Zein and Jejj crouched, huddling.

"Cowardly?"

"Cowardly."

"You stalling on purpose?"

"I'm adding suspense! Doesn't it make it more fun?" Zein questioned, rhetorically. "Anyway, do you know how to clothesline?" Zein questioned, seriously.

"Do I know how to clothesline? Who do you think I am?" Jejj questioned, rhetorically. "And naw, it don't." Jejj answered, seriously.

"Ahhhh come on. Trust me! Let's rappel."

"I ain't got a good feeling 'bout this."

Jejj imagined everything which could go wrong as the two descended. The goblins spotted them. The twenty-eight of them were enraged. With salivating mouths and bloodshot eyes, the goblins charged, uncontrollable in their fervour.

"Go! We are going to run straight! Clothesline and dodge wherever you can!"

"Boy, you gotta be outta your goddamn mind!"

"Trust me! They aren't thinking straight right now. I know you can do it!"

AGH. "Fine!"

Jejj flexed their arms and ran ahead, throwing their arm at the necks of any goblin willing to show it. Zein, close behind, cut the Achilles of mage and archer goblins, making them fall. Dying to your kin. Kin consumed by emotion. Kin mindless. It was a fate undeserving. Yet, it was their reality. Any who fall will be crushed. And crushed they were.

Screams of pain. Screams of rage. Ding. Screams of death. A cacophony which echoed through the passageway. Meanwhile, Zein joined Jejj upfront.

"Keep going! We are halfway there!"

"Halfway!? You a sick man."

Zein laughed as an arrow whizzed past him, hitting one of the warriors behind in the head. "We are gaining exp though! I already levelled up!"

Jejj yelled as adrenaline coursed through their veins, keeping them going. They clotheslined a tank, breaking their shield and neck. Zein's laugh settled. His ears pricked. "Chanting?" Zein popped his head over the goblins, spotting a mage with their wand in the air, speaking a language he didn't understand. He did, however, understand it was bad news.

"Oh no you don't."

Zein climbed the tank in front of him and hopped, using their heads like stepping stones. With the mage in clear view, Zein took aim with his sword and flung it. It grazed the goblin's ribs, stunning them. Zein pumped his fists atop an archer's head. He couldn't stay for long due to the goblin's lack of hair providing for unstable footing, leading him to take a tumble. The goblins ran over him, not noticing the target they so desperately wanted laid before them. They chose to aim for the far stronger second one.

20. 20. 20. Zein's health plummeted as he crawled to retrieve his sword. Upon retrieval, Jejj grabbed him by the collar of his tunic and held him to their waist.

"You're not going to princess carry me this time?" Zein asked

"Are you insane!?"

Zein let out a laugh. "My bad, Jejj. You saved me back there."

"No shit! The hell you do that for?" Jejj asked, demanding an answer.

"I had to take care of a nuisance! The mage would have ruined the whole plan!" Zein explained. "Plus, I thought I had it in me…" he said depressed, dangling by their side.

"May The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit save me from this fool." Jejj prayed, crossing their heart and pointing to heaven.

"Now you're just being mean!" Zein complained. "I'm getting off!"

Zein wriggled off Jejj's hold. He rolled forward and launched himself at the nearest mage, slicing their throat as they launched a fireball. Jejj, almost telepathically, followed up with a punch to the wound. The mage fell in agony. The mage died in agony.

"We're almost at the door, get ready."

Jejj punched their thighs. Once. Twice. Thrice.

A large, intricate wooden door marked in goblin tongue stood before them. A goblin tank guarded it, holding their shield up. Jejj's leg started to falter, forcing them to run with a limp. Zein took notice.

"Stab."

Zein pierced the goblin's shield and body, ramming them into the door. Unable to take the pressure, the door burst open, revealing the final floor of the cave system's vast layout.

The floor, a semi-sphere structure with a hole in the centre of the roof. It let the sunshine in, spotlighting a goblin who towered over the rest of their species. A bone necklace adorned their neck and a club the size of the average goblin adorned their hand. A Chief Goblin. Supporting them, a goblin blanketed in a white robe and gold detailing. They held a staff with a cross atop it. A Cleric Goblin. Adjacent to the cleric, a goblin, different from its mage counterparts. They were clad in black robes with purple detailing. A Wizard Goblin. All three were level 15.

