----Chapter 2----
CRACK!
A branch snapped somewhere ahead, echoing sharply on one of the bushes near us.
"Keep your eyes open," Lyra hissed, tail flicking nervously.
"Something's moving out there."
The group fell silent. Grass crunched underfoot as we advanced toward the clearing, each step measured, every sense alert.
Suddenly, a figure popped out of the bushes.
"A boy, or what looked like one, stood tall, shoulders broad. His skin had a faint metallic sheen, segmented like plates, and his movements were fluid but mechanical. A white bandana was tied across his forehead.
"Zup!! Let's all have some fun!" he shouted, grinning widely.
Lyra's ears twitched, tail stiffening.
"What… what is that?"
I blinked.
A Golemoid? One of the unique races in Etherissia? Didn't expect to see one here.
Selene crouched, knives ready.
"A little too eager for my taste…"
Garrick hefted his battle axe, bracing.
"Looks like someone wants to play before the quest even starts."
Kina's broadsword glinted in the sunset, poised.
"Stay calm. Observe first. Don't engage unnecessarily."
Then, THUD! A massive fist slammed down just above the Golemoid's head.
A man stepped forward. A huge scar ran across his face, sharp eyes scanning the area.
His muscular frame and slight beastial features marked him clearly as a Beastial Kin, the counterpart to the timid Furfolks. His aura was so commanding, so naturally imposing, that even the air around him seemed heavier.
"Sorry about this fool, lads," he said, voice deep and calm, yet commanding.
"I hope you don't mind him. I'll make sure to give this guy proper counseling."
He bent down, lifting the Golemoid gently but firmly and dragging him aside.
The Golemoid pouted.
"But… I'm just saying hi to them…"
"Yeah… yeah," the scarred man muttered, shaking his head with a faint smirk, dragging him out of sight.
Lyra exhaled slowly, tail flicking again.
"That… was unexpected."
Seems like even the other party have their own… unique chemistries.
***************
The path to the clearing stretched under a sky tinged orange by the late afternoon sun. Grass crunched beneath our feet, and the occasional Blobbling bounced lazily in the distance.
"I still can't believe we're doing this as a group," Selene muttered, twirling a dagger between her fingers.
"Anyone can solo kill this slimes."
Lyra flicked her ears.
"Sometimes solo isn't the smartest choice. Numbers can save your life, sometimes literally."
Garrick swung his battle axe over his shoulder, grin wide.
"Numbers are fine, but don't rely on them to carry you. Too many adventurers forget that lesson."
Kina adjusted her grip on her broadsword, muscles coiling.
"I don't care about glory or numbers. I just fight the strong, and that's enough for me."
I hung back slightly, letting them lead the way. Their chatter was light, almost casual, but I couldn't shake the tight knot in my chest.
I'm supposed to fit in… laugh, act normal. But if they knew who I really was… everything would fall apart.
•••••••••••••
As we rounded a gentle hill, movement caught my eye. More adventurers were appearing, striding in the same direction we were heading. Some carried swords and axes, others bore staves or bows.
Lyra's ears twitched, tail flicking.
"Looks like we're not the only ones hunting Blobblings today."
Selene's eyes narrowed.
"Great. More people to fight over the spawns."
Garrick grinned.
"Competition makes it fun. Let's see who can clear the quest first."
Kina's eyes swept over the approaching parties, her broadsword held ready.
"Numbers don't matter as much as skill. But too many people… that complicates things."
The clearing was already going to be chaotic. Now, with other adventurers walking toward the same destination, the race for Blobblings was about to begin.
••••••••••••••
The clearing came into view, Blobblings bouncing in clusters. Our footsteps echoed softly on the dirt path.
The group exchanged glances, adjusted their grips on weapons, and braced themselves.
Meanwhile... I opened my System Window to double check the condition for clearing the quest.
______________________________
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]
Quest: Blobbling Hunt
Objective: Eliminate 50 Blobblings
Progress: 0 / 50
Deadline: Until Sunset
Condition: Must be in a party of 5 members
Reward: EXP + Random Drop
________________________________
"Alright, team. Fifty Blobblings before sunset. Let's move!" Lyra commanded, tail flicking with authority.
Garrick charges first as he swung his battle axe, cleaving two Blobblings instantly. Kina's broadsword appeared, slicing through three more.
Selene darted between the remaining ones, daggers flashing, while Lyra's magic vines snaked across the ground, wrapping around stragglers and dragging them down.
_______________________________
EXP notifications blinked.
15… 25… 35… 50…
_______________________________
The clearing smelled of damp earth and slime. Each strike kicked up a mixture of dirt and goo, coating boots and arms. Sweat stung my eyes; I wiped it away quickly.
Garrick's muscles flexed visibly with every swing, his face red from exertion. Selene cursed under her breath, brushing slime from her cheek, while Kina adjusted her stance with fluid precision, eyes scanning for any stray Blobblings.
I crouched slightly, heart thumping. Every subtle nudge I gave, every Blobbling I redirected… had to be flawless.
One misstep and Green Verdict might see I'm more than a beginner.
Then, chaos escalated. Other adventurers arrived, drawn to the event.
An arch witch with crimson hair unleashed level-one fireballs like high-tier spells, incinerating multiple Blobblings at once.
