Shi Hanfeng swung the Wufeng Sword in his hand, his gaze locking onto the enemy gradually materializing on the open ground ahead.
A high-level form encountered by the Goblin Slayer in the original… and it’s here already?
The air twisted under an invisible force, and a mass of filth and unsettling light flickered a few times before a figure solidified completely.
A Goblin—one that didn’t quite look like a Goblin—appeared before him.
It was nearly twice as tall as its green-skinned kin, resembling a sturdy human at first glance, though its ugly features and dim-witted eyes still bore traces of Goblin origins.
Its equipment, however, was impressive—a Black Full Plate, a spiked Bullhorn Helm, a Triangular Iron-Wood Shield, and an Ornate Longsword that didn’t match the rest of its style at all.
“Ugh~ Ah!”
The Goblin Paladin let out a muffled, intermittent roar from beneath its helmet, as if reciting a creed it didn’t quite understand.
It struck its shield with its longsword, producing a dull clang, then charged forward with heavy steps.
Shi Hanfeng shifted his footing lightly—his armor was different from the opponent’s; weightless, it didn’t hinder his speed at all.
The opponent’s Ornate Longsword crashed into the spot he’d just vacated, sending shards of stone flying.
At the same time, that shield remained firmly positioned in front of it.
“Strength is decent. The defensive stance is well-formed,”
Shi Hanfeng quickly evaluated in his mind.
He probed with a thrust of the Wufeng Sword, but it was blocked by the black shield with a heavy thud.
“But too slow. And far too reliant on that shield.”
In the next exchange, Shi Hanfeng changed tactics.
Their physical abilities were similar, except the opponent was slower.
He didn’t seek a decisive blow, but moved like a patient hunter, leveraging his superior speed and agility to strike from all angles with probing attacks.
The Wufeng Sword sometimes tested the shield’s strength, sometimes struck at vulnerable joints in the armor—exposed leg, side, or underarms during movement.
It had been a while since he’d faced an opponent close to his own strength—good for practice.
The Goblin Paladin, by contrast, was forced onto the defensive.
It moved its shield desperately to block attacks, countering sporadically with its longsword.
But to Shi Hanfeng, its movements were stiff and slow; by the time the shield arrived, his sword had already shifted direction.
Soon, the black armor and shield were marred with white scratches and shallow dents.
“So this is a Paladin?”
Shi Hanfeng was a bit disappointed.
“This is a high-level Goblin, second only to the Goblin Demon General and Goblin Demon God? Lacking flexibility—a fool through and through.”
He soon accepted it.
After all, Goblin base stats were what they were.
No matter how much a god forcibly promoted one to Paladin, their essence remained unchanged.
In terms of real combat strength, they were still weaker than the Trolls serving the Demon General in season one.
In the original, when fighting Goblin Slayer one-on-one, the Paladin would have lost if not for an equipment advantage.
A heavy-armored Paladin defeated by a thief-specialized Goblin Slayer—hardly a strong showing.
The reason so many Adventurers fell to them was simply because career Adventurers in this world invested only in offense, neglected defense, had average constitutions, and were prone to Goblin group tactics and traps—there were always unlucky victims.
An Elite Unit with both sword and shield, able to hold ground while other Goblins harassed, could easily overwhelm a glass-cannon Adventurer party.
At that moment, the Goblin Paladin seemed completely enraged by this fly-like fighting style.
It let out a wild roar.
A faint, dark glow flashed along the blade of its Ornate Longsword, and with a powerful shove, it tried to bash Shi Hanfeng aside with its shield, creating space for its next attack.
Clang — Crack.
This time, the clash didn’t produce a heavy thud but the sharp ring of metal breaking.
Shi Hanfeng felt a sudden lightness in his hand.
The Wufeng Sword, which had accompanied him for so long, was sheared clean in two—the forward half spinning away and clattering to the ground.
“Hm, I forgot this sword was actually pretty sharp.”
Shi Hanfeng looked at the half-broken blade in his hand.
“Gurururu…hahaha!”
The Goblin Paladin gave a low, triumphant laugh from beneath its helmet, crimson eyes gleaming with victory.
It believed its opponent’s weapon destroyed, the battle decided.
Immediately, it pressed the attack.
The Ornate Longsword flashed like a venomous snake, thrusting repeatedly from behind its sturdy shield, its assault suddenly fierce.
Shi Hanfeng clicked his tongue.
