Meanwhile, at the south continent...
"Congratulations, you've conquered the first phase."
A figure clad in crimson slumps against a crumbling wall, his breathing ragged. Blood cakes his face and mars his uniform, a testament to the brutal battle he'd just endured. Yet, with a resolute shake of his head, he straightens his posture, a spark of determination flickering in his eyes.
"No time for celebration," he mutters, his voice hoarse. "We move on to the next challenge."
With a flick of his wrist, his unique, obsidian-hued blade dissolves into shimmering particles before dissipating entirely.
"Hold on there, a toast is in order!" The calm and deep voice becoming a cheerful voice, belonging to a young man with bright yellow hair, cuts through the tension. "We can't skip the celebratory drinks, can we?"
The red-clad figure chuckles, a hint of amusement softening his hardened gaze. "You're far too young to share a drink with the likes of me."
He turns away, already striding purposefully towards the next challenge that awaits him.
"Hey, Kidley! Don't forget I'm centuries YOUR senior!" the yellow-haired man squawks, his voice laced with indignation. "Show some respect!"
"Quiet, child," the red figure mutters over his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh, come on!" the echoes voice of stomping feet can be heard.
...
The oppressive darkness deepens as we forge further into the shaft. Aveline leads the way, her form a silhouette against the inky blackness. Ruby huddles close, leaning against my shoulder for warmth, while Rodger periodically closes his eyes, relying on his senses to navigate the narrowing passage.
"Ugh, it's getting impossible to see," I groan, scratching my head in frustration. "Stupid me for not thinking to bring a torch."
"Perhaps the young lady here possesses some form of light magic?" Rodger muses, his gaze flickering towards Ruby.
Her head snaps up, eyes widening in surprise. "Oh! Wait a minute, I might have something…"
With a quick peck on my cheek, Ruby steps back and raises her staff aloft. Chanting in a lilting melody, she weaves her magic.
"[Wahai bola cahaya, terangkanlah sekelilingku]" she incants, the words rolling off her tongue like a soothing song.
"[Luminos]!!"
A radiant orb of light bursts into existence at the tip of her staff, mimicking the movements of her staff and illuminating the path ahead. The oppressive darkness recedes, replaced by a comforting glow.
"Much better," I exclaim, relief washing over me. "You're a lifesaver, Ruby." I reach over and gently stroke her head.
"Mhm, happy to help, dear," she replies with a cheerful chirp, basking in my touch.
"Ahem," Rodger coughs pointedly. "Hate to interrupt this lovey-dovey moment, but it seems we have company."
As if on cue, four goblins emerge from the shadows, their grotesque forms illuminated by Ruby's magic. They shamble towards us, their eyes glowing an ominous crimson, and a trail of drool dripping from their slavering jaws.
We fall back on our previous tactic, charging forward in unison. Aveline lets out a battle cry as she surges towards the goblins, my spear flashing beside her.
"Can you manage another spell while maintaining the light, lass?" Rodger calls out, nocking an arrow on his bow, his eyes fixed on the approaching horde.
"I'll try my best," Ruby replies, her expression hardening with resolve.
"Good," Rodger mutters, his voice grim. "These creatures seem different from the ones we encountered before."
The air crackles with tension as we engage. Aveline lunges at a goblin, her blade flashing with deadly intent. The goblin, however, exhibits an unsettling agility, twisting aside at the last moment, its dagger grazing her thigh with a sickening scrape. Undeterred, Aveline parries a flurry of attacks from the other goblins, her movements a whirlwind of steel.
Meanwhile, a single goblin charges me, its eyes glowing with an unnatural fervor. I react instinctively, my spear darting out in a lightning-fast thrust, aimed at its upper leg and then its lower torso. The goblin displays an uncanny agility, dodging the first strike but succumbing to the second, my spear tip piercing its left leg clean through.
But to my shock, the creature lets out no scream of pain. Instead, it ignores the wound entirely, pushing forward with a feral growl, its dagger aimed at my chest. I curse under my breath, leaping aside just as the blade flashes past. Grappling my spear, I slam my foot into the goblin's chest, sending it sprawling.
Suddenly, an arrow streaks past us, burying itself deep in the head of one of the goblins attacking Aveline. The creature flinches momentarily, but then continues its relentless assault, seemingly unaffected by the deadly projectile lodged in its skull.
"What in the world is wrong with these things?!" Aveline cries out, her frustration mounting as she struggles to parry the relentless attacks of the remaining goblins.
"They don't seem to feel pain!" I roar, thrusting my spear repeatedly at the wounded goblin. It dodges with uncanny agility, sacrificing an ear and even an arm in its desperate attempt to land a blow.
