The two moved cautiously at first, but as they neared the village, their pace quickened. About thirty meters from the gate, one of the goblin sentries perched on the walls spotted them. The creature let out a guttural screech, waving its arms wildly to alert its comrades.
Nova glanced up as more goblins appeared atop the walls, their small, greenish bodies were outlined against the foggy sky, standing about 3 feet tall with hunched frames and sharp, pointed ears. To his surprise, they weren’t just shouting—they were drawing bows.
"Man" Nova said as they began running. "I didn’t know goblins could use bows and arrows."
Jack dodged an arrow that whizzed past his head, nodding grimly. "Mhm, I thought they were too dumb for that too. But it doesn’t change anything. Just keep running! Once we’re inside the village, they won’t risk using their bows. Too much chance of hitting their own."
Nova nodded and picked up the pace. The two sprinted, weaving erratically to make themselves harder targets. The goblins above shrieked and fired arrow after arrow. While none hit their mark, several came dangerously close, slicing through the air with a whistle.
By the time Nova and Jack reached the gates, the goblins on the walls had switched tactics, yelling commands and scampering down to regroup with their brethren. Inside the village, the pair faced a chilling sight: at least a hundred goblins stood in formation, blocking their path. Each was armed with rusted swords and jagged blades, their menacing grins showing sharp, yellowed teeth.
As Nova neared them he could see their status window.
[Goblin Soldier]
Rank: 0
Name: None
Species: Goblin
Affiliation: None
Level: 0
Class: None
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Vigor: 2
Dexterity: 1
Speed: 1
Intelligence: 1
Wisdom: 1
Will: 0
Luck: 0
Nova assessed the horde. His grip on the spear tightened as adrenaline surged through him. He turned to Jack, smirking despite the odds. "I’m going first. Try not to get yourself killed."
Before Jack could respond, Nova dashed forward.
Jack sighed, shaking his head. "That guy’s going to get himself killed first if he keeps charging in like that." Tightening his grip on his saber, he followed close behind.
The goblins let out a collective roar, rushing to meet the intruders. The clash was chaotic. Nova swung his spear wildly, his movements clumsy and unpracticed. The spear felt heavy and awkward in his hands, but his determination carried him through. With a lucky thrust, he managed to impale the first goblin that charged at him.
As the creature collapsed to the ground, a faint chime echoed in Nova’s mind, followed by a system notification:
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
The notification barely registered as Nova struggled to fend off the next attacker. His inexperience with the spear was glaring, but he pushed forward, relying more on instinct than skill.
Meanwhile, Jack was faring much better. His movements were fluid and precise, a stark contrast to Nova’s wild flailing. Years of sparring with a saber gave Jack a distinct advantage. He ducked under a goblin’s swing, slashing upward in a smooth arc that left his opponent clutching its chest before crumpling to the ground.
"Nova!" Jack shouted, narrowly dodging a goblin’s swing as he clumsily brought his saber up to counter. His strikes were awkward but effective, driven more by raw enthusiasm than skill. He didn’t have real experience, but his countless hours spent fantasizing about battles and weapons in RPGs seemed to help him visualize what to do. He struck down another goblin with a heavy swing, his breathing labored but triumphant.
Nova, on the other hand, was struggling to find his footing. His spear wobbled in his hands, each thrust lacking precision. Despite his best efforts, his movements were more reactive than intentional, driven by panic rather than technique.
Jack, seeing Nova’s erratic swings, couldn’t help but chuckle between strikes. "You look like a kid trying to swat a fly!" he called out, ducking under a goblin’s blade and countering with a wild slash that sent the creature staggering back.
"Yeah? Well, you’re not exactly a swordsman yourself!" Nova shot back, his frustration mounting as he barely managed to fend off another goblin.
Jack smirked, stepping closer to Nova as they fought side by side. "Maybe not, but all those games are finally paying off. Who knew spamming attacks in a game would be so useful?" His saber swung clumsily yet effectively, cutting down another goblin.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Nova gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the spear. He planted his feet and forced himself to focus. With a sharp thrust, he skewered a goblin rushing at him.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
"Hey, I think I’m finally getting it!" Nova yelled, pulling the spear free and managing to avoid the retaliation of another goblin.
"Don’t let it go to your head!" Jack shouted, panting as he blocked another swing. "I’m already carrying this team!" His grin was wide, but his breath was laboured, each swing of the saber taking more effort.
Nova took another deep breath, steadying his hands. He lunged forward, thrusting the spear into the chest of a goblin that was charging at Jack from the side.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
"Thanks for the save!" Jack said, quickly taking out another goblin with a sloppy yet decisive strike.
"Don’t mention it" Nova replied, now starting to find a rhythm. With another powerful thrust, he pierced the neck of a goblin trying to flank him.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
The air was thick with the stench of goblin blood and the sound of clashing weapons. Nova and Jack pushed deeper into the chaotic streets of the goblin-infested village, their steps uneven yet determined. Each encounter tested their mettle, forcing them to adapt with every swing and thrust.
Nova gripped his spear tighter, his palms slick with sweat. A goblin lunged at him, its jagged blade aiming for his torso. He sidestepped awkwardly, barely dodging, and thrust his spear forward with all his strength. The tip of the weapon pierced the goblin’s chest, eliciting a guttural scream as the creature crumpled to the ground.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
"Got another!" Nova shouted, his breathing heavy. He turned just in time to see two more goblins closing in on him.