From the opposite side, a Draghorn knight in black armor with blue-scaled blade slashed five slimes in a single swing.
Dieval and his gang smirked from the background, clearly prepared to claim any opportunity.
"This isn't going to be easy," Lyra muttered.
Garrick slammed his axe.
"Hah! Bring it on!"
I calculated silently, nudging slimes subtly to maximize kills while keeping our team ahead. The clearing had become a battlefield, and the simple quest was now a race against time.
I checked my system window:
40/50 Blobblings killed.
"Guys… we need ten more," I said, urgency in my voice.
The respawn timer had increased to fifteen minutes, and the sun was beginning to set. The arch witch's party had already cleared ahead, and the Draghorn knight and several strong parties were done as well.
"Damn it!" Kina growled.
"Now the Blobblings are fewer!"
Garrick slammed his axe against the ground.
"We can't wait! We have to make each spawn count!"
Dieval's gang appeared, smirking like predators.
"Look who's here," Dieval said, voice dripping with mockery.
"Thought we'd let you take all the fun?"
"We're not letting you touch a single Blobbling," Selene declared.
Lyra slammed her staff into the ground. Vines burst upward, writhing like serpents to ensnare the rogue attempting to steal a slime. Daggers clattered to the dirt as he struggled, cursing.
Selene sprinted to a respawning slime, dagger raised, but a sharp ice shard from Dieval's mage struck first, shattering it instantly.
"Oh, too bad," the mage cackled. "I get the last hit!"
Selene's shoulders stiffened. Lyra muttered, tail flicking,
"Focus. Don't let them steal another advantage."
I scanned the clearing, predicting Blobbling respawns. One vacant patch caught my eye. Timer nearly at fifteen minutes.
"Kina," I said quietly, pointing.
"Go there. Strike it."
Her eyes narrowed, then she nodded. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the spot.
At the exact moment the Blobbling appeared, her broadsword cleaved through it cleanly.
"Nice," I whispered, letting myself smirk.
A tremor shook the clearing. Selene's ears twitched.
"What's that?" Lyra asked.
"Something's coming," Kina muttered, muscles coiling.
Dieval lunged at a respawning Blobbling again, gauntlet raised.
A massive shadow fell over the clearing.
Dieval froze, eyes widening. Slowly, he looked up.
A giant Blobbling loomed above, dwarfing the trees. Its gelatinous surface shimmered with a reddish glow, pulsing ominously. The air thickened, humid and heavy, carrying a faint sulfurous scent. Smaller slimes scattered in panic.
________________________________
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Event Boss Has Appeared!
Target: Blobbling King
[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED]
Quest: Defeat the Blobbling King
Objective: Eliminate the Blobbling King
Time Limit: 30:00
Condition: All remaining participants must engage in combat
Reward: ???
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
No further Blobblings will respawn.
All remaining participants must defeat the Blobbling King to receive 10 points.
___________________________________
Dieval charged recklessly again, but the moment he stepped into the King's fear radius, his body froze. Legs locked, chest tight, eyes wide.
If he dies here… if Green Verdict sees it… morale collapses. Everyone will hesitate, and the worse.
Everyone might Die!.. I can't allow that.
I activated my glitch skill subtly. Time flickered around me, flowing back and forth just enough to let me cover the distance without anyone suspecting.
My dash looked natural to everyone, Lyra, Selene, Garrick, and Kina, but in reality, I manipulated the seconds to reach Dieval safely.
The Blobbling King brought its massive foot down where he had been. Dirt, slime, and shattered vegetation exploded outward, narrowly missing me as I grabbed Dieval's arm and pulled him aside.
Kina's broadsword gleamed as she adjusted her stance.
"Everyone stay alert!" she called, scanning the King's movements with precise calm.
I let the glitch fade. To everyone else, I had simply run at perfect timing, heroic but unremarkable.
Dieval coughed and staggered, muttering. I nodded tightly.
"Stay on your feet. Keep moving."
Lyra's tail flicked. "Nice timing," she said casually, unaware of the manipulation.
Selene crouched, knives ready, Garrick tightened his grip, and Kina's broadsword gleamed, silent and deadly. Morale preserved. That was all that mattered.
I glanced at my system window.
_____________________________
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Time Remaining: 30:00
Objective: Defeat the Blobbling King before the timer reaches zero.
_________________________________
Every second wasted, every misstep, could mean failure... for all of us.
"We have thirty minutes," I muttered under my breath.
"No excuses. We must take it down—no matter what."
Lyra's ears flicked, tail coiling. "Green Verdict, positions! Focus on its weak points. Don't let fear slow you down!"
Kina adjusted her stance, broadsword glinting in the last rays of sunlight.
"I'll handle the flanks. Cover any stray attacks."
Garrick tightened his grip on his battle axe, muscles coiling with anticipation.
"Let's smash this thing!"
Selene crouched low, knives ready, eyes tracking every ripple across the King's gelatinous form.
I nodded subtly, feeling the weight of leadership press down. Not for orders, but to ensure morale stays intact, every move counts, and we finish this quest.
The ground trembled again as the Blobbling King shifted, each pulse making the air thick and heavy. My fingers brushed the hilt of my sword, heart pounding.
Thirty minutes to survive, coordinate, and bring this behemoth down.
No respawns. One boss. One chance. Let's go.