Solo Work Arc: Chapter 30.
"Shit, I can't believe that I have to waste this on him, but I have no other choice!" Felt Mae Puppy then took out a flask with a red liquid from a ripple in the air. She tore a thin strip of fabric from her tattered rag clothing and used it to secure the flask to the arrow.
Winter managed to stand up despite wincing from the pain. Most of the goblins have charged straight towards Felt, lustfully invigorated by her figure. The goblins that stayed behind and encircled Winter were goblins of higher rank and discipline.
"Winter! Take it!" Felt shouted and released the drawn string, sending the arrow with a secured flask forward.
◆ [ Winter, catch it! It's an expensive healing potion! ] ◆
Winter's arms twitched, surging with strength despite the fractures. He then caught the arrow and untied the flask, instantly drinking its contents.
"Gah!?" A goblin realized what Winter was drinking and quickly swung its sword, but it was intercepted by Winter's kick, whacking away the sword.
"What a save. It's like a goddamned miracle." Winter muttered before turning to the goblins, who were reluctant to attack now, seeing Winter's invigorated and healed form.
"Reactivate All."
Winter muttered, instantly reactivating the techniques that he previously cast. The activation caused the air around him to shimmer, rippling like water, as steam emerged from his now steadied form.
The goblins instinctively stepped back.
With a single 360-degree swing, the goblins surrounding him were instantly beheaded. Their bodies plopped to the ground, twitching as blood splurged out. The rest roared and hurriedly retreated to the cave.
Winter turned around and hurriedly charged forward. The goblins were closing in on Felt. Felt's legs almost gave out, remembering the atrocities that the goblins inflicted on her. However, she mustered all her remaining courage and energy to draw the bow again.
She then released an arrow, felling a goblin as an arrow struck its head.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" Felt muttered.
Several red mists started to appear from behind the goblins; the mists grew closer along with the sound of metal striking against flesh. The goblins failed to realize that their attacking force was quickly dwindling.
The goblin leading the charge was carrying a small red banner. It then came close to Felt.
The banner goblin was confused, seeing the calm expression of its female opponent. Nevertheless, it smiled as it scanned its figure, already thinking of ways to ravage her.
"GRAGH!" The bannered goblin roared, but no one roared back. "GRAGH!" It roared again, this time with more energy, but no one reciprocated. The banner goblin turned around, eyes slowly transforming into fear as it saw the carnage from behind.
Its allies were already dead, their bodies on the floor, scorching and burning. Some were even on fire, actively burning.
"You're the only one left," Felt said from behind as she delivered a downward strike with the scavenged bow, striking the goblin in the head. She then repeatedly whacked the goblin with the bow until the bow snapped in two.
◆ [Analyzing target: An evolved goblin is a higher tier of goblins, capable of intelligent thinking and conversation. A rarity amongst goblins. Verdict: Take them out first to dismantle goblin lines. ] ◆
"It's already dead," Winter said, placing his hand on Felt's shoulders.
Felt breathed heavily, then instantly turned to Winter. "What the hell is wrong with you!? Charging in like that? I thought you had some plan!? If I hadn't come, you would've been dead or worse!"
◆ [ Felt Mae Puppy's opinion of you has lowered. ] ◆
Winter sighed, realizing how reckless it was. "Yeah, sorry. I got a little too excited..."
◆ [ You've reached level 14. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 15. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 16. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 17. ] ◆
"Bricks, status."
◆ [
Hero Name: Winterry21.
Assumed Name: Winter IceCream.
Level: 17 / 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, Greater Speed, Greater Agility, Warded, Fortressed, Pseudo-Zone, Zone.
Skills: Resolute, Experienced, Combative, Generalist, Lucky.
] ◆
Felt raised a brow. "What?"
"Nothing, just whispering." Winter dismissed as he looked around the base. The rest of the goblin horde was inside the cave, already in their defensive positions. The rest of the base was in tatters, blood and goblin bodies strewn everywhere.
A bloodied battlefield.
"Say, there are probably a few items here worth keeping. Could you scavenge for a bit? Pile up anything useful here where we're standing." Winter added.
"If there are any valuables, you can keep them for yourself," Winter said before rolling the scorch dagger in his right hand and walking towards the cave.
"No, we should leave, right now!" Felt insisted, shouting at the already decided Winter. "You men are all the same!" She shouted and began reluctantly scavenging for loot. (If I see goblins, I am going to bail out along with the other women.)
"Bricks, what does generalist and lucky mean?"
◆ [ The generalist is a skill that slightly raises your effectiveness in magic and techniques. Based on the available data, this skill is possible given your 'build'. ] ◆
◆ [ The lucky skill slightly increases all your health, stamina, fatigue, and magic recuperation. ] ◆
(And here I thought the lucky skill was for increasing critical chance...) Winter mused and stopped, facing the obstacle in front of him.
The cave was blocked with a wooden wall, thicker than the headquarters' walls. Winter placed his hand on the wooden wall, and an idea popped into his head.
"Why didn't I ever think of this? My job would've been easier." He said as he stepped back and repeatedly struck the wall with his scorch dagger that it suddenly lit up, enflamed. He then went to another portion of the wall and repeatedly struck it with his dagger.
The wall was now ablaze.
(I don't know how to explain it properly, but caves don't have proper ventilation; thus, the gobbos are going to run out of air soon.) He mused, chuckling and staying back.
Behind the wall were several wooden structures and pillars; not only that, a legion of goblins waited for the invader to arrive. However, the invasion never arrived.