Jack was faring slightly better, his saber slicing through the air with an eagerness that mirrored his passion for fantasy combat. Despite his lack of proper training, he managed to sidestep a goblin’s swing and retaliate with a horizontal slash, severing the creature’s neck. Blood sprayed in an arc as the goblin fell lifeless to the ground.
"Nova, behind you!" Jack called out, pointing with his saber.
Nova spun around, his spear already in motion. The goblin had just enough time to screech before the spearhead drove through its abdomen. Nova grunted, pulling the weapon free and stepping back to reassess his position.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
The goblins weren’t slowing down. Another one leaped at Nova, snarling with a jagged dagger in hand. Nova instinctively raised his spear horizontally to block the attack. The goblin clung to the shaft, its teeth gnashing as it tried to claw at him.
"Get off!" Nova shouted, shaking the creature loose before driving the spear directly into its head. The goblin slumped to the ground, lifeless.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
"Nice one!" Jack said, managing to deflect an incoming strike from another goblin. His counterattack was wild but effective, the saber slashing across the goblin’s chest and dropping it to the ground.
Nova was starting to feel the weight of his movements, his muscles aching from the repetitive thrusts. Yet, he couldn’t stop. Another goblin darted toward him, its crude axe raised high. Nova braced himself, shifting his stance and thrusting his spear with newfound precision. The weapon punctured the goblin’s throat, silencing its battle cry instantly.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
The two of them moved in sync now, their initial clumsiness giving way to a rhythm born of survival. Jack struck low while Nova attacked high, their movements complementing each other despite their inexperience.
Nova skewered another goblin, his spear piercing through its ribcage. He twisted the weapon slightly before pulling it free, causing the creature to collapse in a heap.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
Jack took a deep breath, his arms trembling from exertion. He narrowly avoided an overhead swing from a goblin and retaliated with a slash across its midsection.
"How many of these things are there?" Jack yelled, parrying another attack.
"Too many!" Nova replied, thrusting his spear into the side of another goblin. The creature fell, clutching its wound as it let out a final gasp.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
Despite their exhaustion, Nova and Jack continued to fight, their confidence growing with every successful kill. The goblin horde seemed endless, but the two of them were slowly carving a path through the chaos. Bloodied but determined, they pressed on, their weapons a blur of movement as they cut down one goblin after another.
The bodies of goblins littered the ground behind the gate, the stench of blood and sweat mingling in the air. Nova leaned on his spear for support, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Jack wiped his saber against his sleeve, the fabric already soaked with gore.
"We did it" Nova said between breaths, looking at the carnage they had left behind. "I’ve taken down 50."
Jack nodded grimly, his voice steady. "I killed 50 myself. That’s only the start, though. We’ve still got the whole village to clear out."
They stepped through the gate and into the goblin village. The "buildings" were little more than crude tents stitched together from animal hides, their frames crooked and swaying slightly in the breeze. The place was eerily quiet, save for the crackling of a small fire in the distance.
Nova tightened his grip on his spear. "Let’s finish this."
The two began their grim task, weaving through the village and methodically dispatching every goblin they encountered. Each fight added to their growing experience and confidence, but the exhaustion was beginning to weigh on them.
Nova lunged at a goblin that tried to ambush them from behind one of the tents, his spear piercing its chest with ease.
[Received 50 Stat EXP]
[Spear proficiency increased]
Jack handled another goblin nearby, dodging its wild swing before driving his saber into its gut. The creature let out a pained squeal before collapsing at his feet.
The battles blurred together as they moved from one tent to the next, cutting down goblins in every corner of the village. By the time they reached the center, the bodies of 240 goblins lay scattered in their wake, their crude weapons and makeshift armor no match for Nova and Jack’s growing skill.
"I think that’s all of them" Jack said, wiping his brow.
Nova was about to respond when his gaze fell on the largest tent in the village. Unlike the others, this one was reinforced with wooden supports and draped with thick hides that bore tribal markings. The tent exuded an ominous presence.
"Guess that’s where the boss is" Nova muttered, straightening up and gripping his spear tighter.
Jack glanced at him, his expression serious. "No turning back now."
Nova nodded then said “I’ve killed 120 goblins and you did so too, the one to deliver the final blow to this one will win, deal?” by the end he turned to look at Jack.
Jack smirked while agreeing. “Deal.” Then he looked at the timer.
[00:32:14]
“We still have around 30 minutes before the timer for the special reward runs out” reminded Jack to Nova
“Mhm, we should be able to finish in time” Nova replied after thinking about it.
The two approached cautiously, stepping over the remnants of goblins they had slain. Nova pushed aside the heavy flap that served as the tent’s entrance, and they stepped inside.
The air inside the tent was hot and heavy, carrying the smell of damp earth and decay. At the center stood a massive goblin compared to the ones they fought. It was 4 feet tall, its green skin was riddled with scars, and its muscles bulged as it shifted its weight. In one hand, it gripped a rusty sword that looked far more dangerous than any of the crude weapons they had seen before. In the other, it held a battered shield.
Above its head, glowing letters hovered ominously:
Goblin Captain