Even though I said it was time to hunt, I didn't plan to leave immediately. Although the XP was very attractive, before leaving we needed to eat a strong breakfast and give Rin enough time to rest.
After storing all the boar parts in my inventory, we headed back to camp. Before preparing breakfast, I intended to clean my sword, getting rid of all the tallow and grease that had stuck to it.
To my surprise, my ordinary looking super sharp sword was even more amazing than I expected. When I unsheathed it, I realized that it was completely clean and shiny.
Since I always cleaned it after using it, even though I suspected it always looked brand new, I really didn't imagine it could have such function.
I would be extremely grateful if the information regarding my weapon and armor had been included in the information stuck in my head.
Leaving my dissatisfaction with Shadow-san aside, I went to prepare breakfast.
Cutting some slices of roasted rabbit meat, I put it on the bread and started to eat. As for Rin and Kurama, I gave them meat with some bones.
Unlike me, they prefer meat when they have bones to chew on. Well, in Rin's case, she chews and eats everything without leaving anything behind. Since she had worked so hard in the previous fight, I intended to let her eat until she was satisfied. But since it seemed that she intended to eat as long as she had, I stopped when her belly was already bulging.
***
After the meal, Rin had a satisfied expression and went to lie down under the shade of a tree. Even though I wanted to give her a good slap and say, "Hey, now is not the time to sleep," I gave in.
Considering that she would be working hard when she woke up, the more energy she had the better.
Since I had time to spare, I thought I would make some kitchen utensils that I needed.
After gathering some tree branches, I sat down and started working. It wasn't as hard as I initially imagined, it was relatively easy once I used the sword to carve. In the end, the final products were not really good-looking, but at least they were minimally usable.
***
After Rin woke up, I immediately ordered her to take us to her former compatriots. Strangely enough, we first went back to where we killed the boar and then went in a direction within the forest.
Apparently, goblins have no sense of direction, they can only memorize the path they have passed.
As we proceeded at a rapid pace for about an hour into the woods, we eventually came upon a group with three goblins. Since we weren't really trying to hide while walking, they saw us immediately.
At the same instant, Rin jumped toward the goblins and stood a little away from Kurama and me while taking an attack stance.
But her stance was not directed at the goblins, she directed her club at us and started shouting incomprehensible things.
Seemingly instigated by her screams, the three goblins advanced toward us at full speed while squealing hysterically.
With the wild look on their faces, they certainly weren't coming for a friendly chat.
"Be careful, Kurama," I said.
Swallowing dryly, I immediately got into attack posture and prepared for combat. As long as I don't get hit, this is within what I can handle.
Ignoring Rin, they walked past her straight towards me.
That was their biggest mistake.
The moment they passed Rin, not missing the opportunity, she swung her arm nimbly and hit the nearest goblin with a blow to the head.
As she used her skill, the blow was strong enough to make the goblin collide with the nearest goblin, causing it to lose its balance and fall together.
Obviously, Rin's action before was an order from me, everything was just an act. But I must admit, she is a good actress. For a moment, I even thought she was betraying me.
The goblin left standing turned to Rin with an angry expression, but that was another big mistake he made.
My turn has come!
Without missing the opportunity, I put strength into my legs and immediately moved forward.
Dealing a side slash, I easily decapitated the goblin before he could even react.
Showing no resistance, the skinny green headless body fell to the ground.
That was an instant death.
As for the only goblin left alive, as he was getting up from the ground, Kurama grabbed the hand that held the club and made him drop his weapon.
Having his attention drawn to Kurama, the goblin belatedly realized Rin's attack. But not seeming willing to back down, his arm swelled as he punched directly at the club coming towards his head.
It was a strong enough punch to break Rin's club into pieces, but in return, his arm had been left in a terrible state.
Letting out a sharp, angry squeal, he prepared to attack with his remaining arm.
But obviously, I didn't give him that opportunity and cut his neck.
With our opponents defeated, my tense body relaxed and I sighed.
Well, that was a relatively easy and quick fight.
I know that I have used cowardly schemes to kill them and although I believe I can confront them head on, it is always better to go for the safer choice.
