"Boss, what's our strategy?" Leo asked.

"Our goal is simple: find the goblin king and finish him off." Ethan said.

"So you're telling us to just wander into the forest until we bump into him?" Emily interrupted and teased him. "What a brilliant plan. Very much like you."

"Do you have a better idea?" Ethan asked, feeling irritated.

"Actually, I do. Why don't we set up a bait for them?"

"And where are we going to find a bait?"

"I've already prepared one." She took out a dozen pieces of meat from her small backpack. Her backpack was a special item that could store many things. It was Wanda's gift to her.

"We're going to lure them with the smell of meat and blood." She explained, smiling confidently.

"Okay, let's do it."

They set up the trap and started waiting for the goblins to come.They hid behind some bushes and trees.

"Hey, Ethan." Emily said, breaking the silence.

"What?" Ethan replied, curious about what she wanted to say.

"How did you think of recruiting me?" She asked, genuinely interested.

"Do you remember the marksman competition two years ago? The one you participated in?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Hector, the vice leader of my team, was also there. He came in third and told me that the first place was taken by a member of the Beast Guild, and the second place was a girl from the Gradion Orphanage."

"Oh, I see. So you were impressed by my skills." Emily said with a playful smile.

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"Something like that." Ethan replied in monotonous tone.

"Boss, I also have a question." Leo said, joining the conversation.

"Ask away."

"You weren't a player when you were in Echleon. So, how did you manage to clear the dungeon? I mean, you wouldn't be able to see the status window, right?" Leo asked, curious about Ethan’s past.

"That's true. But I had some players on my team who told me about those things." Ethan continued. "Anyways, do you remember the skill l had told you about?"

"Yes, Boss." Leo nodded.

"Good. Now go and stand in front of the bait." Ethan ordered, pointing to the meat.

"What? Boss, are you sure?" Leo asked, feeling nervous.

Ethan nodded in affirmation.

Leo looked confused and turned his head to Emily, hoping that she would say something else.

"It's okay. If you fall into any critical situation, I will help you." Emily said with a smile.

Leo gave up his hope, knowing that both his leader and vice leader were beyond normal.

He stood in front of the bait, a piece of raw meat tied to a tree, and soon heard the sound of bushes rustling. He tensed, gripping his shield and mace tightly.

Four goblins emerged from the bushes, their green skin covered with dirt and scars. They had pointed ears, yellow eyes, and sharp teeth. They wore ragged clothes and carried crude weapons made of wood and metal. They spotted Leo and let out a series of snarls and grunts.

Leo braced himself as he saw the four goblins charging at him. He held his shield firmly in front of him, hoping to block their attacks. He knew he had to learn the skill that Ethan had told him, but he was not sure if he could do it.

The goblins reached him and swung their weapons at him. Leo managed to deflect two of them with his shield, but the other two hit him on his arms and legs. He felt a sharp pain and staggered back. He looked at his wounds and saw blood dripping from them. He felt a surge of fear and anger.

He remembered Ethan's words.

"The skill is called Shield impact."

"How will I learn it?"

"The basic condition to learn it is to infuse mana into shield like other weapons, but it would be difficult as unlike other weapons a shield is not designed to channel mana. A weapon has a blade or a point that can focus the mana into a sharp edge or a piercing tip. A shield, on the other hand, has a broad and flat surface that disperses the mana. Therefore, you need to have more control and concentration to infuse your shield with mana, and the effect will not last as long as a weapon infusion."

Leo gritted his teeth and decided to try it. He waited for the goblins to attack again, and then he pushed his shield forward with all his strength, charging at the nearest goblin, using his shield as both defense and offense. With precise timing, he collided with the goblin and finished it off.

In the split second after the impact, Leo invoked his [Mana Shield], creating a shimmering barrier around himself, anticipating the incoming attacks. The goblins, taken aback by Leo's quick maneuvers, hesitated for a moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Leo concentrated, channeling the energy from his Mana Shield into his Shield Rush technique. He propelled himself toward the goblins, the shield glowing with an intensified energy.

The collision sent shockwaves through the goblins, knocking two of them off their feet while the one scrambled backward, startled by Leo's combined skill prowess.

[Congratulations! You've learned a new skill]

[You've learned the skill 'Shield Impact']

He felt a rush of adrenaline and satisfaction. He did it. He learned the Shield impact

He finished the two goblins that were knocked down with his mace splashing blood on his clothes. He saw another one retreating towards the forest and tried to chase it, but fell on the ground due to the exhaustion from using his skill. He groaned and stood up, ignoring the pain in his legs. He attempted to pursue him again but was stopped by a voice.

"It's okay, let him go." Ethan said with a steady voice. He walked over to him and handed him a bottle of potion. "You've done well. Now heal yourself."

He took the potion and drank it, feeling a warm sensation in his body. He looked at Ethan with a worried expression. "But Boss, what if he goes back and informs the goblin king?"

"That's what we want." Ethan said with a wicked grin. He glanced at Emily, who nodded in agreement.

Emily smiled brightly and explained, "He means that we will follow him and reach the goblin king."

"Anyways, just how many skills do you possess?" Emily asked Ethan teasingly.

Ethan ignored her and focused on his [Blood Mark]. He sensed his prey going in a certain direction.