Even as the attacks rained down, he stayed calm, lifting his armored left arm to block.
He deflected a thrust aimed at his face, sparks flying, while another slash raked his chestplate, trailing more sparks.
The [Life Shield] covering his body shuddered violently before shattering like broken glass with a resounding crash.
Sparks flew from the armor on his arm as the [Life Shield]—granted by the [Sanctified Order Cuirass]—disintegrated.
But in that instant, a warm surge swept through his limbs, quickly dispelling the numbness from blocking.
The shield’s break triggered a stamina recovery effect.
Meanwhile, the Goblin Paladin, in its desperation, overcommitted to the attack, and for the first time, left a fleeting gap in its shield defense.
“A weakness, fleeting but fatal!”
Shi Hanfeng uttered a low cry.
His right fist clenched, his body tensed like a drawn bow.
He launched a hook punch that curved around the edge of the shield, slamming squarely into the Goblin Paladin’s helmeted face.
After all, he’d practiced basic boxing for ten years.
Don’t underestimate the humble bread roll.
A dull thud, accompanied by the faint crack of bone.
The Goblin Paladin’s triumphant laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by a muffled groan of pain.
Its body reeled backward several steps, head buzzing.
Seizing the moment, Shi Hanfeng retreated half a step, widening the distance.
He raised his right hand, looking at the half-broken Wufeng Sword, and tilted his head.
“What a shame,”
He sounded regretful.
This weapon had accompanied him since his arrival, and he’d hoped to keep it as a memento.
With a casual flick, he tossed the broken sword aside—it hit the ground with a clang.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he reached into the air beside him.
The next moment, a brand-new longsword was drawn from his [Backpack Space].
This sword was clearly of superior make, its blade gleaming with cold metal and a faint sheen of light.
As a competent gamer—especially a hoarder mouse—how could Shi Hanfeng not prepare spare weapons?
Earlier, when opening [Wooden Treasure Chests] in the nest, most loot was junk, but he’d still collected a few usable pieces.
He’d just grown used to the Wufeng Sword’s feel.
It was more than enough for dealing with Goblin fodder, so he hadn’t bothered to switch.
Now was the perfect time.
He gave the sword a casual flourish, adjusting to the new weight and balance, before shifting his gaze back to the Goblin Paladin, just now recovering from the heavy punch.
“Wouldn’t it be better to just die quietly beneath the sword?”
“Why struggle?”
“……”
The Goblin Paladin froze in place.
It stared at the clearly superior longsword in the enemy’s hand, then at the broken blade discarded on the ground, finally reaching up to touch its still-aching face.
Even a fool could understand.
This tin can!
He had a better weapon all along!
He’d been fighting with a broken piece of junk for fun!
And after breaking it, he even punched me!
“ROAAAAARRR –!!!!”
A wave of humiliation and fury overwhelmed the Goblin Paladin’s already feeble sanity.
It unleashed a deafening roar, louder and more frenzied than ever.
Thick darkness erupted from the gaps in its armor like boiling ink, surging out with a corrupt stench unique to the Goblin god, engulfing its entire body.
The sticky blackness pulsed with evil power, muscles bulging, crimson eyes blazing—so intense they seemed to bleed!
This was its final trump card—a heretical god’s buff that burned life in exchange for a moment of overwhelming power!
Its greatest weapon as a ‘Paladin’!
“ROAR –!!”
It roared again, its aura rising to destructive heights, on the verge of total berserk.
“Quiet.”
But just as the dark power neared its peak, Shi Hanfeng interrupted its charge.
He raised his hand and pointed.
“Wish of Burial.”
Emerald light formed into branches, surging over the transforming Goblin Paladin like a tide.
The Goblin Paladin’s savage roar caught in its throat.
For the first time, disbelief appeared in its crimson eyes!
The seething darkness within it—on the verge of bursting free—collapsed the moment it touched those branches.
Like ice melting under the sun, it was consumed at terrifying speed.
In a blink, the powerful black energy that had enveloped it vanished completely.
The tide of strength within its body receded, replaced by a crushing weakness—as if that force had never existed.
Great power always comes with risk.
This forcibly dispelled buff, stripped of its benefits, left only backlash.
Stupid thing.
Shi Hanfeng curled his lips under his helmet.
He’d always used Wish of Burial as an area-clear skill, but the description was clear—the core, highest-priority effect was dispel.
The area damage was just an added bonus.