***
After storing the goblin corpses in the inventory, I took out a new club for Rin and then we proceeded.
From what I could understand from her, it seemed that we were getting close to their lair. Since I didn't want to get too close for safety reasons, we didn't go any further.
"It's time to put my plan into action."
Furtively walking around the surroundings, I started to spread some of the boar's innards with some of its blood in several different places.
My intention was to get them to split into several groups.
According to the glossary, although goblins are omnivores, their sense of smell can smell blood from hundreds of feet away. Since this was the case, it probably wouldn't take long for them to smell it and start splitting into places.
***
After choosing a place a little far away where we could get a good view, Kurama and I hid ourselves.
As for Rin, she was standing next to the blood-soaked viscera. The plan was for her to stay there waiting for the goblins, so she could catch them with a sneak attack.
Although she was drooling ready to eat the bait, I convinced her otherwise by promising to give her a bunch of grilled rabbit meat when we were done.
A few minutes later, it happened as expected, two goblins appeared. Keeping their guard down, they approached Rin carelessly.
Since this was the case, we followed the standard plan, Rin attacked them and then Kurama and I attacked from the flanks.
In the end, we took them down very easily.
***
By the time we got to the next spot where we had set bait, the goblins were already there.
"Damn it!"
I cursed softly while remaining hidden together with Rin and Kurama.
I wasn't unhappy that they were already there, I was unhappy that this time eight goblins appeared at once.
Even if I have some confidence of killing them if I use Rin as a distraction, that would be too high a risk. Besides, Rin would probably die, which would only give me a headache if I were to have to capture another goblin now.
However, my greed would not allow me to back down. Looking at the goblins for a while, I was able to formulate an idea of how to proceed relatively safely. All I needed to do was to stick with the basic premise that we have used so far, divide, lure, deceive, and conquer.
As we changed our location to a nearby small rock formation that was at least twice my height, I looked at the status of the goblins. Since my level was higher than theirs, I could also see their gender.
With that, an idea immediately came to my mind, so I started to work out the plan in my head.
According to the glossary information, although goblins are lustful creatures, when it comes to their own kind, they only mate in the mating season or when the female seeks them out.
Hiding behind the rocks, I started talking to Rin.
"That part of the plan is very important and it all depends on you, understand?"
Receiving an affirmative response from her through the contract, I continued.
"The plan is simple, show up and attract the attention of the male goblins."
With a positive response, Rin came out from where we were hiding and started shouting something like "Guii Guii".
Although I didn't understand it, it sounded like she was calling them.
Although the goblins responded while shouting in a similar manner, they didn't move a muscle and continued gnawing on the tree trunk on which I had passed the boar's blood.
"Hey, you're a female, aren't you? Use your charm to attract the males," I whispered from behind.
Despite my saying so, she didn't seem to understand very well.
"Turn your butt over, pat it a few times and yell something like, 'I'm so lonely, why don't you guys come over here?'"
Rin stood with her back to the goblins and started screaming while slapping her scrawny ass.
Although I came up with this idea, I had my doubts. I can't believe that anyone would really be turned on by seeing green Gollum acting sexy.
But right now-
"Guii! Guii! Guii! Guii!"
The three male goblins turned to Rin as they squealed rhythmically.
Eh? Did it really work?
While the female goblins only stared momentarily before turning their attention back to the tree trunk, the three males continued to stare at Rin.
"That's it, Rin, we almost got them," I whispered excitedly to her. "Now it's time for the final blow, raise your loincloth!"
As if processing the order I had given, Rin stared at me with a confused look for a moment before lifting her loincloth.
"Shit!"
My excitement went from a hundred to zero in a single instant.
"It's not for me, you idiot!"
Instead of raising the back of her loincloth to attract the goblins, Rin had raised the front of her loincloth while looking at me.
"It's for them! Lift the back for them!"
Although I wanted to scream, I managed to keep my voice down.
Getting it right this time, Rin lifted the back of her loincloth.
In the same instant, as if they were moths attracted by the light, the goblins started running toward Rin with elated expressions.
It seems that they are quite eager to mate.
But well, to their misfortune, time to kill some goblins!