Chapter 14: The Can Opener and the Girl

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Wang Xi’s eyes widened, nearly cursing aloud.

That goblin was even more burly than Captain Ridge; and you tell me this is “weak”?

Just turned eighteen, afraid of cave violence, huh?

There was no time to notch the crossbow, as the hulking goblin had already raised the wooden club in its hands.

“Ah—”

Godaril, who had fallen before it, opened her beautiful eyes wide, her pale face full of terror.

The girl was about to die on the spot.

Wang Xi sprang out from behind a tree at lightning speed, drew his longsword, and swung it toward the goblin’s green head.

The strike was swift and fierce, aimed to split the creature open and taste victory.

—Thud!!

A muffled sound echoed.

Wood chips flew as Wang Xi’s strike was firmly blocked by the goblin’s wooden club. The longsword bit deep into the wood, stuck fast and immovable.

The goblin was highly alert, raising its club just in time to block the deadly blow.

“Roar!”

It let out a low growl, spun violently, and swung Wang Xi up into the air.

The opponent’s strength was like a bull; seeing his sneak attack fail and losing balance, Wang Xi decisively let go and abandoned his sword.

The longsword remained wedged in the goblin’s club as Wang Xi flew several meters away.

Clomp, clomp, clomp!

He staggered backward a few steps before regaining his footing.

Looking up, he saw the goblin striding toward him, raising its club to smash down!

‘Is this really a goblin?!’

Wang Xi dodged aside; the club crashed into the ground with a thunderous boom, sending mud splattering everywhere.

The gust stung his face, making his eyelids twitch.

‘Such brute strength and stance—are you sure this isn’t a green-skinned orc?!’

He thought wryly, drawing a dagger from his waist and delivering several lightning-fast stabs at the big guy.

The gleaming blade flashed, but struck the goblin’s chest, abdomen, and ribs only to bounce off repeatedly.

Clang clang clang clang!!

His palm went numb; his face shifted.

Though rusted and battered, the goblin’s heavy plate armor was still thick and tough. Inside, there seemed to be a layer of chainmail.

He decided to close in, stabbing toward the goblin’s throat.

But the giant reacted quickly, raising a thick arm to block, covering its face, and charged.

Boom!!

Wang Xi felt as if hit by a charging bull; his chest tightened and he was thrown back.

He rolled several times upon landing but quickly got up, as if unharmed.

At some point, he was wearing a deep blue cloak, though its front was covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

—“Blueberry Candy Coating”

At a critical moment, Wang Xi had used this card.

Thanks to the coating’s protection, he avoided fractures and internal injuries, suffering only chest tightness and pain.

Crack!

The blue cloak shattered into sparkling dust, dispersing into the air with a rich scent of blueberries.

Thud thud thud!

The timid goblin bared a grimacing smile and chased after him, club raised again.

It seemed intent on smashing the human flat to savor fresh blood and innards. Unlike the cowardly goblins in the cave who preferred fruits and vegetables, this one craved meat!

Wang Xi stared at the charging green giant, eyes scanning its heavy armor, then took a deep breath.

‘Conventional means won’t break its defense!’

He gritted his teeth.

‘Then let’s try this—’

Wang Xi pulled out a card.

A flash of white light—

In his hand appeared a long, vicious chainsaw.

“Today, I’m gonna open this green can!”

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He yanked the chain.

The chainsaw roared to life.

At the same time, the goblin’s club swung horizontally, producing a terrifying whistle.

Wang Xi’s face remained calm; with agile movements, he dodged aside. In the moment of crossing paths, his gaze hardened, and he swung the chainsaw—

Ssssss!!

The high-speed blade bit into the goblin’s thick right arm, sparks flying a meter away.

The heavy arm armor only lasted half a second before the “Cupid Chainsaw” sliced through it, cutting cleanly through the chainmail and flesh beneath!

Dark green blood sprayed.

The wooden club dropped to the ground.

“Roar!!”

The big goblin howled in pain.

Wang Xi swung the chainsaw again, delivering a heavy vertical slash to its chest.

Ssssss!!

Sparks flew, green blood gushed.

The “Cupid Chainsaw” was a versatile tool designed for clearing obstacles and corpses, crafted with patented gear technology and special alloys by the Gear Consortium. It could cut through solid steel as thick as a leg, let alone this armored green can!

In just two seconds!

The massive goblin in front of Wang Xi was sawed in half!

“Target eliminated!”

“Capture ability of ‘Weak Goblin’—yes or no?”

“Yes!”

Wang Xi, breathing heavily, watched the grotesque split corpse and quietly put away the chainsaw.

A green light flew out from the goblin’s body and entered his forehead.

