With all the other goblins dead. Alphonse took the time to enjoy a well-cooked meal. He had blocked both entrances off with ice as he chomped down on some freshly cooked hobgoblin.

[ Chef’s Kiss activated ]

Recipe: Hobgoblin Wizard

Tender Hobgoblin Wizard Leg: The leg of a Hobgoblin Wizard, they are known for their high intelligence and craftiness. Because of its low strength, the meat is tender and easy to consume.

[ Rating C ]

+20% from Apocalypse Butcher’s Set.

| 24.6 -> 29.5 extra intelligence added

| 17.2 -> 20.6 extra wisdom added

| 6.4 -> 7.6 extra charisma added

+5 extra intelligence for 3 hours, 10% extra magic damage for 1 hour.

[ Hungers Evolution is taking place… ]

Form Obtained - Hobgoblin Wizard’s Mana Glands: Increase strength and speed of magic by 15%

< Hunger is satisfied >

Skill extracting…

Epic skill extraction is successful.

Skill - Fire manipulation: Control the mana strands of fire. You can control fire at will.

Skill extracting…

Another one? Alphonse exclaimed, his hands rubbing together in anticipation. The first ability already shocked him to the core. His [ Ice Arts ] were already a miracle.

Rare skill extraction is successful.

Skill - Explosion: Explode the flames of your fire into an explosion capable of ripping apart walls and people alike. The signature ability of a destruction war mage.

Alphonse turned giddy with excitement. He could feel the heat of fire course through his veins. With a thought, the heat within him flared up and into his palm as a small ball of flames magically appeared. The sight of the fire reflected against his iris as he experimented with it in his hands. It was like the fireball was alive; the ability brought with it the innate control as it danced within his palms.

His teeth itched. He couldn’t wait to try it out against the little green men within the cave. How much destruction could he cause? With a grim smile, he continued on, further, deeper into the cave. It wasn’t long before the sounds of giggling and scuttling entered his enhanced hearing. However, there seemed to be a guard at the entrance. He could hear its faint breathing. Soon, it came into view. It was a goblin, larger than usual. However, the size of it reminded him of an orc, if it wasn’t for the elongated nose and its hunched back. The monster donned thick plate armour and held a long wooden shaft. At the top of the shaft was a hammer end. On the other side, an axe-like blade.

Alphonse looked closely. It seemed to be of a high-quality material. He could feel the sharpness of the blade from a distance away.

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He began thinking of a plan. If he was to attack the guard, it would alert everyone within the place he was guarding. He did not know how many there were, but based on the amount of sounds they were making, it wouldn’t just be a few. It was also just a matter of time before they became suspicious of the missing goblins from their pack, group, swarm, whatever it may be. Alphonse shook his head. He couldn’t wait forever, might as well hit hard and fast.

Alphonse’s hands itched as an excited smile formed on his face. He dug his feet into the ground and blasted forwards, a fireball flickered to life in his palm. Alphonse whipped it towards the armoured goblin like pitching a fastball. It ripped towards the monster. With his high strength, the fireball left his hand at a speed faster than the hobgoblin.

The armoured goblin had no time to react as the flaming ball collided against its chest. The sudden heat ate its way through the thick plate armour, but it wasn’t the heat itself that was terrifying, but what occurred after it. It looked like a small spark ignited within the flame as an ear-shattering explosion tore through the cave system.

Smoke and dust filled the narrow passageway. Alphonse coughed as he waved his arms, trying to disperse the fog.

Then, the armoured goblin–or what was left of it was scattered across the ground. Scrap, melted pieces of metal and guts were stuck to the walls like a fervent glue. Alphonse looked in awe at the damage he had caused, but with the power came the drawback. With just one attack–sweat formed on his forehead–his breathing haggard. The sound of confusion and shouting entered his ears. He quickly retreated, finding a crevice within the wall as he gathered his breath. Alphonse felt what it was like to have his mana starved, his heart burned and head throbbed in pain. He estimated he could use [ Explosion ] once more before his legs gave in. It was a stark contrast to his physical abilities, which he could use without tiring out so fast.

The screams became louder. They passed by where he was hiding as they walked further, closer to the entrance where he had fought the other goblins. He stuck his head forwards. Hearing that they had passed, he stalked towards the entrance where that guard had been. He heard faint murmers.

Alphonse walked round the corner as a camp immediately came into view, tents made of different beast fur laying sprawled over raised sticks. Goblins, young, old and appearing to be females, all huddled together, their hands clenched together as faint mumbles left their mouths.

They turned their heads at the sudden noise. One of the younger goblins rushed to its feet. It charged at Alphonse with a rusted little knife in hand.

Alphonse sent a kick forwards, colliding against the chest of the little goblin as he sent it tumbling to the floor.

“Is there no talking my way out of this?” Alphonse’s voice rang out within the camp. They looked at each other and then their eyes turned savage, picking up their weapons.

Alphonse shook his head. He propelled himself forward. With his cleaver in hand, he removed their heads from their bodies. They were weak and slow. Easy targets.

Soon, all that was left was blood and sliced up bodies.

Alphonse didn’t wait. He knew the others would arrive shortly. He continued further, past their camp.

As he walked further in, the sound of the water made its appearance again. Alphonse expected the cave to continue, to follow the course of the river, but Alphonse looked ahead at the dead end. The water vanished underneath the rock. He inspected. It looked to be big enough to swim under. The water was crystal clear. He could see where the water continued underneath the cave.

He could hear the screams and wails of the goblins behind him. Alphonse took a deep breath and leapt into the water. The frigid coldness surprised him. He wasn't expecting it to be so cold. Then, the flames inside him flickered, it began regulating his heat so that he wouldn't freeze. The cave’s walls were closing in. His heartbeat was racing.

Calm down. Alphonse stopped his panic before it began. But it was quickly becoming harder to keep his breath. His fingertips scraped up against the walls, his throat was strained, and the blood was rushing to his head.

Alphonse clutched at his throat, but a spot of light appeared under water. He desperately reached his hands towards the light as his legs kicked in the water. His head surfaced as he took a deep breath. Climbing up onto the cave’s floor, Alphonse sighed in relief.

That was close. With a chuckle, he stood up and took in his surroundings. The river continued down the cave and opened up into a bright blue light. Alphonse walked down the side of the river. The bright blue light was in the sky. He looked down. The view from on top of a mountain entered his vision.