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Mana Gate
Chapter 4: Turn of Fate

Chapter 4: Turn of Fate

The morning sun filtered through the thick canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows over the resort. Jack, unable to shake the lingering tension from the previous day's events, found himself drawn back to the site of the goblin encounter. The others were busy reinforcing the barricades and tending to their makeshift defenses, but Jack felt a strange compulsion to explore the capabilities of his Space Storage skill further.

As he reached the area where the goblin bodies lay, Jack crouched beside one of the creatures, his mind racing with possibilities. The Space Storage ability had proven incredibly useful for storing supplies, but could it be used for more unconventional purposes? The thought made him uneasy, but survival often required harsh decisions.

With a deep breath, Jack focused on the skill, visualizing the goblin's head. Slowly, almost experimentally, he reached out with his power, feeling a tug as the storage space interacted with the physical world. He hesitated, then pulled. To his shock and fascination, the goblin's brain was pulled cleanly from its skull, vanishing into the pocket dimension.

Jack stared at the now lifeless body, a mix of revulsion and awe coursing through him. The realization that he could use this ability to directly affect the goblins, even in such a grisly manner, was both terrifying and exhilarating. He couldn't help but wonder if the same technique could be applied to live goblins. The thought was disturbing, yet in the brutal reality they faced, such tactics might be necessary.

As he pondered the implications, Jack continued his search through the goblins' remains, hoping to find anything else of use. His eyes caught a glint of metal, and he pulled out a small, sharp object from one of the goblin's belts—a poison dart. He had missed it the day before, but now it could be a valuable asset. Carefully, he stored the dart in his Space Storage, making a mental note to be cautious with it.

Returning to the resort, Jack felt a mix of dread and determination. He needed to share his findings with the group, though he was uncertain how they would react. The discovery of the poison dart and the potential use of Space Storage in combat could turn the tide in their favor, but the ethical implications weighed heavily on him.

By afternoon, the group had gathered again, discussing their next moves and the ongoing reinforcement of their defenses. Jack stood at the back, listening to the others talk. Sarah was organizing a patrol schedule, and Ben, though still casting snide remarks, seemed to be taking the situation more seriously.

Suddenly, a shout came from one of the lookouts. "Goblins! They're coming!"

Panic rippled through the group as everyone rushed to their positions. Jack felt his heart race as he moved to the main entrance, where they had left the sole exit point. From his vantage point, he saw them—a horde of around twenty-five goblins, more organized and determined than the previous group.

The goblins moved with surprising coordination, using crude tools to tear down the barricades. Despite their best efforts to fortify the resort, the defenses were quickly being overwhelmed. The group fought back with their newly acquired skills and makeshift weapons, but the sheer number of goblins made it a desperate battle.

Jack watched in horror as the goblins began to pour into the resort, their shrill cries filling the air. His mind raced, considering his options. He could use his Space Storage skill in combat, perhaps even try the grisly technique he had discovered earlier, but the thought of using it on living creatures made him hesitate.

Amidst the chaos, Jack saw Ben struggling against a particularly aggressive goblin, his makeshift spear barely holding the creature at bay. Jack knew he had to act quickly. With a determined grimace, he focused on the goblin attacking Ben, visualizing its weapon. He felt a tug and then the sudden absence of the goblin's crude knife, now safely stored in his Space Storage. The goblin, momentarily confused, was swiftly dispatched by Ben, who looked shocked but relieved.

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The battle continued, each person fighting for their lives. The goblins, though small and seemingly primitive, were relentless and cunning. They seemed to be targeting specific weak points in the defenses, suggesting some level of intelligence or coordination beyond what they had previously seen.

Jack felt the strain of his abilities, his mana reserves dwindling rapidly. He knew they couldn't hold out much longer. As he fought, he couldn't help but think of the poison dart he had found. It was a dangerous tool, one that could potentially turn the tide, but using it felt like crossing a line he wasn't sure he wanted to cross.

