It Looks Strong, But

“Ha… hahaha… I won. I actually won…”

No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t an opponent he should have been able to beat.

The difference in ability was obvious, and if the orc hadn’t underestimated Kikori and taken that second backstep, the orc would have won.

If it had simply brought its cleaver sword down at that moment, the orc should have taken the victory.

And yet—he won. The one who survived was Kikori.

Just as Kikori tried to savor the afterglow of victory… he noticed a goblin staring at him from ahead.

An arrow loosed by the goblin stuck into the tree beside him, and Kikori sprang to his feet on reflex.

He hurled the last knife at his waist; the goblin ducked behind a tree in a panic, and the knife buried itself in the trunk behind it.

But that opening was enough. Kikori ran, yanked his axe free, and charged the goblin.

GANG! The swing landed like chopping a tree, biting straight into the goblin.

“Gi…!”

“There’s still more of you!?”

Kikori raised his axe and rushed a club-wielding goblin.

The goblin lifted its club to block, but it couldn’t withstand the weight of the descending axe; the club smashed down into the goblin’s own head.

“Geah…!”

Kikori split the staggering goblin with his axe. Compared to the orc, it was easy.

He recovered the thrown knife, extracted two goblin magic stones, and then took the orc’s magic stone as well.

It was far larger than a goblin’s—an impressive magic stone.

“Amazing… this should sell for a lot, right?”

He didn’t know the going rates yet, but it certainly wouldn’t be the same thousand as goblins or horned rabbits.

Even so… if he were told to defeat another orc, he surely couldn’t do it again.

Even with a helmet on, if that cleaver sword had been swung, he would have been split in two along with it—no doubt about it.

And that cleaver sword was one of today’s spoils as well.

Kikori lifted it and let out a small sigh.

“It looks strong… but it’s too big.”

Unless he had strength on par with an orc, Kikori wouldn’t be able to wield it properly.

He could practically see the future where he snagged it on a nearby tree if he tried.

He’d sell it. Deciding that, Kikori tallied today’s gains.

Two horned rabbit magic stones; five goblin magic stones including those the orc had killed; one orc magic stone; a bow and arrows with a quiver; and one orc cleaver sword. It was already more than he could carry…

“Can this bow and arrows even be sold…?”

Well, he’d take them back and ask.

With that thought, Kikori passed through the Hero Gate and headed back into the city.

First stop: the Mirgu Weapon Shop. He planned to offload the heavy loot there.