“Impressive. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone learn how to utilize [Sword Aura] so quickly,” Jax complimented. I didn’t respond as I was too busy admiring the blue glow surrounding the blade of my greatsword. I then decided to check out the Skill’s description again.
[Sword Aura]
[Type: Active]
[Effects:
1. Surrounds the blade of your sword in Mana, dealing additional magic damage equal to Agi + Magic Attack Power while active]
[Costs 5 MP per minute while active, no cooldown]
[Effects will grow and become stronger as the Player’s strength, swordsmanship, and experience with this Skill grows]
“Thank you very much! It was your expert guidance and teaching that helped me learn it so quickly,” I finally replied. Jax just scoffed.
“As an Adventurer, that means you have a blessing from the gods. Yours wouldn’t happen to make you a prodigy in swordsmanship, would it?” He asked.
“Well, uh, yes. But you’re still an excellent teacher!” I answered.
“Kid, I know I’m not a good enough teacher for you to learn [Sword Aura] in a few hours. Only a prodigy would be able to do something like that. But thanks for the attempt at flattery,” he replied. “Now, that’ll be it for today. Go and practice with your new abilities. Kill a few monsters or something to get used to them.”
[Sword Master Jax has instructed you to kill monsters to get used to your new Skills]
[Kill 0/100 monsters using [Sword Aura]]
[Rewards: ???]
[Failure Penalty: locked out of all future Class Quests, -Relationship with Sword Master Jax]
[Accept? Y/N]
“Okay, got it. I’ll be using [Sword Aura] like a pro the next time you see me!” I exclaimed. He nodded and dismissed me with a casual wave of his hand. Calling my pets to my side, the three of us headed to the inn Gam was staying at. Standing outside her room, I knocked on the door. She quickly opened it and smiled when she saw me.
“Perfect! Just the man I wanted to see! Do you think we could keep hunting together? I need to get a certain number of headshots against [Goblins] in order to get my first Class Skill,” she said hurriedly.
“Uh, sure. What Skill is it?” I asked.
“It’s called [Precision Shooting]. It’s an Active Skill that increases my accuracy and chances of purposely hitting a vital point for a short time,” she explained. “I really liked that Skill when I had it before. But the Quest to get it is kinda hard as a solo Player. I need to kill 50 [Goblins] with headshots.”
“Where are [Goblins] located?” I asked.
“They tend to live near the mountain. They specifically set up camps in uneven terrain near busy roads so they can ambush innocent people,” she answered. “Also, since [Goblins] are physically weak and frail, they often coat their weapons with poisons. So be careful, or you could end up Poisoned, Paralyzed, or something else equally bad.”
“Got it. Don’t let them hit me,” I said. “Actually, about how many [Goblins] usually spawn in at one time? I need to kill 100 monsters for a Quest. Any monster works, because the description simply says monsters, no particular kind.”
“Not that many, but still quite a few. They usually number around 70 I think, so I should be able to complete my Quest, and you should be able to get started on yours.”
“Alright, sounds good. Let’s go then.”
The four of us left the inn, heading towards the closest goblin camp. It didn’t take us long to get there, but when we did, we were both shocked by what we saw. The campsite was massive, teeming with goblins that all looked like they were preparing for battle. Some were sharpening weapons, while others were training. All of them looked quite dangerous though, and ready to fight.
“This…isn’t right. [Goblins] are not normally this numerous or organized. I mean, they usually just have clubs or old, rusted daggers and swords. But these [Goblins] have well-made weapons and even leather armor.” Gam pointed all this out to me, gesturing to the camp below the ridge we were standing on.
“Interesting. Maybe this is part of the final game? Some kind of event or something?”
“Maybe. But this is still…weird. I mean, there are usually only around 60-70 [Goblins] in a camp, but this is at least a couple hundred! It almost seems like they’re preparing for an attack or something.”
Before we could continue discussing the situation, we both received a system notification.
[You have discovered Secret Event [Goblin War Camp]. You must stop the [Goblins] from attacking and destroying the village]
[Killed [Goblins] 0/500]
[Rewards: proportional to your contribution]
[Failure Penalty: possible destruction of starter village]
[Accept? Y/N]
“I…don’t think we should accept this Quest.” Gam gave me a worried look. “Maybe if we reject it for now, that’ll postpone it happening and we can come back later with more Players? I mean, even if they are [Goblins], 500 is a lot.”
