"Goblins are the lowest-tier demons.
If we were to compare, an adult man, properly armed, would be more than capable of defeating one in a one-on-one fight.
So, when the goblin first appeared, the atmosphere didn't change much.
It was more like seeing something interesting.
And I remember running away after seeing it.
I used to seriously contemplate what I used to be back then, but in the midst of that, I felt something strange.
"Why..."
It was really eerie and yet oddly familiar.
Like when I made a contract with a Greater Demon.
And when I faced the Demon King.
That sensation, so strong and disgustingly palpable.
"It's wielding magic."
That's when I mumbled.
It wasn't the kind of energy a mere goblin, a mere unknown demon, would possess, even if it tried.
Yeongae briefly turned her head in response to my words, then slowly drew her sword.
No matter what, a demon is a demon.
It has to be cut down.
I don't know what happened after that.
I ran away without looking back, and I was too disoriented to know what transpired afterwards.
... I really need to seriously reflect on my past self.
In the end, Yeongae returned with a wound, having lost one of her eyes.
Whether there were more demon attacks after my escape, or if that goblin wielding magic was too powerful, there were several possibilities. But regardless, the situation was still dire.
Moreover, I'm nearly on my own. Even if I'm immortal, having reached the rank of a Demon King's officer through a contract with a Greater Demon, without that now, my skills are practically akin to that of a regular person.
Just not dying, that's all.
Kkeeee!
"Kk!"
Laerly barely managed to parry the swiftly approaching claws with her sword.
It wasn't the speed of a typical goblin. It could be said to be on par with a Lesser Demon.
If a Lesser Demon were a knight, they could easily handle it. But Laerly was still a budding seed.
She was not even at the level of an average commoner, let alone a knight.
-Kkeeee!
"Ugh!"
Laerly valiantly fought against the goblin's fierce attack, but her skills were lacking. Perhaps it was because I was worried about her from behind, but I kept my eye on her.
Even if she were to fully engage in the fight, I couldn't guarantee she would win. Revealing such a weakness was undoubtedly fatal.
"This... "
Moreover, it wasn't just a matter of losing one eye; it looked like her life was in danger.
The goblin's claws were reaching in a fatally decisive direction.
Laerly seemed to have no room to either block or evade.
Normally, I would have just watched. I thought I wouldn't particularly care if she lost one eye or suffered damage to a corresponding body part.
But leaving her to die so early on was not what I wanted.
In this situation, where I didn't know what variables might arise, it would be an unimaginable outcome for the person who didn't die before to die now.
So, I reached out my hand.
Whush!
The goblin's claw pierced the tender flesh.
Intense crimson splattered, and I silently swallowed the pain.
Madness consumed reason, but it also triumphed over pain.
For someone like me who had lived a lifetime in numbness, the sudden sharp pain made me falter.
Laerly shouted in astonishment.
"Argal...!"
"Pull yourself together!"
Aly nodded and firmly swung her sword, taking advantage of the moment when the goblin was momentarily engaged with me.
No matter how much a demon was imbued with magic, if its throat was cut, it would die. The goblin, who hadn't anticipated my sudden entrance, was struck by the sword and died.
-Thwack.
In a situation that was beyond her expectations, Laerly, in a state of shock, dropped her sword and sank to the ground.
Her fierce gaze, which had been so intense, was now fixed on my hand, which was dripping with my own blood.
Although there were complicated emotions, for now, she wanted to focus on the wound.
Perhaps she thought she could heal it if she reached out her hand, but I pushed it away.
Clang-
"Don't touch it."
"Ah..."
Touching the wound without proper knowledge could lead to further complications or infections.
So, I stopped her and intended to return to the Carris Estate for treatment.
In the midst of this, she turned her head and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry...."
Sorry.
It was strange.
Was there a need to apologize here?
Wasn't it I who had annihilated her family in the past, rather than the one who had lost an eye?
