Chapter 11

The following morning, after finishing breakfast, we returned once again to the Shoisa Cave.

We proceeded into the interior just as we had yesterday.

“A full day has passed, so the goblins’ alertness should have reset by now.”

Even if that weren’t the case, there was a high probability that other explorers had already wiped out the local goblin groups.

In that case, monsters would respawn after some time anyway, so starting fresh was the right move either way.

“…Are you studying up on monsters, my lord?”

Gina asked with a curious look, and I nodded without changing expression.

“I’ve started feeling like I want to get even a little stronger.”

“How admirable of you.”

I felt like my past behavior had just been way too awful, but Gina, viewing everything through a thick filter of absolute loyalty, was genuinely impressed.

“First it’s goblins, and then kobolds. I figure I’ll keep expanding my knowledge as I grow stronger.”

Truthfully, I should already know all about the characters and creatures from the original game, but if she asked how I knew, it would raise all sorts of awkward questions.

Plus, just to be safe, I had to keep in mind the possibility that things might differ slightly from the original work.

Though so far, it didn’t seem like there were any major discrepancies.

With Gina satisfied, we officially began our exploration.

Sure enough, the very first monster to show up was a single Goblin Ranger.

Repeating yesterday’s routine felt a bit like doing tedious chores, but someone as weak as me had no right to be picky.

Besides, Gina was the one doing all the huntings… and perhaps because I forgot to mention it, she cleanly dispatched the Goblin Ranger before I could even do anything.

She then held out a hat that the Goblin Ranger apparently dropped.

“A goblin hat, huh… straight to the scrap pile for selling.”

I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on a Goblin Mage’s staff, but big fish like that wouldn’t spawn in a place like Shoisa Cave.

Once Gina stored the item away, I gave her a new instruction.

“Next time we run into one or two goblins, I’ll use Slip first, so I want you to finish them off after that.”

“Understood.”

She nodded in agreement.

It might be a tedious extra step, but doing this increased the share of experience points I received, making it a quietly crucial factor from a leveling perspective.

Gina probably didn’t ask why simply because she already knew that system well.
After waiting a brief moment, another lone Goblin Ranger approached us.

“Slip.”

I activated the magic, turning the dungeon floor slick and causing the Goblin Ranger to lose its footing and tumble over.

Gina instantly put it down, and we split the experience points between the two of us.
I felt satisfied, thinking it went pretty well for a first try.

Since Slip targeted stationary surfaces like floors and walls, it was a massive plus that I didn’t need to waste time practicing precise target leading.

Once I learned offensive magic, I’d probably have to practice aiming quite a bit.

As far as I could tell by comparing my gaming knowledge with the memories of living as Rasta, I couldn’t really expect much natural talent when it came to magic either.