Kikori no Isekai Tan - Chapter 8

Kikori crossed the prairie and entered the forest.

Inside the forest, the visibility was poor and there were no well-maintained paths.

He moved forward, carefully observing his surroundings to ensure nothing was there.

One lapse in vigilance could mean death. This thought completely erased the idea of Nibe herbs from Kikori’s mind.

He walked slowly, very slowly.

To his left, beyond the trees, he finally spotted a goblin.

“A goblin…”

Green skin, pointed ears. Clearly, it was not the appearance of a human.

The thing it was holding in its hand was… a club?

The goblin wasn’t facing him. If that’s the case, this was his chance.

With that thought, Kikori gripped his axe and took one step at a time, never taking his eyes off the goblin.

He crept closer and closer… but just as he was almost in range, the goblin suddenly turned around.

“Giiiii!”

(Have I been noticed!? But, at this distance!)

Brandishing his axe, Kikori charged.

Now that he was noticed, there was no need for restraint.

He swung his axe with all his might… but the goblin deflected it with its raised club.

“Ugh…!?”

His hands trembled. His iron axe was repelled by a mere wooden club.

However, it made sense.

This was different from chopping wood. Even firewood wouldn’t split with one blow if he failed, and even more so against an enemy wielding a club.

“Giiiiiii!”

“Gaah!”

Before Kikori could swing his axe again, the goblin thrust its club into his stomach.

Kikori was not wearing any armor, so the blow’s damage was transmitted directly.

Staggering, Kikori received another blow from the goblin.

It was a relentless barrage. The goblin’s continuous strikes nearly knocked Kikori unconscious.

It hurt. It was strong. Despite not letting his guard down, it was this strong.

And… he was weak.

Being helplessly aware of this, Kikori couldn’t help but laugh.

“…Haha.”

“Gii!?”

In a desperate attempt, Kikori swung his axe, lightly slashing the goblin that had forgotten to defend.

But it was enough to make the goblin stop attacking.

Forcing his battered body to stand, Kikori gripped his axe tightly once more.

“I’m not going to die in a place like this. I… I…”

“Giii…”

“I’m going to kill you!”

“Giiii!”

Just as the goblin had earlier, Kikori raised his axe and deflected the goblin’s descending club.

He deflected it and slightly knocked the goblin backward.

“Gi!?”

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!”

He shouted as he swung his axe with all his might, bringing it down on the goblin’s head as if he were chopping firewood.

With a resounding crack, the goblin’s skull was split open, and it died instantly.

Looking down at the lifeless goblin, Kikori laughed again.

“The magic stone, right? How am I supposed to extract it with an axe…?”

But he had to do it anyway.

The taste of his first victory… was the taste of blood in his mouth.