The worthlessness of an immortal's death was greater than the wounds of an immortal.
This was truly nothing.
No, it wasn't.
"No, Yeongae."
The sky darkened.
Clouds covered the sun, and the forest dimmed the faint light that filtered through.
"Today was just an unfortunate day."
Originally, she had lived within the family, never leaving, with one eye lost.
That destiny had been altered.
She had received a stroke of luck.
Unintentionally.
"Regardless of whose intention it was."
Laerly's eyes widened as she turned her gaze to the ground and murmured almost inaudibly.
"I'm sorry.... really...."
I had already said it once.
There was no need to say sorry.
I didn't feel the need to say it again.
I turned to walk back to where I had originally intended.
**
Laerly couldn't seem to regain her composure.
I had successfully led Argal to the forest where the monster appeared.
However, the monster that appeared was strong.
It was just a goblin, but it was surprisingly swift and powerful, comparable to a Lesser Demon.
Even a Lesser Demon, if it were a knight, could probably handle it just fine. However, Laerly was still a budding sprout.
She was not even at the level of an average commoner, let alone a knight.
-Kkeeee!
"Ugh!"
Laerly bravely fought against the goblin's fierce attack, but her skills were lacking.
Moreover, I was worried about the person behind me, so I kept an eye on her.
Even if she were to fully engage in the fight, I couldn't guarantee she would win. Revealing such a weakness was undoubtedly fatal.
"This... "
Moreover, it wasn't just a matter of losing one eye; it looked like her life was in danger.
The goblin's claws were reaching in a fatally decisive direction.
Laerly seemed to have no room to either block or evade.
Originally, I was thinking of just watching.
I didn't particularly care if she lost one eye or suffered damage to a corresponding body part.
But leaving her to die so early on was not what I wanted.
In this situation, where I didn't know what variables might arise, it would be an unimaginable outcome for the person who didn't die before to die now.
So, I reached out my hand.
Whush-!
The goblin's claw pierced the tender flesh.
Intense crimson splattered, and I silently swallowed the pain.
Madness consumed reason, but it also triumphed over pain.
For someone like me who had lived a lifetime in numbness, the sudden sharp pain made me falter.
Laerly shouted in astonishment.
"Argal...!"
"Pull yourself together!"
Aly nodded and firmly swung her sword, taking advantage of the moment when the goblin was momentarily engaged with me.
No matter how much a demon was imbued with magic, if its throat was cut, it would die.
The goblin, who hadn't anticipated my sudden entrance, was struck by the sword and died.
-Thwack.
In a situation that was beyond her expectations, Laerly, in a state of shock, dropped her sword and sank to the ground.
Her fierce gaze, which had been so intense, was now fixed on my hand, which was dripping with my own blood.
Although there were complicated emotions, for now, she wanted to focus on the wound.
Perhaps she thought she could heal it if she reached out her hand, but I pushed it away.
Clang-
"Don't touch it."
"Ah..."
Touching the wound without proper knowledge could lead to further complications or infections.
So, I stopped her and intended to return to the Carris Estate for treatment.
In the midst of this, she turned her head and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry...."
Sorry.
It was strange.
Was there a need to apologize here?
Wasn't it I who had annihilated her family in the past, rather than the one who had lost an eye?
The worthlessness of an immortal's death was greater than the wounds of an immortal.
This was truly nothing.
No, it wasn't.
"No, Yeongae."
The sky darkened.
Clouds covered the sun, and the forest dimmed the faint light that filtered through.
"Today was just an unfortunate day."
Originally, she had lived within the family, never leaving, with one eye lost.
That destiny had been altered.
She had received a stroke of luck.
Unintentionally.
"Regardless of whose intention it was."
Laerly's eyes widened as she turned her gaze to the ground and murmured almost inaudibly.
"I'm sorry.... really...."
I had already said it once.
There was no need to say sorry.
I didn't feel the need to say it again.
I turned to walk back to where I had originally intended.