The party advanced through the forest trail in silence, the morning mist slowly dissipating under the rising sun. Kael led the way, sword sheathed, his senses sharp as ever. The group moved in a loose formation Mira with her twin daggers at his side, Arven keeping an eye on the treetops, and the brown-haired swordsman trailing behind.
They encountered goblins along the way, but none of them posed a threat. Every encounter ended in a swift, decisive strike Kael's fire, the crackling thunder from the brown-haired swordsman, and the precision of Arven's flaming arrows left no room for resistance.
The ground beneath their boots shifted from soft soil to compact stone as they arrived at the cave's entrance. Crude totems and bones hung near its maw, and two goblins stood watch, lazily scanning the area.
Kael dropped to a crouch, his hand giving the signal.
Three arrows flared to life with fire and flew in unison. A heartbeat later, the two sentries collapsed, flames devouring their skulls.
Kael signaled again, and Mira moved like a phantom, her body slipping into the shadows and into the cave. The others waited, tense. Then, a scream erupted from within loud, sharp, and almost musical, like wind howling through a narrow pass.
Moments later, Mira reemerged, sprinting from the cave with a half-dozen goblins chasing after her. She darted past the others with a grin.
Kael and the brown-haired man Rael stepped forward, their blades flaring with elemental energy. Kael's sword ignited in flames while Rael's crackled with arcs of blue lightning.
"Now!" Kael commanded.
They charged.
Arven released arrow after arrow, each one aimed with cold precision at the goblins' legs. The monsters stumbled, slowed, and Kael seized the opening.
"Fire Wave!"
A burst of flame surged from his blade in a sweeping arc. The fire cleaved through the goblins, reducing them to ash and cinders.
Rael followed with a bolt of electricity that danced between any that remained.
Within seconds, nothing was left but smoking remains and severed limbs.
From behind the brush, Rika and Elric stared in awe.
"So this… this is what real adventurers can do…" Elric whispered.
Rika tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes wide.
Arven appeared beside her, ruffling her hair gently.
"Don't worry. One day, you'll be doing this too," she said warmly.
Rika blinked, surprised by the kindness. "Y-you think so?"
Arven smiled. "I know so."
Encouraged, Rika followed her out to rejoin the others.
Kael turned to Mira. "How's it look inside?"
Mira brushed off some dust. "Tunnel splits in two. The left side's where those goblins came from. The right? Nothing moved."
Kael nodded, tapping his chin in thought. "Then we go left. Clear the threat before exploring the unknown."
The group nodded in agreement.
They stepped into the cave, darkness pressing in on them. The only light came from torches mounted on the walls.
Kael and Rael took the lead, swords drawn. Mira and Elric followed at a measured pace. Arven and Rika stayed at the rear, watchful.
The further they walked, the heavier the air felt.
Rika's steps grew slower. Her breathing became shallow.
"You alright?"
Rika gave a small nod. "Just nervous."
Arven chuckled. "You should be. It means you care."
Rika hesitated. "Aren't you scared?"
"Terrified," Arven admitted without shame. "But you learn to use it. Make it sharpen you instead of breaking you."
They walked a few more steps before Arven added quietly, "I envy you, you know."
Rika glanced up at her, confused. "Envy? Of me?"
"You're gaining real experience while still in training. When I was your age, I spent my time hunting rabbits and stabbing goblins in the ankles. You? You're in the thick of it."
Rika gave her a sheepish smile. "I guess I've been lucky… or unlucky."
Arven grinned. "Either way, it's making you strong."
A pause stretched between them before Rika asked shyly, "Um… can I ask your name?"
"Arven," the archer replied. "And yours is Rika, right?"
Rika nodded, smiling brighter now.
From ahead, Kael's voice echoed back. "We're here."
The party halted in front of the split two tunnels leading into further darkness.
Everyone gathered and nodded. They would follow the left path first, as planned.
