Chapter 41: A Good Goblin is A Dead Goblin.
Jasper set off straight for the Luminara Kingdom, not caring about anything else.
Tik tak! Tik tak!
The journey had been smooth so far—bandits had foolishly crossed his path, but their measly Level 0 stats meant a single slap was enough to send them to an early grave. He passed through villages without stopping, his focus locked on his destination.
Then, at the borderlands, a child darted into his path.
Young Kid:
"Hey, big bro! You look really strong! Could you please help us? Monsters are terrorizing our village. The knights only show up after people die..."
[Talk]
"Listen, kid, I'm in a hurry. Luminara can't wait."
"Please! I don't want to hear another scream... another death..."
[Mute]
"This kid's persistent. How do I shake him off?"
A quick tip, dear user: If an NPC dies, they won't respawn.
"Why should I care about some NPC's death? Wait—can NPCs even die?"
You should focus on the game now, dear user.
[Unmute]
"Ugh. Fine. Lead the way, kid. But make it quick."
"I-I can't go with you. I'd just slow you down."
"Yeah, yeah. Just point me to the monsters, I'll deal with them fast."
"The Hungry Apple Wood forest. That's where they lurk."
A grin split Jasper's face. "Heh. Perfect. I've got an appetite for monster meat."
Jasper stormed into the forest, eager to crush the pests and resume his journey. Nine goblins lounged ahead, scattered but alert. His fingers twitched.
"Those green freaks always chased after me back when I was a mercenary. Time to make them taste their own medicine. Even if this is just a game, I'll still enjoy it."
The moment he stepped closer, a crimson ! flared above the nearest goblin. It screeched and charged.
Jasper muscles tensed for a second—"since when do monsters rush at me like this?"
The screen started flickering.
When the vision cleared, four goblins stood before him, weapons drawn.
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 1000/1000 | SP: 900/900
[Attack]
[Guard]
[Items]
[Flee]
VS
Goblin – Lv. 1 | Goblin – Lv. 1 | Goblin – Lv. 1 | Goblin – Lv. 1
HP: 400/400 –| HP: 400/400 –| HP: 400/400 –| HP: 400/400
"Hey, hey, wasn't it supposed to be only one? Where did the other three come from?"
"Hmm... I also can't flee, huh? Well, who needs to flee. I'm a level 2 predator now."
Round 1
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 1000/1000 | SP: 900/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x4
HP: 400 | 400 | 400 | 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin A)
Jasper charges and slashes horizontally.
Damage dealt: 142
Goblin A HP: 400 → 258/400
SP: 900 → 890/900
Goblins' Turn:
Goblin B and Goblin C attack together!
[DODGE] – Jasper leaps back, narrowly avoiding both daggers.
SP -20 → 870/900
Round 2
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 1000/1000 | SP: 860/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x4
HP: 258 | 400 | 400 | 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin A)
CRITICAL HIT!
Damage dealt: 240!
Goblin A HP: 258 → 18/400
SP -10 → 860/900
"Still alive? How lucky can he be."
Goblins' Turn:
Goblin A limps forward with a shaky swing, followed by Goblin B and C.
[Deflect] – Jasper deflect the Goblin A attack and B.
[BLOCK] – Jasper raises his forearm guard.
Damage taken: 20
HP: 1000 → 980/1000
Goblin D follows with a quick stab!
Jasper takes the hit.
Damage taken: 50
HP: 980 → 930/1000
"Tch—one of you managed to fully scratch me. I'll make you regret that."
Round 3
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 930/1000 | SP: 860/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x4
HP: 18 | 400 | 400 | 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin A)
A quick finishing strike!
Damage dealt: 130
Goblin A HP: 18 → 0/400
Goblin A defeated!
SP -10 → 850/900
"One down. Three stinky cousins to go."
Goblins' Turn:
All 3 remaining goblins charge!
Combo Attack!
[DODGE] – Jasper sidesteps Goblin B and Goblin D!
But Goblin C's blade grazes his side.
