The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

{Sofia’s POV}

Raye and I have been collecting alchemy ingredients for a while now.

And so far, we haven’t encountered any monsters or animals yet...

’Lucky.’

By now, I’m not wary of Raye anymore.

The rumors around him might be bad, and they probably exist for a reason...

But for now, at least...

’He has no intention of doing something bad.’

All he’s done so far is collect things not far away from me. He only approached me to hand over the ingredients he found.

’He probably noticed that I’m uncomfortable near him and is intentionally giving me space.’

And I really appreciate him for that.

Looking at Raye...

-Meep!

I saw him resting, playing with Pyro.

He doesn’t really look like a bad guy now, especially with a cute slime beside him.

Anyway...

"I’m gonna go a bit deeper into the forest."

I said that to him.

"Be careful. Don’t go far."

Then Raye casually responded, looking at me with serious eyes.

At his words...

"Noted."

I replied and nodded my head.

’Raye has already contributed a lot. I need to do something too.’

I thought to myself.

Raye has been finding high quality ingredients non-stop since the start of the activity.

On the other, all I found were basic herbal plants...

’If things go on like this, Raye would just carry me to success.’

And I don’t like that, I’ll be embarrassed if I let that happen.

So with that...

"Here I go."

I dove deeper into the forest to find good quality alchemy ingredients.

*****

After a few minutes of foraging alone...

"These should be enough."

I had collected enough ingredients to match Raye’s contribution.

I stood up and stored them in the small bag Professor Jacqueline handed us at the start of the activity.

Then looking around...

"..."

It creeped me out of how silent it was.

All I could hear was the rustling leaves—no animals or whatsoever.

’Creepy.’

It was kind of dark too, with the tall trees blocking most of the sunlight.

"I should probably go back."

I mumbled to myself, feeling nervous.

I turned back to where I came from...

Tap- tap- tap-

Then I started walking quietly.

Though, as I was doing so...

Rustle- rustle- rustle-

"!!!"

I heard movements not far from me.

This made me even more nervous and my heart started racing rapidly.

I stopped in my tracks and turned toward the sound.

And there...

"..."

I saw nothing.

Though, my instinct is still screaming at me, telling me to hide!

"Just to be safe... "

So following that feeling, I quietly walked and hid behind a big tree.

And literally only after a few moments of doing so...

-Grrrr...

A disgusting green goblin emerged from where I had heard the noise.

"!?"

I held my breath at the sight of it.

’I’m in trouble...’

I thought.

Goblins are small, only about the size of a child. They’re not very strong—I could probably defeat one.

But the problem is...

’Goblins always travel in groups!’

They cover for their weaknesses with sheer numbers!

And sure enough...

-Graa...

-Gruuu!

-Grahhhh...

A few more goblins appeared after the first one!

It didn’t stop there.

One, two, three, four...

Their numbers kept growing.

And within a few minutes...

...

...

’Oh no...’

There were over a hundred of them now!

-Grrr...

-Kieeeee!

-Graaah!

Luckily, they all just passed by my hiding spot.

They were probably roaming around, searching for a new settlement.

But they were heading toward the safe part of the forest, where civilians hunt and forage...

If they reached that area, it could endanger the lives of the normal people that lives within the Zion Academy!

’I need to tell Professor Jacqueline.’

I thought.

But just then...

-GRAAAHHHH!!!

I heard an ear-deafening scream behind me!

And immediately turning around to look at the source of it...

"...!"

I saw a goblin, its wooden club raised high, staring straight at me!

I’d been spotted!

-GRAAHHH!!!

It charged at me!

Fear and panic took over.

My legs froze—I couldn’t move.

-GAAAAH!!!

The goblin then leaped toward me with his weapon in hand.

And in fear...

"..."

I instinctively closed my eyes.

"Help..."

I whispered under my breath.

And soon...

Bam!

I heard a loud noise in front of me.

"..."

"Huh?"

The goblin’s attack didn’t hit me though.

Confused, I slowly opened my eyes...

"Ah..."

And there, I saw someone very dear to me.

Fierce red eyes that always looked angry, messy long silver hair, and a strong, well-trained body that bulged against his uniform...

His broad back really looked so strong and dependable.

"Sofia, are you okay?!"

It was none other than Lycus, my childhood friend.

He really always shows up whenever I’m in trouble...

Seeing him here, I became glad.

A smile rested on my face...

"Lycus!"

Then I called out to him, jumping into his arms and burying my face in his chest.

"Wha..."

Caught off guard, he nearly stumbled back.

"Hey, I’m sweaty."

He said.

But I didn’t care.

Instead...

"Thank you for saving me again."

I quietly said that to him.

And that’s just when I let go of him.

Then, with a soft, reassuring smile...

"I’ll always be there to save you."

Lycus declared that casually.

"..."

I was speechless.

My face grew hot, and my heart raced, now, not because of fear...

I was happy.

Though...

-GRAAAHHHH!!!

That moment didn’t last!

-GRRRRRAAAA!!!

All the goblins became aware of us because of that little goblin earlier!

And they all charged at us with murderous intent!

"Sofia, run and call for help."

Lycus said, turning his back to me.

"What about you?"

I asked.

"I’ll hold them here. I won’t let any of them come after you."

Then he replied.

Hearing his words...

"..."

I became worried.

Even though Lycus is strong, he can’t win alone against so many goblins.

But staying here wouldn’t help him.

’I’d only be a burden.’

I’m aware of that.

So biting my lower lip in frustration...

"Please stay safe. I’ll call for help!"

I shouted and ran toward the direction where Professor Jacqueline was supposed to be waiting.

’Someone... Please, help Lycus!’

I exclaimed in my head as I ran.

*****

{Lycus’s POV}

"..."

Watching Sofia disappear from my sight...

"Stay safe."

I gently muttered that.

Then I turned to face the goblin army.

-GRAAAHHHH!!!

-Grrrr...

They didn’t attack right away, clearly wary of me.

Looking at their numbers...

"Ugh."

I groaned.

I already know that this would be a pain in the ass.

Then, in the back...

"Huh?"

I noticed some goblins loading bows and crossbows!

Realizing that they wouldn’t hold a candle against me in close combat, they decided to attack me from afar!

Seeing this...

"Like I would let you do that."

Bam!

I rushed toward their army myself.

And after reaching the goblin at the very front...

-Gra...?

SLASH—!

I cut it in half with the sharpened claws on my right hand.

"Let’s get this started, you shitheads."