Third Person POV

"Goblin Subjugation, High Yields," Adam put down the mission paper on the table and sat down next to the team's vanguard. "What do you think Linda?" he asked the team's mage.

The mage, a blonde haired girl wearing a purple cape, nodded in agreement. "If you think we'll get a lot out this, then yeah, sure, why not?" she asked.

A brown haired archer took the mission paper and read the details. "Goblin cave huh? Near the hydra lake… hmm…" he shrugged a little. "Fine by me big boss, though, don't expect me to contribute much in cramped area."

"Don't fret Romeo," the black haired vanguard pat his shoulder. "With me around, you'll get the perfect aim every time,"

"Felix, no," Linda said suddenly. "We are NOT pulling that again, you literally almost died back there," she said sternly.

"Aww, come on Linda! It works didn't it? The hordes of Kobolds all aimed at me and Romeo barely has to aim! It's a perfect strategy, even that adventurer party uses it!"

Linda rolled her eyes. "Felix, every single one of the Fantastic Dreamer is an Advanced Class. We can't use the same tactics they use lest we get ourselves killed," she took the mission paper out of Romeo's hand. "Anyway, let's just go, before it gets dark. Ne, Adam?"

Adam, the warrior and the team leader stood up. "Alright, let's move out team," he said before leading everyone out of the guild.

…

After almost half a day trek through the plains, the four of them made it in front of the goblin cave. They walk in double file, Adam and Felix at front, Linda and Romeo at the back.

"Create Light," Linda whispered and a ball of light appeared from her hand. It floats in the air, further illuminating the dark cavern. A couple of goblins noticed the light in front of them and they charged in towards them.

Romeo stepped back and draw his bow. Felix activated bait and Adam brandished his sword. Linda already have the fireball spell at the tip of her tongue but she decided to not waste her mana.

"Down low Felix!" Adam yelled while swinging his sword straight at Felix. The vanguard ducked at the last moment and the blade struck a couple of goblins pouncing at him.

The vanguard tackled the nearest goblin before striking it with his great sword. He turned around and saw another goblin already pouncing towards him. "Oh shi-"

'thunk'

An arrow swept through the air and hit the goblin right in the eye. It wailed in agony before dropping dead on the floor. "Watch your heads Felix," Romeo said. "And for goodness sake, lower your bait skill, Adam is not as squishy as he look like."

"Oi, what do you mean squishy?" the warrior asked while stabbing an incoming goblin.

"Wind Curtain!"

A column of wind surrounded Felix from all sides and deflected an incoming arrow. Adam turned to where the arrow came from and charged straight towards the group of goblin archers.

"Wait Adam!" Linda yelled. "Romeo, cover fire," with Adam out of the way, Romeo took over the DPS and start firing rapidly at the group of goblins surrounding the vanguard.

It took almost half an hour and Romeo almost depleted all his arrows. But soon enough, both the goblin fighter and archer were wiped out. Adam returned back to everyone with an excited look on his face.

"Alright guys, great news I just found…"

"Since when are you a scout!?" Linda yelled. "Attacker don't break from formation to deal with ranged enemies! That's the main reason why we have Romeo with us!"

Adam just smiled sheepishly before gesturing deeper at the cave. "Chill sis, I know what I'm doing," he motioned everyone to follow him. "Anyway, I found some treasures in the end of this place."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Treasures?" Linda asked. "You mean like gold and jewels?"

"This is a goblin's cave, not a dragon's lair," Adam scoffed. "I just saw a bunch of old weapons and equipment. Probably worth a few thousand Eris in the pawn shop," he said.

The mage sighed in disappointment. "Here I thought we get to pay back our debt…" she muttered to herself.

"You really don't have to," Felix said suddenly. "Seriously guys, once my dad kicked the bucket, I'll ask big bro to absolve your debt."

A small smile formed on the mage's face. "Thank you Felix… We, we owe you for that. But still, we'll try to pay it back if we can, okay?"

"Well, I mean, he said we don't have to… ow!" Adam rubbed the back of his head and turned to Linda. "What was that for?"

"We are not taking advantage of Felix's kindness to clean up our mess."

"It was our dumb ass parent's fault we get into this situation, not ours," Adam retorted.

"Well it's still our responsibility as the…"

"Everybody stop…" Romeo whispered suddenly.

Just like that, the atmosphere turned tense. Everyone slowly turned around and saw their worst fear walking into the cavern. An entire army of Goblins led by the Beginner's Bane, blocking the entrance.