SP -20 → 830/900
Damage taken: 50
HP: 930 → 880/1000
Round 4
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 880/1000 | SP: 810/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x3
HP: B: 400 | C: 400 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin B)
Damage dealt: 125
Goblin B HP: 400 → 275/400
SP -10 → 820/900
Goblins' Turn:
Goblins lunge together!
[DODGE] – Jasper backflips over their attacks.
SP -20 → 800/900
"These goblins are really tricky; they are fighting together most of the time."
Round 5
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 880/1000 | SP: 800/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x3
HP: B: 275 | C: 400 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin B)
Damage dealt: 138
Goblin B HP: 275 → 137/400
SP -10 → 790/900
Goblins' Turn:
Goblin C and D rush together!
[BLOCK] – Jasper blocks Goblin C's blade.
Damage taken: 20
HP: 880 → 860/1000
Goblin D lands a full hit.
Damage taken: 50
HP: 860 → 810/1000
Round 6
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 810/1000 | SP: 790/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x3
HP: B: 137 | C: 400 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin B)
CRITICAL HIT!
Damage dealt: 240
Goblin B HP: 137 → 0/400
Goblin B defeated!
SP -10 → 780/900
"A good goblin is a dead goblin."
Goblins' Turn:
Goblin C attacks!
Damage taken: 50
HP: 810 → 780/1000
Round 7
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 760/1000 | SP: 780/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x2
HP: C: 400 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin C)
Damage dealt: 147
Goblin C HP: 400 → 253/400
SP -10 → 780/900
Goblins' Turn:
Both remaining goblins charge at once!
[DODGE] – Jasper twirls through their attacks, landing softly.
SP -20 → 760/900
"Close, but you'll have to try harder than that."
Round 8
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 760/1000 | SP: 760/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x2
HP: C: 253 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin C)
Damage dealt: 132
Goblin C HP: 253 → 121/400
SP -10 → 750/900
Goblins' Turn:
Goblin D strikes!
Damage dealt: 50
HP: 760 → 710/1000
Round 9
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 710/1000 | SP: 750/900
Goblin – Lv.1 x2
HP: C: 121 | D: 400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin C)
CRITICAL HIT!
Damage dealt: 240!
Goblin C HP: 121 → 0/400
Goblin C defeated!
SP -10 → 740/900
Goblin D attacks!
[BLOCK] – Jasper raises his sword.
Damage taken: 20
HP: 710 → 690/1000
Round – 10
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 690/1000 | SP: 740/900
Goblin – Lv.1
HP: 400/400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin D)
CRITICAL HIT!
Damage dealt: 240!
Goblin D HP: 400 → 160/400
SP -10 → 730/900
Goblin's Turn:
Goblin D lunges with wild desperation.
[DODGE] – Jasper sidesteps, yawning.
SP -20 → 710/900
Round – 11
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 690/1000 | SP: 710/900
Goblin – Lv.1
HP: 160/400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – (Target: Goblin D)
Damage dealt: 148!
Goblin D HP: 160 → 12/400
SP -10 → 700/900
"These goblins are as tough as cockroaches."
Goblin's Turn:
Goblin D is too tired and couldn't move
"Ka, ka ka ka."
Round – 12
Jasper – Lv. 2
HP: 690/1000 | SP: 700/900
Goblin – Lv.1
HP: 12/400
Jasper's Turn:
[Attack] – Clean finishing thrust.
Damage dealt: 120
Goblin D HP: 12 → 0/400
Goblin D defeated!
SP -10 → 690/900
Battle Result:Jasper Wins!HP Remaining: 690/1000SP Remaining: 690/900EXP Gained: 200Loot: Rusty Goblin Dagger x2, Goblin Hide x4, 28 Silver
"Wow, these goblins drop silver too? They're more like bandits than goblins."
Jasper fought off the next wave, slapping them into oblivion, but he knew he couldn't keep going without dipping into his precious potions. Reluctantly, he retreated to the village to rest, letting his HP and SP recover before diving back into the fray.
"At this rate, I'll be labeled as a Goblin Slayer."
