Honkai Star Rail: I Became the World Tree — Chapter 29

Chapter 29: The Justice Adventure Team’s First Dungeon

Samuel leaned against the counter, his tone casual as he outlined the rules. “You are currently looking at the promotion trial from F-rank to E-rank. Inside this specific dungeon, you will face one Level 5 Big Goblin and a mob of ten Level 1 Goblins. There is no time limit. However, if your party fails, the Adventurers Guild will deduct fifty percent of your accumulated experience points.” He paused, a dryly amused smile touching his lips. “Of course, that penalty can be waived. You only need to pay a modest fee of ten silver coins for the exemption.”

Neuvillette’s pale brows drew together in a slight frown. “A Level 5 Big Goblin? Do you possess any detailed intelligence on this creature?”

Samuel gave a brief nod. With a casual wave of his hand, a translucent holographic screen—the Virtual Encyclopedia—materialized in the air before Furina, Neuvillette, and Clorinde.

[Monster: Big Goblin]

[Level: 5]

[HP: 500/500]

[Constitution: 50 (20 after removing equipment)]

[Strength: 10]

[Intelligence: 0]

[Skill: Fury LV.1 (Activated when health falls below 100 points; doubles Strength)]

Neuvillette scanned the glowing text, his expression serious. “Its constitution and physical strength are rather excessive for an entry-level trial.”

Clorinde’s gaze sharpened, her violet eyes narrowing at the bottom line. “And that passive skill… doubling its strength when its health drops below a hundred? That makes it highly lethal when cornered.”

Beside them, Furina suddenly burst into a theatrical fit of giggles, pointing a gloved finger at the screen. “Its intelligence is zero! Oh, it must be an absolute buffoon, right?”

Samuel chuckled. “The Big Goblin serves as the frontline tank unit for their kind. It anchors the battlefield, purely responsible for soaking up damage. That is why its constitution is so inflated.”

Neuvillette nodded, his aristocratic features impassive. “I see. It is essentially a mindless vanguard, relying entirely on brute force to break enemy lines.”

Clorinde tapped the hilt of her wooden sword, calculating the risks. “Perhaps we should delay opening the dungeon for a few days. The Level 1 Goblins pose no threat; we can dispatch them with ease. But this Level 5 variant… I fear an unexpected variable might lead to our defeat, and the subsequent penalty is steep.”

Neuvillette did not hesitate. His voice carried the absolute, unyielding authority of the Palais Mermonia. “There is no need to wait. Open it now. The three of us are more than sufficient.” He turned his piercing gaze toward his companions. “You and Lady Furina will manage the lesser Goblins. Leave the Big Goblin to me; I shall hold its attention. Lady Furina, initiate the trial.”

Furina fidgeted with her wooden staff, her bravado wavering for a fraction of a second. “Neuvillette, are you absolutely certain? What if we actually fail?”

The Chief Justice met her gaze with calm certainty. “With me present, there are no ‘what ifs’.”

Behind the counter, Samuel silently praised the man. Look at that. The Dragon King’s domineering aura is leaking all over the place.

Reassured, Furina summoned the Adventurers Guild interface.

[Name: Justice Adventure Team]

[Level: F]

[Number of Members: 3/5]

[Experience Points: 100/100]

[Current experience points are full. Open Promotion Dungeon? Open / Do not open]

Furina looked at the floating panel and confidently tapped the ‘Open’ prompt.

In an instant, the holographic screen shattered into motes of light. In its place, the fabric of reality tore open, forming a swirling Spatial Rift.

“The Promotion Dungeon awaits inside,” Samuel said, gesturing toward the portal. “I wish you all good luck.”

Furina hoisted her staff high, her theatrical confidence returning in full force. “Justice Adventure Team, advance! We shall secure a flawless victory!”

Without further delay, Furina, Neuvillette, and Clorinde stepped through the Spatial Rift.

The transition was smooth, the ambient air of the guild hall instantly replaced by a cool, crisp breeze. They arrived on a massive stone platform suspended in an endless void.

Furina immediately rose on her tiptoes, her mismatched eyes wide with wonder. “We’re in the sky! Clorinde, look above us—there are so many stars!”

Clorinde glanced upward, her posture relaxed but vigilant. “Indeed. It resembles a pristine night sky. It is quite beautiful.”

Neuvillette, however, kept his eyes locked straight ahead. “The opposition has appeared. Save the sightseeing for later.”

