The entrance to the goblin dungeon loomed ahead, a jagged cave mouth set deep into the side of a hill, surrounded by gnarled trees and thick underbrush. The terrain was rough, uneven, with sharp rocks jutting out of the earth. The forest around the cave was thick with shadows, the trees seeming to close in like a natural barrier, isolating this place from the rest of the world. It was an ominous reminder that Jaxon was far from the safety of his new cabin, but he had no choice this was where he would begin his rise in strength.
He crept forward, his breath steady, as he reached the entrance of the cave. Inside, the air grew cooler, damp with the scent of earth and decay. Flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, and the faint sounds of goblins echoed through the tunnels. Jaxon knew this dungeon was designed for beginners, but that didn’t make the creatures any less dangerous. He had to be cautious, methodical.
His heart beat faster as he edged further into the darkness, but his focus remained sharp. He knelt down, activating his Bear Trap skill, placing the first trap at the cave’s entrance. The description appeared in his mind as he set the mechanism into the dirt:
Bear Trap (Level 0): Deploys a hidden trap that snaps shut, immobilizing the target and causing heavy damage.
The trap was nearly invisible, hidden beneath the dirt and rocks, its deadly jaws waiting to snap shut. With his Unseen talent, no goblin would be able to detect it. He moved deeper into the dungeon, setting several more traps along the narrow pathways, each one strategically placed to catch anything that moved.
The dungeon’s tunnels were winding and tight, forcing Jaxon to stay low and keep his steps quiet. As he rounded a corner, he spotted the first group of goblins—small, ugly creatures with mottled green skin, sharp teeth, and crude weapons made from rusted metal. They were patrolling the area, their guttural voices low as they communicated in their primitive language.
Jaxon froze for a moment, calculating his next move. There were three of them, their beady eyes scanning the cave for threats. He shouted then ran back luring them toward his traps. It was a game of patience, one that he knew he would win.
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With a sharp hiss, the first goblin stepped onto a Bear Trap. The jaws of the trap snapped shut around its leg with a sickening crunch, causing the creature to shriek in agony. The other two goblins spun around, their weapons raised, but Jaxon had already activated his next trap. Another Bear Trap caught the second goblin by the arm, crushing bone and flesh in one brutal motion. The third goblin tried to flee, but its fate was sealed. The final trap triggered, snapping its ankle and as it hit the ground it triggered another one snapping its neck clean off.
Jaxon smirked as he watched the carnage unfold. The traps were efficient, doing the dirty work for him. He didn’t even need to lift a finger. Stepping over the bodies, he checked his stats. The experience was flowing in, and he could feel his strength rising.
He wasn’t done yet.
Deeper into the dungeon, the terrain became more treacherous. The tunnel narrowed even further, leading to a wide, open chamber where the goblin leader waited. The leader was larger than the others, its eyes glowing with a malicious intelligence. It wielded a crude but powerful spiked club, and its guttural orders echoed through the chamber as it directed more goblins to patrol the area.
Jaxon knew this would be a tougher fight. The goblin leader wouldn’t go down as easily as its underlings. But he was prepared.
He crouched low, setting more Bear Traps at the entrance of the chamber, creating a deadly field that no goblin would escape. Then, with a deep breath, he stepped forward and whistled sharply. The goblins turned as one, eyes locking onto him. The leader snarled, raising its club, and the horde charged.
The first goblin stepped into a trap, screaming as its leg was crushed. Another trap snapped shut on the second, and the third fell with a broken neck. But the leader kept coming, pushing through the chaos, stepping over its companions body’s its eyes locked on Jaxon.
Jaxon backed up, keeping his distance, until the leader stepped onto the final Bear Trap. The trap closed around its ankle, sending it crashing to the ground with a roar of pain. Jaxon didn’t hesitate he rushed forward, grabbing a sharp rock from the ground, and drove it into the goblin leader’s chest, ending its life with one swift strike.
The dungeon fell silent.
Jaxon stood over the bodies, breathing hard, the rush of victory surging through him. His traps had worked flawlessly, and now, with the goblin leader dead, he felt the surge of experience push him to new heights. His stats screen appeared before him, and his eyes widened as he saw the words he had been waiting for:
Level Up!
Name: Jaxon
Profession: Trap God
Level: 5
His traps had become stronger, and so had he. Jaxon smiled. This was only the beginning. Soon, the world would know the power of a Trap God.