I Am Honkai

The world was a beautiful place—lush green mountains, clear blue skies, blooming flowers, and the cheerful songs of birds. But it was far from a wonderful place. Beneath its beauty lay cruelty and darkness in abundance.

Residents of large cities, cathedral capitals, and royal strongholds enjoyed the benefits of strong military protection and social stability, leading fulfilling and relatively safe lives.

However, for the majority living in small villages, life was far less fortunate.

Even fortified cities were rare, let alone fully urbanized areas. The rate of urbanization barely reached five percent, if that.

For those residing on the frontier, danger was a daily reality. They constantly faced the threats of wild beasts and monstrous creatures of all kinds. A single moment of carelessness could result in the complete destruction of their homes and families—a common occurrence.

Yet, their greatest fear was not powerful monsters like dragons, high-level beasts, or demon lords. Those beings were distant threats, ones left to adventurers or the legendary heroes of myths.

No, the creatures that instilled true fear in the hearts of frontier villagers were the goblins—creatures often dismissed as mere beginner-level foes in Western fantasy stories.

The man leading the group walked in silence.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse tree canopy alongside the road, casting dappled patterns that shifted with the wind. The warmth of the sun mixed with the lingering morning chill, making for a comfortable balance.

Following behind the self-proclaimed "Goblin Slayer," Li Sushang and the others crossed a narrow wooden bridge spanning a small stream, officially entering the medieval town.

As they looked around, they saw a modest yet thriving settlement—far from the sophistication of industrial cities but rich with a harmonious blend of humanity and nature.

The town's streets were lined with multi-story buildings. Farmers carrying tools, vendors calling out their wares, slow-moving cart drivers cracking their whips, and adventurers equipped with various weapons all formed part of the bustling scene.

The sight filled them with a refreshing sense of novelty.

"Seele, look! A real-life fantasy adventure town!"

Bronya had already cast aside her frustrations about Esteth's unreturned game console, her excitement bubbling over as she grabbed Seele's delicate hand.

"Bronya...," Seele sighed helplessly. Bronya was wonderful in every way—except for her slight obsession with video games. Seeing this fantasy world brought to life captivated her in ways Seele couldn't quite understand.

"Tch..."

Of course, this was the perfect opportunity for the ever-competitive Senti to chime in. She folded her arms and scoffed, "Hmph! It's not as impressive as I imagined. So small and crude—nothing like the fantasy cities I pictured!"

As they walked, curious town residents cast glances at the peculiar group.

"Isn't that the guy who only slays goblins?"

His battered, bloodstained leather armor and steel helmet—marred with countless scratches—marked him unmistakably. His gear was undeniably practical, yet painfully cheap-looking.

Even without seeing the silver identification tag around his neck, most of the townsfolk recognized him—Goblin Slayer.

"But I never thought he'd take on a mission outside of 'goblin hunting'... Escorting a group of noble ladies on a countryside tour, huh? Must be a hefty reward, maybe dozens of gold coins."

"But why him? Sure, he's a legitimate silver-ranked adventurer, but aside from killing goblins, does he have any other notable achievements?"

"You're behind the times. Word is he recently formed a team and took on a commission in the Water City with a priestess, an elven archer, a dwarf shaman, and a lizardman monk. Even the Sword Maiden found the situation tricky."

"Oh, so he's become quite the figure now... No wonder."

It was mid-morning, the busiest time in town.

While this medieval fantasy world had no such saying as "the early bird catches the worm," the logic held true.

At the town's entrance, many residents preparing for their day—whether heading to work, setting off on missions, or engaging in trade—gathered and whispered among themselves.

"What are you looking at?! Haven't you ever seen such an outstanding and stylish adventurer before?"

Feeling like a monkey in a zoo, Senti grew irritated with the gawking. She stood akimbo, staring down the onlookers with a glare.

Adding a touch of her "Lion's Roar" technique for good measure, her voice thundered across the square, startling the bystanders into a hurried retreat, their steps quick and unrelenting as they scattered in all directions.

The aristocratic young lady was undeniably overbearing—best not to provoke her. The gathered crowd quickly dispersed, realizing it would be unwise to risk trouble over idle gossip.

"Hmph, now you see how powerful I am!"

Slap!

"Ouch!"

"Stop using martial techniques carelessly," Fu Hua said expressionlessly, withdrawing her hand after delivering a swift chop. "But you showed some restraint this time, so I'll forgive you."

"Brother, thank you very much."

Li Sushang approached once again, retrieving a small gold ingot from her pouch and offering it. "However, we still need your guidance to an inn where adventurers gather..."

"No need for such trouble," the man replied, shaking his head. "I understand what you mean by an inn. You're looking for the Adventurers' Guild, correct? Follow this main road, and the largest building at the end is the place you're looking for."

With that, the armored man turned to leave.

