Vol.2 – Chapter 13 – Even an Idiot like you Deserves a Second Chance

After thinking about it thoroughly, I finally made up my mind and decided to help that mage, Fielma. It's not like I'm a heartless bastard who thinks nothing of others but myself. In the end, even with an appearance like this, I'm still the hero's subordinate, Theo Maxwell. I take pride in my own sense of justice, and I will help others when they call for help.

Damn, who am I kidding?

While the thing called Bumble Honey could be bought anywhere, I don't have money. I regret a little that I didn't ask for some cash from Sen. I don't know what kind of currency the Homorotabi use or what economy they have. I would like to earn their currency without dirtying my hands, but time is scarce. It seems like I need to utilize my ability as an ex-thief. As a child, I engaged in criminal acts to sustain my life. However, when I met Saintess Agatha, I realized my wrongdoings and developed a sense of guilt. While people are spending blood and sweat to earn their penny, I am trashing their efforts into waste, and I come to realize how unfair it was. However...

I can't feel it anymore. I don't feel like I'm going to regret stealing things from others. Not just that, but I feel like taking things away from other people is the most natural thing to do. It is certainly my goblin instincts kicking up. In fact, I don't care as long as I reach my goal. It is the fastest way of earning cash.

Oh, here it comes. A cute-looking lady is about to approach wearing layers of thick clothing against the frigid cold. But particularly, I've been eyeing her large pockets which possibly contain her wealth.

"Hey, pretty lady. You want to see some magic trick?" I called for her and tried to gain her attention. She must have been shocked to see me and how small I am. She must have thought I came from a freak show or a circus or something else with the costume given to me by the Princess. That's the reason as well that I told her that I will perform a magic trick so it won't be weird that I dressed up this way.

"Magic trick? Are you a street performer?" she asked while covering her mouth to hide her shock. She must have guessed that I'm not one of them, not a Homorotabi, but this is a dungeon, so having an outsider inside the city is a normal occurrence. In fact, having a human statue in the middle of a city proves that they are quite welcoming to non-Homorotabi.

I sweetened my tone and sprinkled it with more complimenting choice of words, "Ah, yes, miss beautiful... My name's Gwarfen, the greatest magician who made children disappear in the past." I combined some fictional truths into my statements so that she would become less guarded around me. Telling someone you are a serial killer while dressed like one makes people doubt you, don't they?

The woman chuckled, "No way, you're going to make me disappear too? Hehe."

"Making such a beautiful lady disappear into this world will bring such disaster and sadness upon the gods. I would never ever attempt to anger them or they will fry me in the deepest pits of hell." I said that while I magically pulled out a perfectly shaped hilmaris flower and gave it to her. She bashfully accepted it with a red tint on her cheeks, swaying left and right as she gently folded her hair to her ears.

"T-thank you..."

"Shall I start my performance, my princess?" I told her with a gentle tone, holding her cold hand while I kneel.

"Yes..."

I started performing the magic trick, "Here, milady is a red-colored stone. I will carve your name into this stone and I will put this into one of your pockets, do you have anything already inside them?" I will put the stone into her pockets, then I will ask her name. Somehow, the stone will magically disappear and reappear in my palms, and it will have her name carved into it. The truth is, I don't intend to actually perform this feat but to swiftly take her wallet from her pockets while she is distracted thinking about the magic. That's why I asked her if she has anything inside her pockets so I will know what I will take.

"Y-Yes, I have everything inside them."

Jackpot!

"Okay then, come over here." I touched her everywhere to make her mind used to my touch. But while I do so, I am already swiftly taking everything from her pockets. The first thing I took is her wallet, a small bag with a spherical thing inside. Next is a bunch of medicines and somehow, I also took a flower vase. Her pockets are so big that it could fit.

"Are you done?" she asked, but I am not finished yet. I will take everything from her. Wait a minute, her pockets are so deep that it could swallow my whole arm! Then I realized that it's not an ordinary pocket since I sway my hands but I couldn't feel her leg... It's like a portal to another dimension.

"No, give me a second. Lady, your pocket is pretty deep, just like the incomprehensible beauty that lies within your eyes."

"Aww. It's embarrassing."

She already realized that I am searching her pockets but obliviously believed that it's still part of the magic trick. But I'm the one who's getting astounded. What the hell is going on in her pocket? I think I grabbed something; it felt like a collar for some animal and due to my curiosity, I pulled it gently.

"H-help me... she's crazy... help..." I immediately pushed the creature back to where it belonged. It's not an animal; it's a person... Just what the heck is going on inside her pocket!?

"L-Lady. Did you hear someone talk inside your pocket?" I asked... wait, am I sweating? Am I scared?

"I don't know... it must be your imagination."

"Oh... okay."

Let's leave it at that; I don't want to know. Curiosity kills a goblin; I just know that knowing it will be harmful. I shook my head to try to forget what I just saw... that's when suddenly, the man's head popped out from her pocket.