Linda felt her blood ran cold and all power left her body. "It's a trap…" she whispered in horror. "Eris… it was a trap… W-we have to get out of here…" she looked around, wildly scanning for an exit.

Beside her, Adam and Felix took a step forward. "I'm gonna be honest with you sis," the warrior said. "Not all of us are going to walk out of this alive,"

"D-don't say that!"

"Adam's right," Felix muttered. "This Rookie Killer is smart enough to turn a goblin's cave into a trap. It even pulled out the main army out of the cavern for backup. We're fighting an opponent stronger and smarter than us."

The mage gritted her teeth and start thinking up all the spells she can think of, in her head. "Well you know what? The only one not getting out of here alive is that stupid cat!"

"FIREBALL!!"

A ball of fire flew out of her oak staff. It illuminated the cave, sending some twigs and hidden torches ablaze. It kept going through the corridor until it made it straight to the Rookie Killer.

However, the Rookie Killer nimbly dodged the fire and began charging straight at the adventurers.

"Okay everyone, on three…" Adam said as the group slowly split off. "One…" the warrior watched as the rookie killer gets closer and closer to them. "Two…" they can hear and feel it's footsteps as it pounded through the corridor. "Three!!!"

Linda and Felix jumped to one side while Romeo and Adam jumped to the other.

They crumpled on the floor, expecting to see the Rookie Killer missing them so that they can bolt out of the cavern. But they underestimated the beast's intelligence once again.

The cat didn't lunge at them. It simply stopped in its tracks, now standing between the downed adventurers. Felix was the first to get up and stood in front of Linda, shielding her from the beast.

"Regroup and get the hell out, I'll hold him- GAH!" The Rookie Killer lunged at the vanguard and pushed him on the ground. "GO!!!"

There was a hideous squelching sound and blood splattered the floor. Three gaping wound formed on the Crusader's neck and his body lay limp on the stone floor.

"Fe-Felix…" Linda's vision was a blur as she gazed upon the body of her fallen friend. She didn't even notice the voices calling out to her and the Rookie Killer lunging after her.

A pair of arm embraced her from the side and tackled her down to the floor.

"SNAP OUT OF IT!!!"

"Wh-wha?" Linda tried blinking and saw the normally calm and composed archer staring at her in panic. "Romeo?"

The archer aimed his bow point blank at the Rookie Killer. "Get out of here, Adam and I will keep it distracted…" he muttered.

The Rookie Killer stared at the bow and began circling them. It seems like it's smart enough to register a threat of an arrow to the eye.

Linda turned back to Felix's body and tears begun trickling on her face. "Felix…"

"Is dead Linda… I know it's- Whoa!"

Romeo dodged at the last second when the Rookie Killer suddenly struck him. The sharp claws hit his chest, leaving behind four gaping wound. "Sh-shit... Get out of here Linda…"

"N-no, Romeo!" Linda glared at the beast. "FIREBALL!!!"

A huge plume of fire soared towards the beast. But it nimbly dodged the fire and lunged at the mage.

Before it could, a warrior struck it from the side and the Rookie Killer was forced back. "Linda, for fuck sake, get the hell out of here!"

"Why is everyone so adamant on getting me out of here!?" Linda gestured wildly at the group of goblins waiting for them. "Do you really think I can get through that!? I'm as dead as you all!!!"

Adam chuckled mirthlessly at that. "You're right… Well then, we're bringing this son of bitch with us…" he muttered before taking a deep breath. "Cover me Linda!"

"Fireball!"

Faced between a ball of fire and a warrior, the Rookie Killer chose the latter. It charged straight at the warrior and met his sword with its gigantic claws. Unfortunately for the warrior, the Rookie Killer has more than one claw.

With a powerful swipe, the warrior was thrown away to the other side of the cave.

This leaves Linda, the last one standing in the face of unconquerable odds.

"No mana… Fuck it, my life force is fine," she muttered before raising her hand. "Fire-"

There was a flash of fire, but it wasn't hers. A man suddenly stood between her and the Rookie Killer. On his right hand is a large sword bathed in fire. His left hand aimed at the beast, ready for a spell.

The beast took a step back and growled at the man. It tried to lunge at the man, but something heavier, and much stronger than itself suddenly charged at it. It was tackled to the ground and lay sprawled on the other side of the cavern.

"Nice one Darkness!!!" the man yelled before turning towards Linda. He grinned at her, with a smile that brought nothing but hope and comfort. "Alright, we'll take it from here."