Smoke them out

Hunter was surprised to learn that having a system meant he didn't have to worry about Mana consumption, but casting spells still took a toll on his body and mind. Despite this, he was excited to have learned a new spell and was eager to put it to use.

However, he refrained from casting any spells just yet as he believed keeping his mage abilities a secret would give him an advantage over his foes. He wanted to make sure he was fully prepared before revealing his powers. As Hunter delved deeper into casting and being a maged, he discovered that even with the help of the system, casting spells was no easy task. The more spells he cast, the more he could feel the strain on his body and mind. He realized that he needed to take care of himself if he was going to be able to handle the demands of using magic.

Thankfully, the system provided guidance on how to maintain his physical and mental health. It recommended that he keep his body fit through exercise and healthy habits such as eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep. It also suggested that he practice mindfulness and meditation to keep his mind sharp and focused.

Hunter took the system's advice to heart and made sure to take care of himself. He decided to establish a regular exercise routine and get plenty of rest along with meditation and mindfulness to help him manage stress and stay focused on his goals.

Despite his frustration, Kolvar knew that pushing Hunter for answers wouldn't help. He recognized that his friend was going through something that he couldn't understand, and that he would have to wait for Hunter to come to him if he wanted to find out what was going on.

So Kolvar stood back, watching as Hunter slowly regained his composure and climbed back onto his horse. He knew that there was no point in pushing Hunter for answers and that his friend would tell him what was happening when he was ready.

"Let's go," Hunter whistled as his black mane horse returned to him. The animal, with its sleek black mane, trotted over to him, nuzzling its muzzle against his face in a show of concern.

Hunter smiled weakly, reaching up to stroke the horse's neck. "I'm alright, buddy," he said, trying to reassure the animal. "Just a little dizzy, that's all."

With a grunt, Hunter heaved himself up onto the horse's back, wincing slightly as he settled into the saddle.

As he rode towards the goblin cave in the forest, Hunter couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. He knew that the goblins were dangerous creatures and that they wouldn't hesitate to attack him if they caught him off guard. But he also knew that he had something they didn't: magic. He had already learned one spell and was itching to try it out in battle. But for now, he would bide his time, riding towards the goblin cave with a sense of purpose and determination.

Hunter and his horse galloped through the forest, leaving behind a trail of dust as they made their way toward the goblin cave. The forest was serene and peaceful, with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds serving as soothing background music.

As they rode deeper into the forest, Hunter couldn't help but feel amazed by the otherworldly beauty of the surroundings. The trees towered high above him, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers toward the sky. The leaves on the trees were a brilliant shade of green, and the sunlight filtered through them in such a way that it created an ethereal, magical atmosphere.

The forest floor was covered in a thick carpet of leaves and twigs, and every now and then, Hunter spotted a wildflower poking its head out from beneath the foliage. The air was perfumed with the scent of pine and earth, and it felt cool and refreshing against his skin.

Hunter's horse seemed to sense the magical aura of the forest as well, and it seemed to take on an almost otherworldly quality. Its black mane flowed in the wind, and its eyes sparkled with a fierce intelligence that Hunter had never seen before.

Kolvar's voice trembled as he spoke, "Hunter, we need to talk about what just happened. You just slaughtered an entire group of students from Arcanum Academy. I fear there will be severe consequences for your actions."

Hunter's expression remained impassive. His eyes gazed off into the distance, seemingly lost in thought. He had never been one to shy away from violence or bloodshed, having been a feared dictator in his past life. The idea of retribution from the Arcanum Academy didn't scare him, but he could sense the fear in Kolvar's voice.

He turned to face Kolvar, his eyes piercing, "I will deal with whatever consequences come my way. But for now, we have goblins to kill,"

Kolvar let out a deep sigh and spoke, "Usually, I wouldn't advise underestimating the goblins. But you, Hunter, seem to possess more tricks up your sleeves than I could have ever imagined."

As they rode through the forest, the trees seemed to loom over them, their branches twisting and reaching out like gnarled fingers. Hunter could feel the magic in the air, pulsing and alive like a living thing. It was a stark contrast to the mundane world he had come from, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the world he now found himself in.

Hunter and Kolvar made their way toward the location mentioned in the quest as the forest started to show signs of goblin activity. They noticed broken branches and footprints, and even some of the trees had carvings on them. The closer they got to their destination, the more evident these signs became. Kolvar turned to Hunter with a look of concern.

"Hunter, we should proceed with caution. The goblin cave can't be far from here," Kolvar whispered, his hand on the hilt of his sword that Hunter gave him after looting the bandit camp.

