The morning sun rose high over the village gates, spilling golden light across the stone walls. Ten armored knights stood guard, their spears gleaming as they kept watch over the long line stretching before them. Adventurers, merchants with rattling carriages, and wandering traders returning from the city waited impatiently to enter. The knights checked each person carefully, eyes sharp on those coming in, yet none bothered to glance at the ones leaving.
The peace was broken when a group of rowdy young adventurers tried to harass a female guard. Their laughter was cut short the instant she twisted one to the ground with a swift strike. Moments later, reinforcements came and the offenders were dragged away in chains, their shouts echoing uselessly through the air.
From the gate's shadow stepped a towering man clad in heavy armor. His long brown beard spilled over his chest plate, and the sword at his side seemed forged for war. His voice thundered with command.
"Stay alert. Last night, orcs tested our walls. They were pushed back, but don't let your guard down."
The men straightened instantly. He carried himself like a high-ranking knight, and his presence was enough to silence idle chatter. Taking a binocular from a gate archer, the bearded knight scanned the forest beyond the fields. At first, only trees swayed under the breeze, until a flicker of green moved against the shadows.
His eyes narrowed, a goblin emerged from the woods.
"What's that?" he muttered. Raising his hand, he signaled. Two archers and four knights sprinted to his side.
"Sir!" they said in unison, halting before him.
"There's a beast roaming near the forest. Kill it. Bring back the crystal."
"Yes, sir!"
They charged without hesitation, weapons drawn, sunlight glinting off their armor.
Far off, Henry spotted the village gates. A smile tugged at his lips, finally, he had reached his destination. But the cry that split the air froze him where he stood.
"Kill the beast!"
An arrow struck the dirt at his feet. He lifted his head, heart pounding.
Six figures stormed toward him from the gates, four knights, two archers. Their spears shone, shields raised, eyes filled with hostility.
"I'm not here for trouble!" Henry shouted, his voice raw. "I can speak your language, I only came to ..."
Another arrow flew, hissing through the air. He rolled aside just before it thudded into the ground.
"Oh no…" Panic tightened his chest. He turned and bolted toward the treeline, armor clanking behind him as the knights gained ground.
Grinding his teeth, Henry stopped short. "I didn't come to fight… but if they won't listen, then I'll survive and level up in the process."
He spun, bow drawn in a blur, and released. The arrow sank deep into the nearest knight's head. The man dropped like a felled tree.
[You have killed a Human Knight]
[+10 Experience Points]
Henry sprinted for cover, diving behind the forest's edge. His breath came ragged as the knights thundered closer.
"We must kill the goblin!" one snarled.
Pressing his back to a tree, Henry calmed his nerves. Then, moving quickly, he slung his bow and climbed, using the low branches to haul himself upward.
Leaves shielded him from sight, he spotted two knights beneath, sweeping their swords through brush. Henry drew his bowstring tight.
* Whew*
The arrow whispered through the air and struck. One knight collapsed. The second turned in shock, but another arrow already pierced his skull.
[You have killed a Human Knight]
[+10 Experience Points]
[You have killed a Human Knight]
[+10 Experience Points]
[Five arrows fired]
[-2 Stamina]
[Stamina: 13]
He felt a surge of energy leaving his body.
Crystals shimmered above the human bodies. Henry almost climbed down, but the faint rustle of leaves warned him otherwise.
"Sam!" a knight roared, sprinting toward his fallen comrade. The cry ended with another arrow burying itself in his head.
[You have killed a Human Knight]
[+10 Experience Points]
Henry leapt from the tree, landing lightly before gathering the glowing crystals.
[Status]
[Name: Henry]
[Race: Goblin]
[Class: Marksman]
[SP: 0]
[Level: 4]
[EXP: 350/400]
[Evolution Crystals: 10/10]
[HP: 30/30]
[Strength: 15]
[Agility: 14]
[Stamina: 15]
[Vitality: 13]
[Skills: Inspect Lv.2, Bouncing Arrows, Night Vision]
"RAI, how many crystals are in my inventory?" Henry asked quickly.
(Four crystals, Henry.)
*Thud!*
An arrow slammed into his shoulder. Henry staggered, pain ripping through him.
[Weapon Detected]
[Poisonous Arrow has entered the body system]
[HP -25]
[HP: 5]
The world swam in and out of focus. Through his blurring vision, he saw an archer perched in a tree, nocking another arrow.
*Bang!*
A thunderous crack split the air. The archer fell lifeless from the branch. Another archer revealed himself from behind the trees only to be struck down by the same booming shot.
Henry's eyelids fluttered. A figure approached through the haze, face veiled, footsteps quiet. On her shoulder perched a small squirrel, its tail flicking as it stared at him.