SYSTEM: CLEAR THE GOBLIN CAVE
The message glowed in the air, pulsing with faint red light. Abhay stared at it for a moment, the weight of the quest finally settling in. He scanned the dark forest surrounding the cave. The rustling trees whispered with danger.
Looking for any tactical advantage, Abhay crept toward higher ground. After several minutes, he found it—a slightly elevated clearing with a still pond, surrounded by thick brush and jagged rocks. From here, he had a clear view of the goblin cave entrance. It was a perfect sniping position.
He quickly moved around, gathering stones with sharp edges, storing them in the shallows of the pond. Then, he slid into the cold water and lay low. Only his eyes and the tops of his hands peeked out. The goblins hadn't noticed a thing.
Taking a deep breath, Abhay activated Gare Shift. Green energy flowed into his palms as he gripped the stones like daggers. He threw them with force, the air shimmering as they were enhanced mid-flight. The first rock struck a goblin's skull with a crack, dropping it instantly.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN GRUNT KILLED. +15 EXP
More rocks flew with deadly precision. Another grunt collapsed, choking on its last breath.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN GRUNT KILLED. +15 EXP
Abhay sank deeper into the pond, water lapping at his cheeks. He exhaled softly and grinned.
SYSTEM: AT LEAST THOSE STUPID GUNFIGHTS WITH THE YOGA CLUB ARE COMING IN USE.
His hand slowly broke the water's surface. With a mischievous smirk, he grabbed the hovering system screen and pulled it underwater with him.
The chaos outside continued to grow. Goblin corpses lay scattered near the mouth of the cave, and the foul stench of blood drifted into the wind.
Suddenly, the air shifted. From deep within the cave came a low growl.
The Goblin Riders had arrived.
Six of them stormed out—feral goblins mounted on snarling wolves, armored in crude leather. Their beady eyes scanned the perimeter, sensing something was off.
Abhay didn't panic. He crawled through the tall, dry brown grass of the nearby field and carefully planted his old alarm clock at the center. Then, he crawled away, soaking the surrounding grass with goblin blood from the corpses he had already killed. His own clothes were drenched in it.
As he lay low again, the alarm clock started ringing.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound pierced the stillness.
The goblin riders turned their heads in unison and charged into the field.
Abhay waited just long enough. Then, he tossed a lit firecracker—his backup—and the entire field ignited in a sudden burst of flame.
Shrieking goblins and howling wolves scrambled within the firestorm.
Abhay didn't stop there. He ran to the goblin cave entrance and, using every ounce of strength, hurled the four previously killed goblins into the blaze. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN RIDER KILLED. +55 EXP
Still drenched in blood and ash, Abhay slipped into one of the cracks in the cave wall. Hidden by shadow, he held his breath.
The goblin soldiers came rushing out of the cave in response to the dying cries. Their green faces twisted with confusion and fury. But they didn't see him. To them, the only enemy had been consumed by fire.
Inside the cave, Abhay watched from the shadows—eyes wide, heart pounding. He'd gone unnoticed.
For now.