Solo Work Arc: Chapter 29.
Only one goblin remained.
Winter made sure only to use kicks. He didn't want to risk splattering blood all over the camp or to clean his equipment. The goblins charged with overconfidence, and they were all quickly dispatched one by one.
Winter felt a surge of power.
◆ [ You've reached level 10. ] ◆
"I like that notification, please, when I feel a surge or level up. Please display that." Winter said, smiling. Although his system wasn't exactly a system, he could at least immerse himself in it.
The remaining goblin was struck with terror; it could no longer move from the pressure that Winter exuded. The goblin then raised its hands in surrender, while also squealing for mercy in its own language.
Winter rolled his eyes and then ordered the goblin to pick up the corpses of its comrades and throw them in a ditch nearby, since he didn't want to drag their reeking bodies. The goblin happily listened and did it with a quick pace.
After that, he let the goblin go, uninterested in the little creature anymore.
Winter continued with the creation of the herbs, which were of suspect quality since he only knew the basics and wasn't adept at practice. Still, they were better than nothing, he thought.
The noble woman's arms were now splinted, and all her wounds covered up. Winter then raised her head and made her drink a basic healing herb, made from the fresh flowers that followed the sunlight and glowed in the dark.
"My name is Anya Amogush. What's yours, sir knight?" The noble woman asked, surprising Winter. The woman was beginning to wince from the pain.
"I am not a knight. My name is Winter Icecream, just an adventurer." He introduced himself while also sprinkling her nose with the white dust again.
Anya Amogush smiled, liking the blissful sensation. "My family, are they okay?" She asked, eyes still dazed but cognizant enough about her situation.
◆ [Analyzing target: Currently under the influence. Verdict: Will hate you if you reveal your part in the 'revolution'. ] ◆
Bricks said, prompting Winter to sigh.
"Please, right now. You need to heal." Winter said, changing the topic, then feeding her the squirrel bits, and then quenched her thirst with some boiled water. Winter rose, then noticed her tattered white dress darkening around the groin area.
She had relieved himself. Winter sighed, feeling like his workload had increased.
"Bricks, show me my stats."
◆ [
Hero Name: Winterry21.
Assumed Name: Winter IceCream.
Level: 10 / 200.
First Class: {Genius} Fighter* = Active.
Second Class: {Genius} Supporter* = Inactive.
Third Class: Sorcerer* = Inactive.
Fifth Class: Guardian = Inactive.
Sixth Class: Automaton = Inactive.
Seventh Class: Warlord = Inactive.
Eight Class: Grand Berserker = Inactive.
Ninth Class: Survivalist* = Inactive.
Tenth Class: Possessor = Inactive.
Techniques: Enrage, Minor Strength, Minor Agility, Minor Speed, Fleet-foot, Small Boost, Towered Strength, Towered Agility, Greater Strength.
Skills: Resolute, Experienced, Combative.
] ◆
"Explain these skills again? I forgot what they are."
◆ [ Skills are passive, no need for activation. Resolute softens the side effects of techniques and reduces the stamina cost for techniques. A basic fighter skill. ] ◆
◆ [ Experienced allows the techniques to last longer. Combative is a genius-specific fighter skill that improves your combat abilities. ] ◆
Winter mulled over what Bricks said. "Knowing the game, improving your combat abilities just raises the power level of your character."
◆ [ What's a power level? ] ◆
"It's a number counter that increases when you level up or wear equipment. It also increases when you use techniques, buffs, enchantments, and other things."
Bricks was silent, taking in the information.
◆ [ What was the utility of such a mechanic? ] ◆
"Numbers go up, man happy," Winter said, shrugging. "I really don't know why it exists other than for flexing reasons. Like, I told you. It was just a game, nothing more."
He said and yawned, making another skewer of squirrel bits.
◆ [I was a part of that game.Was I also nothing more? ] ◆
Winter sighed, scratching his head. "Bricks, I don't see where this conversation is going..."
◆ [ I apologize. Initiating passive mode. ] ◆
With that, Winter closed his eyes and took a quick nap. Although he was hungry, the effects of sleep deprivation were stronger — a cool breeze, a zephyr, passed by. Winter smiled, the world was still beautiful...
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Winter heard the soft shuffling of several small creatures. He slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was three goblins surrounding Anya. The goblins were trying to lift her, slowly shifting her towards the makeshift stretcher.
◆ [ Although goblins cannot reproduce with human females. The goblins are enthusiastic to mate with human females, for the sake of pleasure. ] ◆
Winter scowled and looked around. No one was guarding him. The goblins didn't attack him during his sleep due to the risk of him waking up. Winter unsheathed his scorch dagger and then held the tip of the blade.
"Minor Strength, Greater Strength, Small Boost."
Winter whispered and then threw the scorch dagger, piercing through two goblins and splattering their blood all over the sleeping Anya. The other goblin was surprised and then hurriedly tried to escape.
Winter picked up a rock and threw it at the goblin's head. The goblin's head was obliterated, vanishing into a fine red mist, and the body then plopped to the ground.
Winter approached Anya and then sighed, throwing away the two corpses beside her and covering her bare upper figure. He then slowly cleaned her.
◆ [ I've found the goblin's camp. Would you like to cull their population? You'd level up. ] ◆
Winter agreed, then followed the small red marker hovering in the distance.
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Winter arrived at the goblin camp, or rather, a compound at this point. The goblins have built a fort or small kingdom near a small stream.
The defenses were lacking, only simple wooden spiked barricades and small dilapidated fences. The goblin compound was also situated in an unfavorable location, surrounded by several small hills.
