Kara crouched low in the grass, her face still burning from her bold declaration. The goblins were still scattered in the clearing, and she forced herself to breathe evenly. Okay, just like she showed me… bait one out…
With an awkward determination, she stood, took a step forward, then deliberately twisted her hips. Her oversized backside swayed in a clumsy imitation of Darkness's controlled movements. The goblins blinked. One tilted his head, another snorted. Then, just as before, a single one broke from the group, grinning wide as he charged after her.
Kara squeaked, panic flaring—but she remembered Darkness's words: Keep just out of reach… don't let him catch you.
Her long legs carried her quickly, and though her balance wasn't elegant, the goblin's attention stayed locked on her. She stumbled once, nearly tripping, but she caught herself and managed to keep him chasing.
Finally, as she rounded back near the tree line, Kara whirled, dagger shaking in her grip. She timed it by instinct—lunging as the goblin reached for her. The blade slid clean through his neck. The creature collapsed with a gurgle at her feet.
Kara stood there, panting, her hands trembling from both fear and adrenaline. "I… I did it… I did it!!"
Darkness stepped out from cover, arms crossed, a small smile tugging at her lips. She lifted a gauntleted hand and gave Kara a simple, approving thumbs-up. "Good. Very good. Keep practicing this way, and you'll survive."
Kara beamed, chest swelling with pride, her nerves easing. "T-thank you… teacher…"
Darkness nodded once, then glanced away, her expression shifting back to calm seriousness. "Stay sharp. Don't get carried away by one small victory. Keep luring them one by one. And remember—we hunt because we must. I also have my own need for coin, so I'll be hunting elsewhere."
Kara blinked. "You're leaving me…?"
"You'll manage. You proved it just now," Darkness said firmly, adjusting her sword at her hip. "Stay close enough to town, keep your eyes open, and don't chase glory. Focus on survival and coin. We'll meet back at the guild."
With that, she turned and strode into the woods, her platinum-blonde hair catching the fading light. Kara stood frozen for a moment, then looked down at her slain goblin, determination glinting in her eyes.
"Alright… I can do this. I'll show her I'm not just some scared novice…"
She tightened her grip on her blade and set her sights on another goblin, heart pounding but steady this time.
Darkness moved deeper into the treeline, leaving Kara behind. The forest was damp, shadows stretching long as the sun began its descent. Her armored boots pressed into soft moss, and her eyes sharpened on movement ahead: a lone goblin, separated from its kin, dragging a crude spear along the ground.
Her hand went to her sword—then hesitated. She remembered: the blade needed sharpening, the edge dulled from her last hunt. If I waste durability now… Her gaze flicked down and landed on a fallen branch, thick and sturdy, half-buried in leaves.
She crouched, picked it up, gave it a quick test swing. The weight was uneven, but her grip was firm. "Good enough," she murmured, lips curving into a wry smile.
The goblin spotted her. Its yellow eyes widened before narrowing into a grin. With a screech, it charged, spear raised.
Darkness steadied her stance, chest rising with the thrill that always came just before the clash. Her pulse quickened—not with fear, but with a deep, aching excitement. "Come."
The goblin thrust its spear. She sidestepped, the point grazing her shoulder, and brought the branch down in a wide arc. The wood cracked against the goblin's temple, snapping in her grip but staggering the creature.
"Still standing? Good…" she muttered through a grin. The goblin snarled, spinning with surprising speed, clawed hand slashing at her side. She didn't block—she let it land. Pain burned hot across her ribs, and she gasped, half in pain, half in exhilaration.
She swung the broken half of the branch like a club, battering the goblin's arm, then shoved her weight forward, slamming her body into his. The two tumbled into the moss.
The goblin screeched beneath her, snapping its jagged teeth at her neck. Darkness laughed, low and breathless, as she pressed the wood against its throat. The struggle was messy, clumsy, her gauntlets slipping against sweat and grime, but she held the pressure until the goblin's screeches choked into silence.
She rose slowly, chest heaving, broken branch still in hand. Blood—hers and the goblin's—stained her armor. She wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist and exhaled, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
"One down," she said to no one, tossing aside the splintered weapon. "Plenty more to go."