When I returned to where I had buried the innards, I managed to catch three more goblins. I must say that killing them was relatively easy, that is, considering that I am using the considerably cowardly method I used earlier.
But well, that doesn't matter. The important thing is that I got a good source of XP.
According to the glossary, they live in colonies and can go out hunting either alone or in groups of up to seven. Which means that as long as I don't go into the middle of a colony, I'm not taking much risk.
Unfortunately, even waiting until almost nightfall, no more goblin appeared.
Since I had already leveled up so much in one day, at the moment I wasn't too eager for more. So I decided to act safely and went back to camp.
While I was eating my dinner, a doubt came into my mind, being me level 6 and Rin level 5, who was stronger?
Since I still had a little light left, I decided to start with a test of strength at that very moment. And well, how can I put this... Looks can be deceiving, although skinny, she was much stronger than me.
Arm wrestling, log lifting, tug-of-war with a log, and several others, no matter what it was, it was my complete defeat in all. This is without considering that if she used the heavy blow skill, her arm strength would increase considerably for a short period of time.
When I saw her use it, her almost non-existent muscles expanded and her veins bulged. It seems that this is a skill that allows her to go beyond the normal limits of her body.
In matters of running, she had a much bigger sprint than me, and in a short distance race I don't stand a chance.
Then we had a fight using wooden sticks, and of course I ordered her not to use her skill. Even though we didn't have a long fight, I could tell that if it was prolonged, I would lose.
Even though I had some kendo techniques, I was overwhelmed from beginning to end.
Despite not using any technique, her blows contained a lot of force and were fast and firm. Not having much room to maneuver, all I could do was defend.
In the end, my hands even went numb from the impacts.
After having tested that far, I didn't have the heart to continue. Somehow, I feel unhappy about being inferior to a simple goblin.
I know we have a huge difference when it comes to base status, but it's still pretty humbling…
To massage my ego a little, I considered that if I used my OP sword, I would be able to cut a goblin and the wooden club in two in a single blow.
***
Since night had already fallen, I went to my trunk house and got ready for bed. Obviously, since I didn't have much room, I didn't bring Rin and Kurama inside. And even if I did, I wouldn't bring Rin, even if I disregarded her stench, she looks very scary at night.
I get chills just looking into her bright yellow eyes. Since Kurama was also keeping a certain distance from her when night fell, I think he also looks scared.
Just as a precaution, before going to sleep, I ordered Rin not to eat Kurama. A few times I saw her looking at him with a look of desire while drooling.
Although he gave me a frightened look as if to say 'Don't leave me alone with her' when I was going to sleep, I splendidly ignored him and had a good night's sleep.
***
After washing my face in the river, I immediately began my morning inspection of the traps. Even if the rabbits didn't give much essence, it was still better than nothing.
After them, I went to the traps I had set for the foxes, but my goal was not the foxes themselves but the place where the entrails had been buried.
Although I knew the probability was low, I still hoped to find a goblin or a wolf. Unfortunately, my hopes were not fulfilled.
When we arrived, the place had been completely excavated and the perpetrator still remained in place, eating the innards.
Hiding in the bushes nearby, I watched the possible prey carefully.
It was a huge boar, it seemed to be at least two meters long and extremely fat. It had sharp tusks on the sides of its snout and even though its legs were short, from the thickness, they seemed to have a lot of strength.
Looking at its status, I had a pleasant surprise, although I couldn't see much, I could see that the boar was level 7.
Better than I expected!
If the level 5 and 6 ones already gave so much XP, this boar will be a field day.
Just in case, I decided to check with the glossary
The name of the species was the greasy boar, and although its large tusks and red eyes made it look scary, it was not a monster, but an animal. Besides its thick fur that protects it, it has an extremely thick layer of fat that protects its body against predators.
It seems that this would be a difficult opponent for Rin considering that he is strong against blunt attacks. But since it's a good opportunity, let's see how strong a goblin is.
Pointing at the boar, I ordered Rin, "Come on, girl, show me what you're capable of, get him."
"Guiiiiiiii!"
As if in high spirits, she raised her club and let out something like a war cry as she ran.
A rather foolish act I would say, the boar that had not noticed us until now looked this way.
It looks like I need to have a talk with her later. Leaving that mental note for later, I wielded my sword and stood by while paying attention to the fight.
Seeing that Rin was heading in its direction, instead of running away, the boar charged towards her while making some strange sounds.
This made me a little unsure, although he is not very fast, I believe that being hit by his fangs could be fatal.
Regardless of my concerns, Rin dodged splendidly and landed a sharp blow to its head using Heavy blow. Although it made the boar stagger a bit, it didn't seem to do much damage.
Not missing the opportunity, Rin landed a second blow on his back, but this time, the boar seemed to have no sense at all.
As the fight unfolded, the boar kept persistently trying to hit Rin with his tusks, but due to her speed, he didn't hit her once. As a side note, he hit the trunk of a tree and did quite a bit of damage.
I must admit I'm quite surprised, Rin's instincts are sharper than I expected. Every time the boar attacks, she manages to dodge splendidly while taking advantage of the openings left by it, but the damage done didn't seem to be much.
As expected, he was the worst opponent for her.
As the fight went on, it became quite obvious that Rin was getting tired while the boar seemed to be able to keep going for a long time. With each failed onslaught, the boar seemed to get more and more irritated as it made a few high-pitched squeals.
I don't know if it had any effect, but while Kurama seemed to be scared to death, Rin, even though she was panting, kept attacking continuously as if nothing had happened.
According to what I saw in the glossary, goblins are creatures that feel no fear, so no matter how powerful the opponent is, they are always ready for battle.
After seeing enough, it was time for me to take action.
Holding tightly onto the hilt of my sword, I stepped towards the boar, who even without me making a single noise noticed me and immediately advanced on me. But after having seen its attacks so many times, I am confident that I can dodge it.
Since it was an easily predictable attack, I easily swung to the side and slashed from top to bottom toward its neck. Without much surprise, thanks to the absurdly sharp edge of my sword, the boar's head was separated from its body.
Strangely enough, it was the first time I felt any resistance while cutting with this sword.
It seems that its fur and fat were no joke.
While I looked forward to the system collecting the essence, I ended up being disappointed. Despite being a tough opponent, he only gave xp around a level 6 goblin.
Since complaining wouldn't change anything, I just sighed and started skinning the boar. Although I encountered a little resistance when it came time to cut through the fatty tissue, it wasn't too difficult.
Contrary to my expectations, although it was a difficult opponent, the boar did not have a magic stone.
It seems that among the creatures I have encountered so far, goblins were still the best prey.
Looking at the boar's innards scattered on the ground, I immediately realized something and a plan came to my mind.
"Shit, how did I not think of that before!"
I cursed as I looked at Rin.
Before, when she had met the goblins, she seemed to recognize them. Which meant that she probably came from the same place as them.
Placing my hand on her almost bald head, I immediately asked.
"Do you remember the place you came from?"
To my joy, she immediately pointed me in a direction.
Extremely excited, I could not contain my excitement.
"It's time to level up for real!"