Chapter 25: The Boss is Too Weak (5)

 

“...I never expected that goblin could speak.”

 

That was the first thing firefighter Park Cheol-jin said.

 

“Huff... I can’t see ahead. I can’t hear well either... Only my sense of smell is sharp. Huff. I didn’t even realize you all were here. Huff.”

 

“...”

 

So, he detected us by our scent?

 

I might not have taken a bath due to the lack of water, but I did diligently wipe myself...

 

“So, you plan to push the Minotaur into the swamp?”

 

Choi Ji-won, with her arms crossed, asked me.

 

I gave a slight nod.

 

“If it were as usual, it’d be impossible... But we’re not normal. We can’t think conventionally.”

 

“It might be possible if we do it right...”

 

Choi Ji-won shrugged.

 

“But just to clarify, everyone in the vacant lot either has a low level or none at all. They won’t be of any help.”

 

Choi Ji-won stated it firmly. That was something I was already aware of.

 

“To be blunt, it’s a gamble. The chances of success aren’t high.” This time, firefighter Park Cheol-jin spoke with a wry smile. “But... I like the idea.”

 

He seemed to be fond of the notion that we might save everyone without any sacrifices.

 

“Let’s see... Even within our group, we might gather some people, but not many have focused on strength.”

 

“How many do you think can help?”

 

“...Five. No more than that.”

 

In that case, Choi Ji-won, Park Cheol-jin, and the five from Park Cheol-jin’s group. We need at least three more.

 

Why was I leaving myself out?

 

Because if I went near the swamp, I’d regress.

 

“First, let’s gather those who aren’t part of the vacant lot or Mr. Park Cheol-jin’s group.”

 

When the plan succeeds, it won’t do to have people ignorant about the portal and starve somewhere.

 

It was necessary to gather the individuals roaming separately.

 

“Once we have the people, let’s ask for volunteers?”

 

Finding cooperation from the strongest among those gathered would be a bonus.

 

“...Hmm. I think we can gather those in the forest. One of my colleagues has the exploration trait.”

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin nodded in agreement.

 

He seemed quite happy with the plan.

 

I must say it again; the biggest advantage of this plan is that no one needed to make sacrifices:

 

If successful, no one will die. Everyone can survive and we can defeat the Minotaur.

 

“Now, while I guard the Goblin Shaman, everyone else should spread out and...”

 

“Huff... Human. Doing that will cause problems.”

 

“What?”

 

The Goblin Shaman, who seemed to be on the brink of death, suddenly spoke.

 

“If you push that protective barrier from outside so carelessly, the seal’s magic structure will break. Huff.”

 

“...It’ll break?”

 

“More like explode. Huff. Half the island might blow away.”

 

“...”

 

Then... this plan is meaningless.

 

But the Goblin Shaman continued.

 

“But there’s a solution. Huff. Huff. Just reinforce the external seal’s magic structure. Huff.”

 

Thud.

 

The Goblin Shaman weakly slammed his staff.

 

“I know humans seek tiny golden talismans with a mysterious power. Huff. That’s what we need.”

 

“… Golden beads?”

 

The ‘golden talisman with a mysterious power’ must be golden beads.

 

“Huff. Huff... As you see, I’m dying. I lack power. I need to borrow the strength of the talisman. Huff.”

 

“How many do you need?”

 

“The more, the better. Huff... Time’s running out, human. I’m about to die...”

 

“...”

 

The need for the golden bead certainly makes this operation feel riskier.

 

“...Hey, isn’t there another way? Didn’t you say you had a better idea?”

 

Out of desperation, I asked the Goblin Shaman if there was an alternative.

 

“Huff. While maintaining the internal seal that binds the monster, I can release the external seal about 3 seconds earlier. Huff. Just defeat the monster in those 3 seconds. Huff.”

 

“...And we won’t need the golden bead for that?”

 

“No. Huff. The talisman is needed for both methods.”

 

From the start, the method the Goblin Shaman intended to suggest also required the golden bead.

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin turned to look at me.

 

“Jun-ho... What should we do?”

 

We’re at a crossroads.

 

Sacrificing Choi Ji-won was never an option.

 

Assuming we provide the golden beads to the Goblin Shaman...

 

Should we face the Minotaur with a 3-second advantage?

 

Or should we take a gamble and try to push him into the swamp?

 

“You know that the golden beads are our last hope. Can we really trust the goblin?”

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin asked.

 

“...”

 

Can we trust this goblin?

 

My contemplation was brief, and the decision was swift.

 

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say.

 

“Let’s trust him. Let’s roll the dice.”

 

After all, I was a natural gambler…

 

Soon, the people remaining in the vacant lot,

 

Those with Firefighter Park Cheol-jin,

 

And those who formed their own groups, but joined us upon hearing our plan,

 

When we gathered everyone, there seemed to be nearly 90 to 100 of us.

 

Considering 200 were summoned to the vacant lot initially, the number had halved.

 

More likely than not, many more people must have died than escaped by consuming a bead.

 

“We’re running low on beads anyway. This is our only hope.”

 

“I’d rather bet on the chance that all of us can survive than survive at the cost of my friend’s life.”

 

What was unexpected was the significant number of people who agreed with our plan.

 

Among them were some strong fighters. Most were summoned to the tower with their lovers or friends.

 

Indeed... while there are many evil people, there are still plenty of good ones in the world.

 

“Shall we shout ‘fighting’ before we go?”

 

“Sounds good. One, two, three!”

 

“”Fighting!!!’”

 

An alliance for a common goal was formed.

 

The god might have desperately wanted us to be divided, but humans united instead.