So he won't accept it after all? Li Sushang mused. I wonder if he's handsome under that helmet.

She found herself admiring him—not out of affection, of course.

Having studied martial arts under Cheng Lingshuang (Fu Hua's fifth disciple) since childhood, Li Sushang's literacy was lacking, but she had absorbed countless wuxia tales from storytellers. These tales shaped her admiration for those who upheld a sense of chivalry.

And, truth be told, she was a bit of a face-connoisseur. If a handsome man looked at her, she'd secretly feel a little pleased.

"Hold on, don't refuse just yet. That silver identification tag on your chest looks like some kind of ranking system, right? We're newcomers and wish to register as adventurers. We'll need your help."

"You're making it too complicated. The guild has staff to handle registrations..."

Though he didn't say it outright, his intent was clear—he declined once more.

"Oh? You really don't want it? But I can sense your hesitation," Li Sushang interrupted knowingly.

Indeed, he needed money—a lot of it. Hiring adventurers to deal with the goblin horde threatening the ranch (numbering in the hundreds) would require significant funds, and he wasn't sure if his savings were enough.

Caught in his thoughts for a brief moment, the next thing he knew, Li Sushang had pressed the gold bar into his hands.

"Take it. Consider it a gift from me, since I'm in a good mood," she said grandly, stepping back with her hands behind her back.

"You're such a troublesome man," Senti chimed in, giving him a playful slap on the back that made him stumble.

"Just take it. It's not much, and if you serve me well, there'll be plenty more gold and treasures in store."

"Lead the way!"

The armored man looked down at the flawless gold bar in his hand, lifting his gaze again.

"...Thank you."

...

The Adventurers' Guild, it was said, was founded long ago by a group who gathered in taverns to support heroes.

Unlike priest or cleric guilds, it wasn't a mutual aid society—it functioned more like a job placement agency.

At this hour, the guild hall bustled with life.

The clatter of weapons, the crunching of food, and the boisterous laughter of men and women blended into a cacophony of noise.

Adventurers lived by a simple creed—enjoy life while it lasted.

Despite their lofty titles, any day could be their last, whether in a ruin, cave, or mountain ambush by monsters.

"The commission today is to deal with a manticore up in the mountains? Think it's worth it?"

"Not really. If you want good profits, exploring ruins is always better."

"Then how about hunting goblins?"

"Forget it. I'm at least a ruby-ranked adventurer. Taking on those lowly creatures would be like stealing work from newbies, and the pay is trash—not worth the effort."

"True."

At that moment, the soft chime of the entrance bell interrupted the din.

The guild's heavy doors swung open wide, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

At this time of day, most adventurer parties had already set out, leaving the hall with only a few loners or small groups of two or three.

For the doors to open so grandly, it could only mean one of two things—either an attention-seeker or a large party.

Who could it be?

All eyes turned to see.

As the door to the guild swung open, all eyes turned to the entrance.

Stepping inside was a man clad in worn leather armor and an iron helmet, a small shield strapped to his arm, and a standard-length iron sword hanging at his side.

"Oh, it's just you..."

A spearman clad in well-fitted armor glanced at him dismissively, ready to make a snide remark—until he saw what followed behind.

"You... and them...?"

Trailing behind Goblin Slayer was a group of impeccably dressed women, their attire finely tailored and exuding an air of nobility.

The guild hall fell silent.

First, they were struck by the sheer beauty of the women. Second, those with sharper instincts felt a subtle yet imposing presence emanating from them. Even the more experienced adventurers sensed a prickle of caution, as if their sixth sense was warning them of hidden strength.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be the strongest guy on the western frontier? These girls are nobles," a seductive voice chimed in.

A voluptuous female mage, a long pipe dangling from her lips, nudged the spearman.

"Uh, yeah... I'll pass."

Meanwhile, Li Sushang stepped forward, giving Goblin Slayer a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Oh, this really does look like an inn from my homeland."

The Adventurers' Guild was a fusion of a grand tavern and a lodging facility, complete with a reception desk for handling quest commissions.

"Do they have live music?" Li Sushang inquired eagerly.

"Hmm, and dancers?" Senti added, eyes gleaming with excitement. The master-disciple pair seemed to be on the same wavelength.

"Look, Kiana! Swordsmen, spearmen, mages, dwarves, elves, beastmen—it's all here!"

Bronya, her previous annoyance about the missing game console forgotten, was now enthusiastically observing her surroundings.

Adventurers of all kinds filled the hall: humans clad in armor, spellcasters draped in cloaks, axe-wielding dwarves with bushy beards, long-eared elven archers in leather gear, and even anthropomorphic beastmen conversing in human tongue.

The diverse crowd of men and women, all armed and dressed in an array of styles, sat in groups of twos and threes, filling the hall with a lively atmosphere.