Soon, the goblin corpse began to rapidly shrivel and blacken, curling up.

Then, with a pop, a plump green mushroom the size of a dragon fruit sprouted from it.

Wang Xi bent down, plucked it, and slipped it into the rift in his mind, avoiding the girl’s gaze.

“Energy: 300”

This goblin mushroom held even more energy!

Wang Xi felt a secret thrill.

But now was not the time to draw cards.

He first pulled his longsword from the club, sheathed it, then, covered in dark green, foul-smelling blood, approached Godaril.

“Gai!”

Godaril could no longer hold back; her eyes reddened as she ran to the young man and hugged him tightly.

“I thought I’d never see you again!”

“...”

Wang Xi sighed inwardly at her tight embrace.

Godaril had just been on the brink of death; she must be terrified and helpless. He couldn’t bring himself to push her away roughly.

“It’s okay now,” he comforted, gently patting her back. “The monster is dead.”

Godaril sobbed a moment, then nodded.

She glanced at the monster’s corpse, then turned her bloodstained face back to Wang Xi, her pure yet reddened eyes fixed on him.

Gratitude and admiration shone in her gaze.

“How did you end up here?”

Wang Xi ignored her burning look and asked.

“And where does the blood on you come from?”

“I...” Godaril bit her lip. “I’ve actually been secretly following you since you left the Earl’s Castle this morning.”

“I saw you defeat those Lendor guards and run into the woods. But I worried they’d catch up once they woke, so...”

“You killed them?!”

Wang Xi frowned, surprised.

He had no deep grudge with the guards; he simply wanted to escape Lendor, so he only knocked them unconscious.

Godaril was startled.

Fearing Wang Xi’s anger, she gripped his arm tightly, shaking her head desperately.

“No! I didn’t kill them...”

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Godaril explained anxiously.

“I did think about it, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I only stabbed their legs with my dagger so they couldn’t chase you... Gai, please forgive me? I—I don’t want to lose you!”

The girl was extremely nervous, trembling as she pulled out a dagger from her waist, as if to prove something to Wang Xi.

“I’m not as weak as you think! A few years ago, when bandits killed my father and mother, I stabbed one right through the throat with this very dagger!”

“Don’t leave me behind, Gai. I have no family left in Lendor...”

Wang Xi was taken aback.

Godaril had really considered killing those guards for his sake! Though she only wounded their legs, it was still a kind of proof!

This girl could never return to Lendor.

Otherwise, she would face the gallows! Even if Lord Barto showed mercy, it would mean branding and forced labor.

Seeing her helpless expression, Wang Xi finally softened.

After opening his mouth several times, he settled on a single sentence:

“Come with me first; it’s not safe here.”

There were goblins nearby, and Lendor’s pursuers could arrive at any moment.

He helped the surprised Godaril up and quickly entered the forest ahead.

...

...

The two ran through the woods for a long time.

Only when Godaril was utterly exhausted and could run no more did Wang Xi find a somewhat secluded clearing to rest.

He was also panting slightly.

After fighting and using the candy coating magic, he had fled nonstop. Even with the “Elite Soldier” skill, fatigue was setting in.

He opened his leather water pouch and handed it to her.

“Drink some water, take small sips so you don’t choke.”

“Thank you.”

Godaril took the pouch, wiped sweat, and drank a small mouthful. Whether from the long run or Wang Xi’s thoughtfulness, her cheeks blushed.

“Gai, you should drink too.”

The girl dared not drink much and gave the pouch back.

Wang Xi nodded, took a few sips, then stored it away properly.

Godaril noticed he didn’t wipe the spout, feeling a sweet warmth inside—it meant Gai didn’t mind her.

In truth, Wang Xi didn’t care much.

His full attention was on his mind.

In the dark rift of Kaers, inside the card pool for the two-star monster “Timid Goblin,” a green light orb floated.

‘This is definitely a green card!’

Wang Xi felt hopeful.

For some reason, he turned to Godaril and asked:

“Aren’t you curious about the magic I just used to kill the monster?”

“Of course I am.” The girl rested her chin on her hands, smiling but shaking her head hesitantly. “But I feel it’s your secret... Gai, that’s magic, right? I often heard bards at Chuck Castle talk about stories like this.”

Magic...

Wang Xi thought that was a good reason.

“Yeah, it’s magic,” he said softly.

Not to deceive deliberately, but the card’s origin was hard to explain and would expose his secret.

A well-meaning lie.

“Gai, though I don’t know why you can use magic, I think... maybe this is fate.”

“The curse on you will definitely be lifted.”

“Mm.”

Wang Xi smiled.

Then he took a deep breath and silently said in his heart:

“Draw!”

In his mind, the green light suddenly blazed—

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