In a desperate bid, I unleash "[Gale Thrust]!", channeling my energy into a powerful spear strike. The tip of my weapon connects with the goblin, severing both its legs at the knees. Yet, the creature defies all logic, its single remaining arm propelling it forward in a grotesque crawl, its dagger held aloft in a relentless pursuit of my demise.
A chilling realization dawns on me – these aren't ordinary goblins. They behave like the living dead, driven by an insatiable hunger that transcends pain and injury. With a swift kick, I send the goblin's dagger clattering across the rough stone floor before charging to Aveline's aid.
Together, we launch a coordinated assault on the remaining goblins. Our blades flash like silver lightning, severing limbs and finally separating one creature's head from its body. But even in its severed state, the head remains fixed on us, its eyes glowing with an unholy hunger, its silent growl a testament to its unnatural persistence.
"Aveline, Kid, get back!" Rodger's voice cuts through the chaos, his tone laced with urgency. We both scramble to opposite sides of the cavern.
"[Chain Lightning]!!" A surge of magical energy explodes from Ruby's staff, crackling with raw power. A bolt of lightning explodes on one of the fallen goblins, its energy arcing wildly, striking the remaining creatures in a chain reaction. The goblins convulse, their bodies smoking as the potent magic courses through them. Finally, stillness descends - the once-ferocious creatures lie motionless, their forms slowly dissolving into a cloud of dust that leaves behind a scattering of dark, purplish crystal shards.
We exchange silent glances, the weight of the situation pressing down on us. My gaze falls on the ominous crystals, their very presence casting a shadow of foreboding. A dark cloud settles over my expression.
"This is…" I murmur, my voice heavy with dread. "... Whatever waiting for us, it won't be good."
A heavy sigh escapes my lips. "Let's move on."
My companions witness the gravity of my expression, their initial curiosity replaced by a chilling apprehension. Ruby parts her lips to speak, but the grim determination etched on my face silences her words. We press on, the unsettling silence broken only by the rhythmic crunch of our boots on the rough stone floor.
...
Several minutes of tense exploration lead us to a large chamber. Wooden supports hold up the cavern ceiling, while sturdy wooden boxes line the sides. Three mine carts, laden with chunks of coal ore, rest on a metal track that runs through the center of the room.
But the scene that truly steals our breath away is the monstrous figure in the heart of the cavern. A hulking goblin, easily multiple the size of its brethren, stands hunched over, feasting on the mangled remains of another goblin.
A Hobgoblin. Its pointed nose betrays its lineage, but its physique is far more imposing – a brutish mass of muscle and sinew. Its weapon of choice – a cruel, curved blade known as a falchion – rests ominously at its side.
And yet, this Hobgoblin is distinct from any we've encountered before. A single, malevolent glint shines where its right eye should be, replaced by a shard of the same dark, purplish crystal we saw earlier. Scattered around the creature lie the remnants of its human prey – a chilling testament to its murderous rampage.
As the Hobgoblin catches sight of us, it tears a chunk from the corpse in its grasp, letting out a deafening roar that sends Ruby and Aveline scrambling to cover their ears.
A grim resolve hardens my features. "I knew this wouldn't be easy," I mutter, my teeth gritted tight. Pike held in a steady grip, I assume a battle-ready stance, the weight of the coming confrontation pressing down on us all.
...
"Aveline," I bark, my voice laced with urgency. "Flank attack. You take the right, I'll hit it from the left."
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A curt nod is her only reply. With a powerful kick, I propel myself towards the creature's left flank. Aveline mirrors my movement, a blur of silver streaking across the room as she darts towards the Hobgoblin's right side.
The monstrous creature reacts with surprising agility for its size. It swings its massive falchion in a wide arc, the cruel blade aimed straight at me. I dive low, rolling just as the weapon whistles harmlessly overhead. As I come up, I twist my body and launch a series of spear strikes, channeling my energy into the technique: "[Propathrust]!"
Stab, stab, dash!!
My first two strikes meet a wall of steel, the tip of my spear clashing against the flat of the Hobgoblin's blade with a shower of sparks. But the third attack finds its mark, the enchanted spear tip piercing deep into the creature's left arm.
The Hobgoblin roars in pain, its bellow echoing through the cavern. It lashes out with its arm, attempting to dislodge my spear. That's my cue. Aveline seizes the opportunity, a deadly glint in her eyes as she unleashes her signature skill: "[Propaslash]!"
Her blade flashes in a blur, carving a deep gash across the Hobgoblin's back. A fresh wave of dark blood erupts from the wound, and the creature lets out another ear-splitting roar, its fury mounting.