"I'm sorry, esteemed guests, but this branch doesn't provide live music or dance performances," the receptionist explained apologetically, stepping forward.

With warm amber eyes and neatly braided light brown hair, she wore a simple yet elegant uniform, exuding an air of professionalism.

"No music? Oh well, then please prepare a private room for us and bring out your signature dishes," Fu Hua interjected, pulling her overeager companions back with a hint of exasperation.

At the same time, she signaled to Durandal and Rita, trusting their leadership and negotiation skills to handle things properly.

"Greetings, miss. Would it be possible to proceed with our adventurer registration?" Rita asked politely, hands gracefully folded at her waist as she offered a charming smile.

Her tone was courteous yet carried an undeniable sense of authority that left little room for refusal.

Standing beside her, Durandal remained alert, scanning the guildhall with sharp eyes. Something felt off. The adventurers here seemed too weak—why would Esdeath choose this place for their trial?

Was there something hidden? A lurking danger? Or were these adventurers simply hiding their strength? It didn't add up.

Kiana and Mei exchanged glances, silently questioning the same thing. If this was all there was to the guild, the challenge seemed far too simple.

"Please prepare their registration," Goblin Slayer added, reinforcing the request.

"Ah, of course! Right away!"

The receptionist, momentarily overwhelmed by Rita's elegance, snapped to attention. Nodding hurriedly, she disappeared behind the counter, emerging moments later with stacks of registration forms.

As Rita observed the guild staff preparing the necessary documents, a ceramic cup of steaming tea was carefully placed in front of her.

"How many of you will be registering?" the receptionist inquired politely.

"Twelve," Rita answered smoothly.

The group consisted of Liliya and Rozaliya Olenyeva, Bronya and Seele, Li Sushang and Pardofelis, Rita and Durandal, Fu Hua and Senti, Kiana, and Raiden Mei.

"Then please fill out these forms. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

It was an adventure record sheet. Golden letters stood out against the light brown parchment paper.

Name, Gender, Age, Occupation, Hair Color, Eye Color, Physique, Skills, Spells, Divine Blessings...

It was quite a tedious process.

...

"Come, come! Sit down quickly!"

After finding a quieter corner, Senti swiftly took a seat, crossed her legs, and waved enthusiastically at the others who were still looking around curiously.

A few adventurers who were about to sit down backed away nervously under her fierce glare.

"You really think you're an adventurer now?"

"Of course."

Settling in, Kiana tapped the hard wooden chair with a hint of dissatisfaction, then sighed. "Too bad Auntie isn't here to see this... I wonder how she's doing."

As the current overseer of Schicksal, Theresa Apocalypse had responsibilities that vastly differed from Kiana and the others. She was tasked with assisting the Empire's planetary governors in troop reorganization, security reinforcement, economic restoration, and post-war reconstruction efforts.

"Don't worry, Kiana," Mei reassured her. "In the Empire's secured zones, Headmistress Theresa is in no real danger."

...

After fulfilling his promise to bring the "noble ladies" to the guild and assisting with their adventurer registration, Goblin Slayer nodded toward the receptionist and then stepped away. However, instead of returning to his usual corner seat, he walked toward the center of the hall.

As the guild hall fell silent and everyone's eyes gradually turned toward him, he spoke in a low, steady voice:

"Sorry to interrupt your time, but please listen to me."

"I need everyone's help. I am requesting aid to exterminate goblins."

The moment the words left his mouth, the adventurers in the hall were left in shock and disbelief.

"Goblin Slayer... is asking for help?"

"This is the first time I've heard him say anything."

"But isn't he always working alone?"

The infamous loner, known for his relentless pursuit of goblin extermination, was now seeking assistance? And for goblins, the very thing he specialized in?

Goblin Slayer's gaze swept across the hall, his eyes meeting those of the murmuring and whispering adventurers one by one.

"This morning, I scouted the area. A large horde of goblins is coming. Their target is a ranch outside town. The attack will most likely happen tonight. I cannot confirm the exact numbers, but there are at least a hundred."

"Just their scout party alone left footprints of more than ten individuals. There's a high likelihood of a variant leader among them."

"We don't have enough time. If they were holed up in caves or ruins, I could handle it alone, but this is an open plain with no cover. A night battle... I can't take them all on by myself."

"So I'm asking for your help—please."

He bowed deeply.

For a moment, the guild hall was filled with murmurs and hushed conversations. It was clear that most adventurers were reluctant.

"Hey, you..."

A loud thud echoed through the hall as the spearman slammed his mug onto the table, his sharp gaze fixed on Goblin Slayer.

"You're asking too much. We're adventurers—you didn't even mention a reward. Do you think we'd fight for free? Who the hell would take..."

BANG!

"Wait, so there's a fight?" Senti suddenly smirked, slamming her fist onto the table. "Alright then, I'll take the job!"

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