Chapter 04 ~ Goblin
The dirt path cut a brown line through a sea of green grass that swayed in waves with every gentle breeze. In the distance, a formidable line of mountains stood like a painted backdrop against the canvas of the clear blue sky, dotted with fluffy white clouds. The morning sun was warm and calm. It was a perfect day for a walk.
Zeno strode along the path, his green satchel bouncing at his hip. Beside him, Momonda kept pace, her pink hair swaying.
"I can't believe we ended up taking the Diomana road," she said, eyeing the empty landscape. "Are we gonna be safe, buddy?"
Zeno glanced at her. "No choice. You said your mom would be strict if we were late. This way, we can be back before sunset."
"Aren't there even any knights warning us not to take it?" she pressed.
He looked ahead, his brow furrowing slightly. "You're right. Usually, for a dangerous road, there should be a couple of knights at the start and end to stop travelers from passing through."
A heavy hand landed on Zeno's shoulder, and a new voice spoke. "Oh, that's because we got rid of the knights assigned to that job."
Momonda smiled calmly. "Well, that explains the lack of knights."
A beat of silence passed. Then, her smile froze. Her expression morphed into one of dawning horror as she slowly, mechanically, turned her head to look at the person who had just spoken. He was a goblin. He was short, stout, and incredibly fat, with oily green skin and beady green eyes. He was grinning.
"Hello," the goblin said.
Zeno nodded slightly. "Hey."
That was all it took. Momonda let out a bloodcurdling scream and took off down the path like a shot. "Aaaah, it's a goblin!! A goblin monster!! He's even grosser than what I've heard and seen in books!"
Zeno and the goblin stood there, watching her frantic running forward. The goblin's cheerful expression wilted. He looked down at his feet and sighed, his shoulders slumping in dejection.
"Don't let her words get to you," Zeno said, trying to be encouraging. "It's a normal human reaction."
"Don't worry," the goblin mumbled. "I'm used to it, especially from pretty girls. By the way, what about you? You don't seem shocked or scared. Is this your first time seeing a goblin?"
"I've seen them in history books before," Zeno replied. "But this is the first time in person."
The goblin's smile returned. "It's been a while since I met a human as calm as you. Usually, only the strong are calm in my presence. This is the first time I've seen a weakling stay so calm."
Zeno's eyebrow twitched. "What do you mean? I'm not weak at all."
The goblin reached out and squeezed Zeno's bicep. "Cut the crap," he grunted, finding nothing but bone and sinew. "I don't see an ounce of strength in your limbs."
"No, what's happening to me?! What kind of luck is this?!" Momonda's screams ripped through the air again. She was running back towards them, a cloud of dust billowing behind her. Chasing her was a horde of goblins of all shapes and sizes, their faces split with ugly, eager grins.
"Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!" they chanted.
The fat goblin's eyes lit up. He started waddling toward the oncoming chase, leaving Zeno behind. "You scoundrels," he bellowed, "she's mine! Leave her be!"
Momonda saw she was trapped between the fat goblin in front and the horde behind.
Damn it, she thought, her eyes wide with panic. The last thing I want is to fall into their hands. I've had enough. I'll just blow them all away. That'll include Zeno, but I don't care right now—
Snap!
The sound cut through her desperate thoughts. She saw a flash of blue light materialize directly above the fat goblin's head. It was Zeno. His fist came down like a hammer, landing squarely on the goblin's skull with a sickening thwack.
The fat goblin's eyes rolled back in his head, and he dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. He lay there, motionless. His eyes fluttered open for a second. What happened? he thought hazily. He saw Zeno's boots step right over his chest. He saw Zeno's back as he walked away. Impossible... with those scrawny arms? How is that even possible... Then, darkness.
Momonda stared, her mouth agape. The charging horde of goblins skidded to a halt, their clubs held uncertainly.
Zeno faced them, his voice cold and firm. "I'm not a knight or a hero. I'm just an adventurer. I haven't been tasked or paid to eliminate you, so my companion and I will pass by peacefully. But, if you dare to stand in our way, you will regret it."
The twenty or so goblins stared at him, then at their fallen leader, then at each other. After a moment of tense silence, they shuffled aside, some to the right, some to the left, clearing a path down the middle of the road.
"A wise decision," Zeno said calmly, and began to walk forward.
Momonda quickly followed. As she walked through the corridor of green bodies, she noticed their expressions. The lustful leers from moments before were gone, replaced by looks of fear and apprehension. The way they look at me has changed, too? she thought, amazed. I can't believe he convinced them so easily. Does that mean the one he took down was their strongest, maybe their leader? She looked at Zeno's back as he walked confidently ahead of her. He has a bit of a leader's spirit... This made me forget what the knights said about him at the gate. This person might be a real adventurer!
On the ground, the fat goblin's fingers twitched. He blinked his eyes open, staring at his wiggling digits in disbelief. Wait, didn't I pass out? He pushed himself up, rubbing the back of his head and looking at his hands, completely baffled. The other goblins stared at him in shocked silence.
Meanwhile, Zeno was counting under his breath. "Three, two, one..."
He spun around and grabbed Momonda's hand. Her eyes widened as he yanked her forward, breaking into a dead sprint.
"Wait, what?!" she yelped.
They were already several meters past the goblin horde when their dazed leader finally found his voice. He clenched his meaty fists, his face purple with rage.
"DAMN THEM! GET THEM!"
The goblins roared, tightening their grips on their clubs and charging after them.
"Wasn't he unconscious just a moment ago?!" Momonda shouted, glancing back at the thundering horde.
"My limbs are weak, and all I have is my speed!" Zeno yelled back, grinning as he pulled her along the dirt path. "But I aimed for one of his vital points! No matter how strong he is, he'll lose control of his body for ten seconds! After that, we have to run, run, and run!"
Momonda wrenched her hand free and pumped her arms, running with all her might. "I take back everything I said about you! You're not an adventurer or a leader! You're just a reckless boy, and I'm an idiot for following you!"
Zeno just laughed, glancing over at her. "What are you talking about? Recklessness is adventure!"
She stared at him blankly for a second, then a shiver ran down her spine as the chant started up again from the horde behind them.
"Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!"
Momonda threw her head back and groaned at the sky. "What kind of day is this, Mom..."