I couldn't come to my senses when I saw the sudden messages. Apostle? Star's Beloved? What was this?

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is shocked by your appearance.]

"What? This..."

My curiosity grew, but my nerves were soon focused elsewhere. The moment the light disappeared, the goblins started to run toward me. Kim Sujeong's urgent voice rang out, "Father!"

"Stay behind me!"

Her hands were covered with a white light as she prepared to buff me. It didn't take long for the lights to wrap around my body, and I could feel the fullness of the moment. By the way, I saw an unexpected message.

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is guiding you on the path to save you.]

...Guiding me?

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' recommends running away first.]

"This is crazy!"

"Father! What's wrong?" Kim Sujeong asked with surprise from behind me. It was understandable. I was preparing to face the enemy with a pious att.i.tude when I suddenly spoke nonsense.

"Nothing! Don't worry about it!"

Still, I wouldn't run away. I had stayed for this reason.

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' respects your choice.]

"Come!"

"Kik, catch him! Food is running away!"

"Kyaaaack! Die!"

The fight was finally starting. The enemies in front started to stretch out their swords. I fought them back one by one. Blood spurt out as the enemies in front of me turned to ash. However, the situation wasn't good. I removed the ones in front, then those in the second row swung their weapons. I was also human and couldn't avoid everything.

"Kuek..."

I was tired. It seemed that I had consumed too much energy while fighting the guard captain. Now I had only 100 health left. I sighed inwardly.

...s.h.i.+t. It seemed hard enough to die. Still, it was a small comfort that the middle pa.s.sage was narrow, so they couldn't push at me all at once. If the pa.s.sage were a bit wider...

"It's terrible."

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is laughing at you.]

...A real b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Was it when I had killed almost half the goblins?

"That way! Kiik!"

I could see reinforcements running from behind. The number seemed to be twice that of the goblins from before. They felt like c.o.c.kroaches.

"These crazy goblins!"

I gritted my teeth and swung my dagger faster.

[Rescued Mulan's residents 5/10 and Mulan's soldiers 15/30.]

It was now half-way through. I cried with joy at the thought that I only had to endure a bit more. Then another accident occurred as I fought the goblins.

"...?"   

Suddenly, an odd noise caused me to turn my head. The direction of the sound...

[Lv. 10 Goblin Worker]

They were coming from goblins carrying shovels and pickaxes made of bones. They used their weapons (?) to widen the aisle.

"Bulls.h.i.+t."

An ominous premonition struck me. The shadow of death seemed to be slitting my throat. I had to choose. Should I die here or run away cowardly? Yes... I'd rather die here than flee like a coward.

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' wants you to run toward the exit first.]

"d.a.m.n guy! I'm not going!"

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' says that there is a way for everyone to live.]

"What?"

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is asking you to believe in him.]

My heart was shaken. What was the ident.i.ty of this apostle? The word 'thief' also caught my heart. Thief... Could I trust this guy? Nevertheless, I made my choice. Let's trust this guy. I grabbed Sujeong's wrist and started running.

"Oh, my...!"

"Stand there!"

"Catch him!"

"Kyaaaack!"

The goblins followed at a fairly fast speed despite their short legs. I shook my head at the quest that I never would've cleared if I had come alone. Was it halfway down the pa.s.sage...?

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is pointing to the left turn with a warm smile.]

...This d.a.m.n guide. I would leave him behind if he gave me the wrong directions. There was no need for Gaia. The fate of a navigator who couldn't guide the way was to be sc.r.a.pped. I would also get rid of him if he led me the wrong way. I would find a way somehow.

Thus, I turned into the narrow branching path. However...

"It's a dead end!" 

"Hey! Crazy crook! You can't do it properly?! You @#!%&^&-" I cursed as hard as I could.

Kim Sujeong was looking at me like I was a madman. Perhaps she thought I had dementia. A moment pa.s.sed before another message arrived from the thief.

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is telling you to calm down and use the items in the box in front of you.]

Box? I quickly opened the box as I had no other choice because the goblins were already approaching me.

"Ugh. What is that?"

"Huup!"

Crystal and I blocked our noses with one hand at the same time. However, it wasn't possible for the goblins running behind me.

