Compared to the tense, high-stakes rescue mission last time, Shirakawa's return to the world of Goblin Slayer using a "world transfer anchor point" felt much more relaxed.
Just a blink of an eye—
And he found himself standing once again in a different world. The contrast with his own reality was immediate: no towering buildings, only a vast, untouched wilderness.
The dense forest hadn't been cut or cleared.
Even the air was fresher—like a natural oxygen bar you'd never find in the modern world. Though the skies were gray and clouded, the place exuded a tranquil atmosphere.
"No wonder Auntie Mio said breakfast makes you feel better," Shirakawa murmured, shaking his head with a smile.
He turned his attention to the girl standing before him.
Gone was the disheveled damsel-in-distress from last time. In her place stood a blonde-haired warrior girl, clad in brand-new leather gear, a sharp sword with a blue hilt at her waist.
But what truly stood out—
Was the aura of resolve that shone from her like the morning sun.
Her golden hair, usually worn down, was now tied into a neat ponytail with a strip of cloth—to keep it from becoming a liability in battle.
And her eyes...
A dazzling sapphire blue, like gemstones polished to perfection. In them, he could even see a faint reflection of his own face.
"Good morning, Shirakawa-kun!"
With boundless energy in her voice, Lianne Viviette smiled brightly, then turned to introduce her companion. "This is Catherine, a magic-user. I didn't get a chance to introduce you last time..."
"Yes, and please don't call me 'random mage girl' again!" Catherine frowned, clearly still holding a grudge over his previous nickname for her.
She had been nervous at first—
But seeing the person who had once saved her life, that unease quickly melted away. As long as he was around, the mission wouldn't be nearly as dangerous.
This was the man who had single-handedly wiped out most of the goblins in their den.
"What about the rest of your team?" he asked.
"Right now, it's just me and Catherine," Liane answered seriously. "After what happened last time... the others didn't come back."
She was, after all, the future Sword Maiden—and she knew Shirakawa came from another world. Even though his clothing was strange, she didn't mind.
Instead, she got straight to the point.
"The guild's request is the same as last time—another goblin clearing. The village we're heading to isn't far from the town, maybe a two-hour walk."
She laid out the details of the commission, the mission objectives, and other relevant information. Shirakawa quickly understood the gist.
Goblins again.
He didn't have a great impression of the creatures—but they were perfect for grinding EXP. This trip to the Goblin Slayer world had one main goal: to max out his Holy Sword Wielder class.
Unlock a new profession.
Still, with more and more chat group members joining, Shirakawa remained cautious about what new path to choose next.
After all, in this world there were plenty of options—cleric, mage, priest, ranger...
But his next step required careful thought.
In terms of visual presentation alone, it clearly fell short of the dazzling world of Aqua from Konosuba. It was like comparing a regular mage to Megumin, the Archwizard of Explosions.
Not really on the same level.
"We'll think about classes later."
Following Lianne Viviette's lead, they trudged down the dirt path for about two hours. Before long, the village they had set out for finally came into view.
But just as they neared—
The cries and screams echoing from the distance made Shirakawa's brow furrow. In broad daylight no less—had the goblins grown this brazen?
"The villagers are in danger…"
Viviette, who'd been in rather high spirits until now, tensed immediately. Her expression hardened. "It must be the goblins."
She glanced quickly at Shirakawa and Catherine.
Without hesitation, she unsheathed her longsword and sprinted toward the village.
Their mission was clear—eliminate the goblin threat and ensure the safety of the villagers.
Not being a frontline fighter, Catherine instinctively looked to Shirakawa for instructions. But before she could speak—
"Let's take care of the problem first."
The village ahead… looked strikingly familiar to Shirakawa. Like the very one the protagonist had lived in back in the anime Goblin Slayer.
The sister of the Goblin Slayer—was this close to the tragic moment in the timeline?
He hesitated no further.
Thanks to the magical refinement his body had undergone, both his physical and magical capacities had grown dramatically.
He directed magic into every cell of his body—
[Mana Release.]
A tingling rush coursed through him as raw power surged outward. Without delay, he summoned his dark crimson holy sword.
Turning to the confused magic-user Catherine, he smiled lightly.
"Watch over Viviette. I'll handle the rest."
"Right…"
Catherine nodded dazedly. She could feel the sheer, terrifying purity of the magic radiating from the summoned blade.
But before she could catch up—
Shirakawa had already vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared dozens of meters ahead, blazing past Viviette in a burst of speed that felt almost like teleportation.
Viviette froze in awe.
Ahead lay the goblins ravaging the village, and that lone figure, now cutting them down without hesitation, looked like nothing short of a savior.
As he effortlessly carved through the monsters overwhelming the helpless villagers—
She couldn't help but whisper:
"Is it just my imagination… or did Shirakawa-kun get even stronger…?"