"Help! Help me!!! She's not letting me sleep! Every night she...!"

But the woman forcefully punched the man right back into the pocket. "Sorry about that," she said smiling.

"W-who was that?"

"It's just my husband. Don't be alarmed; it's his fault for being a douchebag. He deserved it."

I nervously laughed, but my mind is screaming in shock. She's crazy; I need to get out of here.

"HEELLLPPP! I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE, JUST KILL ME!" the man popped again from her pockets that she pushed back again inside with violent force.

He's begging for death!! What's making him beg for death?? I can't even begin to imagine. "Ahaha... And for my final magic trick! I'm going to disappear from here!" oh no, I need to get away from here, I just knew that I need to!

"Eh, already? How about the stone?"

Shut up woman!

I curled myself and put a box above me, completely hiding me from her sight. When she tried peeping through, I was gone. Magic...

I dug my way through the snow to get away from her; at least I got her money. My heart can't stop beating after I survived that crazy encounter. What the hell is this money? They are spherical dark glass with something glowing inside, spiraling to a central force. They are like stars swirling slowly to a sun. Is this actually what they use as currency?

"Welcome!" I entered a store that looks like a bar, only that everything looks more advanced but rusted. The owner greeted me happily while wiping the inside of a glass. His mustache is bothering me; they look like a bowtie.

"Excuse me, I want to buy some of that Bumble Honey stuff. I'll buy three of them." Three of them will be enough for Fielma, isn't it?

"Coming right up!" he said.

There are many other customers as well, drinking something that reeks like alcohol but somehow sweet-scented. As soon as I know it, I am eyeing the person who's drinking in front of me. His clothing is pure white, but inside, he has metal chainmail and a sword on his waist. His clothing though has a particular design in the center: a creature whose hair is composed of snake-like tails though its face is similar to a lion. However, the creature doesn't seem to have fur but scales. The pupils are slit, and the sclera has a distinct reddish-yellow color.

"You're new around here, aren't you?" he noticed that I'm looking at him. He sips his alcohol, then a fat man with the same clothing suddenly shouted. "That's! It's Gwarfen Gwarf!"

"Idiot. Only children believe in that monster."

Seems like really, the Homorotabi don't believe in Gwarfen. I just noticed this, but the man who talked to me has an amputated left arm. "What happened to your arm?" I asked, not being too rude in my tone.

"You wanna hear?" I nod, "Well, we fought a demon and got trashed. Lucky for me that I only suffered a missing arm." the man laughs haughtily in contrary to what he said.

A demon... It reminds me of Hannathema. Hearing what he said, and somehow, I regret treating her wounds. She might just kill somebody again, and with her strength, I doubt I could beat her one on one. But if I could form a partnership with her, she could be beneficial in defeating the visage.

"Oy, templars shouldn't swear," the fat man said to the man with the lost arm. So they are templars, huh? They must have been guarding that large temple I saw in the south of the city. Temple... is that temple what Hannathema told me about? Is it the Igrus Temple? So these two are like the guards that are responsible for securing a god? And still, they are proud that they lost to a demon when supposedly, they must be strong to be a guard of a god?

"That's not something to brag about..." I said. He should do better than being happy that he lost. If I were in his shoes, I would train harder than wasting my time on alcoholism.

"Bwaha! Kid, you got no idea." he laughed as he patted my shoulder. "Demons are one of the strongest creatures in this dungeon. Surviving from a demon shows how tough you are as a warrior."

"I see..." well whatever, if Hannathema is right, this floor will get destroyed soon. I can't wait to see the horrors in his face as he reflects on his powerlessness when it is too late to change anymore.

The bartender gave me three jars of Bumble Honey, "It's for three Galaxy Pearls only"... I see, so these spherical objects are called Galaxy Pearls. I handed over three of them and took the jar of honey. I immediately left without looking back at the fools, "Thank you for buying!"

...

Once again, I am here on the mysterious giant artifact carrying three jars of honey. I wonder what face Fielma will make if she saw me; I bet she'll jump in joy like some sort of a kid. She's energetic at least; she reminds me of my little sister, Archie. My little sister is more grumpy though; this one is just crazy.

I opened the door and saw her with dark bags under her eyes. "Goblin, you came back..." she said as she saw me, and her eyeballs are reflective and shiny due to the still moist covering her eye lens.

I can't help but ask, "Did you cry?" isn't she already a grown-up?

"N-NO! Of course not!" she shook her head rapidly in denial, "Why did you come back for!?"

I walked closer to her, "Even an idiot like you deserves a second chance. Being stuck here would just be a waste of food, you lazy freeloader." yeah, I'm not doing this out of kindness, I'm doing this because just thinking how she could get free food by doing nothing irritates me. "I'm going to help you out of here."

Her shiny wide eyes gently squint, and she softly smiled as she asked me for my name, "Goblin... what's your name?"

