The Strongest in the Game by Dominating Monster - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Monster Domination: Game’s Strongest Episode 13

The meaning of Daron’s words was clear.

He would give the 33 of them who had built up good contribution in the first battle the first opportunity to hunt the Goblin Lord.

Whether the hunt succeeded or not was entirely up to the users, but just being given the opportunity was clearly a huge merit.

In fact, the other users who heard the story from Kal clenched their fists in joy.

“We’ll definitely do it!”

“Just leave it to us!”

“We’ll definitely succeed!”

Except for Kairen, they were all users raising alternate characters.

They immediately grasped the core and burned with fighting spirit.

“But how do we ambush them? The village is currently surrounded by goblins, and we don’t even know where the Goblin Lord is.”

After celebrating for a while, Yu Minseong, who ranked 2nd in contribution, raised his hand high and asked.

Kairen nodded slightly and waited for the answer.

It was quite a good question. He had wanted to ask the same thing.

“There’s one secret passage in the village that leads outside. We’ll escape through that passage, then head to the forest.”

“The forest?”

At one user’s question, Kal frowned.

“The goblins’ habitat is the forest. Surely, their leader the Goblin Lord is also there watching the situation.”

“I understand how to get to the forest. But what about finding the Goblin Lord in the forest? If we search on our own, the village might fall before then.”

Once again, an important question that pierced to the core.

It was Yu Minseong again.

Kairen felt that he wasn’t a famous streamer and ranker for nothing as he waited for Kal’s answer.

Then, an unexpected presence popped out.

“Isn’t this guy here? He’s the one raised by Daron the Tamer. He’s much more excellent than any ordinary mutt.”

Woof! (I’ll work hard!)

Rookie stepped forward with a short bark, and Kairen smiled with satisfaction at the clever response.

Right. Rookie is trustworthy.

However, the expressions of the other users who didn’t know Rookie’s true value were lukewarm.

“Anyone with complaints can get lost. I’ll call other guys to replace you.”

But at Kal’s sharp rebuke after reading the atmosphere, everyone managed their expressions again.

“Then when do we depart?”

This time Kairen asked.

“Right after they attack again. They’ll be distracted by the battle, so that’ll be perfect timing.”

“Not much time left then.”

“So prepare on your own during the remaining time. When the enemies attack, gather here.”

As if waiting for Kal’s words, the users competed to leave their spots.

Some to seek advice from acquaintances, some to brag on the community, others to finish preparing, and so on.

While everyone was moving busily, Kairen approached Kal and Daron.

“Will the village be okay if we leave?”

Just thirty-three people.

But they were the thirty-three who contributed most to the battle.

Though few in number, there would definitely be an impact if they left.

“Hmph! What choice do we have if it’s not okay! We’ll just become idiots who die to goblins!”

Despite his bold answer, his hands trembled.

“We’ll try to hold out somehow. So please do your best too.”

With a desperate voice, Daron firmly grasped Kairen’s hand.

The pathos felt in his voice made Kairen’s heart ache for no reason.

“Yes. We’ll definitely succeed. So please be careful too.”

“Thank you. Ah. And please take good care of Rookie too. He’s a very clever child. He’ll definitely be a big help.”

“I know Rookie’s abilities well. In fact, he’s the companion I trust most.”

He gently petted Rookie’s head as the dog came close and nuzzled him.

Woof! (Just trust me!)

A reliable answer came along with a tail spinning like a helicopter.

* * *

[The 2nd great army will begin shortly!]

“It’s starting!!”

“Everyone, move to positions!”

After a brief rest, the alarm sounded.

As users busily moved and climbed onto the wooden fence, the users gathered in the plaza and Kal also reacted quickly.

“Everyone push this to the left!”

Kal pointed to the goddess statue in the center of the plaza.

Creeeeak… Thud!

When all the users gathered and pushed with all their might, a dark passage hidden below became visible.

“Go! The path leads straight, so you won’t get lost.”

When Kal handed over a torch, the user who received it took the lead and walked.

The other users followed behind, and Kairen, who was going down last, glanced back before descending.

Kal, whose eyes met his, raised the corners of his mouth and waved his hand.

“Heh heh. Hurry and go. If you return safely, I’ll make you one good item.”

An affectionate side unlike Kal.

Kairen also smiled and nodded, then moved his steps.

Following the users who had walked ahead wasn’t too difficult.

As Kal said, the path was a single road, and the torch was visible even from far away in the dark passage.

Just as he began to join the users.

Roooooar!

Kill them!!

Kieeeeeek!

Roars and vibrations heard from overhead. Dirt fell, and everyone’s breathing stopped for a moment.

It was a signal that fierce battle had unfolded again.

The users gulped at the rising tension, and Yu Minseong, who ranked 2nd in contribution and was a famous streamer, stepped up like a leader.

“Let’s move quickly. If the village falls, we’ll likely be screwed too.”

At Yu Minseong’s words, the users’ steps quickened.

After walking for 15 minutes covered in dust.

A dead-end wall appeared along with a ladder.

At the same time, the users hesitated and looked at each other.

They knew too.

That they had to climb the ladder from here.

And they didn’t want to be the one to do it.

Who knows what’s up there, why would they take the risk?

What if they poke their head out and see a goblin?

Or what if there’s a trap?

Unable to do anything, they would be slaughtered on the spot.

Having barely been selected for this ambush operation and made it this far, no one wanted to die so futilely.

After dozens of seconds of everyone hesitating and watching each other.

Kairen, who couldn’t stand it any longer, stepped forward.

“I’ll go up first. I’ll signal when it’s safe.”

“Would you do that?”