The situation grew more dire by the moment, the goblins pushing further into the resort. The group's defenses were crumbling, and it seemed only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.

The chaos within the resort reached a fever pitch as the goblins surged through the defenses. Jack, fighting alongside his colleagues, felt the mounting pressure. Each attack was a desperate struggle, and the group's stamina was rapidly diminishing. In the midst of the battle, Jack recognized the need for a decisive action. He needed to turn the tide, and for that, he would have to use every advantage he had.

He maneuvered through the melee, making his way to a higher vantage point on the resort’s second-floor balcony. From there, he had a clear view of the battlefield below. His focus narrowed as he spotted the strongest goblin among the horde—clearly the leader, directing the others with an authoritative presence. Taking out the leader could potentially disrupt the goblins’ coordination and morale.

Jack pulled out the poison darts he had found earlier, his hands trembling slightly. He took aim, but the intense battle below and the bobbing movement of the goblins made it challenging. The first two darts missed their mark, falling harmlessly to the ground. Frustration and urgency surged through him, but he knew he had to stay focused.

With a deep breath, Jack adjusted his aim and let the third dart fly. This time, it struck true. The leader's eyes widened in shock as the poison took effect, and he collapsed to the ground, convulsing briefly before lying still. The sight of their leader falling caused a visible shift in the goblins' behavior. Their previously coordinated attacks faltered, and they began to retreat in disarray, their morale shattered.

Jack watched as the goblins scrambled to flee, their chaotic retreat creating an opportunity for the group to regroup. The fighting gradually subsided, and the resort fell into an uneasy silence. The survivors, exhausted and bruised, began to assess the aftermath of the attack. Jack descended from his vantage point, feeling a mix of relief and dread.

As they gathered, the grim reality of their losses became apparent. The group took stock of their numbers, and it quickly became clear that two women were missing. The absence of Sarah and another survivor named Emily sent waves of distress through the remaining group members.

Amid the confusion, accusations began to fly. "Where’s Sarah? Where’s Emily?" someone shouted.

Ben, who had been attempting to stay out of the spotlight, found himself under scrutiny. "Ben, where were you during the fight?" someone demanded. "Did you use Sarah's shield?"

Ben's face reddened. "It’s not like that! I was just trying to defend myself. You can't expect me to stand still and get slaughtered!" He looked around, his eyes darting nervously. "Besides, Jack's been hiding cool weapons in his Storage. Maybe if he shared them, we wouldn’t be in this mess!"

The accusation took Jack by surprise. He had kept a few useful items in his Space Storage for emergencies, but he hadn't realized that his choices would lead to such suspicion. He tried to maintain his composure. "I only kept what I thought was necessary. I didn’t mean to withhold anything."

The tension in the group escalated as fingers pointed and voices raised. "Jack's the one with the fancy skills and hidden weapons. Maybe if he shared more, we wouldn’t have lost Sarah and Emily!" Ben continued, trying to deflect attention from himself.

Jack tried to address the accusations calmly. "We need to focus on finding Sarah and Emily. Blaming each other won’t help us. We should get organized and search for them before nightfall."

The argument continued, but Jack’s words helped refocus the group’s efforts. They organized search parties, combing through the resort and the surrounding area. The night fell quickly, the search becoming more desperate as darkness enveloped the island.

Despite their best efforts, the missing women were nowhere to be found. The group returned to the resort, exhausted and disheartened. Jack and the others knew they had to regroup and plan their next steps carefully. The island was proving to be more dangerous and unpredictable than they had imagined, and the threat of further attacks loomed large.

As Jack settled down to rest, he reflected on the day’s events. The poison darts had been a crucial factor in turning the tide, but they had come at a steep cost. Trust within the group was fraying, and the search for Sarah and Emily had left everyone on edge. The challenges ahead seemed daunting, but Jack was determined to lead them through the darkness, one step at a time.