I sighed, self-introduction is really not my cup of tea. "Aku, my name's Aku. Nothing more, nothing less."

She then suddenly grabbed my body tight that I couldn't escape, "Aku-senpai! You are my savior!" she said crying and snorting on my clothes. Now green mucus is everywhere! Disgusting! I pushed her head away from me.

I tore off her clothes until her bare skin is exposed enough that I could apply the honey extract into her soft body. Theo... suppress it, suppress the lust that is consuming my body. You shouldn't lust over a kid... She might be more than 16 years old, but her mind is still immature to even consent. Remember the time when you had to touch her shit, this girl is no woman, she's a baby!

Of course, we came to an agreement that in order to apply the substance all over her waist, she needs to be exposed that I would have to see her sensitive parts. After thinking carefully, she bashfully nods, and I assured her that I'm not interested in her body. But looking at her white soft and tender skin, my mind is kept playing tricks on me. It's not just lust but the gore as well; sometimes, I could vividly picture it if I cut her body in half when she's defenseless like this.

_Plack!_

"Eh? What's that sound!?" Fielma panicked that she squiggled.

I slapped myself as hard as I could! Because look, there's nothing about her to be attracted to! Look, her body is underdeveloped; she's too petite! Definitely not my type. Her waist is so small; I doubt she's even capable of sustaining a life inside her body. Her chest as well is as flat as the plains of the western continent. In fact, there is nothing good about her if you remove her cutesy frilly clothing.

If Irisia had never taught me about the value of self-control, I wouldn't be able to hold control over my goblin nature. In fact, it's all because of her that I'm still alive here.

The honey-covered Fielma's waist to her butt; I did it as fast as I could since it would be terribly uncomfortable for a girl like her. When I think she's ready, I move to the opposite side of the wall.

"Are you ready?" I asked, and she nods, her cheeks are bright red like she's about to explode. She extended her arms, and I used them to pull her out of the hole; with enough force, she slipped through the tight hole.

Both of us panted; I can't believe I got tired just doing this. I really need to work on my stamina more. I look at Fielma to check if she's okay, but she immediately looks away as our eyes met.

"Please, don't look at me," she said.

"Wasn't it too late for that?" I've already seen everything, after all.

"Even so, it's still embarrassing."

What's with that reaction? She's bright red... I don't understand; why would she react this way to a goblin? Umm... I'm a goblin, you know; you should be terrified, weirded out, or disgusted. There's no use thinking about it; I can't comprehend a young girl's mind. If I got deceived by her outward appearance, I will be betrayed and killed again, just like what Agatha did to me. I already learned my lessons, so fuck all of this shit.

"Aku-senpai. Can you please turn around for a moment? I want to change clothes."

"Ah, okay then."

I turned, and it didn't come to my mind to peek... I really did not! Wait, does she have extra clothes? As far as I could remember, she's not carrying anything else besides her staff and a small bag attached to her waist.

Then suddenly, a soft whisper tingled the insides of my ears... "What a fool you are, Aku sempai." Fielma said in a seductive tone. The hair all over my body stood up stiffly as the chill crawled up my spine. I immediately jumped away from her.

"Did you know what you have done? You released a powerful monster that is meant to be locked forever," she bragged with a smirk on her face.

"What do you mean?" I pulled out the dagger on my waist.

"BWAHAHAhA! You're really clueless, huh, Aku-sempai. Yes... I am your enemy." The hysteric laugh echoed in the closed chamber, creating a loud grumble that roars inside my ears. "I am indeed the true queen of the infected."

Huh!? Seriously!?

"Now, I'm ready to destroy this dungeon and conquer the whole world." Her eyes are bloodshot and terrifying along with the evil smile that showed all of her teeth from ear to ear. Did I get betrayed? Did I get deceived again?

Well, no.

It's not like I trusted her in the first place. For my insurance, I deliberately took her staff away since she is a mage, and mages are weaker than a swordsman without them. While a swordsman or warrior could fight barehanded, mages couldn't since they dedicated their life to studying magic rather than training their body to be strong.

Even if she's the queen of the infected, she's nothing without her soldiers. Her legs are also weak since they haven't been used for so long. I could kill her. But first, to ensure that she won't be able to fight back, I took her staff and showed it to her.

The mage grinned at me creepily, "Hand me over my staff."

Are you taking me for a fool? Why would I give it to her?

"I said, hand me my staff!"

Instead, I smiled as widely as I could. I could see that she's sweating heavily; her voice suddenly became apologetic and squeaky.

"Please?" she asked.

But instead, I used my knees to snap her staff down into two!!

She gasped; it's visible in her eyes the shock of what I did since a mage's staff is their everything. Tears swell on the sides of her eyes; she tried holding her tears back but turns into rageful cries that echo in the chamber, "WAAH!!! IT'S JUST A PRANK SEMPAI! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!? BWAAAAHHH."

Her smugness turns into tears. But I don't regret anything; the brat deserves it.