I glance at the massive gate ahead, then at the fallen goblins around me. Their weapons are scattered across the stone floor, some broken, some still intact.

Thinking for a moment, I crouch next to one of the goblins and grab its wooden club. I lift it with both hands and give it a test swing.

"It’s so heavy!" I nearly dropped it on my foot. "How do these little gremlins even use this?"

Shaking my head, I toss the club aside. No way I’m fighting with something that unwieldy. Instead, I pick up one of their daggers. It’s small, sharp, and surprisingly well-balanced. I swing it a few times, testing the grip.

Much better.

Sliding the dagger into the side of my corset, I turn toward the large gate ahead. Taking a deep breath, I step forward and follow the circular staircase leading up. The stone steps are cracked and uneven, worn down by the countless adventurers who have passed through before me.

Finally, I reached the second floor.

The room looks almost the same as the first—stone walls, torches flickering against the damp air—but this time, there is only *one* gate in front of me.

I exhale slowly, a mix of excitement and nervousness swelling in my chest. The first floor was a mess, but I survived. Now, I have a weapon, and I won’t be caught off guard.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I take another step.

The iron gate groans as it begins to rise.

A deep, rumbling growl fills the room.

Then he steps out.

A Brute Goblin.

My breath catches.

He’s massive, at least twice my height, with thick, muscular arms covered in scars. Unlike the smaller goblins, he carries no weapon. He doesn’t *need* one. His fists alone could smash through solid stone.

I glance back at the staircase, but before I can react, the entrance behind me slams shut.

No escape.

Brute Goblins are one of the strongest goblin species ever recorded. They don’t rely on intelligence, only overwhelming power. The kind of power that could rip me in half.

And this is only the second floor.

I tighten my grip on the dagger.

The Brute Goblin lets out a roar and charges straight at me. His speed is terrifying, his giant fists raised, ready to crush me.

I barely manage to dodge as his punch slams into the ground, sending cracks through the stone.

Without thinking, I slash at his arm with my dagger. The blade sinks in slightly, drawing green blood, but the goblin barely flinches.

I look up.

His eyes burn with rage.

He swings again, and this time, I’m not fast enough. His fist collides with my side, and I’m sent flying. My back crashes against the stone wall, knocking the air from my lungs. Pain shoots through me.

Before I can recover, he’s already charging again.

I lift my staff, forcing my body to move.

"By light and life, flesh restore, mend the wound, let pain be no more!"

A warm glow surrounds me, healing my injuries just as the Brute Goblin’s fist comes crashing down. I push off the wall at the last second, flipping onto his massive arm.

Keeping my balance, I sprint up toward his face.

With a sharp breath, I jump and drive the back of my staff straight into his eye.

Green blood spurts out as he roars in agony.

I don’t stop.

Yanking my dagger from his arm, I drop down and stab deep into his foot. He lifts his leg in pain, giving me the perfect opening.

I dash forward and strike his other leg.

His balance wavers.

With a final, earth-shaking crash, he collapses to the ground.

I waste no time.

Climbing onto his fallen body, I grip my dagger tightly and slash across his throat.

Silence fills the room.

His body twitches once, then goes still.

I stumble back, panting. Even with healing magic, my body aches from the hits I took.

I sit down on the cold stone floor, catching my breath.

This was only the second floor.

I’m going to need a break.