“Thank you.”

“As expected, Kairen! You’re so reliable!”

Good grief. Snorting at the users’ praise, Kairen spoke to Garuda, who was circling the sky above the underground passage in the distance.

(Garuda. You’re following well, right?)

(Yes. I’m following from above you, Kairen.)

(Then, can you see any monsters near the surface where we are now?)

(Just a moment… No. I don’t see any at all. However, the trees are dense so my vision isn’t perfect.)

At Garuda’s answer, Kairen, who was about to climb the ladder, stopped abruptly.

“What? Why are you just standing there when you said you’d go up?”

“Did he get scared?”

Seeing Kairen like that, small snickers erupted from behind, and Kairen turned around.

The users who had snickered flinched for a moment, but Kairen wasn’t calling them—he called Rookie.

“Rookie. Get on my back.”

Woof! (Great!)

“Huh? A puppy?”

“Why the dog?”

Everyone around was confused by the sudden action, but before they could respond, Kairen carried Rookie on his back and climbed the ladder.

“Rookie. Do you smell anything strange outside?”

Kairen whispered quietly after climbing to the end of the ladder.

(Just a moment… Sniff sniff. No! I don’t smell anything! Just grass and wind! And the scent of sunlight!)

The scent of wind and sunlight.

Reassured by the rather poetic answer, Kairen pushed open the exit.

The users below were startled by his bold action, but Kairen quickly looked around and gestured below.

“There’s nothing here. Everyone come up.”

“Wow. What courage.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

The users clicked their tongues in admiration as they climbed the ladder, and the viewers watching Yu Minseong’s stream also burst into admiration.

─What is this, some kind of bathhouse? It reeks of macho men in here lololol

─No way, how is that guy actually a newbie lololol

─ Hahaha the force is insane

─Such a contrast with the coward party leader, right?

─The room leader who got scared for a moment and went silent is so funny lololol

“Downvote…”

Muttering quietly, Yu Minseong also climbed the ladder.

“Where are we?”

“Seems like the middle of the forest…”

“Then, from here on…”

Everyone’s gaze focused on Rookie, who was still on Kairen’s back.

[It’s so cozy! I really love piggyback rides! I want to stay like this forever! But I still have work to do!]

Rookie, who had been smiling at the coziness felt from the broad back, jumped down energetically.

[Wait a moment. Let me sniff around.]

Rookie moved his head vigorously and sniffed around.

After running around in all directions checking scents, Rookie soon barked loudly.

Woof! (Found it!! This way!!)

The other users couldn’t understand Rookie’s words, but they instinctively knew.

That Rookie had found the target.

“Wait a moment!”

Then, Yu Minseong drew everyone’s attention and stepped forward.

“Ahem! As you all know, this mission is an ‘opportunity’ given to us. Only one person will get to deal the final blow to the Goblin Lord.”

Clearing his throat, he gave an awkward smile.

“Still, I wanted to say we should play cooperatively as much as possible. Isn’t it better for at least one person to succeed rather than everyone failing?”

─Hahahaha cooperation? What’s that? Is it something you eat?

─When someone succeeds, aren’t those people over there the most jealous? But cooperation? lololol

─Was our room leader a dog too? Suddenly spouting bullshit ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

─Forget cooperation, it’s obvious this is going to be a total shitshow lol

─Who would believe that kind of bullshit in this situation lololol

Negative opinions rapidly appearing in the chat.

The users actually present didn’t readily believe Yu Minseong’s words either.

Yu Minseong hadn’t spoken from honest feelings either.

It was just profitable if even one person believed these words.

It would be nice if someone played naively.

It was empty words spoken with such intentions.

“Yes. I understand. Then let’s hurry and go.”

While everyone was hiding their true thoughts and awkwardly making eye contact, Kairen nodded and pointed ahead.

Rookie, who had walked some distance away, turned his head and was waiting for them.

* * *

How long had they walked?

The forest they had entered deep into following Rookie was gloomy.

The dense forest barely let in sunlight, and the wind full of moisture was unpleasant just to touch.

The soil underfoot was damp and slippery, and the fishy smell lingering at their noses created an inexplicable sense of unease.

Perhaps because of that atmosphere.

Even the sounds of insects and bird chirping sounded like a requiem.

“Damn… The atmosphere is fucking terrible.”

“H-how much further do we have to go?”

“Are we even going the right way?”

The users, properly consumed by the forest’s aura, hunched their bodies completely.

There were times when their impatience reached its peak and they exchanged sharp glares with each other.

“Is this damn dog really trustworthy?”

“Who knows. Maybe this damn dog is actually on the goblins’ side.”

Just when distrust toward Rookie was beginning to emerge.

Rookie stopped in his tracks.

Woof woof! (Here! They’re nearby!)

And with a grim expression, he barked with chilling sharpness.

At the same time, his tail shot up and his eyes turned menacing.

Everyone felt it from his heightened reaction.

That Rookie was sending a powerful warning right now.

“Everyone prepare for battle! Engage in combat the moment you spot them!”

Yu Minseong reacted swiftly, drawing his blade.

Not to be outdone, the other users also gripped their respective weapons and scanned their surroundings.

Where? Where are they?

The users held their breath and looked around frantically in terror.

Kairen also gripped his bow and arrow with sweaty hands.

As he surveyed the area amid the taut tension like a drawn bowstring.

Woof!! (Everyone get away from the center!)

(Be careful!!)

The urgent warnings from Rookie and Garuda brushed past their ears.

BOOOOOOM!

The forest center erupted upward as if torn apart with a massive explosion, and a fierce shockwave swept over them.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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