MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 6 - Taking the Long Way

Humans are mysterious creatures.

After waking up from a good night's sleep, as if all the trouble, doubt, and despair they had felt last night, had now simply vanished. Marco also looked completely normal, unchanged from his usual self.

Everyone already knew that they were planning to return to the Siren Mine today, and it had been decided, they were also aware of the need to increase their daily income. They entered the mountains, and easily cleared each level containing the small Kobolds and worker Kobolds they encountered, and continued to descend to the second level.

They had come this far yesterday, so the goal today was to reach the third level. Haruhiro is not sure that everyone is used to fighting kobolds, but it is no wonder that they can now predict and follow the enemy's every move better than yesterday.

Effortlessly. We can do it, no problem, Haruhiro thought. But the optimistic attitude is usually only in the beginning.

The sinking well that leads to the next lower level has been seen from a distance. Beside him there is...

“Is that a kobold?” Haruhiro.

Instantly seeing an enemy, everyone waited, while Haruhiro examined him alone. As he approached, he could not believe what he saw. He's very big. Is that an old Kobold? An ordinary kobold was only about five feet tall, and he had heard that an old-fashioned kobold was about half a foot taller.

Only five and a half feet high? Not more?

That special big Kobold has three men. His men wore clothes that were defensive conditions, such as: disc armor, helmets, round shields and swords. They looked bigger than any other ordinary kobold Haruhiro had seen before, but even so, the large kobolds were only once or twice as large as the usual ones. But it's not just his unusual height...

“Black and white..” Haruhiro whispered a little loudly.

He has black and white fur. Haruhiro's heart rate is increasing rapidly. Damnit damnit! Looks like they haven't seen Haruhiro yet, but if it gets caught... It may be a joke, but not funny at all. Damn damn it. His sword. Muke gile?! The length of his sword was probably about four feet by an incredible width.it looked like a man-sized sculpting knife.

It might be able to split a person into two halves, with just one swing. The sword must have been very, very heavy, but the kobold carried it as if it were just a feather. He must be very, very strong. Lusi's party that previously fought the kobold? It was really crazy, Haruhiro could not imagine it. We're gonna die. We're really gonna die.

The strongest enemies they had faced before were the disc-armored goblin and the hobgoblin, but this one was really on a different level. He is not even an opponent to them. Damnit. She's powerful. Bejibun.

Haruhiro went back to his friends. Although he could not see his own face, but he was sure that at this time he must look pale like white paper.

“That Deathspot. He's here,” Haruhiro news.

Alice flinched, while Barto exhaled sharply. Perhaps Lusi had predicted that this would happen, as he simply furrowed his brows and gave a slight nod.

“Deathboth...” whispered Vina.

“Deathspot,” Haruhiro automatically justifies it, this habit makes it rather quiet. He glanced at Marco.

“Come! No choice but to beat him,” Marco laughed a little. Maybe he was trying to look like a thug with a grin on his face, but everything he did was really an idiot.

Well, Haruhiro already thought he would be like that.

“OK Marco,” reply Haruhiro. “You're advancing. We'll wait here. Good luck!”

“So now you are, huh?” said Marco. “Basic fucking coward.”

“Sure,” Haruhiro agreed to it without any problems. “So. Are you going to move forward or not? What are you gonna do? Quickly decide.”

“Looks like no other option,” Marco scratched his chin by using his index finger “besides beating him at a later time. Lucky Deathspot, he can live longer.”.

“Ya, yes, very lucky for her.”

“Go and tell him that, Haruhiro. He could have died in my hand had I not been able to control my emotions at this time,” Marco ruled over him.

“Go and tell him yourself. I have better things to do with my time.”

No one but Haruhiro intervened in arguing with Marco. Even Vina, who usually always sneered at him quickly, remained silent at this debate. Maybe it was to show how tired he was. Haruhiro then realizes it, being the only person joking with Marco while the others remain silent makes them look like familiar friends. The thought disgusted him.

Here there were five wells connected from the second level to the third level, so it didn't take long to find another one. There were no signs of kobolds or anything like that around the well, and nothing was visible underneath as they peered inside. Despite that, their view from above

somewhat limited.

“I'll be down first,” said Haruhiro. “If it is safe there, then I will tell you, so you can follow me.”

“How about you why?” ask Vina, blink.

“Um, I'll scream, so come and save me.”

Vina smiled widely. “Siap.”

Feeling his spirit lifted a little, Haruhiro returned his smile and said, “I go.”

The well rope hanging above looks fragile and is often worn, but it still holds the weight of Haruhiro as he begins to descend. Being a Thief, keeping his balance as he went down was easy, and he had gotten to the bottom quickly. As he looked around, the kobolds had been waiting for him.

