Short goblins snarled in front of me, their hunched bodies charging closer and closer, sharp daggers and wooden clubs raised as they screeched wildly.
I tightened my grip on my spear and swung with all my strength.
Slash!
My spear cut through one goblin, then another. Blood sprayed as their bodies collapsed to the ground. There were just too many of them.
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
Before I could react, a group of goblins rushed at me from behind, their daggers aimed straight at me. I didn't even have time to turn.
Swish!
A whip cracked through the air, wrapping around and striking the goblins away before they could reach me.
Claude stood firm behind me, his whip snapping like the tail of a manta ray, striking down every goblin that dared to get close.
"Thank you!" I shouted.
But then my eyes widened.
"Claude! Behind you!"
Dozens of green-skinned goblins charged straight toward him, howling as they ran.
Yet Claude didn't panic. He took a steady breath, planted his feet, and closed his eyes, focusing on something deep within himself.
"Tidal Smash!"
Claude swung his whip behind him. The motion was fluid, leaving streaks of energy trailing through the air.
It struck with the force of a raging river, as if a rushing current had condensed into the lash itself. Energy roared outward, sweeping through the goblin horde behind us.
Screams!
Every goblin caught in the strike was sent flying, their bodies slamming into trees and rocks before collapsing lifelessly to the ground and disappearing from sight, leaving only a faint particle of light behind.
"All gone!" I said with relief, lowering my spear.
Claude and I regrouped with Dahlia. She was still finishing off the last goblin, her trident thrusting forward in a sharp, precise strike.
"We've beaten so many goblins already!" she said, pulling her weapon free.
"I hope we run into a different kind of one soon, something massive and a good match," I said, gripping my spear a little tighter.
Claude grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Perfect! I love slaying monsters. The bigger, the better!"
Crunch… stomp… thud.
From the shadows of the trees, two enormous figures stepped into view. Towering, muscular, and grotesque, they were at least ten times larger than the goblins we had faced so far. Their greenish skin was scarred and thick, veins bulging beneath it, massive clubs dragging against the ground.
Two Goblin Ravagers had arrived.
Claude's grip on his whip tightened.
"There it is, Malachi. Your request is granted," he said grimly.
"They must've sensed our presence," I said, focusing intently.
[!] Monster Classification [!]
[Monster: Goblin Ravager]
[Rank: D-Class]
A massive evolved goblin that rules lesser goblins through fear and brute force. Its body is hardened from countless battles, and its presence drives nearby goblins into a bloodthirsty frenzy.
Special Traits: [Brutal Slam] – A massive swing with its club that can crush multiple enemies and shatter the terrain.
With a heavy stomp, the two Goblin Ravagers roared.
"GRAAARGHHH!"
From behind them, smaller goblins emerged, drooling excessively. They formed a chaotic swarm, scrambling and shrieking as they rushed toward us.
"Yuck…" I muttered, tightening my grip on my spear.
The three of us braced ourselves as the goblins charged. Then, without hesitation, we moved.
I twisted my body and swung my spear in a wide arc.
"I know it's time to use my skills," I said, a mischievous smile appearing on my face.
"Phoenix Flare!"
Flames erupted from the tip of my spear. Three goblins rushing toward me were engulfed in fire, their screams cut short as their bodies burned and disappeared into faint particles of light.
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
Above me, Claude leapt into the air, swinging his whip sideways. Then he landed in front of me with a powerful stomp, snapping his whip down like lightning. Several goblins were hurled backward, slamming into the ground before going still.
On our right, Dahlia moved in a blur. Her trident gleamed as she spun it in her hands, water spiraling around the weapon like a whirlpool. The swirling water gathered, forming a glowing sphere at the tip of the trident.
"Aqua Sphere!"
She released the glowing sphere forward. Compressed water surged ahead, bursting outward with immense force.
The sphere tore through the smaller goblins, hurling bodies aside as water and debris scattered in every direction. When the mist cleared, the goblins lay defeated.
Claude chuckled.
"At this rate, the forest will need a proper burial ground."
The three of us charged toward the two massive Goblin Ravagers.
‹ Goblin Ravager ›
HP: 200 / 200
As we closed in, I spotted smaller goblins approaching from the left. I stopped instantly, raising my spear while my two companions continued forward.
"Phoenix Flare!"
I thrust my spear to the left. Flames erupted, burning the approaching goblins away before they could reach me.
Then I turned my gaze to the Ravagers. Both roared again, grabbing smaller goblins and hurling them at Claude and Dahlia.
Claude spun his whip rapidly, lashing out at the flying goblins and sending them tumbling to the ground. The whip instantly killed them.
I looked at Dahlia. She was preparing a skill of her own, closing her eyes to focus. Small glowing orbs of water appeared above her trident.
"Water Jets!"
She sent six jets of water toward the two goblins hurtling at her. The jets hit with precision, sending them spinning and collapsing harmlessly.
But I wasn't about to miss the fun. I ran forward and leapt into the air.
"Scorching Surge!"
My spear ignited, small wings emerging from both sides of the tip as I aimed at a single goblin in midair. Flames engulfed it, and it burst into sparks.
[You have slain a Goblin!]
I landed beside my companions, the battlefield still tense.
"Cruel bastard!" Claude muttered, glaring at me.
Then—
Thud!
Another massive figure emerged from the forest. A third Goblin Ravager.
"Great," I muttered. "Now there are three."
The three Goblin Ravagers roared, lifting their weapons.
"One on the left. Two ahead," Dahlia said calmly. "Let's split up. Each of us takes one."
Claude and I nodded in unison.
"Right!"
I charged toward the Goblin Ravager on the left, spear ready, while Claude and Dahlia rushed toward the other two.
As I approached, the Ravager slammed its foot down. From behind it, dozens of smaller goblins charged at me all at once.
Too many to fight individually. I narrowed my eyes and gathered my fire magic into the spear, feeling the energy coil tighter and tighter.
I spun my spear in my hands, fire condensing around the blade—then released everything in one strike.
"I'll use this skill on the Goblin Ravager!" I shouted, gripping my spear tightly and pouring all my energy into it.
"Phoenix Flare!"
Flames erupted from the tip of my spear, streaking toward the Ravager—but two smaller goblins leaped midair to shield it.
"Grrrk! Rrrgh!"
They burned away instantly, disappearing into sparks.
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have slain a Goblin!]
"Protecting your big one, huh?" I exclaimed.
A glowing screen appeared before my eyes.
[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]
Lv. 5 → Lv. 6
Power surged through me. I smiled, gripping my spear tighter.
The real fight against the Goblin Ravagers was just beginning.