In dreary confusion and utter bafflement, I stared at the sheep.

Having made it into the forest my initial plan was to loose them in the woods using the natural vegetation as obstacles, however after I ran for a while and feeling no presence behind me I looked back finding the rams stuck between the transition from grass land to forest.

The rams kept trying to cross into the forest, but were blocked by a strange blue transparent membrane that would pop up to block them at every attempt.

Even though the membrane or shield appeared to be specifically designed to keep out the sheep, instead of deterring them it seemed to put them into a greater frenzy as they kept bashing their heads against the seemingly impregnable barrier, with the only result being their heads getting bloodier and bloodier.

Tired of watching this scene of self mutilation, I retracted my gaze and focused upon the forest. Seeing how the trees elevated as they continued up the mountain I had a sneaking suspicion that my end goal would be at its peak, and started quietly making my way to it.

Moving through the overgrowth, I was met with a dense forest, and for the first time since the trial I felt like I was in a place that could be earth, the cave and grassland were plausible but felt too surreal, while this just seemed like a regular forest.

I could hear the soft buzz of insects and happy chirping of birds, while animal noises reverberated across the area, giving of the impression of a lively forest.

The sounds were almost soothing except for the fact that everything was likely a monster set out to kill me.

Being presented in such an paradoxically unnerving environment, I couldn't help but be on edge continuously scrutinizing my surroundings.

About to pass a small meadow, I heard a familiar noise that drowned the blood from my face.

looking at the source I was met with the all to familiar goblins, luckily there gaze was focused elsewhere and hadn't spotted me.

Panicking I dropped to the ground and hid behind a bush, carefully peeking over the shrub to see the situation.

Looking at the scene I grew confused as it looked like two groups of goblins were arguing….. over a corpse.

In the middle of the clearing a group of goblins surrounded an enormous brown bear that looked twice the size of a regular one, with its stocky frame, powerful looking paws, and thick coat of matted fur I was surprised the goblins dared to take it on, especially considering they were basically midgets.

The bear would have seemed like a real menace if it wasn't currently slumped on the ground in a pool of its own blood with numerous stab wounds adorning its body, although I previously thought it was dead looking at it closely I could see the faintest movement showcasing its shallow breathing.

The cause of such action were naturally the 9 goblins surrounding it, it seemed they had gone through a tough battle as numerous injuries adorned there bodies while two laid dead, likely having fallen to the bear.

In this group two goblins stood out from the rest, while similar they were a head larger and instead of the usual dagger had short swords in hand, they were also the only ones who didn't have so much as a scratch on them, from what I could tell they were likely the leaders.

Normally the goblins should have being relieved having defeated such a foe, but instead were staring daggers at an approaching party coming from behind the tree lines.

In stark contrast to the other goblins this group differed in one striking manner, namely being instead of sickly green they were an earthy red.

There were about 6 goblins in this group with 5 of them being the regular type with daggers in hand while one of the goblins had a wooden rod. Although looking closer the rod slightly bulged and rounded at the top so it was more accurate to call it a staff.

This particular goblin had a haughty smile on its face, and looked full of confidence as it communicated with the other group, who in response seemed to be angrily shouting back.

While they responded with vigor I couldn't help but notice that they kept throwing weary glances at the staff wielding goblin.

Just as the argument intensified my focus was suddenly swept to a different location as I heard a low guttural sound behind me.

Absorbed in the goblin fight I forgot the check my surroundings leading to my current predicament.

With sudden nervousness gripping my heart, I quickly looked behind.

"GRRRR"

Behind me stood a growling red fox, seeing it I couldn't help but become slightly relieved knowing that it at least wasn't a goblin.

The fox was showcasing its sharp canine teeth about 7 centimeters long, while looking dangerously with its beady yellow eyes like it was about to pounce on me, which shortly after it did.

Seeing it jump I knew I didn't have allot of options having no weapons that could effectively damage it and knowing that making to much sound could attract unwanted attention, I made a split second decision and opted to give up my left arm.

Putting my left arm forward the fox readily sunk its fangs into my flesh.

Feeling a piercing pain and hot liquid stream out of the wound a muffled shout escaped my lips, as I took out my whip with my good arm.

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Using it like a noose I put it around the fox's neck, after that I placed the base of the whip in my mouth noticing my left arm was starting to feel numb while I pulled with my right, strangling the fox.

luckily like a dog after the fox had latched onto a part of my body it refused to let go even as it was suffocating, Instead opting to bite with even more force.

Like this the fox and I were in equilibrium for a couple of minutes seeing what would happen first, my arm being ripped off or the fox suffocating.

While this battle continued virtually no noise was being produced, except for the quite shuffling of bodies that would occur every now and then.

Eventually the fox was the first to give up, as its force suddenly slacked and I could see its eyes rolled to the back of its head showing that it was knocked out. Knowing it wasn't dead yet I continued for thirty more seconds.

[You have slain Lvl 7 {Woodland Fox}]

Letting out a sigh in exhaustion, I carefully dislodged the creature from my arm wearily looking at the wound it had created.

Bad, the wound looked bad, I couldn't lift my left arm anymore and looking at how deep the wound went I was afraid it even reached bone, maybe it did and I was only prevented from seeing it due the torrent of blood that was covering up the holes.

Groggily I took the whip and wrapped it around my arm slightly above the wound using it as a makeshift tourniquet.

