The hobgoblin variant relished in the agony of its victim, savoring each moment of Bron's suffering with sadistic glee. However, its primal instincts suddenly flared to life, warning the creature that danger was near. In a desperate bid to evade the impending threat, the hobgoblin variant jerked its head to the side with lightning speed. But its efforts were in vain, for it was too slow. With a bone-chilling shriek of agony, the hobgoblin variant convulsed in pain as a sharp blast of piercing metal ripped through its flesh, blood gushing from the gaping wound in its face.

Bron watched in awe, his knees pressed against the cold, hard ground, as the short steel spear pierced the earth only inches from his face. Blood dripped from its sharp tip, evidence of the hobgoblin variant's close call with death. The sight of the glistening red droplets on the steel shaft filled Bron with a mixture of horror and adrenaline, as he realized just how close he had come to be the ones struck down.

The initial sense of wonder that had crept up on him quickly gave way to a cold, steely resolve. He shook off his momentary hesitation, using it as an opportunity to strike back at his opponent. His body propelled itself off the ground, his knees rising up with the force of his movement. The cleaver, a menacing blade that had been slung over Bron's shoulder, was now in his grip, his fingers wrapping tightly around the massive hilt. With a savage determination, he swung the weapon hard, aiming his blow at the hobgoblin variant that had been caught off guard.

The hobgoblin variant felt the searing pain coursing through its body, momentarily blinding its senses. It couldn't discern what was happening until a greater pain lashed through its frame, shattering its consciousness. The night echoed with its deafening howls of agony as it crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the gaping wound in its thigh. The creature's eyes widened in disbelief as it realized that the source of its suffering was none other than its own cleaver. It was as if the blade had a will of its own, slicing through flesh and sinew with brutal efficiency. Yet its eyes fell on the one who held the cleaver.

Bron loomed before the hobgoblin variant like a mountain, his frame casting a long shadow over the trembling creature. His eyes were not those of a predator, but of a beaten beast that refused to surrender, no matter the cost. The hobgoblin variant had never felt fear like this before - a primal, gut-wrenching terror that made its crooked lips part in incomprehensible shouts and screams.

The goblins around them were stirred into a frenzy, their beady eyes fixed on the lone knight. They swarmed towards him in a tide of green, converging on him from all sides. There were dozens, perhaps even a hundred of them, all eager to spill the blood of this human who dared infiltrate their base and wounded their leader.

Bron braced himself, ready for the onslaught. The cleaver in his hand gleamed in the moonlight as he swung it in a wide arc, cleaving through the goblins with deadly precision. The hobgoblin variant watched in horror as its comrades fell around him, their bodies hacked apart by its own mighty blade in the hand of others. But still, they came, swarming towards him like a horde of angry ants.

For a moment, it seemed as if Bron would be overwhelmed. His mana was running low after the fighting he had done with the hobgoblin variant and the goblins were too many, too fast, too frenzied. But then something shifted - a glimmer of steel, a flash of light. Bron had found a chink in their armor, a weak point in their ranks. With a roar that shook the earth, he charged forward, his blade slicing through goblin flesh like butter. He pushed forward with what measly mana he had left, holding on against the barrage of goblins with the sheer strength of his physical body.

Bron whirled and spun, cutting through the goblins with practiced ease. He was a whirlwind of death, an unstoppable force that left nothing in his wake. And when he was done, there was only silence. The goblins lay scattered around. Most of them kept still at a distance as all of their tiny brains realized that this knight would not fall easily under their constant barrage of attacks.

The hobgoblin variant saw its chance and seized it with all its might. With a frantic, almost panicked look in its eyes, it pushed and shoved its way past the other goblins, using its good leg to propel itself further and further away from the epicenter of the conflict. Its escape was a desperate one, fueled by pure survival instinct and the knowledge that it would not stand a chance against the 3-Star knight's wrath.

Far above the clamor of the goblins' cries and screams, something was whistling through the air like a deadly harbinger of doom. The hobgoblin variant, so focused on the chaos below, didn't even register the sound until it was too late. In the next moment, it froze on the spot, as if turned to stone.