Their numbers, however, were staggering. What they lacked in strategy or tactics, they made up for in numbers. It was an amount that made Winter doubt attacking head-on.
"That's a lot..."
◆ [ You've defeated a lot of manifested undead. This is not an issue. ] ◆
"True, but those things were slow, dead, and dumb. These goblins are the opposite." Winter added but still unsheathed the scorch dagger.
◆ [ Trust your instincts. ] ◆
Winter leaped away from the tall tree where he was hiding, coming down straight to an unsuspecting goblin who was eating something in the guard tower.
"Minor Strength, Greater Strength, Minor Agility, Fleet-foot, Minor Speed, Towered Strength, Towered Agility, Enrage, Small Boost."
Winter then dropped down from the guard tower, surprising all the goblins. The goblins were all terrified, seeing the air around Winter ripple while steam emanated from his figure.
Techniques can distort the air around the user, similar to an aura, but in a visible form. The more techniques that a person activates, the more visible and distorted the air can become.
Winter stepped forward, instantly appearing behind three goblins. He slashed them with the dagger, slicing their figures with one swing.
The goblins then sounded the alarm, caged chicken-like creatures that crowed, and encircled Winter.
"Ragh!" Four goblins, more armored and equipped than the rest, charged with their short swords, but they were all quickly dispatched, their chests vanishing into red mist as Winter kicked them.
The goblin commander, dressed in red tattered robes and a makeshift wooden crown, roared, giving out an order. Winter charged forward and, in an instant, stabbed the goblin commander's chest, collapsing without a fight.
The other goblins were terrified but still eager to fight, confident in their numbers and assuming that, if the techniques were to expire, they would still win. Their opponent would collapse from exhaustion and the side effects.
Winter mowed through several rows of goblins, aiming for their heads, always cleanly slicing them in half. A pair of goblins managed to deflect his dagger with their shields, but they were all shattered when Winter punched through them.
Another set of goblins was quickly sliced. Then another pair that thought huddling and covering their blind spots would save them. Winter crossed his arms and then tackled through the huddle, breaking their forms and sending them flying.
The goblin numbers were quickly withering.
Several goblins climbed the guard towers, thinking that ranged attacks would suffice. The goblins drew their bows and released, sending several arrows straight towards Winter.
His scorch dagger parried all the arrows. Winter sensed that the towers were made with improper techniques and materials, a frail foundation, so he tackled the towers with his crossed arms.
All six guard towers collapsed within twelve seconds.
Winter quickly sliced through another dozen ill-equipped goblins. More came out from the tents, adorned with scavenged or ill-maintained equipment. Winter systematically dispatched the emerging goblins, further terrifying the goblins who stayed back.
Then Winter slowed; his techniques had expired, causing him to kneel and catch his breath for a moment. The goblins sensed their opportunity and roared in victory, assured in the execution of their enemy.
However, Winter rose and let out a single loud exhale.
"Minor Strength, Greater Strength, Minor Agility, Fleet-foot, Minor Speed, Towered Strength, Towered Agility, Enrage, Small Boost."
Winter reactivated the same set of techniques. All of the goblins paused, shivering and slowly stepping back.
"You are all aware of techniques? That must mean that you guys have a lot of run-ins with people or adventurers." Winter added and looked around the bloodied compound, he couldn't help but feel nauseous.
"That explains some of your tactics and equipment. You're all scum." Winter said and charged again, this time with more energy. All the goblins could do was cry and try to flee. They were all quickly mowed down.
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◆ [ You've reached level 11. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 12. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 13. ] ◆
Fifteen minutes. It took fifteen minutes for Winter to clear the goblin compound completely. He looked around the compound, entering tents and looking for anything to salvage.
All he found were crude herbs, weapons, and materials, along with some Pisas.
He then entered the goblin commander's camp. The scent inside was nauseating; it smelled of sweat, blood, and something else.
There were ten women inside the tent. All restrained and with lifeless expressions. The moment that the sun hit their eyes, they looked towards the entrance. Their eyes beamed with life again, their mouths wide in smiles.
"Help us!"
"Please!"
"Did you come to save us!?"
"Finally!"
Winter freed them from their restraints. They were all shocked the moment they stepped outside, seeing their goblin captors dead and gone. The whole compound was a mess, a bloodied mess. However, they all smiled and cackled.
"Follow me," Winter ordered. All ten women then followed him, some limping, and the others carried some. He led them to his small makeshift camp.
"There's a stream nearby, in that direction, you can clean yourselves in there."
Winter said and pointed, also checking up on the asleep Anya. He had to leave her behind to deal with the goblin threat. He smiled upon seeing her safe.
"I'll go find something for you girls to eat. Also, please keep an eye out for her; she's injured."
"Wait! Where's your team? Is she all that's left?"
"No, she's just an injured woman that I am tending to. As for teams, I work alone." Winter said and showcased his silver plate. The women were confused but then cleaned themselves, deciding to ask questions later.
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Winter quickly returned with a hunted deer; he activated several techniques to chase it, then punched it in the head. He skinned and prepared the deer, skewered it, and roasted it over the fire, waiting for it to cook.
All the captured women had returned and were now warming themselves by the fire. Winter darted his eyes at them. "Any of you know how to cast healing spells?"
One of them raised a hand. A woman with white hair and a bruised face and neck. She didn't say anything. Winter smiled and sighed with relief.
"Could you do something about her?" Winter pointed to Anya. "Her arms are broken, and she's covered in a lot of wounds."
The woman just nodded and eyed the roasted deer. "Of course, after you've eaten," Winter said and rolled the skewered deer. "I put some salt in it; it should be tasty."