With continued momentum, Zein extracted his spear and jetted right. He aimed his sword at the chanting cleric and flung it. The sword implanted itself in the goblin's leg. They shrieked. He dropped their staff and attempted to extract the sword. The chief, watching the horde with Zein and Jejj leading the charge, roared.

The goblins broke. The little conscience they had left was no more. Their tongues stuck out as they charged their leaders.

"Jejj! Do you have the energy to take out the wizard?"

"Dash."

Jejj shot right, floating. They slid their shield off their hand and threw it. The shield flew- the shield hovered- the shield lost height- the shield stunned, hitting the goblin in the shin. Jejj landed on their shoulder, skidding across the ground.

They flopped on their back. "Party chat…Think I'll die if I lay here?"

Zein, caught off guard, moved to the side. He watched the zombies rush the mage and cleric.

"No, not at all."

"Okay…cause this…feels like shit. My head's fine… I am speaking too… But my body don't wanna move… neither my voice. Feels weird… Game's too realistic."

"I know right." He paused for a moment. "Thank you again."

"What?.. For saving your ass?"

"For trusting me."

"Yeah… You good… Don't let me die."

Jejj closed their eyes, resting. Zein closed their eyes, smiling. The 17 goblins attacked the chief, the cleric, and the mage. Zein joined the strike force. "It's time to clean up."

Zein led the goblins to the sword lodged cleric who was too focused on extracting it. Whack. The cleric's neck snapped as Zein brought their staff on them. A staff meant to bring life.

"Learn Skill: Heal."

Ding

"Heal."

Zein's health shot up from 30 to 105. His mana dropped by 20. Though it wasn't full, it was enough. Zein retrieved his spear from his still-open inventory.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Stab."

He impaled the goblin through their neck. Pinning them to the ground. Zein backed away as the goblins he'd led had arrived. Ready to finish the job. He retrieved his bow and last arrow, using the arrowhead to scratch the 4 goblins who came to help.

Satisfied with the damage he did to them, Zein drew his bow. His target? The wizard. A goblin too busy dealing with their subordinates. He aimed with his blood-dipped arrow and shot. The arrow zipped past the attackers and pierced the wizard through their cheeks like an apple. Zein left his bow back in his inventory. He picked up his spear, holding it in the air, and slammed it down. Picked it up. Slammed it down. Picked it up. Slammed it down. Picked it up. "Stab." Slammed it down. The cleric disintegrated, dropping 4 red celestial gems and a skill book. Goblin Cure, a spell which cured Rage, Confusion, and Fear. 20 Mana Consumption.

Zein stored the book in his inventory, taking his time to join the fight. He walked over to the wizard, spear in hand, and left minor wounds on any goblin he spotted on his way to the beaten-down mage. He ripped his arrow out from the goblin's cheek and stabbed the wizard with his spear. They fell apart, dropping 4 red gems and their black robe. The goblins switched focus to the chief. A goblin who swung their brethren like a baseball bat. 11 left.

Ding.

Zein stored the gems, the spear, the arrow, and his bow, dawned the black robe, and slid Jejj's shield on his arm. He walked over to his lain staff and sword, picking them up and storing them. Zein headed to where Jejj rested while distributing his stats, letting the goblins fight amongst each other.

Jejj opened their eyes. They slowly studied their surroundings. Beside them, an orange cat spotted in red and dressed in black robes. Jejj raised themself.

"I slept in game?"

"I think so? It happens to the best of us."

"How long I been out?"

"For about five minutes give or take."

"Could've been worse." Jejj inspected the robe. "The big mage drop that?"

"Yeah! It looks nice doesn't it? It gives me 5 intelligence and a bit of magic resistance."

"Nice." Jejj exclaimed drowsy. "Goes hard."

"Yeah." Zein slid their shield off their arm. "I got your shield back. Here." Zein handed it over. "You levelled up as well, so, make sure you distribute them."

"Much appreciated." Jejj slid the shield onto theirs, watching the chief demolish the others while having their health chipped away at. "So, that your plan?" Jejj pointed with their chin.

