We set off shortly after sunrise the next day. I had hoped to gain a few experience points along the way. Everyone was perfectly healthy though. Harold was even left out of the fighting yesterday to finish healing. Something he was all too eager to let the others know that he was none too happy bout. Eventually we made it to where we all meet. Just outside what was believed to be the main goblin attack. Although, given how many goblins participated in the attack yesterday nobody is sure of anything anymore.
We or rather they spend the next several hours searching for clues and trying to understand why the goblins suddenly changed their tactics. I try to help but I wouldn't know if something was out of place or not, so I mainly just scan the perimeter for any potential threats. I do get the occasional glimpse of something large. It appears to walk upright but always vanishes into the tree line before I can get close enough to even bring up its information panel. Eventually it's decided that the best course of action is to continue in the direction we were going. Mainly because we have nothing else to go by and they're not willing to give up just yet.
those strange creatures appear several more times but never get close enough for me to get any actual information. I eventually mention this to the group, but they seem unbothered. According to them it could be any number of creatures that exist this far out away from the city or any main paths. Furthermore, they are probably keeping their distance because of me. I'm not convinced. I do have to admit however that it has been a while and we've yet to be attacked.
Once the sky starts turning red, they decide to start setting up camp. I'm not so sure that it actually qualifies as a camp though. It mainly just consists of a tarp in case it rains, and four bedrolls enchanted to repeal bugs. They decide against gathering the stuff to make a campfire stating that it would draw to much attention in case there are other goblins in the area. They are supposed to be on an investigation after all. With any luck we're still headed in the direction the goblins came from.
The night watch was divided into two hour shifts that way everyone gets a little sleep. Not that they expected anything to happen it was just standard procedure. Twitchy had the first watch. Followed by Harold, Vivi, and Finally Yuna. With the night watch schedule having been decided they settle down to enjoy some dried fruits and meats that they brought for rations. After that everyone except Mark settles in for the night. It doesn't take long for him to start earning his nickname. If I didn't know better, I'd think him a coward. He just takes his duty very seriously. Some might say a little too seriously. Being on high alert all the time like that can't be healthy.
Eventually I manage to fall asleep. Though that doesn't last long. I'm soon awoken by the sounds of combat. I'm not sure how long I was asleep but now the entire group is engaging two very large enemies. These things dwarfs even Harold who is at least a head or more taller than most other adventurers. He is doing his best to keep their attention though I doubt even he could tank a direct hit from one of them without his shield. He must have some kind of skill to boost his defense for him to tank the hits at all. Probably multiple skills come to think of it. Twitchy and Vivi are both darting around firing of spells and arrows respectively whenever they find an opening. Yuna appears to just be hiding but she isn't exactly a combatant so I can't really blame her. Besides I have no doubt she would be the first to run up if one of the others was actually injured.
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Seeing this I take a moment to pull up the enemy's stats.
Race
Orc
Level 15 Attack 64 Defense 38 speed 27 Skills Berserker Rage Talents Magical resistance, Regeneration
The other one is slightly weaker being one level lower. Still, I doubt the four of them would be able to handle those two. At least not without a considerable amount of effort. Due to their magical resistance and their monstrous strength I decide to be a bit more subtle this time. I start with having the ground open up and swallow one of their feet. This doesn't trap it for long but does distract it long enough for Harold to get a few good hits in. Meanwhile Twitchy and Vivi are keeping the other one's attention.
To my horror their regeneration ability appears to be even better than mine as the gashes left by the two sword strikes begin healing at a visible speed. No wonder the arrows didn't seem to be doing much. With no other choice I move forward to get their attention while hoping that my mirror shield can protect me. They've apparently decided to focus on taking out the humans though as neither one turns to focus on me. Guess I'll have to make them pay attention to me. So much for being subtle.
I start summoning spikes under their feet which does get their attention. Their defense may be high, but I'd be willing to bet that having a spike shoved through your foot will still hurt like crazy. This allows the others to go on the offensive. From here on out though I decide to focus on the one that Harold is attacking. Allowing Harold and the other two to focus on the other one. Knowing how good their regeneration is I waste no time in pressing the attack. Unfortunately, my choices are still rather limited when it comes to offense.
I charge at it while simultaneously raising up the ground behind him just high enough for him to trip over. Yes, it's an old trick. Some might even say cliché. In this world though I'm hoping that it might be new enough to actually work. As predicted the orc attempts to back up but soon trips over the knee-high wall of earth and finds a rather sharp pillow waiting for him.
After confirming that my opponent was down for the count, I turn to help the others take down their opponent. Only then do I see several large figures emerge from the shadows. Now it's us who are outnumbered. What's worse is we are surrounded so we can't even escape. If there was only a few more I could have still used my size to bulldoze my way through and escape but there are too many of them now.