Instead, black smoke started to seep inside. The huge wooden wall then suddenly went up in flames, burning the other nearby wooden structures and the traps they'd laid. A small portion of the wall cracked, sending out embers.
The embers then landed on a barrel full of explosives. The goblin commander sighed, cursing with acceptance — a huge explosion from the inside startled Winter and Felt.
The screams of the goblins inside echoed as they all frantically looked for a way to extinguish the flames.
"I thought you were going to go in. Charge again recklessly." Felt said, with a sigh of relief.
"I've learnt my lessons," Winter commented, shrugging his shoulders.
◆ [ You've reached level 18. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 19. ] ◆
(Holy crap, there are that many of them inside?) Winter thought.
"Watery Skies: Water Blast."
(What a loud voice, it's like someone is using a megaphone!)
An explosive blast of water shot through the wall, instantly extinguishing the fire and steaming the whole place. A figure then revealed itself from the steam.
It was a goblin, as tall as Winter, wearing exquisite white robes with silver linings on the cuffs. The white robe was embellished with large golden buttons, arranged in sequence.
The goblin looked almost human, and despite the squinted eyes, the orbs behind them were clearly light blue, radiating. The goblin had tusks and large, pointy ears.
◆ [ Analyzing target: No previous data. Verdict: A hyper-evolved version of a goblin. I advise careful study, then retreat. ] ◆
Behind him were goblins, armored and neatly lined up.
"I am the Goblin Sage, conqueror of twelve goblin tribes, the great general and son of the goblin god himself." The goblin spread out his arms, as if trying to hug someone.
"My name is Goon Undertale, and you've committed an offense so egregious that death wouldn't satisfy my anger and hatred." Goon Undertale said, eyeing Winter before placing his eyes on Felt.
"I sense several goblin essences on your figure. A pleasure slave. Your escape is noted, and you will be properly appropriated." Goon said, causing Felt to flush in anger, seething in fury, tightly holding the scavenged spear.
"Flaming Skies: Fire Stream."
Goon's left hand sparked as the flames quickly swirled.
Winter felt his instincts squirm at the back of his head, causing him to grab Felt and dodge the spell attack instantly — a fast, fiery torrent shot out of his hand, obliterating several tents and the wooden wall.
"Shit..." Winter cursed. His body had moved again, dodging another fatal attack.
"Indeed, shit," Goon said, aiming his two hands in the general direction of Winter and the surprised Felt. Winter was carrying. It felt like a damsel in distress.
"Drop the spear, now," Winter whispered as Felt instantly obliged.
"Blade Skies: Blade Dance."
Two small runes materialized from Goon's hands.
Winter felt that instinct tug again, and he ran away, retreating from the goblin. The runes then shot out dozens of phantasmal daggers, like fast unguided missiles. Not a single phantasmal dagger managed to hit either of them.
"Tsk, unreliable thing," Goon said, rolling his eyes.
"Go after them, quickly." He ordered.
After some time of running.
"You can drop me now! I can run for myself!"
Felt said, and Winter stopped; she slowly dismounted from his arms. Felt couldn't help but shiver upon seeing Goon Undertale, a goblin capable of spellcasting.
"I've never seen a goblin like that. We must report this as soon as possible!"
"Yeah, you're right. Let's go." Winter said, and then quickly dodged an arrow from behind. The arrow struck the tree and became embedded in it.
(Crap! I didn't even sense that!)
"Winter!" Felt shouted, seeing eight goblins wearing red caps. "Redcaps! No!" She said with utter terror, trembling, and almost falling.
The goblin redcaps were similar to goblins, although their skins were slightly paler. Their teeth were all sharpened while their eyes were bloodshot yellow. And then the unmistakable sight of a red cap, firmly implanted on their heads. The redcaps were the source of their magic and their magically enhanced physical abilities.
◆ [ Analyzing target: The redcap goblins are sadistic and vile creatures, massively influenced by other redcap creatures. They possess extreme combat knowledge and are capable of offensive magic. Verdict: Arrogant and prideful, easily baited. ] ◆
(Redcaps, I've heard of them. Powerful creatures. You usually see them in level thirty regions or areas. This is quite a trouble.)
(My genius tag can compensate for some levels and stats, but it isn't enough for these kinds of opponents. Not only that, I have to cover for Felt.)
The redcaps all laughed in violent glee, eyeing their two latest victims. "The woman, it's mine. I said it first!" The redcap with a bow said, grabbing its crotch.
The other redcap with a dagger roared. "No, I had my eyes on her first!"
The redcap with two daggers shouted. "I'll kill you if you interrupt me! She's mine."
Winter sighed, brows furrowing while looking at the terrified Felt. "It's hard being a woman in this reality. Not only do you have to be wary of men, but you also have to be wary of other creatures. What a challenging life."
"You got that right. So why don't you leave that woman here and run away? We'll give you a head start." A goblin redcap with two daggers said with a mocking tone.
"Yeah, yeah. A headstart!"
"I almost destroyed your base, and you're giving me a chance to run? Yeah, right."
"SMART! SMART!" The redcap goblin with a longsword screamed, laughing in glee.
Felt then shouted, releasing her frustration. Winter and, along with the redcaps, turned to her with a surprised expression. She then picked up two large rocks and assumed a combat stance.
"I've had enough of being treated as some object. You want me!? Come and get it, you disgusting fucking pigs!" Felt said, intent on making a last stand.
Winter smiled and joined her, brandishing the scorch dagger. "Watch my back, please." He said.