When Kenny stepped through the portal, he was met with heavy air, thick with the metallic scent of blood. The entire place glowed with a faint red light, seeping from walls that appeared to bleed. The entrance resembled a stone cave, with a cracked, uneven floor leading to a wide passageway that sank into darkness.
We were ten in total, three of whom I already knew.
Standing in front of Kenny was Lady Raya — a tall woman with fiery red hair and wide eyes that gleamed with unsettling confidence. Raya knew how to use her charm to get whatever she wanted. She'd been married three times and had invited us to all three of her weddings. Definitely not my type.
To his right was Mr. Hans, a man who looked as though he'd just walked out of the countryside. His square face and messy brown hair made him seem oddly out of place here.
Kenny, with a faint smile, extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Hans."
But Hans completely ignored him, acting as though Kenny's hand didn't even exist.
Lady Raya stepped closer with a sly smile. "Kenny, are you greeting him without saying hello to me?"
Kenny: "Ah... sorry, Lady Raya, but I won't greet you."
Raya (mockingly): "And why not, if I may ask?"
In his mind, Kenny sighed. Oh, great, are you kidding me right now?
Kenny: "Ah, maybe you forgot how you refused to give me an E-rank mana crystal in the last portal?"
Raya, with a cunning smile: "Kenny, darling, you had three crystals back then. Why would you need a fourth?"
Kenny: "Electric bills, you annoying woman! How am I supposed to cover them with just three crystals? And, for the record, I gave you an E-rank potion last month!"
Raya: "That potion wasn't even worth 2,000 yen!"
"Attention!" A loud voice cut off their bickering. It was Takamura, their leader. "We're not here to chat! We're here to fight! If you want to get out of this portal alive and with bread on your table, focus!"
Kenny, internally: Takamura, really? The same old phrase again? 'Bread on your table'? Dude, I haven't even had breakfast today...
Takamura led them forward through the dimly lit corridor. Shadows began to shift ahead of them until five goblins appeared, standing in a hostile formation.
The goblins were massive, standing over two meters tall, with rough, gray skin. Their twisted teeth jutted awkwardly from their mouths, and their small red eyes gleamed with malice as guttural growls rumbled from their throats.
Takamura shouted, "Get ready! Take your positions!"
Takamura charged forward with calculated precision, wielding a long D-rank sword. With one swift strike, he severed one goblin's arm.
Raya moved gracefully, casting a fire spell that engulfed another goblin. Its screams echoed before it collapsed.
Hans wielded a heavy iron spear, thrusting it straight through a goblin's chest.
Meanwhile, Kenny stayed back, observing the battle and avoiding direct confrontation. Suddenly, he felt the ground shake. Turning around, he saw a massive goblin advancing toward him, wielding an enormous iron hammer.
This goblin was different — taller than the others, with bulging muscles that rippled with every step.
Kenny, smirking: "Alright, your speed's no match for mine."
The goblin swung its hammer downward, shattering the ground beneath it. Kenny leaped at the last second, landing lightly out of harm's way.
Kenny quickly moved behind the goblin, aiming his enchanted dagger at its arm.
The goblin roared in pain, swinging its massive arm in reflex, striking Kenny with the hammer's hilt.
Kenny crashed to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth. "Damn... I need a new plan. Its reflexes are faster than I expected."
The goblin charged again, its hammer descending with even greater force. Kenny barely dodged the blow, sidestepping at the last moment.
Using his magical ability, Kenny manipulated the scattered debris from the previous strike, hurling it with immense force at the goblin's back.
The goblin staggered, giving Kenny the perfect opportunity to finish it off.
Kenny, grinning: "Alright, let's see that neck. One clean strike..."
Slash!
Kenny stood over the fallen goblin, panting. "What a hassle for just a grunt."
Nearby, a glowing red crystal dropped from the goblin's corpse.
Kenny, picking it up: "Well, at least dinner's covered tonight."
After dealing with the smaller monsters, Takamura led them to the final chamber. The room was vast, bathed in an eerie green light, and at its center stood the boss.
The boss was a colossal stag with glowing eyes scattered across its head and body. Its metallic, shimmering hide gave it an imposing and terrifying aura under the green light.
Takamura: "Alright, everyone. This one's strong. On my count to three, we attack together!"
Everyone shouted in unison: "Yes, sir!"
Takamura began the countdown. "One... two... three... attack!"
The team rushed forward, their weapons and spells ready.
The stag let out a deafening roar, releasing a concentrated wave of magical energy that knocked everyone back.
Kenny: "A stag? With this much power?"
Takamura: "Regroup, you fools! Don't let it control the fight!"
Recovering their footing, the team launched another coordinated attack.
Blades pierced the stag's armored hide, and spells scorched its fur.
Finally, the beast collapsed, its body riddled with fatal wounds.
Takamura knelt beside the fallen boss, retrieving a glowing golden crystal.
Takamura, smiling: "A golden crystal. It's worth no less than 700,000 yen. Good work, everyone!"
Kenny, sitting on the ground, exhausted: "Thanks, Mr. Stag, for your generous contribution."