It whirls around, its single cyclopean eye fixing on Aveline. With a snarl, it brings its falchion down in a vicious overhead slash. Aveline, ever the seasoned warrior, is ready. She parries the blow with her sword, the clang of metal on metal echoing through the chamber.
But the Hobgoblin isn't finished yet. In a lightning-fast move, it throws a vicious punch towards Aveline's stomach. Just as the blow is about to connect, a streak of blue cuts through the air. "[Metashot: Swerving Arrow]!" Rodger's voice rings out as two arrows fly true, one piercing the Hobgoblin's hand, the other embedding itself deep in its neck.
The combined assault disrupts the Hobgoblin's attack, turning its powerful punch into a glancing blow that sends Aveline flying back several meters, crashing into the rough stone wall with a pained grunt.
"Aveline!" I roar, a surge of concern washing over me. But the battle rages on. I thrust my spear forward, aiming for the Hobgoblin's exposed neck. However, the creature anticipates my move, throwing its head back just enough for my spear to pierce its shoulder instead.
It lets out a feral grin, its single eye gleaming with malice, as it raises its falchion high, ready to cleave me in two.
"Burn!" Ruby cries out, her voice laced with desperation. "[Terbentuklah bola api ini dan bakarlah musuhku!!]" Her staff glows with vibrant energy as she channels her magic. "[Fireball]!!" A blazing orb of fire rockets towards the Hobgoblin's head.
The creature reacts instinctively, raising its massive hand to shield itself from the fiery projectile. I seize the opportunity, lunging forward and driving my spear towards the exposed hand. My attack connects, the tip of the spear piercing through the Hobgoblin's palm with a sickening squelch.
But my triumph is short-lived. With a roar of fury, the Hobgoblin clamps its other hand around the shaft of my spear, using it to leverage a brutal kick aimed squarely at my midsection. The air explodes from my lungs as pain rips through me. I crumple to the ground, a guttural moan escaping my lips.
Gritting my teeth, I twist the spear in a desperate attempt to break free. "[Spinning Cane]!!" I roar, channeling my energy into a maneuver designed to break an opponent's grip. My leg whips upwards in a powerful kick, connecting with the Hobgoblin's hand with a resounding thud.
The creature grunts, but worryingly, it seems unaffected. It swings its falchion in a vicious arc, the razor-sharp blade catching me across the chest. A searing pain explodes in my chest as a crimson stain blooms on my uniform. I scream, a primal sound of agony that echoes through the cavern.
Aveline doesn't hesitate. Seizing the moment while the Hobgoblin's focus is on me, she dashes forward. Her blade flashes in a blur as she plunges it deep into the creature's back, twisting it with a savage efficiency.
"Ruby!" she yells, her voice strained but clear.
Ruby, her face etched with concern, nods towards Aveline. With a renewed surge of determination, she chants another spell. "[Fireball]!!" A blazing orb streaks towards the exposed wound at the base of the Hobgoblin's sword.
The impact is spectacular. A deafening explosion fills the chamber as the fireball detonates within the creature's wound. The Hobgoblin lets out a bloodcurdling roar, its single eye bulging in agony. Aveline, wasting no time, leaps backwards, putting distance between herself and the wounded beast.
Meanwhile, I struggle to my feet, ignoring the agonizing pain in my chest. "Rai! Are you alright?" Ruby cries out, her voice filled with worry.
"I'm fine," I rasp, forcing a smile despite the grimace contorting my face. "Just a scratch."
The lie is evident, even to me. Ruby sees through it instantly, her brow furrowing as she recognizes the simmering anger radiating from me.
"If I were to fight you head-on..." I mutter, my voice laced with a dangerous edge. My grip tightens around the spear shaft, and with a swift twirl, I bring it behind me in a menacing stance.
For a moment, I close my eyes, focusing my energy, channeling my rage into a single, desperate gamble. Then, with a burst of adrenaline, I launch myself towards the Hobgoblin, a primal scream tearing from my throat.
A primal roar erupts from my throat.
"[Cross Slash]!" My spear becomes a blur, flashing in a deadly horizontal sweep aimed at the Hobgoblin's torso. The creature reacts with surprising agility, its falchion meeting the tip of my spear in a shower of sparks.
"HAAAA...!!!"
Undeterred, I spin on my heel, my body fueled by a desperate fury. With a battle cry, I bring the spear up high, channeling every ounce of my remaining strength into a final, two-handed downward slash. This time, my attack finds its mark. The enchanted tip of the spear connects with the Hobgoblin's corrupted crystal eye, shattering it with a sickening crunch.