Lamenting over the pain, my only respite was that I managed to not so much as make a squeal during the altercation fully understanding that doing so would likely spell doom for me.

Because off the the scuffle I had no idea what was happening to the goblins, so looked back I was naturally shocked.

In total 3 more goblins laid motionless on the floor, they were all from the bigger group led by the two warriors, effectively making both parties equal numerical wise.

What was remarkable was that the 3 goblins had not died from any dagger or sword wound but instead looked burnt, with smoke still lingering off their corpses.

Surprised I naturally wondered what could have caused such destruction until my gaze rested of the staff wielding goblin, it raised its hands in the air and seemingly said something I couldn't understand before a small ball of fire materialised before him.

The ball of raging fire looked perfectly smooth, although no larger than my fist.

After the fire was conjured the ball immediately shot forward at a absurd speed gunning straight for one of the sword wielding goblins.

Seeing the attack, the goblin managed to keep his cool and grabbed one of his subordinates throwing him in the trajectory of the ball of flames.

As the goblin and the ball met a small explosion occurred with the result being the goblin being flung back while covered in searing flames, I could see the goblin weakly struggle as the flames consumed him however it was short lived as he quickly stopped moving.

After the goblin died the two sword wielding goblins knowing that being stationary would only make them target practice, decided to perform an all out attack as their group charged forward.

Seeing this the mage's previously confident smile faltered a bit seemingly not expecting them to perform such a reckless attack and ordered his subordinates to intercept them while he stayed back watching over the battlefield while slowly picking off the enemy.

While watching this epic battle I was in a daze, not because of how bloody it was or because this confirmed to me that the monsters in this trial weren't working together, but because of one thing "Magic".

It wasn't hard to believe magic existed, especially after seeing a real goblin in action and knowing of the existence of mana I had already guessed that it did, but seeing it being used directly in front of me, I couldn't help but feel…..excited.

Thinking of all the possibilities my shoulders couldn't help but slightly quiver, making me almost forget about the pain in my arm.

Lost in thought I was brought back to reality by another fireball impacting a goblin of the opposing team.

By now both parties had reached each other while the green goblins had less members in battle they quickly proved their mettle as they easily overpowered the opposing party, who seemed to be less versed in physical combat.

One of the sword goblin parried a dagger directing the blade to the side before swiping down causing a large laceration to occur on the goblin's chest, after he swung out again piercing though the goblins body.

Having finished of his prey he moved to another red goblin who was currently in conflict with one of his subordinates, thus conveniently showcasing his back.

Not one to let go of an opportunity the goblin raised his sword about to slash at the unsuspecting victim before a fire ball hit him directly in the side of his head, partly exploding his skull before he slumped to the ground.

Gulping at the power of the mage I knew I would have to avoid them at all costs.

With the green goblins having lost a mayor player on their side you would think the battle would have tipped in favour of the red team however with the mage seemingly having a waiting time before he could cast a fire ball the remaining warrior took advantage of this and quickly killed the last of the wizards subordinates.

Causing the battle to now be a 2 v 1 with one of the warriors subordinates still remaining.

The warrior not wanting to give the mage anytime to recover immediately charged. The mage scowled noticing this as it heavily breathed seemingly exhausted from all the fireball's it had produced.

As the duo approached the wizard managed to shoot one more fireball hitting the dagger wielding goblin as the warrior made a beeline for the mage.

In range the warrior swung his sword down about to kill the mage, seeing his death approaching in a last attempt the mage used his staff as a shield luckily deflecting the attack by a hairs breath as he fell to the ground.

Due to the force of the hit the staff was broken in half.

On the floor instead of the usual look of despair that would normally be present in such a situation the mage's eyes were instead grinning as it silently chanted.

The warrior having a bad premonition was about to attack, but before he could a ring of fire expanded from around the mage's body causing a small inferno to take place.

Having his eyes open at the time, the flames managed to sear the warriors iris's making him blind, afterwards the flames simply devoured him leaving behind a smoldering black corpse.

Seeing the ring of fire expanding 2 meters around the mage, I was again astounded at the prowess magic could display, although the attack had less power, the area of effect was much greater.

As the flames died down the Goblin mage laid on the ground for a while. It heavily breathed in and out as it snorted while surveying the scene in front of him. His eyes briefly glancing over the corpses of his subordinates.

It frowned upon seeing their dead bodies, the reaction was not one of sadness but more annoyance.

After some time it shakily stood up using its broken cane as support, although it had no physical wounds it was extremely exhausted, and with slow steps made its way over towards it price, the bear corpse.

Having reached it the goblin stole a dagger of one of the fallen corpses and proceeded to make his way over towards its head.

Curious at what the mage was about to do I watched with utter focus, which was when I remembered something.

"Isn't the bear still alive?"

Just as this thought crossed my mind the bear suddenly sparked into action opening its behemoth mouth, and biting the torso of the of goblin mage.

The mage managed to let out a panicked "Gi!", before the bear stood up and bit with more force cleaving it in half.

Afterwards the bear spat out the remains of the mage as if leaving a sour taste in his mouth and weakly trotted into the forest.

As I watched the bear leave cold sweat perspired from the back of my neck, a goblin which needed three bullets for me to even pierce its skin, was easily torn in halve by this behemoth.

While there was some trepidation in my eyes as I waited a good while for the monstrosity to leave, a hint of greed was also present as I could see a light show happening around the mage's corpse.