The bounty board outside the guildhall was a mess of crumpled parchment and overlapping notices, most of which looked like they hadn’t been touched in weeks. The jobs ranged from painfully boring—herb gathering, pest control—to downright terrifying, with crudely drawn monsters and skull-shaped warning icons.

Evelyn stood next to me, her arms crossed as she scanned the board with a look of mild disgust. “Are all the jobs here this… bleak?”

“Pretty much,” I said, pulling down a notice with a sketch of a goblin on it.

Bounty: Goblin Hideout

Location: Eastern Woods, approximately two miles outside the city.

Objective: Eliminate the goblin threat. Proof of kills required (goblin ears).

Reward: 50 silver per goblin. Additional 100 silver for clearing the hideout entirely.

Evelyn leaned in to read over my shoulder, her brow furrowing. “Fifty silver per goblin. That doesn’t sound terrible. What’s the catch?”

“The catch,” I said, folding the paper, “is that it’s goblins. Plural. No idea how many.”

She frowned. “And you’re seriously thinking about this?”

“It’s better than chasing rats for two copper a tail,” I said, tucking the notice into my belt.

“Sure,” she muttered, glancing back at the board. “But goblins?”

I gave her a pointed look. “You got a better idea?”

Evelyn sighed, clearly debating whether or not to argue further. Finally, she threw up her hands. “Fine. Goblins it is. But if this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”

“Fair enough,” I said with a faint smirk. “Let’s get moving.”

The road out of the city was quieter than I expected, the clamor of the marketplace fading into the distance as we followed the dirt path toward the eastern woods. The air was cooler here, the breeze carrying the faint scent of damp earth and pine.

Evelyn walked beside me, her satchel bouncing lightly against her hip with each step. For a while, neither of us spoke, the silence between us heavy with unspoken questions.

Finally, she broke the quiet. “So, Liam Carter,” she said, her tone curious but cautious.

“What about me?” I asked, glancing her way.

“Who are you?” she asked, shifting the satchel on her shoulder. “Before all this, I mean. Where are you from?”

I considered brushing it off, but there wasn’t much point. “Sydney,” I said finally. “Australia. I worked as a bouncer.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “A bouncer?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Nightclubs, mostly. Breaking up fights, throwing out drunks, keeping the peace.”

Evelyn tilted her head, studying me. “That explains a lot, actually.”

“Does it?” I asked, smirking faintly.

“You’ve got that whole ‘stoic protector’ thing going on,” she said, gesturing vaguely. “I mean, you jumped into that alley without a second thought.”

I shrugged, adjusting the strap of my shield. “It’s just what I do.”

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “So, what, you just went from tossing out rowdy club-goers to stabbing goblins?”

“Something like that,” I said. “Your turn. Who were you?”

Her expression grew more thoughtful, her fingers brushing the strap of her satchel. “A librarian,” she said after a moment. “In Toronto. I spent most of my days shelving books, hosting events, and dealing with annoying patrons.”

“A librarian?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yep,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “And I was good at it, too. But somehow, I don’t think cataloging skills are going to help much here.”

I snorted. “You never know. Goblins might be sticklers for the Dewey Decimal System.”

Evelyn laughed, the sound light and genuine. “If only.”

The treeline loomed ahead, the dense canopy casting long shadows across the road. The wind rustled the leaves, the sound carrying a faint sense of foreboding.

“So,” Evelyn said, breaking the silence. “A bouncer and a librarian walk into a medieval world. What are the odds?”

“Pretty slim,” I said with a smirk.

She shook her head, glancing at me. “And yet, here we are.”

“Here we are,” I echoed, my gaze fixed on the path ahead.

The forest swallowed the road as we stepped into its shadows, the weight of the bounty pressing down on us both. Goblins, danger, and whatever else this world had in store—we’d face it. Together.

The forest was alive with noise as we moved deeper into the woods. The rustling of leaves, the chirping of unseen birds, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot created a constant backdrop of sound. But the closer we got to the hideout’s marked location on the map, the quieter it became.

Evelyn walked beside me, her expression tense as her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her satchel.

“Are we sure about this?” she asked, her voice low but sharp.

“No,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the path ahead. “But we’re here now. Might as well see it through.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t argue.

The clearing came into view suddenly, the trees giving way to an open space dominated by a crude wooden palisade. The makeshift walls were jagged and uneven, lashed together with frayed ropes, and the smell of smoke and rot hung heavy in the air.

“That’s the hideout?” Evelyn asked, wrinkling her nose.

“Looks like it,” I said, crouching behind a bush and motioning for her to do the same.

We scanned the area, but at first, the place seemed deserted. No movement, no sounds—just the faint crackle of a dying fire near the center of the clearing.

“Where are they?” Evelyn whispered, her voice tight with unease.

Before I could answer, a guttural screech cut through the silence, sending a chill down my spine.

They came pouring out of the hideout like a tide of filth—small, green-skinned creatures with jagged teeth, crude weapons clutched in their clawed hands. Goblins.

“There’s a lot of them,” Evelyn muttered, her wide eyes darting between the swarm of creatures.

