Chapter 33: Encircled by Death
The goblin territory was a festering, twisted expanse deep within the forest's heart. The trees here grew gnarled and wild, their branches intertwining to form a choking canopy that allowed only dim, scattered beams of sunlight to pierce through. The ground was damp and uneven, covered in rotting leaves, broken twigs, and strange, nauseating odors that clung to the air. Shadows danced constantly, and a chilling, oppressive silence ruled, broken only by the occasional rustle or the low, guttural grunts of unseen creatures.
It was here, amidst the darkness and decay, that the hunt began.
Perched high up on an ancient tree, a goblin grinned wickedly. Its yellow, jagged teeth were crooked and stained with rot, its long pointed ears twitching with excitement. This was the one—the goblin that had first attacked Lei Feng. It wore scraps of leather armor stitched crudely from unknown hides, and a battered shortbow and quiver of crude arrows were strapped to its back. Its sickly, grayish-green skin was pockmarked with scars, and its glowing yellow eyes gleamed with malice as it picked at its teeth with a sharpened bone.
Then, from under the shadows of the trees, more figures began to stir.
Hiding beneath the canopy, five more goblin archers revealed themselves, each lurking in the dense foliage, bows in hand, eager smiles stretched across their grotesque faces. But Lei Feng's instincts screamed a warning—there were more. Many more, hidden, watching, waiting.
Lei Feng clicked his tongue in irritation, grimacing at the sight before him.
"Damn... They're even uglier than in the movies and manga," he muttered inwardly.
He remained vigilant, his senses razor-sharp. His blue eyes flickered around, catching glimpses of movement in the underbrush—goblins running through the bushes, encircling him like wolves around wounded prey.
Then—
"Jejejeje..."
A sinister, guttural laugh echoed through the forest.
Lei Feng tensed, instinctively turning toward the sound.
Emerging from the shadows were goblins—dozens of them.
They were vile creatures barely four feet tall, with thin yet wiry bodies, their skin different shades of moldy green and brown. Each one clutched a heavy, splintered wooden club in its clawed hands. Their yellow eyes shone with sadistic glee, their tongues lolling out in excitement, drool dripping from cracked lips as they cackled and whooped like hyenas that had cornered a dying deer.
"Goblin Scouts," Lei Feng hissed under his breath, lowering instinctively into a defensive posture.
He quickly surveyed the area—they had him completely surrounded. Their circle tightened slowly, their cruel eyes shimmering with bloodlust.
"About twenty goblin scouts... and more than five archers hidden," Lei Feng thought, cold sweat trailing down his spine. "This is bad..."
He gritted his teeth, his mind racing.
"I'm only a Level 9 Magic Initiate... good at close combat, but at this rate... if I don't act fast, I'm dead!"
The air grew heavy with silence, save for the goblins' sporadic snickers and whispers in their foul tongue. They didn't rush in immediately—they toyed with him, savoring their impending kill.
"They don't even deem me a threat," Lei Feng realized bitterly.
But then—
Swoosh!
The silence shattered.
An arrow whistled through the air, aimed straight at his chest.
"Fuck!" Lei Feng cursed, twisting sharply to the side. The arrow sliced past him, narrowly missing his heart.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Three more arrows rained down from different angles, deadly fast.
Lei Feng's perception sharpened—he could almost see the trajectory of each arrow. Reacting on pure instinct and agility, he twisted and ducked, weaving through the gaps between death.
But then—
Swoosh!
Another arrow, fired from a hidden spot, sliced through the air.
Still regaining his balance, Lei Feng barely hurled himself sideways, throwing his body to the ground.
Tssssk!
Pain flared as the arrow grazed his back, tearing through his clothes and leaving a shallow, bleeding wound.
> -5 HP
HP: 175/180
THUD!
Lei Feng crashed hard onto the dirt, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. Dust exploded around him.
A chorus of goblin laughter erupted, mocking and cruel.
Cough!
Lei Feng coughed harshly, blood staining his lips.
"They're playing with me..." he thought, rage flickering in his chest. "Am I that weak?!"
No.
No!
His blue eyes turned cold, freezing with resolve.
