48-48 Piling Knoll (2/2)

As I was thinking about this, I was approached by another worker.

”Noor, tell us about it again during the break.

”The goblin story?　Yeah, that's good. But I can only tell you the usual stories.

Yeah, I know. I mean, it's always the same. Well, I'll tell everybody else.

And with that, he went back to work.

He's the guy I usually hang out with during my lunch breaks.

It's always fun for me to take a break to talk about something trivial, but lately we've been talking not only about small talk, but also about the demons I know as an adventurer.

It's not that I'm an experienced adventurer, but...

There are plenty of breaks.

Most of the time, there's nothing else to do but eat, and everyone seems to be bored.

Mostly I talk about goblins.

I have also talked about poisonous frogs, but for some reason, when I talk about delicious foodstuffs, people ask me to stop, so I naturally talk more about that.

That's because I don't have that many stories to tell.

When I talk about goblins, people look at me a little strangely, but I suppose it can't be helped.

It is rare in this kingdom to see goblins except for professional adventurers and those who have actually been affected by them, and the majority of people have never seen a real one.

This is why they want to hear your story.

I'm not sure.

The first time the goblin and I met, he suddenly appeared out of thin air. The next thing you know, there's a giant green body taller than a giant tree in a deep forest looking down on us. I thought I was going to die at that moment. I've never seen a creature that big before.

During the break, after lunch, I started to talk, and as usual, there was laughter.

”Don't be silly, goblins can't be that big!

And then there was the usual chuckle.

It's understandable... if you've never seen one before, you'd think so.

That's what I thought, too.

However, people around here have heard the same story many times before, and know what's going to happen next.

It seems that they are just having fun with it.

Everyone knows this, so I just keep talking.

”Yeah. That's what I thought, too... and then he pulls out this huge tree with one hand and holds it up. One in each hand. And he swings it around like it's a twig.

Goblins?

Yeah, the goblin.

That's where the laughs come.

The laughs are usually at the same point every time.

They enjoy listening to me, but many of them don't believe me.

Apparently, they think that I made up the story to entertain them.

I think it's because I'm exaggerating a bit to make it more interesting.

Nevertheless, everyone seemed to enjoy listening to me, and I couldn't help but smile.

I continue my story.

”And he's terribly fast. I've heard that goblins are fast creatures, but they can slip through a giant tree in the blink of an eye and be upon you in a flash. They would then pick up the trees in the forest and throw all the fallen wood they could find at you.

”Holy crap, a goblin could do that?

”Yeah, that's the one. I could barely hit it with the sword in my hand. If it weren't for my fellow silver-grade sorcerer, I would have died long ago. But he dodged through the huge storm of icicles that my companion was shooting out, and still came at me. It was a terrifying experience, even now. I don't know how I made it out alive.

Again, laughter ensued.

”Did you use your sword to hit the tree that was thrown at you?　That's amazing.

”Well, Noor would have done it.

And so the laughter began again among my colleagues.

As for me, I'm just telling the truth, but they can't believe it, I guess.

Well, I don't expect them to believe me.

But I do understand the feeling of incredulity.

I wouldn't have believed it either, until I saw a real goblin.

”Well, leaving aside the question of why such a great guy is working on a construction site with us... 'Silver Class'. That's awesome. Silver class adventurers have a hard time with goblins.

”Yeah, she had trouble with them, too. She had a lot of talent and knowledge, but not much experience. When she first met the goblin, she was surprised.

So, when I pulled out the huge magic stone that was buried in the goblin's head, it stopped moving?

Yeah, I didn't think it had a weakness like that. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I don't even want to see him for a while.

That's right. If that's the weakest demon in the world, I'd be too scared to go outside the city.

Yeah, you're right. Whenever you go out, you should be prepared to run away from the demons.

When I said that, everyone laughed.

It's funny how you can take a story about a goblin and turn it into something more.

No, it's true.　It's a little exaggerated, sure, but it's mostly true.

”Yeah, I know, I know. ...... That's what I'm asking, don't worry. It has a really strange rawness to it, and you have a talent for listening to it every day and never getting tired of it, don't you think?

I'm a little embarrassed to hear you say that.

I know I'm not a very good talker, but I like talking.

In this area, I think I have inherited my father's love of talking.

Of course, I can't speak as skillfully as my father, but I do know how to focus on a certain point and make it interesting.

I have always enjoyed listening to stories, so I think I understand the feelings of listeners.

It wasn't long after I joined the project that I started talking to people in this way.

And before I knew it, the other nicknames I got were ”whiner” and ”poet”.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to say.

The day's work was over, and it was time for everyone to leave.

”See you tomorrow, pile-driver. Tell me another funny story.

Yeah. But I don't have a lot of stories.

I know. Well, the same story is a good way to pass the time. Your stories are ridiculous, but they're interesting to listen to.

If I heard the same story every day, I'd remember it too. ...... By the way, I told your goblin story to my kids yesterday and they loved it.

I'm glad to hear it.

I'm glad to hear that.” This man, whom I see every day, learned my story and told it to my children.

He liked the part about the big goblin. After the story, they immediately started playing giant goblin, tearing up the house and making my wife very angry. She said she'd like to come and listen to your story next time.

”Oh, by all means do. I'd love to. Should I prepare a different story for you?

Oh, that would be great. ...... Oh, but I'm sorry, no more stories about poisonous frogs, snakes or mushrooms, okay?　If the kids try to copy them, we'll be in big trouble.

That's also true. ...... Then I'll think of another story. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　It's a story about how I almost died because I had to fight him alone.

The man I knew laughed in amusement when I told him this story.

Haha!　That's good. That sounds like the kind of thing you'd enjoy the most. Go that route.

”No, ......, I'm telling you, that really happened, too.　Make sure you tell the kids that, too.

Yeah, I know. Think of something interesting to say. I'm looking forward to it.

All right, I'll make sure I remember it.

I'll see you later.

Yeah, see you tomorrow.

And with that, I waved goodbye to the smiling faces, and my day's work was done.

I think I've worked hard today.

Let's stop by the bathhouse, then stop by some food stall to eat and go home.

Then, while training as usual, I was going to try to remember what happened when I faced the dragon so that I could talk about it....

”Dr. Noor!

When I turned around at the sound of a familiar voice, I saw someone running toward me with a familiar appearance.

It was...

”So you're here?

”Lean. It's been a while.

I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to you.

A question?

Yes. I'd like you to come with me to Mithra again... if it's all right with you, sir.