I am the Demon King of the Dungeon!

The continent of Ashu is located in the center of this world, surrounded by endless oceans.

The largest kingdom in the north is the Kingdom of Qada, which is covered in ice and snow all year round. Its capital, "Iron Fortress," is built at the foot of an active volcano, using geothermal heat for warmth. The Qada people are tall, bold, and renowned for their warriors and blacksmithing.

Their royal coat of arms is a snow bear.

The heart of the continent is the Golden Confederation, comprised of the city-states of Holy City, Silvermoon City, and Ironforge. The headquarters of the Dawn of Light Chapter is located in Holy City, the center of human faith and the site of the Golden Temple.

The eastern region is vast, with many unclaimed territories, most of which are managed by the Adventurers' Guild. Further south lies the Elf Kingdom, and Graystone Town happens to be located on the border.

Dungeons are scattered throughout the continent of Ashu, and many villages have been built close together due to the economic benefits brought by adventurers.

……

The Savage Mine is located at the foot of the mountain, three miles east of the town of Greystone. The entrance is a sloping crevice in the rock, with moss and unknown vines growing on both sides.

There was a notice board erected by the Adventurers' Guild next to it.

【Savage Mine - Excellent-level Dungeon】

Main monsters: Goblins, Goblin Warriors, Goblin Archers, Goblin Thieves, Goblin Shamans

Hidden Monster: Goblin Ji

Note: She appears cute, but is actually short-tempered and easily angered.

BOSS: Golden Slime

Recommended level: 25 or above

Note: The cave is damp; it is recommended to bring a torch.

"Excellent grade." Renn looked at the wooden plaque, curled his lip, and said, "It's far inferior to Dark Hemcas."

"Don't get too cocky," Oris said, already inside with a torch in hand. "Have you defeated the boss yet?"

"With Dick around this time, we're sure to pass!"

Ryan followed him in with great confidence.

Arthas walked at the very back, bent down to enter the crevice, and lingered on the signboard for a second longer.

Goblin Good?

He had never seen such a monster before.

The name sounds like a goblin variant, but the words "cute appearance" have nothing to do with goblins.

The face of an ordinary goblin, to put it nicely, is "distinctive," but to put it bluntly, it's "something you'd want to kick."

Arthas withdrew his gaze, bent down, and crawled inside.

……

The mine was spacious, but the damp air was uncomfortable. Water droplets clung to the walls, and moss covered the ground.

After walking about fifty steps, a "chirping" sound came from ahead, and three goblins rushed out from around the corner.

He had brown skin, a flat nose, a big mouth, and held a rusty dagger in his hand. He was less than Arthas's waist tall and ran like a toad walking upright.

"Here it comes!"

Raine drew his sword and charged forward.

The first goblin was cleaved in two by a single sword strike.

The second goblin turned to run away, but was kicked over.

The third goblin raised its dagger.

"clang."

Arthas parried the short sword from the side with his longsword, then with a flick of his wrist, the spine of the sword struck the goblin's head.

The goblin rolled his eyes and fainted.

"Keep one alive."

Arthas sheathed his sword.

"Why keep it?"

Renn scratched his head.

"Ask for directions."

"...Goblins can talk?"

"meeting."

Renn glanced at the goblin on the ground with its eyes rolling back, then at Arthas, and sheathed his sword.

Oris cautiously drew her bow and aimed it at the goblin.

"Don't be nervous." Arthas crouched down and patted the unconscious goblin's face. "Wake up."

The goblin hasn't woken up.

Alsace patted it again.

Still not awake.

"Let me do it." Renn squatted down, stretched out two fingers, and pinched the goblin's nose.

three seconds.

Five seconds.

ten seconds.

The goblin suddenly opened his eyes, his mouth wide open, and took several deep breaths. Then he saw three human faces close in front of him.

"Wow!!!"

The goblin let out a pig-like scream, kicking its limbs wildly as it tried to get up from the ground, but Raine held its shoulders down, and after struggling for a long time, it could only move less than an inch.

"Shut up."

Arthas attempted to communicate in goblin language.

"Dick..." Ryan seemed used to this strange turn of events, "How many languages ​​do you actually speak?"

"Don't you read?" Arthas replied casually, his gaze never leaving the goblin.

"Is this something you can learn just by reading books...?" Renn glanced at Oris, only to see her shake her head.

When the goblin heard Arthas speak goblin, he paused in his struggle, stared wide-eyed at the human who could speak goblin.

"Chirp chirp chirp? (Do you understand?)"

"Gurgle. (I understand.)" Arthas crouched down, looking the goblin in the eye. "Meow-giggle-giggle-gurgle-gurgle-gurgle? (Can you communicate with me properly?)"

The goblin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Gurgle. (Very good.)" Arthas pointed deeper into the passage. "(Karigumo Sashimi?) Which way is the Golden Slime?"

The goblin's lips twitched, his eyes darting around, clearly hesitant about whether to tell the truth.

"Chirp chirp... (in the very back...)"

"Mikaliha? (How far is it?)"

"Jili ha. (It's very far.)"

"Skagimi? (How many goblins are there?)"

The goblin's eyes darted around twice. First, it stretched out three fingers, then pulled one back, then stretched out two more, and finally made a "five".

Ryan leaned closer and asked, "What did it say?"

"It said there were over fifty goblins on the road," Arthas stood up. "And fifteen goblin warriors, seven goblin archers, and three goblin shamans."

"Over seventy in total?!" Renn gasped. "How long will that take?"

"So it has another suggestion." Arthas looked down at the goblin and asked, "Shiba, Ruhakashitumiyo? (Tell me, what is your suggestion?)"

The goblin got up from the ground, brushed off the dust and moss from its body, though the filthy rags were practically untouched by the brushing. It straightened its chest and looked at Arthas with an expression that said, "I am important."

"Jigudi Sa! Gulu Jiha, Kadi Duti Bika! (Go to the side! There's a shortcut, guarded by only a dozen or so goblins!)"

"Cough, dimiko? (Why are you helping me?)"

The goblin scratched his head, then his butt, and finally managed to stammer out, "Chirp...meetohagu... (Because...you didn't hit me...)"

Raine didn't understand, but seeing the goblin's shy expression, he chuckled, "Is it blushing?"

"More or less." Arthas turned and walked in the direction the goblin pointed. "Let's go, let's take the side road."

"You really believe it?" Oris put away her bow, but her hand did not leave the quiver.

"It didn't lie."

How did you know?

"Goblins' ears twitch when they lie," Arthas said without turning his head. "His ears didn't twitch."

Raine glanced back at the goblin's ear.

It definitely didn't shake.

"Really..." Renn quickly caught up with Arthas and asked, "How do you even know this?"

"Read a book."

"What book would describe goblins lying with their ears twitching?"

"Goblin Behavior".

"...There are books like this?"

"The Adventurers' Guild Library has it."

suddenly.

A soft, weak cry came from deep within the passage.

The three people stopped at the same time.

Ahead, there's a... little dog crouching down?

No, it's not a puppy.

It is smaller than a teacup dog, covered in short golden-brown fur, with large, pointed ears and round, bright, dark brown eyes that look like two black beans soaking in water.

"grumble."

The voice was very soft and had a tremolo.

Raine's eyes lit up instantly.

"What...what is this?"

"It must be the sign that says 'hidden monster'," Oris replied, drawing her bow and arrow. "Goblin Ji."

"So cute!"