The creature lets out a shriek of pure agony, its single eye replaced by a gaping, bloody hole. It flails its falchion wildly, desperation replacing its earlier ferocity.
"We need an opening!" I roar, my voice hoarse. "Any kind of opening, just a few seconds!"
"On it!" Rodger's voice cuts through the chaos. He inhales deeply, his eyes briefly closed in concentration before snapping open with renewed focus. "[Propashot: Piercing Shot]!" Three arrows fly from his bow, a deadly trio aimed for the Hobgoblin's hand.
They find their mark with unerring accuracy, severing several of the creature's fingers. The falchion clatters to the ground, dislodged from its weakened grip.
"Thanks, Dad!" I call out, seizing the opportunity. With a powerful lunge, I deliver a devastating thrust with my Pike: "[Etathrust]!" The blade pierces the Hobgoblin's leg, severing tendons and muscles. The creature buckles, its immense weight sending it crashing to its knees.
"Ruby, the crystal!" I yell, my voice laced with urgency. "Shatter that damned crystal!"
Ruby nods, her eyes wide with terror but her resolve unwavering. She begins to weave her magic, a spell forming on her lips.
But before she can unleash it, the Hobgoblin reacts with a primal fury. With a snarl, it lunges forward, its monstrous hand wrapping around my throat in a vice-like grip. Its razor-sharp teeth clamp down on my exposed neck, sending a searing pain that rips through me.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"
A guttural scream tears from my throat, my vision blurring at the edges. My frantic fingers claw at the Hobgoblin's arm, but my strength is failing me. Ruby's spell dies on her lips, her face a mask of horror as she witnesses my struggle.
"R-Rai! NO…!!" Her scream echoes through the cavern, a desperate plea lost in the throes of battle.
“YOU ARE NOT GETTING AWAY!!”
A surge of primal rage empowers Aveline's every move. With a furious yell, she charges towards the Hobgoblin, a blur of silver and steel. Her blade flashes, severing the monstrous hand that clamps around your throat. Wasting no time, she plunges her sword deep into the creature's neck from behind.
"Why… Don't… You… Let… GO!!" Aveline screams, each word punctuated by a brutal stab into the Hobgoblin's back.
The pressure on your throat intensifies as the Hobgoblin bites down harder. Your vision swims at the edges, the world fading into a haze of pain and darkness.
A streak of blue cuts through the air, followed by a dull thud. "[Mana Arrow]!" Ruby's voice rings out. The magical projectile finds its mark, piercing the Hobgoblin's skull with a sickening crunch.
Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Aveline delivers a final, desperate blow. She rams the tip of her sword into the pulsating purple-black crystal embedded in the Hobgoblin's eye, then twists it with a savage strength, ripping the shard free. The creature lets out a final, unearthly shriek as its skull explodes in a shower of bone and gore under Aveline's relentless assault.
Relief washes over me as the agonizing pressure on my throat releases. Rodger is by my side in an instant, scooping me up in his arms.
"Damn it, Kid! Hang on!" His voice is gruff with concern.
I manage a weak nod; my body feels like a throbbing mass of pain. But I am still alive.
Aveline, her face contorted with a mix of fury and relief, turns her rage on the fallen Hobgoblin. "[OCTATHRUST]!!" she roars, her sword a blur as she plunges it into the creature's body remains at every angle, each strike fueled by the memory of my near demise. But she holds back from a killing blow, determined to make the creature suffer a slow, agonizing death.
The Hobgoblin's body twitches and spasms with each brutal strike, but it remains mercifully silent. Finally, after a prolonged torment, the creature lies still, its massive form a broken husk.
Ruby rushes back to my side, her face etched with worry. "Dear!" she cries, her voice thick with emotion. "Mage, heal him quickly!"
Ruby throws Rodger a desperate look before turning to me, her face pale and drawn. "[Regeneration]!" she chants, her voice strained. A faint green glow emanates from her staff, slowly closing the gaping wound on your neck.
"Dammit, why is it so slow? Can't you make it faster?!" Aveline screams, her frustration mounting.
Tears stream down Ruby's face as she gasps for breath."[REGENERATION]!" she repeats, her voice trembling. Each spell seems to take a toll on her, draining her magical reserves.
I glimpse her tear-filled eyes and manage a weak rasp, "Ru… by…"
"Almost there… Please…" she whispers back, her voice barely audible.
C'mon, please stop crying already. Your face is a mess. Your nose is runny, you know...
She hugs me tight before I healed up completely.
My body feels extremely exhausted. I pass out shortly after that.
"DEAR!!"
"GENERAL!!"
"KID!!"
All of them are screaming at me at the same time.
#
End of chapter 12...