I counted quickly, my chest tightening with each number. “About twenty.”

“Twenty?” she hissed, her voice rising in pitch. “You said this was low risk!”

“I said it was better than rats,” I corrected, gripping the hilt of my sword.

Her glare could have melted steel, but we didn’t have time for an argument.

Stolen story; please report.

At the rear of the group, a larger goblin stepped forward. Unlike the others, this one wore scraps of armor and carried a rusted but wickedly sharp axe. A crude crown made of bones and teeth sat atop his head.

Goblin Chief - Level 3

The glowing marker above his head confirmed what I’d already guessed—this guy was in charge.

“Well,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “There’s our target.”

Evelyn’s HUD lit up as a notification appeared in the corner of her vision. Judging by the way her face paled, it wasn’t good news.

Warning: Party Outnumbered. Caution Advised.

“Caution?” she muttered, gripping the strap of her satchel like it might keep her grounded. “What part of this looks cautious to you?”

“Stay calm,” I said, watching as the goblins spread out, forming a loose semicircle around the clearing. “We’ve got this.”

“You keep saying that,” she said, her voice trembling. “And yet, I’m not feeling particularly ‘got.’”

The goblins stopped advancing, their screeching voices quieting as the chief stepped forward. His yellow eyes glinted with malice, and he raised his axe high, letting out a guttural roar that echoed through the clearing.

The smaller goblins responded with their own shrieks and howls, the sound grating and chaotic.

“Alright,” I said, gripping my shield tightly and glancing at Evelyn. “Here’s the plan: I’ll hold the line. You hit them with whatever you’ve got.”

“Hit them with what?” she asked, panic flashing in her eyes.

“Anything,” I said. “Magic, rocks, insults—whatever works.”

She stared at me for a beat, then exhaled sharply. “Fine. But if we die, I’m haunting you.”

I smirked faintly, standing and raising my shield. “Deal.”

The goblins surged forward, a swarm of shrieks, jagged weapons, and wild, glowing eyes. I stepped into their path, my longsword gleaming in the faint light that pierced the forest canopy, and raised my shield.

“Evelyn!” I shouted, my voice strained over the growing din. “Magic! Now would be good!”

Behind me, Evelyn stood frozen, her wide eyes darting between the advancing goblins and the glowing icons in her HUD. Her hands trembled as she swiped wildly at the air, trying and failing to activate a spell.

“I—I can’t!” she stammered, her voice cracking. “I don’t know how!”

“Figure it out!” I barked, stepping forward as the first goblin lunged at me.

The creature was quick, its rusted spear darting toward my chest. I blocked it with my shield, the impact rattling my arm, and countered with a sharp thrust of my longsword. The blade bit deep into its chest, and the goblin crumpled with a gurgled screech.

Another one darted in from the side, swinging a crude axe. I parried the attack, twisting the goblin’s weapon aside before driving my sword into its gut.

Two down. Too many left to go.

My HUD flashed red as a jagged blade scraped across my leg, the goblin’s cackle drowned out by the pain shooting up my thigh.

HP: 75/100

I gritted my teeth, forcing the pain down as I shoved my shield into the offending goblin’s face, sending it sprawling to the ground.

“Evelyn!” I roared, cleaving another goblin in half as it charged. “I can’t hold them all off!”

“I’m trying!” she yelled back, her voice thick with panic. “It’s not working—I don’t know what I’m doing!”

I couldn’t afford to look back at her. My focus was entirely on the wave of goblins pressing in, their jagged weapons flashing in the dim light. I was outnumbered, and even with my shield and sword, I couldn’t last like this forever.

Then I felt it—that familiar surge of warmth and power coursing through me.

Divine Smite Activated.

Your weapon is imbued with divine energy. Bonus damage applied for the next 10 seconds.

The blade of my longsword flared to life, radiant energy cascading down its length. The goblins screeched and recoiled, their beady eyes fixed on the glowing weapon in my hand.

I stepped forward, swinging the sword in a wide arc. The first goblin didn’t stand a chance, its body cleaved cleanly in two by the burning light.

Another lunged at me, its dagger aiming for my throat. I sidestepped the attack, bringing the glowing blade down on its shoulder and cutting through its torso with ease.

The divine energy hummed with every strike, tearing through the goblins like they were nothing. Their chaotic movements slowed, hesitation creeping into their attacks as I pushed them back.

For a moment, I thought we might actually win this.

Then the chief came.

The goblin chief was a hulking brute, towering over the others with a rusted axe in his gnarled hands. Scraps of mismatched armor hung from his bulky frame, and a crude crown of bones sat crooked on his head.

Goblin Chief - Level 3

He roared, his guttural voice shaking the air, and charged straight for me.

I raised my shield just in time to block the first strike. The impact was like being hit by a battering ram, and the force sent me stumbling back. My HUD blared a warning.

HP: 50/100

The chief didn’t give me a chance to recover. His axe came down again, and I barely managed to deflect it with my sword. The vibrations from the clash shot up my arms, making my muscles scream in protest.

“Evelyn!” I called, desperation creeping into my voice. “I need backup!”