By the time only one group of goblins remained, the sky had darkened to a deep indigo, stars beginning to prick through the velvet expanse. His stomach growled in protest—a hollow, gnawing sensation that intensified when the rich aroma of Mina's cooking crept under his door like a siren's call. The scent of roasted meat and herb-crusted vegetables made his mouth water,
Leaving his room, Jasper heard the others chuckling, with Ivar's voice rising above the rest.
"Told you he'd come running once the smell of food reached his room."
"Mina's cooking always lifts the spirits, haha!" Lysandra added between laughs.
Jasper descended the stairs, his hood obscuring his face. "Food is always a surefire bait." He said, shrugging.
"Are you feeling better now, Master Jasper?" Lina asked in her sweet, lilting voice.
He ruffled her hair with a faint smile, feeling the silky strands slip through his fingers "Yeah, I'm alright now, little Lina. Let's eat—I'm starving."
The next day, Jasper sent a letter to Heinrich, his quill scratching against parchment with nervous energy. Each word was carefully chosen, then crossed out, then rewritten. The ink blotted in places where his hand had trembled, betraying his anxiety despite his efforts to appear composed.
"Facing the king is easier than this."
The rest of the day passed in a haze as he rehearsed imaginary conversations with Heinrich's daughter, preparing answers to every possible question so he wouldn't freeze in front of her.
Hours slipped away like seconds, and before he knew it, night had fallen—yet sleep eluded him.
"Sigh. Fighting barbarians was simpler than this."
An hour crawled by with the pace of a wounded snail, his eyes stubbornly refusing to close. The bedsheets felt rough against his skin, and every sound from the street below seemed amplified in the stillness.
"Hey, ArmBrace—got any tricks to make me sleep? I'm literally losing my mind."
Sigh… I'll stream a boring movie for you. Watch it, and you'll be out in no time.
"What's a movie?"
Just watch. You'll see.
At first, Jasper was fascinated—he had never experienced a story in such a vivid way before. The images moved and spoke, creating a world more real than any bard's tale. But as the film dragged on with mind-numbing predictability, his eyelids grew heavy as lead weights, and he drifted off before ever figuring out why it was supposed to be boring.
Well, at least your body recognized its boredom.
The morning sun rose like a golden coin tossed into an azure sky, its rays streaming through his window and warming his face. Jasper changed into his best outfit after taking a bath, the hot water washing away the night's restless sweat. The fine fabric felt smooth against his skin, though he recognized that his effort wouldn't change how he looked. Still, he was holding onto a thread of hope—perhaps he might really find someone who would genuinely hold his hand with passion and tenderness.
Climbing into his carriage, he felt the leather seat give slightly under his weight. The vehicle rocked gently as Ivar settled into the driver's seat, the wooden frame creaking with familiar comfort. As they began their journey toward Heinrich's mansion, the wheels created a rhythmic melody against the cobblestones—clip-clop, clip-clop—that seemed to match his racing heartbeat.
Deep down, Jasper knew that this is not more than a political marriage. With his head leaning against the carriage's cushioned side, he said, "Maybe we will grow to like each other as the time goes."
"Hmm? Did you say something, master?"
"Nothing, just focus on the road."
clip-clop, clip-clop
The horses' hooves created a steady percussion against the stone path, their breathing visible in small puffs of vapor in the crisp morning air. The gatekeeper—recognizing the distinctive carriage with its polished brass fittings and rich burgundy paint—opened the wrought-iron gates with a welcoming gesture. The metal hinges sang a brief note as they swung wide, and he asked his partner to inform their master of Jasper's arrival.
Heinrich came out hastily to welcome him in person, his footsteps echoing across the marble courtyard. His face was flushed from hurrying, and his expensive robes rustled with each movement. "I'm honored to welcome you at my humble mansion, Mr. Jasper!"
Jasper smiled warmly, climbing down from his carriage and feeling the solid ground beneath his feet. He clasped Heinrich's forearm in the manner of trusted associates, feeling the man's firm grip and the warmth of his skin. "The honor is mine, Guild Master Heinrich. Your mansion is anything but humble—such grandeur speaks of prosperity and fine taste."
