When the hero lifted his head, the sunlight pouring through the window hit his face.

  Morning had come.

  It was his first night spent in this summoned world.

  The guild hall was already full of adventurers.

  He stood up quickly and walked toward the quest board.

  It was covered in papers offering all kinds of jobs—

  Herb collection, animal hunting, or monster extermination.

  Just as he was about to grab an herb-gathering quest, another adventurer snatched it first.

  Now, only dangerous ones were left.

  The hero’s eyes locked onto one in particur: Goblin Cave Extermination.

  According to the paper, several humans—mostly women—were being held captive inside.

  The reason didn’t need to be expined.

  It also stated clearly:

  Only male adventurers may take this quest.

  Rescuing hostages is optional.

  Proof of extermination: Goblin ears.

  The hero walked to the reception counter.

  The cat-eared girl from yesterday was gone.

  In her pce stood a new girl with rabbit ears, and like the st, a metal colr wrapped tightly around her neck.

  “Good morning,” the hero said.

  “Welcome,” she responded gently. “How can I assist you?”

  “I’d like to take the goblin cave quest,” the hero said.

  “But... could you tell me more about goblins?”

  “Of course, sir,” she replied, opening an old book and reading softly:

  “Goblins are weak alone, but in groups, they can set traps or attack from a distance.

  They usually live together in caves.

  And… goblins only have one gender: male.

  To reproduce, they use other creatures… including humans.”

  Her voice trembled as she said the st part.

  The hero nodded, thanked her, and took the quest.

  Then he left the guild, wondering how to approach the cave.

  As he walked, he passed through massive stone walls surrounding the city.

  The foul air and filth of the slums faded, repced by the scent of trees and fresh grass.

  He followed the map he bought from the receptionist for three bronze coins.

  Soon, the forest opened, and he found the cave.

  ---

  He stood still.

  Two choices y before him:

  Enter the cave, py the hero, and probably die.

  Or… use his brain.

  He chose the second.

  He remembered something from his old world—

  How farmers flushed rats out of holes using smoke.

  That would work.

  He gathered enough wood and piled it near the cave entrance.

  Then began stacking medium-sized rocks around the sides.

  Once the stones reached his waist, he lit the wood with his old-world lighter.

  Fmes roared to life.

  The hero quickly kept adding rocks, building a makeshift wall.

  He used the remaining wood to strengthen the structure.

  Then he sat down under a nearby tree.

  Inside the cave, everything—goblins and humans alike—was choking in smoke.

  The hero began to cry, leaning his head back against the trunk.

  The sadness twisted inside him,

  But then, a wave of coughing overtook him.

  He couldn’t breathe.

  Gripping his chest, he fumbled into his bag, pulled out the small vial the priest had given him,

  and drank it all.

  His hands were shaking.

  His mouth tasted of blood and tears.

  He wiped them both away.

  He felt… slightly better.

  But he knew.

  He was dying.

  The gods had reminded him of that. Or maybe… it was just a coincidence.

  From the cave, screams echoed.

  The fire had grown rger.

  Smoke hissed through the gaps between the rocks.

  The goblins never made it to the entrance—

  A wall of fme blocked their escape.

  The hero watched anxiously, hoping nothing would break through.

  But his vision blurred.

  Sleep was pulling him down.

  Maybe it was the medicine.

  He tried to stay awake.

  He needed to wait for the fire to burn out.

  But eventually, he gave up.

  And fell asleep beneath the tree—

  while the cave burned behind him.