“I don’t know how!” she shouted, her panic clear. “I can’t—”

The chief’s next swing caught the edge of my shield, tearing it from my grasp and sending it skidding across the ground.

I staggered back, raising my sword as the massive goblin advanced. His yellow eyes gleamed with triumph, and he raised his axe high, ready to finish me off.

A sudden blast of dark energy slammed into the chief’s chest, knocking him back with a guttural snarl. He stumbled, his attack faltering as black tendrils crackled across his armor.

I glanced back to see Evelyn, her hand outstretched and her expression one of wide-eyed disbelief. Wisps of shadowy magic clung to her fingers, fading as she slowly lowered her hand.

“I… I did it,” she whispered, staring at her trembling fingers.

“Good timing,” I muttered, lunging forward to grab my shield from the ground.

The chief shook off the blast, his glare shifting toward Evelyn.

I stepped between them, raising my shield and tightening my grip on my sword. “Stay behind me,” I said, my voice firm.

Evelyn nodded, shadowy energy flickering to life around her hands again.

The goblin chief roared, swinging his massive axe in a wide arc. I ducked under the blow, the blade passing so close I felt the wind whip against my face.

“Evelyn, keep him distracted!” I yelled, stepping to the side to dodge a smaller goblin charging with a jagged spear.

Evelyn raised her hands, shadowy energy flickering to life around her fingers. A blast of dark magic shot out, hitting the chief square in the chest. He stumbled, snarling as he regained his balance, but the attack gave me enough time to regain my footing.

Two more goblins rushed at me from opposite sides. My shield caught one, slamming it into the ground with a crunch, while my longsword cleaved through the other in a single radiant strike.

Divine Smite Activated.

-30 HP. Fatal wound inflicted.

The goblin collapsed, its shrieks silenced as the light seared through its chest.

The chief lunged at me again, his axe raised high. I met him head-on, my sword glowing as I brought it up to block the strike. The force of the impact sent vibrations through my arms, but I held my ground.

“Hit him again!” I shouted, gritting my teeth.

Evelyn muttered something under her breath, her hands trembling as she launched another blast of shadowy energy. It struck the chief’s side, staggering him long enough for me to press the advantage.

I stepped forward, driving my sword into his shoulder. The divine light flared brightly, and the chief let out a guttural roar as the blade sank deep.

-40 HP. Fatal wound inflicted.

The massive goblin swayed, his weapon slipping from his grasp as he toppled forward into the dirt.

The smaller goblins froze, their eyes darting between me and the chief’s lifeless body. One by one, they turned to flee, their shrieks fading into the distance as they disappeared into the forest.

The clearing fell silent except for the sound of my labored breathing. My HUD flashed, a chime ringing in my ears.

Level Up! You have reached Level 3.

I grinned despite the ache in my limbs. “Not bad,” I muttered, lowering my sword.

“Not bad?” Evelyn snapped, her voice shaky. “We just took down twenty goblins and a chief! You’re lucky you didn’t get yourself killed!”

I turned to face her, noting the faint glow around her as her own HUD lit up. Her eyes widened as she stared at it.

Evelyn Harper

Level Up! You have reached Level 2.

The notification hovered in my vision, the soft chime ringing in my ears.

“Wait…” I muttered, blinking as another notification appeared almost immediately.

Level Up! You have reached Level 3.

“What the hell?” I said aloud, my gaze darting to Liam, who was wiping his sword clean.

“You’re leveling up,” he said casually, as if that explained anything.

“Well, yeah, I figured that out,” I shot back, swiping at the glowing Stats button in my HUD. “But two levels? That seems… a bit much.”

“You’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” Liam said with a smirk.

I ignored him, focusing on the glowing menu.

Stat Points Available: 6

I stared at the screen for a moment, then started distributing points.

* Strength: +2

* Dexterity: +1

* Intelligence: +3

A warmth spread through me as the changes took effect, and I felt a flicker of energy return to my limbs.

New Ability Unlocked: Minor Shadowbind

Innate Perk Unlocked: Umbral Surge

“What’s Umbral Surge?” I murmured, tapping the description.

Umbral Surge:

Your shadow-based abilities deal 10% more damage and regenerate 5% of your max mana every time you kill an enemy with a spell.

A grin tugged at my lips. “Now that’s more like it.”

Liam sheathed his sword, opening his own HUD.

“I got an innate perk too,” he said, his tone casual but satisfied. “Iron Resolve. Extra damage resistance when I’m below half health.”

“That sounds annoyingly perfect for you,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Perks of being a Paladin,” he said with a smirk.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, dismissing the menus as I glanced around the clearing. The goblin chief’s body lay a few feet away, his crude crown tilted askew.

“Alright,” Liam said, crouching next to one of the smaller goblins. “Time to finish the job.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He pulled out a dagger, gesturing to the goblin’s ear.

“Oh.” I grimaced, glancing at the dozens of bodies scattered across the clearing. “This is going to be disgusting.”

Liam shrugged, already slicing into the first goblin’s ear. “Disgusting pays.”

I sighed, pulling out my own blade. “I better be getting hazard pay for this.”