Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana (Volume 5) – If You Let Your Guard Down, You Die!
They returned from their mission to kill the Newbie Hunters with their health intact. However, their adventure was far from over. Now, the third floor called to them and if they wanted to stop the Death, they would need to listen!
Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana (Volume 5) – If You Let Your Guard Down, You Die!
What happened?
The Captain was relieved that they had made it back with all of their party members alive and well. And since they were all exhausted, he recommended that they take the next day off to recover. They may have defeated the Newbie Hunters, but there was still much to do in the Dungeon of Death. However, the Captain struggled to sleep, his senses heightened from their battle. After hours of failed sleep, he went for a walk and bumped into Female Warrior, also unable to sleep. They talked for a while. She told him a story, claiming it to be her story, but then retracted it as a joke. Either way, she was concerned that she would be forced to carry her party’s bodies out of the dungeon once more.
The next morning, the Captain was approached by the informant who told him of the Newbie Hunters and thanked him for taking care of them. He did give him a warning about letting his guard down as they were sure to approach the third floor next and since no one had found the path to the fourth floor, there was lots to be gained from it. Then, the informant vanished along with any memory the Captain had of him being there. Soon after he’d eaten breakfast, the Knight of Diamonds approached him and asked if it was his party who killed the Newbie Hunters. He neither confirmed nor denied it, but they both knew. He too was searching for the way to the fourth floor and wished him well on his searches.
Once the party had formed, the Captain explained that their goal now was to find the entrance to the fourth floor. Of course, they had never been to the third floor before, but that was the next step. They set off and soon found themselves in a new part of the dungeon. Things were different here. They encountered different monsters and then, just as they were preparing to move on, the floor opened beneath the Captain. He would have fallen to his death had it not been for Female Warrior. Despite this reminder of the seriousness of the floor, they searched for a chamber to hit. Inside, they encountered strange monsters who moved like ninjas. Before they could fight back, the Captain saw his throat slashed.
What did you think?
Well, that’s a cliffhanger and a half! My only hope is that this volume spent a fair amount of time talking about resurrections and how they were only effective at bringing people back who were on the brink of death. It’s either that or the Captain saw a premonition of the fight as we so often see with samurai battles in anime and manga. Maybe, it will allow him to avoid having his throat slashed. Either way, I’m desperate to find out what happens next. This volume also seemed to take a much more omnipotent approach as it felt very detached from the characters for large parts, seeming to recount history and make profound statements. It was good, but I prefer a tighter viewpoint. The lack of names continues to irk me, especially as the Captain appeared to tell Female Warrior his name, but they blanked it out…
This series continues to be a fascinating addition to the Goblin Slayer world, although it would work fine as a completely separate world. Other than the Sword Maiden, there’s nothing linking it to Goblin Slayer other than the fact that they too visited the Dungeon of Death at the end of the second season. Regardless, it’s a fantasy adventure with dark and terrifying aspects so it has everything I could possibly want. Bring me more!
Volume highlights
Series Information
| English Title | Goblin Slayer |
| Japanese Title | Goblin Slayer |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy |
| Demographic | Seinen |
Anime
Season One
Movie
| English Title | Goblin’s Crown |
| Japanese Title | Goblin’s Crown |
| Released | Winter 2020 |
| Animation Studios | White Fox |
Season Two
Manga
| Series | Side Story II: Dai Katana |
| Author | Kumo Kagyu |
| Artist | Shougo Aoki |
| Volumes | Ongoing |
| 1 | The Fortress City |
| 2 | There’s Always Tomorrow! |
| 3 | Help and Help Alike! |
| 4 | I Can Smell Blood! |
| 5 | If You Let Your Guard Down, You Die! |
| 6 | Be Thankful to Everything! |
