I Am Not Goblin Slayer
Chapter 64: Casual Slaughter

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

After the first goblin gathered its courage to charge out, the other goblins gradually realized their enemies probably wouldn't enter the cave, finally organizing themselves to fight back.

Wooden arrows shot out from within the cave.

The group retreated from the cave entrance, dodging the first wave of attacks.

"Prepare for combat!"

"Tap tap tap!"

Along with the arrows came the dense sound of approaching footsteps.

Gauss listened to the commotion, crouching by the cave entrance. Sensing the timing was right, he peered inside while channeling magical energy through his Bone Staff.

A deep blue energy missile rapidly condensed at the staff's tip, forming in an instant by gathering natural mana.

Just as the first wave of goblins came charging forward.

"Boom!"

The missile released from the Bone Staff's tip crossed several meters in the blink of an eye, striking the first goblin's soft abdomen.

"Bang!!!"

Like a large-caliber bullet piercing flesh, the Magic Missile tore through with minimal resistance, consecutively hitting several goblins.

Then came a second Magic Missile in quick succession!

Causing explosions within the narrow cave!

"Goblin killed*1"

"Goblin killed*1"

......

After the brief explosions, numerous notifications flashed rapidly before Gauss's eyes.

Against densely packed enemies in the narrow cave, the two Magic Missiles proved extraordinarily effective. Gauss didn't even need precise aim - the goblins seemed to throw themselves into the projectiles.

Unfortunately, only the cave section near the entrance was relatively straight. Otherwise, they wouldn't have needed to go through the trouble of smoking the goblins out.

"Total monsters killed: 66"

Gauss checked the notifications, immediately realizing the casualties caused by those two missiles.

Six goblins killed in total.

Feeling a warm current flowing through his body, his Rapid Digestion ability gradually improved.

Was this the joy of being a spellcaster?

Gauss felt he was understanding it more and more.

Hardworking warriors had to fight tooth and nail, laboriously killing small fry while getting covered in blood and grime.

As a noble mage, with sufficient mana, enemies like these goblins would die to mysterious magical attacks before even reaching him.

However, the Magic Missile's effect seemed slightly too overwhelming.

The goblins who had finally mustered courage retreated deep into their nest again, intimidated by the magical bombardment.

"Continue smoking them out!"

The goblins withdrew once more.

With complete control of the situation, the group took their time.

They restarted the fire and fanned the smoke, sending thick black fumes pouring back into the cave.

After another ten minutes or so,

The green-skinned creatures, suffocated by the poisonous smoke, launched another charge toward the entrance.

This time Gauss didn't use Magic Missile again.

He worried that another bombardment might completely shatter the goblins' courage, making them prefer suffocating inside rather than fighting.

Their supply of sulfur powder and toxic materials was limited - they couldn't maintain the smoke indefinitely.

If they didn't finish off the goblins now, dragging them out later would be troublesome.

Amid the black smoke,

A group of goblins came charging out waving weapons.

Their originally emerald-green skins were now blackened and filthy, tears streaming from their eyes.

Some even collapsed unconscious right after emerging.

"Prepare for combat!"

Seeing enemies finally emerging, the group raised their weapons to engage.

Gauss moved swiftly, immediately targeting three unconscious goblins.

Basic Swordsmanship granted him superior weapon control - his rapier's tip pierced vital points, blossoming three crimson flowers of blood.

"Goblin killed*3"

"Total monsters killed: 69"

There was no shame in finishing off easy targets. Besides, some goblins might be feigning - eliminating them preemptively meant not having to watch them.

After dispatching the three unconscious goblins, Gauss surveyed the battlefield. Others had already begun slaughtering the smoke-dazed goblins who stood no chance against these experienced low-tier adventurers.

Time to pick up the pace.

"Goblin killed*1"

......

Gauss weaved through the goblins, his rapier continuously reaping lives.

Notifications flashed before his eyes.

"Slice!"

The Goblin Slayer title's [Bane] effect enveloped his rapier in a faint white glow of enhanced damage.

With one final clean stroke severing the last goblin's neck,

Gauss sheathed his sword, taking deep breaths to calm himself.

It had been like cutting melons and slicing vegetables!

Having not fought goblins for some time, this reunion made him realize how much his skills had progressed.

Moreover, Basic Swordsmanship proved more effective in actual combat than he'd anticipated.

"Total monsters killed: 75"

"Magic Missile lv2 (13/20)"

"Mage Armor lv2 (15/20)"

"Basic Swordsmanship lv1 (6/10)"

All three skills gained 1, 2, and 1 proficiency points respectively.

After this mission, focusing on Mage Armor training should bring it close to level 3.

Wiping his hands, Gauss took some jerky wrapped in cloth from his inner pocket, chewing while recovering and contemplating.

"Good work everyone."

"Anyone injured needing treatment?"

"Check me please, I think I got stabbed in the side. It hurts when pressed." Doyle pointed to his waist.

Returning to reality, Gauss gave Doyle a puzzled look.

Unlikely. Those goblins had been in terrible condition - how could anyone get injured?

But when his gaze turned to Daphne,

Understanding dawned.

Now that he thought about it, Doyle always seemed to have some injury after battles.

Probably just excuses to get close to the priestess.

How childish.

Gauss shook his head helplessly.

"Gauss, how many goblins did you kill just now?" Levin suddenly asked.

"Let me think..." Checking his Adventurer's Manual's kill count, Gauss did quick math. "About fifteen or sixteen."

The exact number was sixteen.

Starting from fifty-nine before the mission to seventy-five now. He'd soon qualify for another tier reward.

First one stealth kill, then six with Magic Missiles, three easy finishes, and six frontal kills with his sword.

His efficiency came from recognizing these goblins as weaklings with only wooden weapons, allowing aggressive tactics.

Where others dodged attacks, he could tank hits with Mage Armor.

The results proved his approach right - six quick kills spoke for themselves.

What Gauss didn't notice was the sudden silence after his answer.

There had only been about twenty-some goblins total.

Levin looked at Gauss with mixed feelings.

No wonder this mission felt easier than usual - he hadn't even warmed up before it ended.

Gauss had killed over half the enemies alone.

"Gauss?"

"......"

"What is it, Levin?" Gauss looked up.

"Nothing... We'll talk back at base."