“Sure, but what if that doesn’t postpone the Quest? What if it still happens since it’s also a Secret Event? That almost implies it would’ve been happened anyway, before anyone could hope to stop it. But we’re here now and have the chance to do so.”
“I mean, you’re right, but eventually before my character was reset, I wouldn’t have the confidence to take on this many at once.”
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’ve got some powerful Skills at my disposal that’ll help.”
However, when I went to check on my Skills, I saw that some of them were still on cooldown. Specifically, [Spectral Summon - Zak], [Moonlight’s Blessing], and [Draconic Transformation] were all still on cooldown.
“So, as it turns out, my three most powerful Skills are all still on cooldown. But, I do have other strong Skills that I can use.”
Gam just sighed and shook her head.
“Alright, well, if you wanna go ahead and accept the Quest, then I will too and we’ll do it together. But it’s your call.”
After thinking for several moments, I made my decision. I accepted the Quest, confident in our ability to succeed. Gam once again sighed before accepting as well, clearly resigning herself to the fate she believed awaited us both.
“Okay, I’m gonna charge and draw their attention, then you snipe ‘em with your pepperbox.” I drew my greatsword as I explained my plan. Gam nodded her head, drawing her firearm and getting ready to start shooting. “Fluffy! Orthrus! With me!”
Both of my pets charged with me as I ran towards the [Goblin War Camp]. The three of us raced across the open plain, trying to be obvious so that the monsters would notice us and not Gam.
“SKRIEEEEK!” One of the Goblins’ watchmen cried out a warning as we approached. Several of them charged out towards us, waving clubs and swords. But as soon as I got close, with a single swing of my Excellent Custom Greatsword, I cleaved through five of the Goblins. They instantly were reduced to red sparkles, dead already.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Come on! Show me what you’ve got! None of you will attack the village while I’m here! [Sword Aura]!”
The blade of my sword was enveloped in thin layer of light blue Mana. Startled, the remaining Goblins backed up nervously. However, I wasn’t gonna let them get away so easily. Swinging my sword, another five fell dead, leaving just a few of the guards alive.
Fluffy and Orthrus dashed forward, both of them instantly killing a Goblin apiece. They then growled, intimidating the remaining two. But before anything else could happen, two gunshots rang out and the two Goblins fell dead, a smoking hole in both of their heads.
“Dang, nice shooting,” I muttered to myself. Focusing back on the situation at hand, I charged into the camp proper. Slashing wildly, Goblins fell dead with every swing of my sword, as Fluffy and Orthrus also rampaged. Soon, over a hundred Goblins had died under our combined efforts. And that didn’t include the monsters that had been sniped by Gam up on the ridge, every one of her kills a headshot. But our killing spree was stopped by a sudden earth-splitting roar blasting through the air.
“Who? Who did this?! Who slaughtered so many of my soldiers?!?!”
Looking around, I finally noticed a much larger Goblin-like monster standing in the campsite. However, this monster stood two feet taller than the other Goblins, had bright orange skin, and a wild mane of black hair. It was also decked out in surprisingly nice leather armor and had two swords sheathed on its back.
“That would be me. Me and my pets.” I stepped forward, the Goblins around me backing away. Fluffy and Orthrus stood on either side of me, fangs bared and hackles raised.
“You! You are an Adventurer! You ruined my plans!!!”
The monster ran straight at me, drawing both of its swords.
[[Hobgoblin Commander] recognized as Quest Boss]
[[Hobgoblin Commander] is wielding sword-type weapons]
[Title [First Solo Raider] has been activated]
[Title [First Disciple] has been activated]
“[Berserk]! [Ogre’s Strength]! [Physical Enhancement I]! [Rapid Strikes]! [White Wolf’s Howl I]! [Black Wolf King’s Howl I]!”
[Skill [Berserk] has been activated]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Defense has been temporarily decreased]
[Skill [Ogre’s Strength] has been activated]
[Str has been temporarily increased]
[Skill [Physical Enhancement I] has been activated]
[Str, Vit, and Agi have been temporarily increased]
[Skill [Rapid Strikes] has been activated]
[Attack Speed has been temporarily increased]
[Skill [White Wolf’s Howl I] has been activated]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Allies’ stats have been temporarily increased]
[Enemies’ stats have been temporarily decreased]
[Skill [Black Wolf King’s Howl I] has been activated]
[Allies have been temporarily Encouraged]
[Enemies have been temporarily Terrified]
“What is this?! Why have I grown weaker? Why can’t I move?”