“Eh... Good afternoon,” he greeted them without a fight. The kobolds roared at him. “There is no time for pleasantries, huh?”

Haruhiro immediately stepped aside as one of the kobolds jumped towards him. He's big but not as big as Deathspot, but still pretty big. A tip? So this is a kobold of tips.they were wearing armor and a one-eyed sword. Two men accompanied him, armed with the same.

“Friends! Downstairs! The enemy! Lothawat! Hurry along! Please!” All Haruhiro could say was a word.

Haruhiro circled the kobold elder and his men, trying to keep a distance between him and them. However, he could not run too far from the well either. He was restricted by this territory, but with the presence of three of them. If there was only one, he might be able to dodge the attacks of his enemies, but with the presence of three of them, this was absolutely impossible.

When he tried to run straight, in front of him was a kobold. When he turned around, kobold. Next to him, kobold. Kobolds, kobolds, kobolds. Really fucking kobold.

Haruhiro dodged the attack coming from the tip kobold, and he grumbled as the kobold's sword slashed his cheek. He hardly felt any pain, but getting an incision made him panic. He lost the movement of his enemy, and he did not know whether his friend would come or not. Panicked and unhelpful, he only ran to the other side when a kobold came near him.

Staying around the well is not a good thing. He had no advantage, there was no way he would benefit under these conditions.

He hears Marco's cheers, and wonders if he ever thought that Marco was truly reliable now. No. gabe. Never does. Even though. Marco goes straight down the rope and soon comes face to face with the kobold tip, although it would actually be best if he helped Haruhiro first.

But Marco never thinks before he acts. With ease, he only fought the closest and greatest enemy before him, the action was really less concerned with his friend who needed help, or helped his colleague who was in distress. But since he never thought too much about anything, he had an ability to directly attack without hesitation. Maybe it's a good thing and a bad thing mixed into one.

Haruhiro heard Barto's roar, then Vina shouted, “Haru!”

“Oom rel ecktveldash!” Alice has also arrived.

Everything has gone down the rope and with him here. Little by little, he felt a calmness again envelop him. Marco had faced off with kobold's previous tips, but for some reason he had changed with Barto. Now, he and Vina were each facing one, Kobold A and Kobold B, respectfully.

“Haru, how about your wound?!” ask Lusi.

Haruhiro carefully touched her cheek, and even if it hurt, it wouldn't matter if she let it go.

“I'm fine! Treat me after this!” he replied while going to help Vina. He moved around Kobold B, aiming for his back while analyzing the situation around him.

I don't have the ability or the ability, but for now, I'm the leader.

All things considered, Marco is fine. He used [PROPEL LEAP] and [JUKE STAB] to keep his distance with his enemy while waiting for his chance to attack, then he attacked with [HATRED’S CUT] or [ANGER THRUST]. As usual, Haruhiro thought all the moves were useless and inefficient, but maybe it was more of a Dark Knight than Marco. Still, the fact that the Dark Knight was Marco always irritated him.

Barto and his enemy look comparable. He was still unable to mount a deadly attack on the kobold tips, and occasionally the kobold tips could throw one or two attacks at him. Wait, no, that's not true... Barto left his defenses open to the kobold.

He was wearing thick armor, so a scratch here or there left only a slight trace in his armor, not really injuring him. Barto withstood a deadly attack with his giant sword despite allowing his thick armor to absorb all the blows.

“Hobgoblin stronger!” exclaimed Barto, suddenly stepped aggressively and clashed with his enemy. He passed it by whirling the giant sword around the kobold sword, and pulled the sword back. With a shout, he blasted [SPIRAL SLASH] right towards the face of the kobold.

Barto's attack slashed the kobold's cheek like when the kobold slashed Haruhiro's cheek, causing him to jump backwards and panic. Barto advanced, shortening their distance once again. Seeing the action of Barto, making the fur Iuduk Haruhiro goosebumps. The aura of stability that Barto shows when he fights is amazing?

Also, Marco looks calmer now than he did yesterday. Is it all because of experience? Yesterday Marco really fought the last kobold blindly. Perhaps because he had forced himself above his abilities, he realized the best way to fight kobolds alone.

We won't know unless we try it ourselves... Is it like that?

Facing things carefully, not doing what is beyond their ability, and applying the mentality of salvation are the main ones. Even if they were to progress, the pace would be extremely slow. Without a single one to disobey Haruhiro's orders, it would probably be a progress that would require a full struggle.