 

“Huff... It’s still not enough. Hand over more beads. Huff.”

 

“...Hold on, Boong Boong. We can’t kill him.”

 

At the goblin shaman’s words, Choi Ji-won mumbled something in an annoyed tone.

 

I was also annoyed.

 

Even after combining the golden beads held by Park Cheol-jin and Choi Ji-won, which numbered over 20, the Goblin Shaman incessantly complained about the shortage.

 

Only after I reluctantly handed over two more of my hidden beads did the Goblin Shaman nod slightly.

 

“...This should be sufficient. Huff. Huff... Everyone, step back. Huff.”

 

Holding a pouch full of golden beads in one hand and swinging his staff with the other,

 

“KUL, NAL, TAR, AR, AIS...”

 

The goblin shaman chanted in a bizarre language, and the protective barrier around the Minotaur began to glow.

 

“Humans, now! We don’t have much time left! Huff... Kelruk, Huff, ku-eek...”

 

The Goblin Shaman, seemingly overwhelmed, spat out blood mixed with fragments of his innards.

 

“...Everyone, check your masks.”

 

“Are you ready?”

 

“Whew, kid. You look bloody fierce.”

 

“Let’s all try to survive together. From the start, I wasn’t fond of these damn beads.”

 

The survivors of the tutorial stretched and got into position.

 

Having been informed in advance about the slight toxicity in the air emanating from the swamp, everyone had rudimentary cloth pieces tied around their mouths as makeshift masks.

 

While the effect might not be significant, it’s better than having nothing.

 

For the record, I volunteered to protect the Goblin Shaman, since breathing in the swamp’s air would cause regression.

 

Also, if suddenly someone goes mad and kills the Shaman, we’re all screwed. So, everyone easily agreed with my proposal.

 

“Now, start pushing following my command.”

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin, with a deeply tensed expression, stood dead center in front of the orb-shaped barrier.

 

Then, he activated his ‘Iron Man’ trait which strengthens his body and significantly boosts his stamina.

 

“Groooooar!”

 

The Minotaur, seemingly realizing humans were up to something, began to thrash about.

 

“Huff... I’ll hold it off! Now’s the time!”

 

The Goblin Shaman’s staff emitted light.

 

“Now, let’s go! One!”

 

“”″One!!!“”″

 

Following Park Cheol-jin’s command, they all began pushing the spherical barrier.

 

Veins bulged in people’s arms, and the ground beneath their feet sank deeply.

 

“Grrrrrr...”

 

Choi Ji-won’s face turned beet red as she exerted her strength. I’d never seen her like this before.

 

Guduk!

 

A slight tremor.

 

“...Damn.”

 

While the barrier enclosing the Minotaur slightly shook, it didn’t move.

 

Even with our selection of those with high strength stats, was our power still insufficient?

 

“Whew. Everyone, ease up. We’ll take a short break and try again.”

 

“This... The ground is soft; it’s sinking, making it hard to exert strength.”

 

A man commented, rubbing his heated palm. As he said, the sinking ground made it difficult to effectively apply force on the barrier.

 

“...I think I can solve that.”

 

From among the spectators cheering for the barrier pushers, a lanky young man stepped forward.

 

“I’ve been hiding my ability so far... My ability is ‘Hardening’. I can solidify the ground you all are standing on.”

 

As the man touched the ground, the relatively soft soil became firm.

 

“I... I’ll help too!”

 

The next one to step forward was the short-haired woman, Baek Da-hye.

 

“I... have a buff ability! Though it’s a low rank... I’ll do my best!”

 

“Oh, wow...”

 

Energy emanated from her hands, enveloping the people. Their once strained and panting faces relaxed considerably.

 

“I also...!”

 

“I have a useful ability too...!”

 

Those with seemingly useful abilities supported the ones pushing the barrier directly.

 

“I might not have a special ability... but I’ll cheer for you!”

 

“We can do it! We can do it!”

 

“We... will survive! We’ll make it through this damn tower!”

 

“Fight on!! Let’s go!”

 

Those without such abilities screamed their cheers, their voices echoing far and wide.

 

Not everyone was pushing the orb-shaped barrier, but their hearts and minds were one.

 

“Everyone... Thank you so much.”

 

Firefighter Park Cheol-jin seemed to choke up, a hint of a sob in his voice.

 

“We must... We absolutely must survive! Let’s survive together! Here we go again! Oneeee!!!”

 

“”″One!“”″

 

A jolt!

 

“Two!”

 

“”″Two!!!“”″

 

Another jolt!

 

“Three!”

 

“”″Threeeeeeee!!!“”″

 

Krkrkrk!

 

A heavy groaning sound echoed!

 

Was it because everyone’s hearts united?

 

The orb-shaped barrier, which had been firmly rooted to the ground, began to move with a thunderous noise.

 

“...Huff. Huff. Huff.”

 

“Gasp... Gasp... Gasp.”

 

People were panting heavily.

 

Some had clenched their teeth so hard that blood streamed from their gums.

 

But this was just the beginning. About 50 meters remained to the swamp.

 

“...Goblin Shaman. How long can you hold on?”

 

The Shaman, holding the golden beads and staff, had his arms trembling greatly.

 

“Khelk... Huff... Kruk... I will hold on until I die... Human, how much longer do you think I have? Huff.”

 

“...”

 

Despite everyone’s best efforts, Time was quickly running out.

 

--- END OF THE CHAPTER ---

 

[TL: Will Jun-ho and Co succeed? Find out in the next episode of Dragon Ball—Ahem! I mean, go and read the next chapter!]