The Hobgoblin stopped short as it approached me. It realized that it had become weaker and frozen in place due to my Skills. But it was too late as I swung my greatsword at the monster.
The Mana-coated blade cleaved right through the Boss’ armor and body. It roared in pain, its HP dropped to critical levels but it somehow remained alive. And since it was still alive, the same buff Skill I had seen other Boss Monsters use before triggered. The Hobgoblin Commander roared again, its eyes glowing red and a red glow surrounding its body.
“I! Crush! You!!!”
The monster dashed forward, swinging its swords. Deflecting both of its strikes, I retaliated by swiping its abdomen. However, despite my blade making direct contact, the Hobgoblin didn’t really seem to care much about the gaping wound in its torso. Drawing the Wolf Fang Dagger, I stabbed my opponent in between its ribs. But once again, it didn’t really seem to care much.
“You’re pretty tough, aren’t you? But can you withstand this? [Draconic Breath]!”
A massive orb of concentrated energy formed in front of my face. It then blasted outwards as a large torrent of energy, washing over the Hobgoblin. I could hear its roars growing quieter and weaker as it was engulfed by my Skill. Finally, it fell to the ground, its body fizzling into red sparkles. All that was left of it were some Items.
[You have leveled up x1]
[You have obtained 1000 gold]
[You have obtained Skill Book [Tenacity]]
[You have obtained [Hobgoblin’s Leather Wrist Guards]]
[You have obtained [Hobgoblin’s Leather Shin Guards]]
[Congratulations! You have defeated Event Boss [Hobgoblin Commander]]
[You have obtained Title [Honorable Duelist]]
[Quest’s hidden objective has been completed]
[Kill [Hobgoblin Commander] solo 1/1]
[Rewards: ???]
[Reward will be given once main Quest objective has been completed]
“Awesome! Now, to kill the rest of you!”
Brandishing my sword, which was still glowing with Sword Aura, I charged. The surrounding Goblins, already having lost their confidence and morale, scattered like mice. However, I was slaughtering them with no resistance, my greatsword cleaving through the monsters like a scythe through grain. Soon, as I looked back, I saw that the majority of the Goblins were dead.
“Our leader! Dead! Run! Must flee!” One of the Goblins began shouting and screaming as it ran. However, it didn’t make it far before a gunshot rang out and a bullet hole appeared in its head. There were five more gunshots and five more of the monsters died, unaware that they were even being attacked.
The battle continued in this fashion for a few more minutes. Then it ended, all of the Goblins dead under our combined efforts. Orthrus and Fluffy stood on either side of me, panting for breath but their eyes still showed their ferocity and readiness to continue fighting.
[Congratulations! Special Event Quest completed]
[Calculating rewards based on contribution]
[Additional rewards from completion of hidden objective added]
[You have leveled up x2]
[You have obtained 2500 gold]
[You have obtained Skill Book [Goblin Cunning]]
[You have obtained Skill Book [Martial Prowess]]
[You have obtained [Venomous Dagger]]
[You have obtained [Goblins’ Ire]]
[You have obtained [Reinforcement Stone - Lesser]]
[Congratulations! You have defeated 200+ [Goblins] solo]
[You have obtained 1000 gold]
[You have obtained Title [Goblin Slayer]]
[You have obtained Skill Book [Bully The Weak]]
“Um, okay then. That’s a lot of good rewards. They sound good though. I wonder what all Gam got?” However, before I could continue thinking about that, yet another system message popped up.
[You have obtained +Relationship with Sword Master Jax]
[You have obtained Class Skill [Extendable Aura]]
“Aaaand now there’s even more. Alright. Cool. This is a lot. But rewards are always good. I’m gonna start looking at my loot now.”
I learned the Skills from the Skill Books I had obtained and read their descriptions, as well as the descriptions of all my other rewards.
