my back to the girl, since she was half-naked, and started a stakeout in lieu of another goblin attack while waiting for her to wake up.