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Mana Gate
Chapter 13: The Midnight Gambit

Chapter 13: The Midnight Gambit

The air in the goblin camp was thick with tension, the darkened sky illuminated intermittently by the flickering fires that dotted the encampment. The new shaman had assumed control with an iron grip, and the camp's atmosphere was one of nervous anticipation. The previous night's grim ritual had only heightened the sense of foreboding. Now, the goblins were preparing to resume their work on the mana gate, a task that promised to be both crucial and dangerous.

From his hidden vantage point among the trees, Jack could see the preparations underway. The goblins were industrious, their movements quick and purposeful as they set about their tasks. The mana gate stood at the heart of the camp, a massive, arcane structure that pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly glow. The shaman's ceremonial altar was adorned with new sacrifices—some grotesque offerings from the surrounding forest, others taken from the remains of the ritual.

Jack’s heart raced as he observed the scene. His plan was simple: he would infiltrate the camp under the cover of darkness, sabotage the ritual if possible, and execute a daring maneuver to disrupt the goblin’s operations. But the complexity of the goblin camp, with its heightened security and the newly imposed order, demanded careful planning. Jack’s mind raced with strategies and contingencies, each detail crucial to the success of his operation.

As nightfall approached, Jack set about preparing for his infiltration. His ghillie suit, a makeshift creation of vines and leaves, was meticulously adjusted to ensure maximum concealment. He had learned the hard way that even the smallest lapse in stealth could spell disaster. His arsenal was ready: a bundle of carefully crafted traps, a handful of poison darts, and a selection of improvised weapons, all stored within the expanded capacity of his Space Storage skill.

Jack had spent hours crafting his plan. The traps were designed to disrupt the goblins' movements and create chaos, buying him precious moments in case of a rushed escape. His strategy involved a multi-layered approach:

1. Diversionary Tactics: Jack would create a series of distractions to draw the goblins away from key areas. The traps were rigged with noise-producing mechanisms, designed to lure goblins into specific zones where they would be vulnerable.

2. Sabotage: His primary goal was to interfere with the mana gate ritual. He planned to use his Storage skill to disrupt the components of the ritual, creating confusion and potentially halting the entire process.

3. Disruption of Resources: Given the grim reality of the situation, Jack had to reconsider the rescue plan. Upon learning the fate of the women held by the goblins, he decided to instead target their food storage, which could cripple the camp's operations and supply lines.

4. Escape Routes: In the event that things went awry, Jack had mapped out several escape routes, including hidden paths through the forest and emergency exits marked by his traps.

As the clock struck midnight, Jack prepared to put his plan into action. The camp was quiet, the goblins' noises subdued as they focused on their tasks. The shaman, surrounded by his closest aides, was deep in concentration, overseeing the preparations for the mana gate. This was Jack’s chance.

He crept through the forest, moving silently from tree to tree, his senses on high alert. The cool night air was punctuated by the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant call of nocturnal creatures. Jack's focus was absolute, every step measured to avoid detection.

Upon reaching the perimeter of the camp, Jack used his Stealth skill to remain unseen. He observed the goblin sentries patrolling the area, their movements predictable but dangerous. His traps were set along their routes, hidden in the undergrowth and primed for activation.

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The first phase of his plan began with a series of controlled distractions. Jack hurled a small, noise-making device into the woods behind the camp. The device emitted a series of loud clinks and whirs, mimicking the sound of rustling branches and snapping twigs. The goblins’ heads turned in unison, their attention drawn away from their duties.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Jack slipped past the perimeter and approached the central area of the camp. The mana gate loomed ahead, its arcane symbols glowing ominously. Jack’s heart pounded as he neared the altar, his eyes fixed on the components of the ritual. He carefully used his Storage skill to remove several key items from the altar, replacing them with decoy objects he had prepared earlier. The disruption would create confusion and delay the ritual.

While executing his plan, Jack kept a vigilant eye on his surroundings. The goblins, riled by the distraction, began to patrol the area more aggressively. The traps he had set began to activate, creating chaos and diverting more goblins away from the central area. The sounds of goblin curses and the clattering of equipment filled the night, further adding to the confusion.

With the ritual in disarray, Jack made his way toward the area where the women were being held. The building was heavily guarded, the sentries more alert than ever. Using his Stealth skill, Jack maneuvered through the shadows, avoiding detection as he approached the entrance.

Jack's heart sank as he entered the room. The sight that met his eyes was beyond anything he had feared. The women, including the two he had hoped to rescue, had been subjected to unspeakable horrors. Their bodies were marked by cruel abuse, and their legs had been cruelly snapped, leaving them unable to escape. The sight was a grim testament to the goblins' brutality.

His initial impulse was to act immediately, to free them and get them to safety. But as he observed the scene, he realized that the situation had become too dire. The women were beyond rescue in their current state. Instead of risking his own life and potentially failing in a direct attempt to save them, Jack made a strategic decision.

He moved swiftly to the nearby food storage hut, the one that was crucial to the goblins' operations. The goblins had amassed a significant quantity of supplies, and destroying these resources would be a severe blow to their camp’s sustainability. Jack used his Stealth skill to approach the storage hut, moving silently through the shadows.

Once inside, Jack assessed the supplies—dried meats, grains, and other essentials. He quickly gathered a portion of the food, using his Space Storage skill to store it safely. With the food secured, he set about his final act of sabotage. Jack used a small incendiary device, carefully placed among the supplies, and ignited it.

The flames started slowly, but soon they roared to life, consuming the stored food and sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. Jack watched from a concealed position, ensuring that the fire would spread and cause maximum damage. The chaos that erupted in the camp as goblins rushed to contain the blaze provided Jack with the perfect cover for his next move.

The camp was thrown into disarray, the goblins scrambling to save what they could. Jack used the opportunity to make his escape, slipping through the forest with the remaining food supplies. His plan had succeeded in creating a significant disruption, though it came at a cost. The rescue mission had turned into an act of strategic warfare, aimed at weakening the goblins' hold rather than saving lives directly.

As dawn approached, Jack and the stolen supplies were well into the forest, the remnants of the goblin camp's chaos still echoing in the distance. Jack’s heart was heavy with the knowledge of the atrocities he had witnessed and the challenges that lay ahead. His resolve was unshaken. The battle was far from over, and the fight for survival would continue.

With the food supplies secured and the camp in disarray, Jack prepared for the next phase of his plan. The goblins would undoubtedly retaliate, but he had gained crucial insights into their operations and had weakened their resources. The path ahead would be fraught with danger, but Jack was ready to face whatever came next.