The forest was a cauldron of chaos as Jack fought to stay one step ahead of the relentless pursuit of the red goblin warriors. The ethereal glow marking him like a beacon only made his predicament worse. The goblins were closing in, their guttural voices and pounding footsteps a constant reminder of the danger that surrounded him.

Jack’s heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. The forest, once a sanctuary, had become a treacherous labyrinth. His mind raced with the realization that he needed to confront the root of his problems—the shaman who had placed the spell on him. If he could eliminate the shaman, the glow marking him might disappear, giving him a chance to escape.

His immediate concern was the red goblin warrior who was getting closer, the tension in the air thick with the scent of impending violence. Jack, hidden among the rock formations, waited for the perfect moment to strike. His breathing was shallow, his pulse racing, as he prepared for the confrontation.

The goblin warrior, a hulking figure with crimson skin and a ferocious scowl, approached the area where Jack had set up his traps. Jack could see the warrior’s eyes scanning the terrain with predatory precision. He had no choice but to act quickly. His mind flashed with a plan, and he readied himself for action.

From his vantage point, Jack used his Space Storage skill to reach out and pluck a sizable boulder from the forest floor. The boulder hovered momentarily before Jack guided it into place. He used the skill to push the boulder into the path of the approaching goblin warriors, effectively blocking their advance.

With the path obstructed, Jack turned his focus to the immediate threat. He knew that the only way out of this predicament was to eliminate the shaman and disrupt the ritual. His resolve hardened as he prepared to head toward the main goblin camp.

However, as Jack turned to head toward the camp, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his side. He staggered, his vision blurring momentarily, as a paralyzing dart embedded itself in his flesh. The paralysis quickly set in, rendering him partially immobile. The warrior who had fired the dart advanced, a cruel grin stretching across his face. Another warrior closed in from behind, brandishing a brutal-looking club.

Jack's mind raced, even as his body struggled against the paralysis. He knew he needed to act quickly to stay alive. He activated his Healing skill, focusing on the area affected by the dart. The magical energy coursed through his body, alleviating the paralysis and allowing him to move again, albeit with great effort.

With his mana reserves dwindling, Jack used his Space Storage skill one last time to attack. He reached out and pulled the remaining warrior close, using the power of the skill to crush the warrior’s chest. The goblin fell, lifeless, to the ground. Jack’s mana ran out, leaving him drained and vulnerable.

Desperation surged through Jack as the remaining warrior advanced, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic pleasure. Jack knew he had to think quickly. With no mana left and his energy waning, he feigned unconsciousness, hoping to lure the goblin into a false sense of security.

The remaining warrior approached cautiously, his club ready to deliver a fatal blow. Jack remained still, his breath shallow and controlled. The goblin warrior loomed over him, preparing to strike, when Jack seized his chance. With a swift motion, he retrieved his last poison dart from his inventory. His hand shook with the effort as he aimed at the warrior’s throat.

The dart flew true, embedding itself in the goblin's throat. The warrior’s eyes widened in shock as the poison took effect, causing him to convulse and collapse. Jack, exhausted and nearly out of options, took a moment to catch his breath. He retrieved the goblin’s short bone sword, a jagged and crude weapon but one that might serve him well in the future.

With his immediate threats neutralized, Jack took stock of his situation. He was severely weakened and his mana reserves were depleted. His body ached from the injuries and exhaustion, but he knew he had to keep moving. The main goblin camp was still ahead, and the shaman was his primary target. Jack's resolve was as strong as ever. The risk of confronting the shaman was immense, but it was his only chance to rid himself of the beacon that marked him and to escape the relentless pursuit.

Jack moved carefully, using the cover of the forest and his limited strength to avoid detection. The terrain was challenging, but he was driven by a single goal: to reach the shaman and disrupt the ritual. The forest, though familiar, felt alien and hostile in his current state. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig was a potential threat.

As he neared the main goblin camp, Jack's thoughts were focused on the upcoming confrontation. The shaman’s presence was palpable, an oppressive force that loomed over the camp. Jack needed to be smart, to use every resource at his disposal to succeed. He had already suffered too much, and the time for hesitation was long gone. It was a fight for survival, and Jack was determined to emerge victorious.

The camp was a hive of activity as Jack approached. Goblins scurried about, their voices a cacophony of guttural sounds and harsh commands. The shaman was at the center of it all, his dark magic a constant reminder of the danger Jack faced. Jack knew that this was his moment, his opportunity to turn the tide.

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With a deep breath and a final surge of determination, Jack prepared to infiltrate the camp. His ghillie suit and the cover of darkness would aid him, but he knew that the real challenge lay ahead. The shaman's presence was formidable, and Jack needed to be at his best to succeed.

As he moved closer to the heart of the camp, Jack’s mind was focused on the task at hand. He had come too far to falter now. The stakes were higher than ever, and he was ready to confront whatever lay ahead. The battle for his freedom was far from over, and Jack was prepared to fight with every ounce of strength he had left.