Do we really need Marco? Haruhiro isn't sure and maybe he doesn't want to be sure. But Udin knows Marco's situation, although he still doesn't like Marco personally. So a decision should not be based on likes or dislikes of someone? But Marco never had a problem with Udin like he did with Haruhiro. When Udin was killed, Marco, in his person, was as desperate as anyone else.

What's the difference between me and Udin? Haruhiro.

Actually, there are a lot of differences. In his fighting ability and wisdom, Udin really defeated him. But Udin can get along with Marco, while Haruhiro still can't get along with him. What difference? Maybe it's okay to blame his abilities and wisdom, then let it go.

A line appeared, very unexpected and unwelcome. That hazy line of light, shining weakly and faintly, connected between Haruhiro's dagger to a point on the kobold's back. The line was neither straight nor too meandering, more like a wind trail.

Haruhiro knew what he had to do, following the available path. He wished he could see the line at any moment, but it was only a hope. This happens less than one in a thousand times, even more.

When Haruhiro faced off against the enemy, one thing he definitely did was to get behind them. Then he maneuvered to stay behind them watching every second or maybe more often looking for opportunities to attack. He has repeated this process more than a thousand times to date, for he knows no other way.

He can't face the enemy. His first fight against the pit rat and the machete goblin had been deeply ingrained in him, that he had no ability to win against the enemy fairly, punch after punch. So if he can hide and have an advantage, he will attack from behind where the enemy is less alert.

He admitted that he was sad because he used such a method, but he did not consider it bad. The fight is between life and death, both sides fighting with all their heart and determination. There is nothing but determination, nothing more serious, for it is neither simple nor easy, no way is forbidden...

Or so Udin said it first.

As Haruhiro looked at his line, he held his breath in silence. As he became hasty and unwary, the line that appeared before him would disappear. It will disappear if he tries to bend his knees to kneel, or if he relaxes his waist, elbows, or shoulders. He also had no time to miss this opportunity. He's gotta get moving. No, it's not the right thing to do...

As his line appeared, Haruhiro felt his body move on its own without him thinking. It might be impossible to lash out his attack if it wasn't like that.

His attack hit the target well at the moment. Haruhiro's body followed, as soft as butter, and his dagger stuck into the kobold's back without a fight. It may not be appropriate to mention that Haruhiro unconsciously followed the direction that the line provided, because from the beginning he had been led, and he realized it.

The Kobold let out a gurgling sound, then fell to the ground after its last breath.

“Whoo?!” Vina blinked a few times, surprised.

“Vina, meet the other one!” Haruhiro shouting.

Vina nodded a few times. “Sorry! Vina was just surprised, that's all!”

“Oom rel ecktveldash!” Alice cast a spell, using [SHADOW ECHO]. Wush! The seaweed-like elemental shadow flew towards the kobold tips. He realized it and tried to avoid it, but not fast enough. The magic hit his right shoulder, and, as his armor prevented the magic from harming him, [SHADOW ECHO] did not work like fire or electric shock. The magic caused convulsions, not injuries.

The tip kobold's right shoulder began to shake, preventing it from moving for a few seconds.

“THANK YOU!” come [RAGE CLEAVE] Barto. The old Kobold held him with his sword, but his horses were broken. Barto pressed him with his giant sword, forced the tip kobold's weapon to the side, then reversed his swing and thrust his sword into the side of the head of the tip kobold.

The tipster Kobold was about to retaliate, but before that happened, Barto kicked him back and slid his sword straight down, smashing his skull.

“YES!” Haruhiro clenched his hands.

One more worker kobold. Marco was still trying to use [PROPEL LEAP] to retreat and tried to pull the kobold towards him, but as expected, the kobold was unmoved. He didn't step forward so Marco went back, throwing [HATRED’S CUT] at him. Again, the kobold read his movements like an open book and easily dodged to the right.

With Marco resting next to the foot, the kobold took advantage of his perfect position to counter attack. He swung towards Marco, forcing him to throw himself to the ground with a groan. The kobold attack was almost hit.

“Marco!” Haruhiro started running towards her to help her.

“Sway!” Marco shouted, trying to stand on one leg while fending off the kobold's attack. “I can still do it! I'm gonna kill this one alone! I'll really kill him and get my Vice!”

“What happens if flexible?” Haruhiro.

“One stone, two birds! [LEAP PROPELLOR]!” Marco stepped back, still kneeling on one leg. “Wah! This is the new [PROPEL LEAP]! I just made my original skill cool abis!”

“It doesn't look different from his old skill.” Vina said coldly.

“Ya,” Alice agree.

“True.” Even Lusi.

Barto let go of a loud laugh but looked forced.

“Dasae fucking maggots!” Marco cursed the kobold continuously, as he attacked blindly.

Just let him be, Haruhiro decided. Or at least until he was almost killed.