The hobgoblin variant's eyes flickered downwards, drawn to the glint of steel beneath the gory coating of its own blood. The wound was deep, and the creature could feel its strength starting to wane as it stumbled backward, struggling to maintain its balance. Its powerful hands grasped at the spear, trying to wrench it free from its body, but its efforts were futile. The once fierce and imposing creature was growing weaker by the second, its emerald skin turning paler with each passing moment. The light in its yellow eyes began to fade, a testament to the weapon that pierced it right through the heart. And finally, with a final, ragged breath, the hobgoblin variant fell limp. Its body hanging on the steel spear that killed it.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Far away from the site of chaos, Ron stood there witnessing the emergence of new windows in front of him.

[You have level up!]

[You have level up!]

[You have level up!]

[…]

[You have gained a title!]

[Title: Might of the Dark Horse.]

He couldn't believe his own luck, having gained an incredible amount of experience and leveled up eight times in a single kill. It was almost unheard of, the stuff of legends, even in games. His second spear throw was exceptional.

But that wasn't all. The title he had earned was something else entirely. It spoke of his prowess, his skill, and his sheer determination to come out on top. It was a title that few could claim, one that marked him as exceptional.

And yet, what made this victory all the more incredible was the weapon he had used. It was not the common long-range weapon, the bow, that many relied on for such a kill. No, Ron had opted for a far more challenging weapon, one that required greater skill and precision to wield effectively - the spear.

Over the course of his five years, he found a keen interest in spear-throwing. He was charmed by the likes of Achilles in the film Troy and sort of developed his skill through such motivation. But training alone wouldn’t make him able to make that throw. His anger and sheer determination of putting that hobgoblin variant to the ground led him to make such an incredible spear throw.

But the situation was far from over. He knew that they had not yet completed their main objective as there were still plenty of goblins lurking within the base. He turned his attention to Bron, who was engaged in a tense standoff with a group of goblin warriors. The air was thick with anticipation as both sides waited for the other to make a move.

Ron couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his companion. Despite being injured, Bron stood tall and fearless, his sword at the ready. The goblins seemed to sense his determination and were hesitant to make a move. The tension between them was palpable, and Ron could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Ron clenched his fists tight, preparing to give aid to Bron. Right as he was about to distribute his new points, the sound of a horn blasted across the night.

The goblins froze at the sound of the horn, their pointed ears twitching with alarm. They were wary of the strange sound that came from the woods. With bated breath, they watched as a small band of knights emerged from the tree line, their armor gleaming in the moonlight like a beacon of hope for the prisoners trapped in the cages.

The knights were a sight to behold, each one armed to the teeth with swords, shields, and spears. Their armor was polished to a shine, reflecting the moon's pale light in a dazzling display. But it was the one carrying the banner on his horse that caught the goblins' attention. His armor was adorned with the sigil of a mountain goat, etched in front of a grey tapestry that fluttered in the breeze.

It was the Knights of Foghaven, and they had come to give aid.

“Steel and blood!” the commanding knight roared, his sword held high above his head. The other soldiers echoed his cry, their voices rising to a deafening crescendo. It was a simple phrase, but it held within it all the ferocity and determination of those who were prepared to lay down their lives for their cause.

“Kill them all!” The knights rushed in. They fought with a skill and ferocity that left the goblins reeling, their lines breaking and scattering under the relentless assault. But still, the goblins fought on, their numbers seemingly endless. Some fled out of fear while some stayed on and fought with their lives depending on it.

Ron and Bron joined in with the knights. Their swords danced across the goblin base, killing any goblins within their paths. They fought on, their armor dented and stained with blood until the very last goblin fell to its knees. The battle was won, and the goblin horde had been vanquished.

As Ron took a seat on a crate, he witnessed the knights freeing the rest of the prisoners. Then his sight was bombarded once more with new windows.

[Quest Completed!]

[Main Quest 1: Goblin Base]

[Tier: 5 Star]

[Description: Beware, for there have been reports of goblin sightings in Thornsfield. The danger has spread to Shroudtown and nearby towns, and these are not your ordinary goblins. It seems they are being led by something or someone.]

[Objectives: 1. Infiltrate the goblin's base undetected. 2. Gather intelligence on the goblin clan's numbers and strength. 3. Eliminate any high-ranking goblin. 4. Free any hostages and retrieve any stolen goods. 5. If possible kill all goblins inside the base.(Optional)]

[Here are your rewards!]

[You have obtained All Stats +10]

[You have obtained Goblin Slayer.]

[You have obtained a manual; The Secret Art of Goblin’s Vigor.]

[You have gained access to the Log Out feature.]