Jack's breath came in ragged bursts as he crouched behind the thick foliage of the forest, the cool, wet mud clinging to his skin. His recent level-up had granted him a much-needed boost in mana, a crucial resource for the coming confrontation. The mud was intended to mask his presence, making it harder for the goblins to detect him. With each breath, Jack could feel his body adapting to the new attributes he had allocated, a steady increase in mana providing a sliver of hope amidst the overwhelming danger.

As he approached the main goblin camp, Jack’s heart raced with anticipation. His eyes scanned the surroundings, noting the heavy security and the relentless activity of the goblins. The camp was a hive of movement, the flickering light of torches casting ominous shadows on the surrounding trees. The shaman was positioned at the center, surrounded by his elite guards and engaged in dark rituals.

Jack knew that his stealth tactics would be put to the test. The wet mud helped obscure his presence to some extent, but he was well aware that the shaman’s magical senses could pierce through ordinary camouflage. He had to be both cautious and swift. His plan was to get close enough to the shaman to use his Space Storage skill effectively, but he had to avoid detection for as long as possible.

As he crept through the forest, Jack's senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs seemed amplified in his ears. His strategy involved avoiding the more heavily guarded areas of the camp and moving closer to where the shaman was conducting his ritual. The goblins were engrossed in their tasks, but Jack knew that the slightest mistake could expose him.

However, despite his careful approach, Jack’s stealth was no match for the shaman’s magical prowess. As he neared the center of the camp, he felt a sudden shift in the air, a tingling sensation that made his skin crawl. The shaman’s gaze, sharp and penetrating, seemed to pierce through the darkness, locking onto Jack’s position.

Without warning, the shaman raised his staff and began chanting in a guttural language. The air around Jack grew thick with a malevolent energy, and he felt an immediate drain on his strength. His limbs grew heavy, and a wave of dizziness washed over him, causing him to stagger. The shaman’s debuff magic was taking hold, reducing Jack’s strength and leaving him disoriented.

Two red goblin warriors, their eyes glowing with a cruel light, appeared beside Jack. Their brutish forms and intimidating presence were a stark contrast to the magical aura surrounding the shaman. They grabbed Jack roughly, their grip like iron as they dragged him toward the center of the camp.

Jack’s mind raced, trying to overcome the disorientation. He knew he had to act quickly. Despite the dizziness, he managed to use his Healing skill, focusing his thoughts on alleviating the effects of the shaman’s magic. The healing energy coursed through him, pushing back against the encroaching fog in his mind.

The shaman, now standing over a ritual altar, prepared a wicked dagger, its blade glinting in the torchlight. Jack’s heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination as he saw the shaman’s intent to end him. His only chance lay in a desperate maneuver.

As the shaman raised the dagger, Jack summoned all his remaining strength and concentration. With a swift mental command, he activated his Space Storage skill. The skill worked with a precision that matched the gravity of the moment. At close range, Jack used the skill to reach into the shaman’s head, plucking the brain from its confines.

The shaman’s eyes widened in shock as his own brain was removed, his body collapsing to the ground in a grotesque display. The two warriors, initially stunned by the sudden turn of events, hesitated momentarily. They rushed to catch the shaman’s falling body, their shock turning to confusion as they tried to comprehend what had just occurred.

Seizing the opportunity, Jack reached for the paralyzing darts he had collected earlier. With a swift motion, he hurled the darts at the two stunned warriors. The darts hit their targets, the poison quickly taking effect. The warriors’ movements grew sluggish as they succumbed to the paralysis, their bodies collapsing to the ground.

Jack, now free from the immediate threat of the shaman, moved with a renewed sense of urgency. He retrieved the shaman’s dagger from the fallen body and approached the paralyzed warriors. The dagger, once a symbol of the shaman’s dark power, was now a tool for Jack’s survival.

With precise, methodical strikes, Jack used the dagger to finish off the paralyzed warriors. The once-formidable guards fell silently, their bodies twitching in the throes of the poison. As the last of the life ebbed from their forms, Jack took a moment to catch his breath.

The camp, once a hive of activity, now fell into a tense silence. Jack’s breathing was heavy, his body still trembling from the exertion and the remnants of the shaman’s magic. He could feel the healing energy from the shaman’s death beginning to restore his strength. The oppressive glow that had marked him started to fade, and with it, the sense of being hunted.

Jack took a moment to survey the camp. The shaman’s death had caused a significant shift in the dynamic of the camp, and Jack knew that he had to act quickly to exploit this opportunity. His escape was still fraught with danger, but the immediate threat had been neutralized.

With the shaman’s dagger in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, Jack began to formulate his next move. The goblins would likely regroup and reinforce their defenses, but for now, he had gained a precious window of time. His mind raced with plans and possibilities as he prepared to navigate the chaotic aftermath of the shaman’s demise.

As he moved through the camp, Jack's thoughts were focused on the immediate future. He needed to find a way out of the camp, to avoid detection and make his escape. The goblins might have been thrown into disarray, but Jack knew that they would not be easily defeated. His journey was far from over, and the path ahead was fraught with peril.

Jack’s resolve was unwavering. He had faced overwhelming odds and emerged victorious, but the fight was far from finished. With the shaman dead and the camp in turmoil, Jack had a chance to turn the tide in his favor.