The mansion loomed before them like a palace from a fairy tale, its white stone walls gleaming in the sunlight. Ivy climbed the walls in elegant patterns, and tall windows reflected the sky like mirrors.
"Here, this way. My daughter is still preparing herself, so let me entertain you for now," Heinrich said, gesturing toward the gardens with a sweep of his arm.
"Ahem, no hurry Mr. Heinrich, I enjoy your company." Jasper's voice carried a note of genuine warmth, though his stomach churned with nervous energy.
"Ha ha ha, I appreciate your kind words Mr. Jasper. But believe me, my daughter's company is much better." Heinrich's laugh was hearty, like wind through autumn leaves.
'That's the reason why I'm enjoying your company to no bounds.' Jasper thought
Walking through the garden's main hall, Jasper admired the meticulously trimmed hedges and vibrant blooms lining the cobbled path. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms, a testament to Heinrich's wealth—only the rarest flowers were cultivated in such abundance.
"Your gardens are as impressive as your ledgers, Mr. Heinrich," Jasper remarked, running a hand along the petals of a blood-red rose. "I've heard even the nobles envy your collection."
Heinrich chuckled, puffing out his chest slightly. "My daughter adores being surrounded by flowers—says they perfume her as she speaks to them. So I made sure her garden had every blossom a lady could desire." He plucked a white camellia and twirled it between his fingers.
Jasper studied the man's face—the pride there, almost possessive. "A father's love is a rare thing," he said carefully. "Not all fathers would go to the ends of the earth for their children's sake."
Heinrich's smile didn't waver. "When she is your only child and heir, nothing matters more than her happiness."
A beat. The words hung between them, heavy as a debt ledger.
Jasper hesitated, then stepped closer, voice low. "Then why forcing—?"
"Ah! There she comes." Heinrich's interruption was smooth, his gaze snapping toward the terrace with obvious relief.
Just then, a rustle of silk announced a new presence. Heinrich's daughter, Lady Jessica, descended the marble steps of the terrace, her emerald gown shimmering like a jewel in the sunlight.
Jasper's pulse quickened; something fluttered in his chest, screaming for him to escape.The lady in front of him was really stunning, not at Lysandra's beauty level, nevertheless, she was truly beautiful.
"My dear, Here is Guild Master Jasper." Heinrich said, beaming.
Jessica offered a practiced curtsy, her gaze lingering just a moment too long. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Jasper's tongue tied itself in knots. "Ah—I, uh… yes. The pleasure is mine." The words stumbled out. His face burned beneath his hood.
Heinrich clapped his hands together. "I'll leave you two to become better acquainted."
"Wai—" Jasper's hand twitched toward Heinrich's sleeve, but he stopped himself, muscles tensing. He knew that would be a catastrophic move.
Jessica gestured gracefully toward the summerhouse. "This way, Master Jasper."
"After you, my lady." His voice steadied, but his pulse did not.
The summerhouse was a sanctuary of dappled shade, the air sweet with lavender and honey cakes. Maids poured tea into porcelain cups so thin they glowed in the sunlight.
Jasper sat stiffly on a cushioned chair, his rehearsed speeches dissolving like sugar in hot water. The silence stretched between them, filled only by the gentle buzzing of bees and the distant trickle of a fountain.
Jessica stirred her tea, her smile patient. "Tell me of yourself, Master Jasper."
He exhaled. The truth, then—no polished lies.
"Despite having the appearance of a monster, deep inside I'm no different from the others. I am a man who trades beauty salve by daylight, and hides his face in shadow and night. Your father may have warned you—this cloak isn't for drama, but for necessity." A bitter chuckle. "The world judges harshly those who look… different. So I'm building a name strong enough to make them look past it. It's a long journey, but I'll achieve it eventually." A pause. Then, softer: "And you, Lady Jessica? What is your story?"
She tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful as her fingers tightened around her spoon. The silver clinked softly against the porcelain. "I'm hardly so remarkable. My father carries enough weight—my mother has been ill for years. I may not have his skill in management, but I won't let him shoulder it all alone. I keep learning, studying ledgers by candlelight until my eyes burn. So, I help where I can."