From the corner of his eye, he saw two goblin scouts charging at him, wooden clubs raised high, cruel anticipation flashing across their faces.
Lei Feng moved.
Like a coiled spring, he launched from the ground with unnatural grace. His sword flashed in a deadly arc.
Shing!
The blade sang through the air.
It found the neck of the first goblin, slicing cleanly through flesh and sinew.
Splurt!
A spray of dark, foul-smelling blood erupted as the goblin staggered back, clutching at its ruined throat.
Lei Feng surged forward, driving his foot into the goblin's chest with brutal force.
BAM!
The goblin's limp body hurtled backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening crunch.
> Ding!
Successful Kill!
+50 EXP
The second goblin hesitated, fear flickering across its ugly face. It tried to retreat—
Too late.
Lei Feng was already upon it, sword thrusting forward with deadly precision.
Pchhhh!
The blade pierced through the goblin's heart. It shuddered violently before collapsing.
> Ding!
Successful Kill!
+50 EXP
EXP: 135/300
"Four more and I'll level up!" Lei Feng thought, his heart pounding with fierce determination. "I have to gamble everything... awaken a powerful magic class...!"
For a heartbeat, silence fell.
The goblins stared, stunned.
Then—
HOOOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLL!
They howled in fury, a deafening roar.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
More arrows whistled down from the trees.
"Shit!" Lei Feng cursed, grabbing the corpse of a fallen goblin and hoisting it up as a makeshift shield.
Swiish! Swiish! Swiish!
Arrows thudded into the dead goblin's body.
Gritting his teeth, Lei Feng scanned for cover.
Two more goblin scouts burst from behind trees, charging at him recklessly, clubs swinging.
"Now!" Lei Feng's instincts roared.
With a shout, he hurled the corpse at one goblin, knocking it off balance. Then, without hesitation, he rushed forward, sword slicing downward.
Shhhhk!
The blade split through the goblin's shoulder and into its chest.
> Ding!
Critical Kill!
+75 EXP!
EXP: 210/300
"Two more!" Lei Feng shouted internally, a wild spark of hope igniting inside him.
But hope was a fragile thing.
Without warning, a heavy club descended from above.
Lei Feng reacted instantly, raising his sword—
CLANG!
The force reverberated through his arms.
He skidded back, glaring at his attacker.
This goblin was different.
It was bulkier, its skin darker, its muscles grotesquely bulging.
"Level 11 Goblin Scout," Lei Feng realized grimly.
But he had no time to celebrate the discovery.
Suddenly, a cold chill ran down his spine.
More goblins—dozens—surged forward, clubs raised high.
And from above—
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Arrows rained down like deadly hail.
"They're going all out!!"
The lead goblin roared, swinging its club at Lei Feng's head.
Lei Feng barely ducked—
—but the arrows were already upon him.
Swiish! Swiish!
Two arrows tore into his back.
AARRGGHH!!
> -30 HP
HP: 145/180
Pain exploded through him.
Lei Feng staggered to his feet, vision blurring.
The goblins closed in, laughing madly.
He fumbled for a healing potion—but the goblin scouts gave no quarter.
Wham!
A club smashed into his side, driving the arrows deeper.
> -15 HP
HP: 130/180
Lei Feng coughed up blood, his body trembling.
"I'm dying..." a weak voice whispered.
But—
No.
Lei Feng's eyes hardened.
Suddenly—
> Ding!
Indomitable Will Activated!
A surge of strength flooded his veins.
The pain faded, replaced by unstoppable fighting spirit.
His heart thundered, muscles screamed—but he stood tall.
"I will not fall here!" he roared.
Then—
> Ding!
Passive Skill Activated!
Killing Intent!
Killing Aura: Strikes fear into the enemy's mind.
+50% increase to all attributes!
Increased Critical Hit Chance!
A dark aura erupted from Lei Feng, suffocating and thick with death.
The goblins froze, their yellow eyes wide with terror.
But Lei Feng—
He was beyond reason now.
Consumed by bloodlust, he didn't think. He didn't hesitate.
He charged forward, sword gleaming with murderous intent, the ground trembling under his feet.
There was only one thought screaming in his mind:
KILL!