Furina and Clorinde snapped their attention forward. About five hundred meters across the vast platform, a horde of green-skinned creatures had materialized. Ten small, vicious-looking Goblins chattered aggressively, entirely dwarfed by the massive figure leading them.

Clorinde drew her wooden sword, performing a crisp, elegant flourish before dropping into a flawless dueling stance. Neuvillette and Furina readied their wooden staves, their eyes fixed on the enemy.

The Big Goblin stood a towering five meters tall. Thick, crude iron plates covered its massive, obese frame—a literal mountain of flesh wielding a pair of colossal iron hammers. Throwing its heavy head back, the beast unleashed a deafening roar, signaling the charge.

“They’re advancing! Stay alert!” Clorinde warned, her grip tightening on her hilt.

Beside her, Neuvillette had already begun channeling hydro energy, a swirling Water Magic Bullet condensing at the tip of his staff. “We proceed according to the established strategy. I will intercept the Big Goblin. The two of you quickly eliminate the subordinates.”

With a flick of his wrist, Neuvillette launched the condensed sphere of water. Currently at Level 3, his magic bullet possessed a theoretical damage output of 100. However, the Big Goblin’s staggering constitution granted it 50 defense. The hydro projectile slammed into the beast’s chest plate, bursting into a heavy spray.

[-50 HP]

Enraged by the sudden strike, the Big Goblin locked its bloodshot eyes on Neuvillette, bellowing furiously as it stomped toward him. The stone platform trembled under its weight.

Clorinde immediately broke away, sprinting to the right to divide the enemy ranks. Catching on, Furina dashed to the left. The moment the Hydro Archon planted her boots, she realized three of the smaller Goblins had broken off to chase her.

“Oh? You lowly creatures dare to target me?” Furina scoffed, planting her hands on her hips. “The big one is one thing, but you think you can bully me? Have a taste of my Water Magic Bullet!”

Across the platform, Clorinde successfully drew the aggression of the remaining seven Goblins. Armed only with a wooden practice sword, the Champion Duelist wove through the frantic mob. She moved with the grace of a dancer, her footwork so precise and agile that the crude green claws grasped only empty air.

In the center of the arena, Neuvillette engaged the towering behemoth. Despite its immense girth, the Big Goblin moved with frightening speed. Recognizing the sheer physical disparity, Neuvillette maintained absolute composure. He did not force an opening; instead, he relied entirely on his centuries of combat awareness. He read the subtle shifts in the monster’s shoulders and the swing of its hammers, sidestepping the crushing blows mere fractions of a second before they landed.

He only needed to hold the line. Once Clorinde and Lady Furina cleared the field, the beast’s fate would be sealed.

On the far side, Furina was having the time of her life. She sprinted backward, lobbing spheres of hydro energy over her shoulder. It only took two solid hits to vaporize a Level 1 Goblin.

“Hehe! Take this! And this!” she cheered, her silvery laughter echoing across the platform. “Can’t catch me, can’t hit me! Hahahaha!”

The last surviving Goblin chasing her shrieked in absolute fury, swinging its tiny club at the air in vain.

Meanwhile, Clorinde’s battle was a masterclass in efficiency. Relying on her elite melee instincts, she dismantled the seven Goblins without letting a single one touch her coat. Her wooden blade struck with lethal precision, dropping the monsters one by one. As she dispatched her final opponent, she glanced over just in time to see Furina’s magic bullet obliterate the last straggler.

The battlefield was clear, save for the giant.

Neuvillette was flawlessly kiting the Big Goblin, maintaining a calculated distance. Clorinde checked the glowing health bar suspended above the monster’s head. It had dipped further—Neuvillette had clearly found another microscopic window to land a spell amidst his evasive maneuvers.

Furina trotted over to Clorinde, dusting off her hands with a triumphant smirk. “Hmph, hmph! Those little pests were easily handled. How are you holding up, Clorinde? Any injuries?”

Clorinde shook her head, her breathing perfectly steady. “None at all. I will go assist Neuvillette now, Lady Furina.”

Furina planted her hands on her hips and nodded vigorously. “Mhm, mhm! Go show it what you’re made of! I shall provide you with flawless long-range fire support!”

With a sharp twirl of her wooden sword, Clorinde kicked off the stone floor, dashing straight toward the enraged Big Goblin to turn the tide of the battle.