It was dark—no great surprise there—and I’d forgotten to bring a torch. In fact, I didn’t have one at all.

What. An. Imbecile.

Intelligence score of seventeen? It didn’t feel like it at that moment. Just two weeks ago, I had been blaming others for their lack of tactics, yet here I was on a dungeon run without a light source. Well, there was still some light coming from outside; I’d just have to see how far I could push my luck.

I crept in further, stopping to listen with each step, an arrow nocked on my bowstring. The tunnel burrowed into the rock, its walls rough and jagged, with dampness clinging to the air, leaving a musty scent that filled my nostrils. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like the fangs of some ancient beast, glistening with moisture. The tunnel descended sharply, the incline steepening as I ventured further into the unknown. Another step, my eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness.

With each cautious step, I listened intently.

This wasn’t a game. I might not be able to die, but this was real. Real hurt. And ‘real’ could put me back on Lira’s table, the last place I wanted to be until I had something to show her.

It was getting dark faster than I’d hoped, and the steep angle of the tunnel didn’t help. I wouldn’t get much further without it becoming pitch black.

But there … far down the tunnel … was that a light?

I crept on, my palm growing sweaty on the bow’s shaft. It was truly dark now, but there was definitely a light ahead. The mine opening was far behind me, obscured by the tunnel's slope, and the light was a small speck in the distance. Every step was in total darkness, feeling my way through a passage filled with loose rocks and potential traps for the unwary.

This was foolishness, but I was too stubborn to turn back with nothing accomplished. Instead, I took another step, and another, drawing slowly closer to the light.

Now I could see it was a torch, mounted in a sconce on the wall. Perfect, I could use that. It was burning low, almost spent, but it would be enough to guide me through the darkness. And where there was one, there would be more.

Then I spotted him: a goblin, propped up on a spear right in front of where the torch was mounted. This was no cute green creature with a potbelly. He might not be much taller than my chest, but he was vicious looking, like something out of Lord of the Rings. With green skin, long pointed ears on a scaly head, and leather armor reinforced with bands of steel, he had wrist guards covering his forearms and well-defined muscles where his skin was exposed.

But he was asleep, standing up, draped over the spear for support. Either that or so drowsy as to make no difference.

A solitary guard? It was likely no one had challenged the goblins since they’d moved in. Had they grown complacent?

The goblin was thirty paces away, the same range as I’d been practicing with my bow, and silhouetted against the dim torchlight. I could hit him from here, of that I was sure. But the armor was daunting. Would my arrows penetrate?

I checked my nocked arrow and took another step. The goblin didn’t move.

Get as close as I can, then shoot as soon as it stirs.

I would need to kill him before he could raise the alarm. I needed to reach that torch. If I failed, if the goblin was able to call for help, I’d need to flee from the tunnel in the dark … chased by goblins … and that was not likely to end well.

Another step. No response. Another step. Nothing. Another step … and a small stone rolled beneath my foot.

I froze, drawing my bow, but still the goblin hadn’t moved.

My heart pounded in my ears.

Another step. The goblin was only twenty paces away now. Surely, I could hit him from here with enough force to penetrate the armor?

His head was bare. Could I risk a headshot? Was I accurate enough?

Another step, bow at the ready, feeling the strain in my arm.

And the goblin twitched.

I let loose the arrow, holding my breath as I watched it fly, even as I reached for another. The first flew through the tunnel, striking the goblin just beneath his chin. I’d been going for a head shot, but I’d take a throat hit; there was no armor there. The arrow sank deep, the goblin slumping to the floor with little more than a gurgle.

The spear fell, fist clattering against the stone wall, then landing on the ground with a thud. It sounded very loud in the silence.

Was that it? Had I done it?

Had anyone heard the spear, or the twang of my bow?

Archery has gained a rank. Archery is now level 10.

You have gained a new skill: Stealth. Stealth is now level 1.

Stealth has gained a rank. Stealth is now level 2.

Stealth has gained a rank. Stealth is now level 3.

Did that mean it was dead?

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Show information Goblin.

Deceased

Class

Warrior

Race

Goblin

Level

4

Age

Dead

Armor Class

12 (2)

Primary

Secondary

Skills

Health

18 (-10)

NF/IN

Weapon (Spear)

11

Weapon (Dagger)

7

Abilities:

Low-Light Vision

It was dead! I had done it!

It was tempting to rush forward and loot the corpse … which sounded more fun in my head, or in a D&D campaign. The reality of the task was far less thrilling. I approached slowly, still listening hard.

As I carefully frisked the goblin, I held my breath. Not out of any sense of trepidation or hope, but because the creature reeked so badly. If he had pockets, I couldn’t find them. There was the spear … that was probably worth taking. The arm guards, too. And the torch, though that would mean I couldn’t use the bow.

It took me several long minutes to wrestle free the buckles holding the arm guards in place and affix them to my wrists. They fit well, given how small the goblin was, but his long, thickly muscled arms helped compensate.

Show information arm guards.

Armor: Arm Guards. Quality: Poor. Armor Class +1.

Better than nothing.