"Yeah. The devs hated it. The community didn't like it either at the start, but it's an efficient way to farm. So a lot of players who wanted to farm items or exp used this strat. The devs, however, patched it so a random mage out of the 7 present in the passageway, the wizard, or the cleric can use a spell which can cure their rage, effectively making it a 31 versus how many ever party members there are. But I guess they didn't want to completely ban player freedom since we can still make it happen."

"Wonder who came up with it. Open Status."

"I did!" Zein exhaled with pride.

Jejj sighed. "Figured…" they fiddled with their stats. "Wouldn't this be doable with 4?"

"It wouldn't really make sense for a new player to do something like this, especially if they want to do it with a group of 4. It's a hassle honestly, and you lose exp from goblins you didn't hit. Plus, most new players wouldn't know about this unless they check the forums, which is a bit suppressed there too, or they're a veteran."

"Always thought it but… You some crazy veteran or something?"

"I wouldn't call myself crazy."

"I would."

They both laughed as they watched the last goblin get thwarted by their chief. The chief whipped their head to the two, breathing heavy as arrows and swords stuck out from them.

"Guess we up. Close Status." Jejj kicked up.

"Yeah, we are. But before that, Heal: Jejj"

Jejj's health maxed out. "Nice stuff. You got enough mana?"

"Yeah. I got a little more than half, but it should be enough. It's recovering after all."

"Hell yeah. Let's get this shit."

The chief roared in fury. Their ochre eyes burned red. Zein used his staff and spear to pick himself up. Jejj walked ahead.

"I won't be using my skills too much so I can focus on healing. Is that okay?"

"Don't worry. I wanna take it. It's at 40% and I wanna see what I got." Jejj glanced back. "Mind healin' me?"

"Of course. Take them down, Jejj."

Jejj smiled as Zein took position behind them. Jejj balled their fists, going from a walk, to a jog, to a sprint. "I'm gettin' pumped! Let's getit goblin boy. My brain 'boutta burst out my head, but I got enough brain for you. Dash! Strike!"

Jejj dashed in- the club barely missed them. They struck the chief in the abdomen, forcing the chief to stagger.

Wop wop wop wop wop, Jejj messed them up, unleashing a flurry of punches. The chief, regain their balance, caught their hand and swung their club. Jejj raised their shield in the knick of time, softening the harsh blow which still sent them flying. They landed on their back and used the momentum to roll. Their shield crumbled to dust.

"Heal!"

Jejj's health went up as they came to a stop. They charged in once more. The chief threw rocks, their primary aim being Jejj, yet strays came Zein's way. Jejj weaved past them and Zein side-stepped with ease. They come within melee range, fists raised. The chief spun themself, club in hand. Jejj jumped, landing on their club. The club slammed into the ground as Jejj launched themself at the goblin.

"Strike."

Jejj slammed their fist into the goblin's throat, making them fall. They pummeled the chief. Punch after punch after punch after strike after punch. The chief put a stop to it, grabbing Jejj's head. The goblin got up and made Jejj fly like a javelin. Zein, watching this, planted his staff. He hopped onto the cross, using it as a ledge and leapt into the air, catching Jejj. He landed gently on the ground with Jejj on their shoulder.

"Nice catch. Sorry."

"You're good! I am returning the favour after all. Heal: Jejj."

Jejj touched his fur as their bruises glowed green. They healed to a little less than half.

"Your fur's soft as shit. Never realised before."

"I know right? I forget sometimes too." Zein's ears twitched. "You did well back there though!"

"Think so? Didn't beat it though."

"25% is more than what most can do alone. Especially when it's in berserk mode."

"Feel like you coulda solo'd it."

"A year ago. Yeah." Zein watched the chief reminiscing. "But for now, let's get going. I want to join the fun this time. Or do you want to go for round two?"

The chief screeched, throwing rocks at them. Zein dodged with Jejj still on his shoulder.

"Go ahead. Don't know if I got the energy for round two alone."

"Teamwork makes the dream work! I'll go in first this time."

Zein let them down and sprinted towards the chief. He stored his staff and pulled his sword. He slid through the chief's legs as they slammed their club down.

"Slash. Stab."