"You are really a good lady, lady Jessica. Not all wealthy family offspring are helping their parents for the sake of helping, they are either doing it out of fear, or out of greed. So be proud of what you are achieving and strive for more."
A warm smile bloomed on Jessica's face like a flower opening to the sun. They kept talking pleasantly, their conversation flowing like a gentle stream. Jasper forgot everything about his anxiety, lost in the melody of her voice and the sparkle in her eyes.
And then, suddenly, a strong wind blew through the summerhouse like an invisible hand. The air rushed past them, carrying the scent of roses and distant rain. It caught Jasper's hood, pulling it back with ruthless efficiency.
Jasper was caught completely off guard, his hands flying up too late to catch the fabric. He watched in horror as Jessica's eyes widened in shock for an instant—a fleeting moment where her composure cracked like a broken mask. But she quickly regained her cool.
Jasper hastily tried to replace his hood, his hands trembling like leaves in a storm. But he stopped mid-motion, his arms falling to his sides in defeat. "You see this face, Jessica. This is the face that you will end up seeing every day and night if you accept marrying me." His voice was raw, stripped of all pretense. "Do you think you are capable of accepting this kind of life?"
The silence stretched between them, heavy as a funeral shroud.
"I… Yes, I am. If that will ease my father's burden, I'll do it." Her voice was steady.
Jasper felt like he was dreaming, floating in a space between reality and impossibility. Even though she was doing it for the sake of her father, the words hit him like lightning. For the first time in years, he felt the euphoria of being accepted by the opposite sex—not loved, perhaps, but accepted. It was more than he had dared hope for.
"I… I am… I am sorry, I need to leave." Jasper shot up from his chair so quickly it nearly toppled, the wood scraping against the stone. His hood fell back into place as he turned and fled, his feet carrying him across the garden with desperate speed.
Behind him, he heard the rustle of fabric as Jessica rose, her voice calling after him. "Master Jasper! Where are you going!" But Jasper was already gone, his form blurring between the hedges. He was a top-notch runner—even monsters weren't able to catch him when he truly wanted to escape.
From a distance, Heinrich watched Jasper running like his life depended on it, his robes billowing behind him like dark wings. The older man's face creased with concern as he hurried to his daughter, his heart racing.
"What's going on, Jessica? Did you refuse him?" Heinrich's voice was tight with barely controlled panic.
"No, father. I said I accepted, but he vanished with the wind. I even called for him, but he didn't even turn back to see me." Jessica's voice carried a note of confusion, her hands smoothing her skirts with nervous energy.
Heinrich sighed in relief, the tension flowing out of him like water from a broken dam. "It's okay, sweetheart. Let's leave him be for now—that's the best option. His emotions are a bit complicated to deal with right now."
Meanwhile, Ivar was yawning with his mouth wide open, the sound echoing across the courtyard like a small roar. It looked like a black hole for a second, his jaw stretched to impossible dimensions. But when he saw Jasper running faster than a full-force arrow, his expression shifted to one of shock so complete he nearly got a cramp in his lower jaw.
"What's wrong, master?!" Ivar's voice cracked with surprise.
"Back to the guild, Ivar!" Jasper replied, his form disappearing and reappearing inside the carriage in the blink of an eye.
For a second, Ivar didn't know where Jasper had disappeared to, his eyes scanning the empty courtyard in bewilderment. "What are you waiting for? Let's go home!"
"Right away, Master!" Ivar's voice carried a note of excitement as he grabbed the reins.
Inside the carriage, Jasper was smiling like a fool, his face stretched in a grin so wide it made his cheeks ache. He couldn't believe what had happened, however reluctant, it felt like a miracle. The leather seat creaked as he leaned back, his heart still racing from the encounter.
"Today, I want you to buy the best ingredients. We are having a feast the whole day, Ivar." His voice rang with uncharacteristic joy, bouncing off the carriage walls.
An ear-to-ear grin appeared on Ivar's face, visible even from behind. "Long live, Master!"