The atmosphere in the resort was thick with tension and frustration. The loss of Sarah and Emily weighed heavily on everyone, and the accusations and mistrust only added to the group's collective anxiety. Jack knew that finding the missing women was crucial, both for their safety and for maintaining the morale of the survivors.

In the morning, after a brief meeting with the remaining group members, Jack made a decisive move. He selected the four people who had shown proficiency with offensive skills: Sarah’s teammate, Brian, who had the Fireball ability; Lisa, who could cast Waterball; Dan, who wielded Airbullet; and Emily’s friend, Rick, who had chosen Earth Reinforcement. They would be the most capable of defending themselves and dealing with any threats they might encounter.

Ben, still sulking and defensive, was also coerced into joining the search party. Despite his protests and complaints, Jack insisted that everyone who could contribute to the mission needed to be there. Ben's knowledge of the resort and his somewhat reluctant cooperation were seen as additional assets, even if his attitude was less than ideal.

Jack, Ben, and the four skilled individuals set out, scanning the ground for any signs of the missing women. They followed the drag marks left by the goblins, which were still somewhat discernible despite the passage of time. The forest was dense and the undergrowth made the trail difficult to follow, but they pressed on, determined to find Sarah and Emily.

Three hours of trekking through the wilderness had left them weary but focused. Jack led the group with a steady pace, his eyes scanning the terrain for any sign of their quarry. The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of the forest seemed to amplify their footsteps, creating an eerie sense of foreboding.

As they rounded a bend in the path, Jack spotted a faint plume of smoke rising through the trees. His heart quickened—this could be a sign of a campfire or some other activity. He signaled for the group to halt and approached cautiously, signaling for them to remain silent. The faint sound of voices carried through the trees, confirming that they were nearing their target.

With great care, Jack and the others moved closer, their steps muffled by the thick underbrush. As they reached a vantage point, the scene before them came into view. They saw a small clearing where eleven goblins had set up a makeshift camp. The sight was both a relief and a grim confirmation of their fears.

In the center of the clearing, tied to a makeshift wooden structure, were Sarah and Emily. They looked disheveled but were clearly alive. The goblins, some of whom were busy roasting what appeared to be stolen food, had evidently stopped to rest and secure their captives.

Jack motioned for the group to stay hidden, his mind racing with potential strategies. They were outnumbered, but the goblins seemed distracted and unprepared for a sudden attack. This might be their best chance to rescue Sarah and Emily.

He glanced at the others, their faces set with determination. Brian, Lisa, Dan, and Rick readied their offensive skills, each preparing for the upcoming confrontation. Ben, though grumbling and clearly unhappy about being in the middle of the action, kept his weapon at the ready, knowing that any chance of redeeming himself lay in their success.

Jack’s heart pounded as he assessed the situation. The goblins were scattered and not all were paying attention to their surroundings. This was their opportunity to strike. He whispered the plan to the group, aiming for a coordinated attack that would catch the goblins off guard and free the captives.

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They readied themselves for the assault, their skills and weapons prepared for what was sure to be a critical and dangerous fight. With a final nod of resolve, Jack gave the signal. The rescue mission was about to begin, and the fate of Sarah and Emily—and perhaps their own survival—hung in the balance

The plan was set. Jack and Ben would circle around to create a diversion while Brian, Lisa, Dan, and Rick moved in to rescue Sarah and Emily. The forest was dense, but Jack’s familiarity with the terrain and the goblins’ setup gave them a strategic advantage. He motioned for Ben to follow closely, their footsteps muffled by the underbrush as they approached their designated position.

From their vantage point, Jack saw the group of goblins gathered around their makeshift campfire, their attention mostly on the roasting food and their loud, raucous laughter. The two captives were bound and slumped against the wooden structure, clearly exhausted but alive.

“Remember, we need to be quick,” Jack whispered to Ben. “I’ll create a distraction, you draw their attention away.”

Ben nodded, though his face showed no enthusiasm. Jack took a deep breath and stepped out from cover, making sure to stay low. He picked up a few rocks and threw them into the trees, causing a commotion that drew the goblins’ attention. The goblins scrambled, looking in the direction of the noise, momentarily distracted from their captives.

As the goblins moved toward the disturbance, Jack saw the opportunity. He signaled the others, who sprang into action. Brian launched a Fireball, causing a burst of flames that singed a few goblins and created chaos. Lisa used her Waterball skill to douse the flames and create a slippery area, while Dan’s Airbullet and Rick’s Earth Reinforcement provided support by neutralizing the remaining goblins.

The battle was fierce and frantic. With their mana exhausted, the group resorted to their crude weapons—makeshift spears, broken furniture, and other improvised tools. The fight was brutal, but the group’s determination saw them through. The four goblins guarding Sarah and Emily were swiftly defeated, and the captives were freed.

But just as victory seemed within reach, Ben made a shocking move. As the remaining goblins began to regroup and counterattack, Ben struck Jack’s leg with a crude club, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Jack’s eyes widened in shock and pain. “What are you doing?” he shouted, trying to push himself up.

Ben didn’t answer. Instead, he took advantage of the chaos and sprinted back toward the camp, leaving Jack behind. His betrayal was swift and cruel, and Jack’s heart sank as he realized the true extent of Ben’s cowardice.

The remaining goblins, emboldened by Ben’s distraction, turned their full attention back to Jack. Despite his best efforts to fight them off, Jack was quickly overpowered. The goblins, sensing the opportunity to capture a valuable prisoner, restrained him with rough ropes and dragged him back toward their camp.

The fight continued behind him, with the four skilled individuals managing to fend off the remaining goblins and rescue Sarah and Emily. Jack’s heart ached with frustration as he watched them from a distance, unable to help. He struggled against his bonds, but the goblins’ grip was strong.

The rescue party made their way back to the resort with Sarah and Emily in tow, their victory tinged with the bitter taste of Jack’s capture. The group’s morale was a mix of relief and despair as they regrouped, tending to the injured and assessing their losses.

Ben returned to the camp, avoiding eye contact with the others. His betrayal had ensured his safety but had come at the cost of Jack’s capture. The group, now faced with a new and urgent crisis, had to come to terms with the consequences of their actions and the challenges that lay ahead.

As the night fell, the resort was filled with a tense silence. Jack, bound and captured, faced an uncertain fate, and the group was left to ponder their next move. The dangers of the island were far from over, and the trust within the group had been irrevocably shattered