Chapter 5 - Hobgoblin

Missions

[Main Mission] - Survive for a week.

Rewards: 1 Skill Upgrade Card.

[Secondary Mission] - Reach level 5.

Rewards: 5 Stat Points and 1 Skill Point.

Up until now, we had no clue about what we were doing here, or even what we were supposed to do. Well, at least now I know what I have to do.

But if there's something I find funny, it's the fact that the main mission is to survive for a week. Reading that, all I can think of is that this place is so tough that "survive" is a more fitting word than "wait" or something like that.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Leo's hand landed on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. As I turned to him, I noticed his lips pressing against a finger indicating silence. His serious gaze directed to something ahead of us.

Currently, we were taking shelter behind some bushes, although I wasn't sure how effective our camouflage was. However, we didn't have many options besides that. When I followed Leo's gesture, I came across five Goblins gathered around what seemed to be an improvised camp, with a crackling fire in the center. Next to it, the meat of a recently killed deer indicated they had just hunted.

I won't deny that the deer aroused my temptation. With the uncertainty about the duration of our supplies, this hunting opportunity was irresistible. Besides, I firmly held onto my belief that as we explored the forest, the passengers on the bus were devouring our food to calm their nerves. This conviction only heightened my desire for the deer meat.

"Let's split up and attack them simultaneously. This will probably sow panic among them. Leave those two farther away for me" I replied firmly, making it clear that I wouldn't accept arguments against this strategy.

I honestly didn't care if Leo wanted to take command or something like that, but when the deer came into the equation, everything changed. Just for the record, I've never tasted deer meat, but meat is meat, so it must be good, right?.

Putting aside my hungry thoughts, I moved stealthily through the bushes to my designated position. Before acting impulsively, I observed my companions. As I expected, they were all ready to act, each in their place. At least now I knew I wouldn't be left alone to act recklessly and end up dying like an idiot.

But this time, as a precaution, I decided to use [Identify] on the two Goblins who would be my targets.

[Goblin] - (Lv: -2): A humanoid monster, often found in groups, presents less dangerous behavior when isolated due to its limited intelligence. However, its threat grows exponentially when gathered with others of its kind, forming clusters that represent significant danger.

[Goblin] - (Lv: -1)

(So, one level 1 Goblin and one level 2) I reflected as I watched both green creatures conversing in a language I didn't recognize.

Considering the levels involved, I concluded that the Goblins we had faced previously were undoubtedly level 1. This led me to speculate even more that over time, monsters also leveled up. However, the exact criteria for this evolution remained unknown to me; these creatures could very well have their own status screen or something similar.

However, I chose to leave that line of reasoning for later. If I didn't focus on what was in front of me at that moment, any mistake I made could be fatal, even if theoretically I wouldn't really die.

Keeping that in mind, I watched the two Goblins conversing while tightening my grip on the dagger. I would need to quickly eliminate one of them for the next confrontation to go smoother. I planned to aim for a vital point, however, the toughness of these creatures' skin made the task difficult, requiring more force than usual.

I took a deep breath and focused my gaze on the nearest Goblin's neck. With a quick movement, I burst from the bush and approached him in the blink of an eye. The dagger's blade flew towards the creature's neck and pierced it. As expected, its skin was incredibly resistant.

Its skin more resembled armor than ordinary skin, but the dagger seemed to give me a slight advantage, being quite effective for cutting and piercing. I applied even more force to the dagger, completely piercing the Goblin's throat and causing green blood to spray in all directions, including on me.

You defeated [Goblin - Lv - 1] Experience was gained.

The Goblin's companion only managed to look at the situation, seeming not to understand what was happening, but soon regained composure and grabbed his bow. Meanwhile, Ellen, Leo, and the other man were already engaged in their own battles, so I focused my attention entirely on the Goblin in front of me.

Unlike the previous one, this Goblin was level 2. Not knowing for sure what the differences would be, I stayed alert. However, all the Goblin did was raise his bow and aim it in my direction. Just as he was about to release the arrow, I swiftly moved to the side, forcing him to recalibrate his aim.

But it was already too late for him. Before he could even react, I lunged forward quickly, knocking him to the ground. With a decisive motion, I plunged my dagger into his throat. A pained scream escaped him as he writhed, but I held firm, applying more pressure to the dagger. There was definitely more resistance this time compared to the previous Goblin.

But that was it. From the start, the Goblin didn't stand a chance. Being caught off guard was undoubtedly the biggest mistake he could make. With more pressure on the dagger, even more blood gushed from his throat, ceasing his agonized movements.

You defeated [Goblin - Lv - 2] Experience was gained.

This translucent screen before me was undeniable proof that the Goblin was dead.

You leveled up [1] -> [2] and gained 5 stat points and 1 skill point.

Momentarily ignoring the screens in front of me, I glanced at the rest of my group. Everyone seemed to have finished their tasks and were now resting. I joined them, sitting where I was, pondering what to do next.

At least we had the deer, which would probably guarantee us food for another day or two, depending on how much each of us would eat.

Taking a deep breath, I turned my gaze back to the group, and strangely, everyone seemed to be staring past me with expressions of surprise and fear. Furthermore, was it just me or did the sun shining over me suddenly disappear?.

Honestly, I could only consider one possibility in this situation, although my mind tried hard to avoid it. Swallowing hard, I began to slowly turn my face backward and, to my unsurprise, found myself facing another Goblin, notably larger than the previous ones.

Standing about 2 meters tall, he wore clothing similar to the Goblins, but his weapon was entirely different: a huge piece of wood that he probably used as a club.

I didn't hesitate and immediately used [Identify] on him. Honestly, I don't know why I did that instead of just running away. It seems like my body was paralyzed and my brain resorted to something else that makes me feel safe besides running to save my life: learning more about what I don't know.

[Hobgoblin] - (Lv: - 5): A monstrous being, humanoid in appearance, often sighted amidst groups of Goblins composed of 5 or more individuals. Although its intelligence is inferior to that of Goblins, its strength and endurance surpass those of Goblins entirely.

Well, that sucks. I'm totally screwed here. Also, before I become this creature's next meal, I must say that this [Identify] is basically useless because all it tells me is how terrifying something is.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when something tightly compressed my arm. I was thrown like a golf ball against a tree, my whole body throbbing with pain, and I was sure this thing had messed up my arm, though luckily it didn't seem to be broken.

(But now, how exactly am I supposed to deal with this?) I thought, watching the Hobgoblin go after the others.

Even in this situation, Ellen seemed determined to run toward me instead of fleeing, which honestly bewildered me. If I were in her place, I would definitely have fled from here with all my might.

(Damn, now is not the time to think about others, Noah. If you don't figure out this shitty situation, who's gonna be left behind is you)

Overwhelmed by this distressing thought, I decided to take the only action available at that moment: open my status window to allocate the points I hadn't distributed yet. I hoped that this might somehow assist me in the critical situation I found myself in. After all, I was facing a life-or-death situation, and if I failed, at least I would have the opportunity to try again.