A sound came down the tunnel, the quietest scrape of feet, growing louder as it drew closer. A light source, too, moving toward me; I could see dim illumination reflecting on the walls.

A single goblin? More than one? Had they heard the spear fall?

I hesitated. Should I grab the torch and flee, or try to take them on?

The steps kept coming, and there was no choice. I readied my bow.

A goblin emerged from around a bend in the tunnel, carrying a small torch in one hand.

I let fly my arrow, the range just over thirty paces. The arrow flew true, striking the goblin in his upper chest. But the creature took a step back and didn’t fall, dropping his torch to the ground as his hand went in reflex to the arrow. Long, thin fingers closed around the shaft, and he raised his head. Torchlight reflected from large, black eyes as he stared at me.

“Hu-man!” yelled the goblin, its grating, raucous shout echoing loudly through the tunnel.

Oh, shit. So much for tactics. I reached for another arrow, even as the goblin drew his blade.

Another goblin appeared, running around the corner, its blade already in hand.

The first goblin was rapidly approaching.

I needed to get out of here, and I needed to do it fast.

I nocked and fired, but I’d rushed the shot and the arrow went wide. Slinging the bow over my shoulder, I drew my rapier just as the goblin arrived. It leaped forward with a jagged blade that curved to a wicked point.

I dodged to the side, barely avoiding its stab, and swiped at the goblin’s head. The ugly green creature ducked beneath my blade, sharp teeth bared in a grimace.

But my goal had been the torch, without which I’d never escape in the dark. Now I was beside it. I reached up, grabbing its shaft just above the sconce, and yanked.

Just as the other goblin arrived. A sharp pain stabbed into my shoulder, and I almost dropped the torch. The little bastard had stabbed me! Fuck, that hurt. I spun, my shoulder screaming with the pain of it, the torch sputtering concerningly. If it went out, I’d be in real trouble. I sliced my rapier through the air, and both goblins jumped back.

“Hu-man good eating,” one goblin hissed, crabbing sideways as he looked for an opening, his jagged blade held ready.

From down the tunnel came the noise of many feet, and I took that as my cue. I swiped again, keeping both goblins at bay, then turned and ran for the tunnel entrance. My shoulder throbbed in protest, and it was an effort to hold out the torch, keeping the flames away from my hair.

“Hu-man escaping!” a goblin shouted in his squeaky, scratchy voice. I could hear their clawed feet scratching on the rocky ground as they pursued me.

How fast were goblins? Were they gaining on me? I strained my ears. It sounded like they’d fallen back. But I wasn’t done with them yet. If I was ever to make any progress, I needed to do more than take them out one at a time. I slowed my run, letting my breath come in pants, pretending to stagger as I went.

I had to time this right.

I could hear them behind me, the pounding of their feet dull thumps on the dirt. A second passed. Then another.

I spun, lunging forward with my rapier, and the lead goblin took it right in the face. I’d been aiming for his chest, but I’d forgotten how short they were – and I was on relatively higher ground. It didn’t matter. Dead was dead. Blood splashed over my blade, dark green in the light of my torch, and the goblin just stopped, my sword wedged several inches into his skull.

Heh. Green blood.

Then the other goblin arrived, the stub of my arrow still protruding from his shoulder. I’d wanted to kill at least one more, but if I could take both of them, then maybe this first trip would be worth it.

I yanked my blade free, and the stabbed goblin crumpled to the ground.

The second goblin stabbed his sword forward, and I parried, the shock of the blades meeting jarring my arm, running through my body, and twinging my injured shoulder. But I’d parried! I’d done actual sword-fighting!

High on elation, I swiped back at the goblin. The goblin blocked the blow, its wide eyes reflecting the dancing flames of the torch, but I pressed forward. I rained down blow after blow, using my height advantage to pressure the goblin, and attacking from the side of its injured shoulder. I beat back his blade, my own slicing across the goblin’s arm, then ran it through as it howled.

Two goblins dead, but now I really had to leave. The noise of more approaching goblins was rapidly growing louder.

I ran for the exit, but the torch was getting heavier, and the pain in my shoulder grew with each passing step. Just need to get to the light. Surely, they wouldn’t follow me outside, would they?

A stone turned under my boot, threatening to twist my ankle, and I stumbled but ran on. The torch sputtered, casting flickering shadows, making it harder to see what was flat earth and what was loose rock. Then a glimmer of light appeared at the top of the tunnel.

I dropped the torch with a gasp of pain, clutching my injured arm to my chest as I ran. There was barely enough light to see, but it grew with each step. Behind me, the goblins were still coming.

I burst out of the mine, running down the path toward the grassland and the shelter of trees, and the brightness of the sun had never been more welcome. I chanced a glance back, and to my relief, the goblins had stopped. They weren’t chasing me anymore.

I’d done it. I’d escaped!

My shoulder throbbed hard, and status messages filled my vision. Sword up to nine. Dodge up to four. Congratulations, a level gained.

But it was the last ones I focused on.

Piercing injury, left shoulder. -8 Health. Agility -2.

Status: Bleeding. Endurance -2. -2 Health/min.

Great. 30 Health left. If the bleeding didn’t stop, I’d be dead in fifteen minutes.