He slashed the goblin's Achilles heel with the sword and stabbed the other with the spear. The chief screamed in agony; Jejj followed up. "Strike!" Jejj socked the goblin in the jaw. They lurched backwards, swinging their club wildly; its trajectory unpredictable.

Zein fell back, dropping his weapons and reaching for his bow and arrow from his inventory. He aimed at the chief whose head swung around. Jejj, in the thick of it, punched any chance they got while dodging. Their eyes worked overtime.

"Mark."

A purple mark appeared over the chief's head. Zein shot. It hit. The arrow pierced their eye, criting. The chief screeched, dropping their club. Jejj picked it up with a struggle, hoisting it over their shoulder. They stepped back. Multiple steps back.

"I'm going in." Zein announced.

Zein stored his bow, picked up his spear, and ran. "Stab." He aimed the spear at the goblin's unwounded, closed eye and launched it. The spear pierced through the goblin's lower eyelid. Pierced deep.

"I leave the rest to you, Jejj!"

"Ain't you kind, Aight chief, time to end it."

Jejj drank their mana potion and bolted at the chief. They leapt into the air. Hovering. With all their strength, "Smash!" they brought the club down on the chief's head, leaving a dent. The chief went down with a seizure and disintegrated. The arrow disappeared. The spear fell with 8 red celestial gems, the Goblin's Bone Necklace and a Goblin Chief's Eye.

Jejj dropped to their knees.

Ding. Zein levelled up.

"It's over… Shit… I ain't never wanna do that again."

"We did it though. We've achieved something most have not. Isn't that exciting?"

"Don't think I got it in me to celebrate."

Zein put his hand on their shoulder, patting it. A door formed on a cave wall in front of them.

"What's with the door?"

"That door will lead us to a whole new world. Before we go in though, we gotta collect our winnings."

Zein handed Jejj the gems he got from the wizard and the two split the scattered gems and leather equally, venturing into the passageway as well. Upon their return, Zein retrieved his spear and sword, storing them. They both distributed their stat points and examined the equipment. The goblin eye is stated to be an alchemy ingredient. The bone necklace gave +3 to every stat. The club dealt +50 damage with a level 15 and 65 strength requirement.

"What would you like to have?"

"Not sure… I am taking the club thought. It ain't my style but it works as backup. How did I use it anyway if my strength wasn't up to par?"

"That's good with me. The club made you slower since you didn't meet the requirement. You might've been strong enough to lift and use it, however. The eye would be perfect for you if you're building to be a frontline melee dealer."

"Don't know what that means but I do wanna be up front beating the shit outta stuff. How's the eye gonna work? What's alchemy?

Zein's tail curled and slapped the ground "Alchemy gives permanent stat increases and passive skills. It's used by combining monster parts and gems." He tapped his fingers against his thumb. "The goblin eye, if I remember correctly, gives +10 strength and a certain percentage chance to cause rage in a monster. I think around 15%? Rage causes the monster to focus on you."

"Oh for real? I'll take it then." Jejj stored their items.

"Sounds good to me. I'll be taking the necklace then. Close Inventory." Zein tied it around his neck.

"Bet. Close Inventory."

Zein held his hand out for Jejj. They take it, pulling themself up. The two of them walk towards the door. Jejj picked up the pace, reaching the door first. They clutched the handle and opened it.

Inside, a small, well-shapen, rectangular room with two futuristic-looking objects in it and an oval gate emitting white light. The objects were coloured beige with a stripe of orange at its base. They were trapezoidal with a circular base and a flat top. They had small wings which jetted out just above the orange stripe. The base held two silver-coloured thrusters. A door was located close to the tip and two seats were seen inside objects.

Jejj, shocked, "Is… that a spaceship?"

Zein, excited, "Yeah! Isn't it cool!"

Jejj, hands on their head, "It's sick!"

Jejj marvelled at it, examining the ship from all sides. Rookie Spacecraft. A Spacecraft for beginners new to exploring the universe. Requires fuel. Durability: High.

After they finished exploring, "Wanna leave? We just gotta walk through there right?"

Hmmmm. "I do want to leave but what if those Skull Kidds guys are waiting for us? They must have figured out we are in here by now. It's been a little more than an hour after all."

"Aight then, whatcha got in mind?"

"Jejj." Zein smiled, devilish. "Have you ever been to space?"