"Kuaack! What is this smell?!"

"Stinky! Severely! Human! Nasty!"

"I don't want to get close! Nasty! Human! I don't like it! Kiiik!"

The goblins could be seen moving away. My lips curved into a smile the moment I discovered this.

...Look at this? I blocked my nose with one hand and followed the visible spread of stench as the goblins started to retreat.

One step... Another step...

I was getting closer and closer to the goblins, only to be forced to a stop when I found that the stench no longer spread out. This seemed to be the limit of the visible stench. I was thinking this when I heard a voice from behind.

"Father! Look here!"

"...?"

I quickly checked the contents of the box she was pointing at.

[Stinky Goblin Leather Armor Bottoms]

[Stinky Goblin Leather Boots]

[Stinky Goblin Leather Gloves]

"This...?"

Where did I see it? I remembered after a moment. It was the name of the stinky armor I got before I met Sujeong.

"Yes. This is the armor set I got."

"Huh? What..."

"I don't have time to explain in detail. I have to wear this first."

Yes, I should wear it. The thief told me to 'use' it.

"You are going to wear this??"

...I should. In her opinion, I was now putting on trash. Nevertheless, it couldn't be helped. The goblin's reaction obviously showed their weakness. This was the best way to get out of here. I wasn't a fool who would miss a once-in-lifetime opportunity. At least, not in this place...

[The Stinky Goblin Leather Top Armor has been worn.]

[The Stinky Goblin Leather Armor Bottoms has been worn.]

[The Stinky Goblin Leather Boots have been worn.]

[The Stinky Goblin Leather Gloves have been worn.]

[This is an item with a set effect.]

[All stats are increased by +10.]

So far, it was like what I knew. By the way...

[A special effect will be triggered.]

"...?"

[Your body stinks. Goblins can't get close to you.]

[You won't be hit by goblins.]

"Stinks...?"

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is watching with a pleased expression.]

...This d.a.m.n guy. I'll deal with you later.

I blocked my nose with one hand and quickly jumped toward the goblins. "Block your nose and follow me!"

The additional speed from the 10 stat points meant I flooded rapidly toward the goblins. It was an endless series of melee. The screams of the goblins rang out endlessly like the underground cave was being destroyed.

"Kuaaack!"

"Ack! It hurts!! Kiiiat!"

"I can't stand the smell! Aaaagh!"

Messages floated up constantly. It was an endless string of experience. I was now the nemesis of the goblins.

[Your level has risen!]

The level up was a bonus. What did Jeongdo teach me to say at a time like this? Ah, I remembered. "It is honey. Keke."

I made a pleased smile and started to slaughter the goblins more quickly. After a while, I dealt with the last goblin and saw a message.

[The hidden ending of 'Hidden Quest - Save Mulan's Residents' has been acquired.]

[t.i.tle: Goblin Slayer has been acquired.]

[Will deal 50% additional damage to future goblin-based monsters.]

"Sigh. It is hard. I don't know how many I faced."

With sweat flowing out, I lay down on the spot and checked my experience gauge.

[92.79%]

This was my experience at level 10. I was almost level 11. It was a bit hard, but I was happy at the thought that I achieved today's goal.

Kim Sujeong asked me, "Are you okay?"

[You have received Slow Heal.]

[125 health will slowly recover in five seconds.]

"Yes, thank you."

"What for? I didn't do much. By the way, how did you know that there was a box there?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if she would believe me, um...

"A G.o.d told me."

"Huh?"

[The apostle 'Fire Thief Looking Ahead' is nodding with satisfaction.]

"It was just a feeling."

"Ah, yes."

She thought that I had just found it due to luck. On the other hand, that was fortunate. It seemed like explaining this guy would be a very long story. I didn't have the energy, the stamina, or the mind to explain it. Right now, I just wanted to rest a little bit.

I soon finished recovering and stood up. "Let's go back."

"Yes."

We started to slowly walk toward the entrance we had entered through. In the darkness, the torch was burning like a welcome. It became our compa.s.s, much like the constellation telling us which way to go.

My name is Choi Chuntaek. It was unbelievable. I was a very ordinary grandfather. My story was really starting from now on.

I, who was selected by the seven stars...