The atmosphere inside the left tunnel was unnervingly calm. It was quieter than anything they'd heard since stepping into the cave. No footsteps, no grunts, no metallic clinks of armor.
Rael narrowed his eyes, glancing around. "Hey Mira, are you sure the goblins came from the left? You didn't see wrong, did you?"
Mira shot him a flat look. "You doubting my eyes now?"
Before Rael could snap back, Arven raised a hand. "Guys, please. Let's not start this again." She then turned toward Kael. "What do you think? Why's it so quiet in here?"
Kael didn't respond at first. His eyes scanned the walls, the ground. Then he finally spoke. "Maybe all the goblins Mira pulled out… were the only ones on this side."
Arven nodded slowly. "So… should we head back?"
Kael shook his head. "Let's push just a little further."
He moved ahead, his pace quickening. The tunnel curved slightly to the right so they followed it.
Then Kael stopped. Abruptly.
The others nearly walked into him.
"Kael?" Rael asked, stepping beside him to see what had made him freeze.
Then he saw it too.
A wide, hollowed chamber opened before them. The ceiling was high, and the walls flickered with the light of countless fires. Clusters of goblins dozens upon dozens sat in tight circles around campfires, roasting meat and cheering loudly. Their laughter echoed through the cave, chaotic and guttural.
There were over a hundred of them.
And at the center of it all sat a towering goblin draped in bones and ragged furs the Goblin King. He lounged against a stone chair, watching two human men brawl in the middle of the gathering. One refused to strike, trembling where he stood, while the other driven by fear lunged forward under pressure. Spears pointed at their backs forced them into combat.
The crowd roared when one finally went down. The victor collapsed beside him, exhausted.
The Goblin King laughed a deep, echoing sound that shook the cave walls.
Rika clutched her staff tightly, face pale. Elric stepped back in stunned silence.
Rael clenched his fists as he angrily looking at that sight. "Those bastards… they're using people as toys." He struck the wall beside him, teeth grinding.
"I'm going in. We end this. Now."
Kael threw out an arm, blocking him. "Stand down."
"Move, Kael!" Rael hissed. "We can't just watch this!"
Kael's voice dropped into a low, sharp growl. "Think logically. There are over a hundred of them. And the Goblin King. This is suicide without a plan."
Rael cursed, slamming his fist again.
Arven, who had remained silent until now, studied the area carefully.
"There are no other prisoners visible," she said slowly. "Aside from those two, it's empty."
Kael turned to her, eyes narrowing. "You're right. They're not here."
He took a step back. "They must be in the other tunnel. We go back. That's our objective saving the villagers. We hit the goblins after."
Everyone nodded reluctantly, even Rael, who bit his lip in frustration.
Then, from within the chamber, a scream pierced the air.
"Please—don't kill me!"
The defeated man was being dragged toward the fire. A goblin raised a crude spear, clearly intending to execute him.
But before it could strike, more goblins entered the chamber from the right passage dragging additional prisoners. Men, women, even children. The villagers. Their cries echoed, begging for mercy.
Kael's eyes sharpened. "Change of plan."
He turned quickly. "Rael, Arven—you're with me. We'll draw their attention. Mira, Elric, Rika—you take the right tunnel. Free as many people as you can and stay hidden. That chamber connects to both sides. If we hold their attention, they won't see you."
Mira nodded. "Got it."
She motioned to Elric and Rika. "Let's go."
The two younger adventurers looked shaken but followed her quickly.
Kael gripped his sword. "Let's move!"
He and Rael burst from cover, rushing into the cavern.
Kael shouted, "Stay away from the prisoners!"
He slashed his blade—
"Fire Wave!"
A wave of flame tore through the nearest goblins, throwing them back and lighting the chamber in orange heat.
Screams and snarls erupted.
The goblins turned, weapons raised.
The Goblin King rose slowly, the amused look fading from his face.
He barked something guttural unintelligible.
But Kael understood the intent.
"He just said kill them all."