He could forgive the skill’s lack of presence in-game, but for a boss whose trump card was a god’s blessing, it was only right to let it taste the bitterness of reality.
“Now,”
Shi Hanfeng twisted his wrist, the longsword slicing through the air with a crisp hum.
“It’s my turn.”
Without the blessing of dark power, and suffering backlash, the Goblin Paladin became helpless prey.
It tried to raise its shield, but its movements were slow and weak.
Shi Hanfeng didn’t give it the chance.
He stepped forward, his sword flashing like a stream of light, targeting the joint at the shield-wielding arm.
Clang!
Clang!
Crack!
Repeated blows landed on the same spot.
The force numbed the Goblin Paladin’s arm.
Finally, with a decisive thrust at the shield’s weak joint, a sharp crack rang out.
The Goblin Paladin lost its grip, and the shield flew from its hand.
Its last defense gone, the Goblin Paladin was utterly exposed.
It tried to block with its longsword in terror, but left itself open.
Shi Hanfeng slid past its panicked counter, his green longsword slashing upward.
Swoosh!
The blade flashed.
The Goblin Paladin’s right wrist was severed cleanly, and the Ornate Enchanted Longsword clattered to the floor.
It looked down at its empty hands, then up at the metal knight radiating cold killing intent.
Its crimson eyes filled with primal fear.
It wanted to run, but its weakened body wouldn’t respond.
Shi Hanfeng gave it no mercy.
He stepped forward and drove the sword through its skull.
“Uh……”
The Goblin Paladin froze, the red light in its eyes fading fast.
Shi Hanfeng withdrew his blade.
The Goblin Paladin’s corpse toppled heavily to the ground with a dull thud and lay still.
[Defeated Goblin Paladin x1]
[Challenge Complete! Gained 5000 Destiny Points, 200 Fate Experience]
A cold, familiar notification echoed in his mind.
“Not bad. I can level up as soon as I get back.”
Shi Hanfeng whistled, satisfied with the extra reward.
Almost simultaneously, the Flamboyant Notification Box popped up, flashing arrogantly:
[Hahaha, as expected, a Paladin should be paired with a Saint! (★ω★)]
[…Huh? Wait…there seems to be an extra part that shouldn’t be there? (°-°”)]
[…Ew! Never mind never mind]
….”
Shi Hanfeng was puzzled at first, then recalled the armor’s original owner—and realized his gender didn’t match hers.
Combined with the notification box’s twisted sense of humor…
Goosebumps rose all over his skin, a chill running from his toes to his scalp.
This damned talent was definitely invaded by some trickster god!
At least the entity had some bottom line—he had no desire to become the Emerald Lady!
Sensing his resentment, the notification box flickered, then switched content.
[Acquired: Void Wancang Simulation (one-use) x1]
A new item icon appeared in his consciousness, along with detailed description.
[Void Wancang Simulation (one-use): A replica that can simulate the activation of any ‘Divine Key’ or its core ability once, with no cost. Effect depends on the simulated target.]
Shi Hanfeng’s attention was immediately captured.
He instinctively focused, checking his [Backpack Space].
Sure enough, in one corner, a golden, cube-shaped object lay quietly.
It resembled a Rubik’s Cube, its surface inscribed with countless tiny marks that flowed gently, as if containing infinite knowledge and possibility.
“Void Wancang…Divine Key…”
Shi Hanfeng muttered.
A thoughtful, meaningful smile appeared beneath his visor.
In an instant, he’d thought of the simulation target best suited to the situation—and most likely to ‘surprise’ a certain petty god.
Seems that one isn’t fond of this world’s gods either.
“Heh, interesting.”
He chuckled softly.
“But now isn’t the time to use it.”
You save your best steel for the edge of the blade.
This trial card had to be saved for the perfect moment.
He looked up, sweeping his gaze across the hall.
The Green Dice—symbol of the Goblin god—was nowhere to be seen, as if it had never existed.
All that remained were the bodies of Goblins and the scars of battle.
A silent testament to what had just occurred.
“Runs fast enough,”
Shi Hanfeng muttered, losing interest.
He walked to the cave’s corner.
There, the Golden-haired Nun remained unconscious.
Her pale face was troubled, but her breathing was steady.
Shi Hanfeng knelt, carefully lifting her onto his back.
The girl was light, her weight almost unnoticeable through the armor.
“Alright, time to go home.”
He adjusted his stance to keep her secure, then set off, carrying the spoils of this quest on his back and starting the journey back to Ximu Town.