Hunter nodded in agreement, his senses heightened as they moved forward. They stepped carefully, trying to avoid making too much noise, as they kept a lookout for any signs of danger. The forest grew eerily quiet around them, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl.

After some time, the sound of rustling leaves and twigs snapping underfoot grew louder. The wind carried with it a strange cacophony of gibberish that made Hunter's skin crawl. It was as though a horde of little creatures were chattering away in some unknown tongue. The hair on the back of Hunter's neck stood on end, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the reins.

"Did you hear that, Hunter?" Kolvar asked, his voice low and serious.

Hunter nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. "Yeah, it sounds like we're getting close to the goblin cave."

Kolvar's expression turned grim. "We need to be careful. Goblins may be small, but they're vicious and quick."

Hunter nodded again, and his focus intensified. He couldn't afford to let his guard down now. As they rode on, the noise grew louder and more distinct, and Hunter knew they were approaching the goblin's lair.

Hunter gestured to Kolvar to dismount from their horses as they approached the source of the strange gibberish. He made sure to secure the sack filled with gems, astral coins, and other valuables tightly to the horses before tying them to a sturdy tree.

With their horses left behind, they stealthily crept toward the direction of the noise, crouching low to the ground to avoid being detected. Hunter's senses were on high alert as he tried to distinguish the sounds of the goblin's chattering from the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds in the forest.

Hunter and Kolvar trudged through the dense foliage, their eyes peeled for any signs of the goblin cave. As they moved further into the forest, the trees grew thicker, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. Suddenly, a faint noise reached Hunter's ears. It was a strange gibberish that grew louder and more distinct with each step they took.

As they pushed through a thicket of bushes, the trees cleared, revealing a cavernous opening hidden within the forest. The cave entrance was expertly camouflaged by the surrounding trees and underbrush, but for the totem that marked its entrance. The totem was made of twisted vines and adorned with bones, with a human skull perched on top like a macabre warning.

Hunter and Kolvar exchanged a wary glance, their apprehension palpable. They knew they were about to enter a dangerous place, a place where the goblins had made their lair. Instead of making any sudden move without thinking it through, Hunter took a moment to assess the situation and consider his next move. He knew that rushing in without a plan could lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, he decided to stay hidden under cover of the forest and carefully strategize his next move.

While Hunter and Kolvar were looking at the cave, a goblin suddenly emerged from the cave. Hunter had heard about goblins from Kolvar but had never seen one before. The goblin was short, barely reaching Hunter's waist, and had green, scaly skin. Its eyes were beady and yellow, and its face was twisted into a wicked grin as it licked its lips hungrily.

The goblin wore tattered rags that barely covered its body, and it carried a crude, jagged sword made of sharpened bone. It looked around cautiously before turning to go back inside the cave. Hunter could hear more gibberish coming from inside the cave, indicating that there were more goblins inside. Hunter stayed hidden behind a large tree, peering at the cave entrance from a safe distance. It was his first time seeing one in this new world, and it was just as ugly and menacing as he had imagined.

Kolvar and Hunter were crouched behind a large tree, observing the goblin cave from a distance. Kolvar turned to Hunter, his face filled with concern.

"Do you have a plan?" he asked.

Hunter rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Do I have to plan and do everything?" he snapped. "Use your god-given brain for a change. You are an elf, and aren't you elves supposed to know more about nature than anyone else?"

Kolvar bristled at Hunter's words. "I may be an elf, but I don't have your experience in combat and strategy," he retorted. "I'm doing the best I can."

Kolvar looked at Hunter with a confused expression on his face. He had always relied on Hunter to come up with a plan, and the fact that Hunter was asking him for a plan made him nervous. They were on a mission to retrieve an artifact from the goblin cave, and Kolvar knew that they needed a solid plan to ensure their success.

"Uh, well, we could go into the cave and take them by surprise," Kolvar suggested tentatively, trying to come up with something on the spot.

"Great plan, Kolvar. I can see you're really using that brain of yours," Hunter replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Kolvar sighed, feeling frustrated and useless. He didn't want to be just a sidekick; he wanted to be a valuable member of the team. He took a deep breath and tried to come up with a better plan.

"What if we smoke them out and attack when they're disoriented outside the cave?" Kolvar proposed,

Hunter's face lit up, and he nodded in agreement. "Now, that's what I'm talking about,"

Despite not being an Alchemist with extensive knowledge of herbs and plants, Hunter possessed basic knowledge of plant life due to his Cook specialization. He was able to identify plants and herbs that, when burned, could create a mild poisonous smoke.

Kolvar felt a sense of relief wash over him, happy that he was able to contribute to the mission. He knew Hunter was a skilled fighter, but they needed more than brute strength to succeed in this mission. Together, they planned their next move and were ready to put their plan into action.