[Tenacity]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. When HP is below 30%, all pain is blocked out, all damage received is reduced by 10%, and all main stats are increased by 50%]
[Goblin Cunning]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. +10% chance to notice traps]
2. -10% damage received from traps]
3. +5% chance of success when building traps]
[Martial Prowess]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. +25% Physical Attack Power when wielding any melee weapon
2. +25% Attack Speed when wielding any melee weapon
3. +25% Movement Speed when wielding any melee weapon]
[Bully The Weak]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. When four of your opponent’s main stats (not HP/MP) are lower than yours, your main stats (not HP/MP) are doubled until combat ends]
[Extendable Aura]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. Can freely manipulate the length of your [Sword Aura] while it is in use]
[Honorable Duelist]
[Requirements: defeat the Special Event Quest Boss [Hobgoblin Commander] solo]
[Effects:
1. +50% all main stats when fighting an enemy one-on-one
2. +50% Attack Power when fighting an enemy one-on-one
3. +50% Defense when fighting an agent one-on-one]
[Goblin Slayer]
[Requirements: kill 200+ [Goblins] solo]
[Effects:
1. +10% all main stats
2. +100 all main stats when facing a goblinoid creature
3. +50% damage dealt to goblinoid creatures]
[Hobgoblin’s Leather Wrist Guards]
[Rarity: Rare]
[Type: Wrist Armor]
[Subtype: Defensive]
[Restrictions: 50+ Vit]
[Physical Defense: +75]
[Magic Defense: +37.5]
[Durability: 150/150]
[Options:
1. +25 Vit
2. +5% Physical Defense
3. +75 max HP]
[Weight: 01]
[The wrist guards worn by the [Hobgoblin Commander] who wished to wipe out the humans, they are infused with some of his vitality and endurance.]
[Hobgoblin’s Leather Shin Guards]
[Rarity: Rare]
[Type: Leg Armor]
[Subtype: Defensive]
[Restrictions: 50+ Vit, 25+ Agi]
[Physical Defense: +50]
[Magic Defense: +25]
[Durability: 150/150]
[Options:
1. +25 Vit
2. +25 Agi
3. +5% Movement Speed]
[Weight: 01]
[The shin guards worn by the [Hobgoblin Commander] who wished to wipe out the humans, they are infused with some of his vitality and agility.]
[Venomous Dagger]
[Rarity: Epic]
[Type: Dagger]
[Subtype: One-Handed, Melee, Thrown]
[Restrictions: 50+ Agi]
[Damage: 50 + Physical Attack Power]
[Durability: 250/250]
[Options:
1. 5% chance to ignore 10% of target’s Physical Defense
2. 50% chance to inflict Poison status effect
3. 10% chance to inflict Blind status effect
4. 5% chance to inflict Paralyze status effect]
[Weight: 01]
[A nondescript and ordinary-looking dagger that contains a powerful toxin within the blade that can have a variety of effects.]
[Goblin’s Ire]
[Rarity: Epic]
[Type: Ring]
[Subtype: Defense, Buff]
[Restrictions: 50+ Int]
[Magic Defense: +75]
[Durability: 170/170]
[Options:
1. +10% Int
2. +200 max MP
3. -10% all main stats for all goblinoid creatures within a 50 ft radius
4. +100% hostility with goblinoid creatures]
[A plain, simple-looking black metal band that radiates malice and empowers the wearer’s magic, but any goblinoids nearby will be weakened and hate the wearer, instinctively knowing how the ring was created.]
[Reinforcement Stone - Lesser]
[Rarity: Rare]
[Type: Enhancement]
[Subtype: Buff]
[Effects:
1. Completely restores the durability of the Item it’s used on
2. Enhances the stats and options of the Item it’s used on
3. 10% chance to grant [Self-Repair] to the Item it’s used on
4. 1% chance to evolve the Item it’s used on]
“Wow. This is a lot of good stuff. Well, guess I’ll go ahead and equip the Items.”
I felt a rush of strength go through my body as my stats increase by a noticeable amount. Smiling, I whistled and my two pets both ran back over to my side. We then rejoined Gam, who was also grinning ear-to-ear.
“Thank you so much! I never actually expected us to be able to take on so many [Goblins] at once and win! Plus, I finished my Class Quest and got the Skill!”
“No problem, it’s my pleasure. After all, what are friends for?”
She rushed over and hugged me, catching me completely off guard. But after a moment she let go, her face a little red.
“Sorry, I got caught up in the moment. But again, thank you. For everything. For helping me regain my levels, my Class, everything.”
“Again, not a problem. I mean, I didn’t have much else going on other than fetch Quests. However, we should probably head back to the town. Besides, I’d like to talk to my master about both my new Class Skill and about what happened with the [Goblins].”
The four of us began walking back into town. But when we got there, we were met with a scene that caused our eyes to go wide. It was chaos in the streets as large, green-skinned monsters that looked similar to Goblins, but these monsters had smaller ears, larger bodies, and somewhat ape-like faces.
“No. It’s some kind of [Orc] raid!”
“Then let’s go help!”
I charged towards the fray, my greatsword held high.