Chapter 13

Arthur glanced at the team with a slight smile. His eyes widened when he saw Artha.

She had beautiful white skin, long legs, thick thighs, medium-sized breasts, and a plump ass. Her face was equally beautiful.

Arthur licked his lips. 'I can play with her for a few days.' He was in a great mood.

"Lord Arthur," Arthan spoke with a polite tone, reminiscent of a soldier reporting to their commander. "She is my sister, Artha, a D-rank assassin. Her stealth is superb and could sneak on C-rank monsters too."

"Oh," Arthur didn't react much. "Now that we have two new members in our team, shall we revise our strategy?" Everyone nodded, including Aldrich.

"But for that, I need to know your skill, Aldrich. I am a spearman; I will attack from mid-range. Roland will take the lead and block enemy attacks. Arthan attacks in the lead supported by me. As for you, Artha, you should sneak behind the enemy and attack them from behind." He explained. "Now, Aldrich, tell us your skill so we can put you in a suitable position."

Aldrich didn't think much. He knew he had to show his skill one day to the world. So it could be a good starting point.

"My skill is summoning undead," he said without any hesitation.

"Undead?!" Everyone present there was stunned.

"Yes. I can summon a maximum of 10 dead, but I can only summon them from the dungeon. They will only work in the dungeon," Aldrich had a little look of disappointment as if he believed his skill wasn't that powerful.

Of course, these were all nothing but an act. 'If I showed my strength right away, these guys would totally depend on me, and the chances of killing Arthur would lessen. I fear he will run away, let alone fight with me. And if some of them spread my skill, won't I be used by the Super Association? I am not confident enough to show my strength.'

"This…So, if we defeat a C-rank monster, you can summon them as undead?" Arthan asked, surprised.

"Necromancer," Artha also had a look of surprise.

"Well, isn't that great. Don't worry, Aldrich, I will protect you," Roland gave a thumbs up with a smile.

"It's not that impressive," Arthur's eyes were gleaming with killing intent. 'If I let him love enough, he would replace me.' He feared all the privilege he had gained would be taken by Aldrich.

But he didn't show his hatred in his face. He had a bright smile as if this was the greatest news he had ever heard. "Isn't that great, now, we can defeat the C-rank dungeons with more ease."

Saying that, he entered the portal. Everyone followed him.

[Goblin Fortress]

Four individuals emerged in the heart of a forest. The trees towered high and dense, casting shadows that veiled the sunlight.

Due to this, it was dim. The forest resonated with the sounds of insects, lending it an appearance of liveliness.

"Be cautious. Traps litter this forest," Roland warned as he brandished his shield. Arthan, beside him, nodded while unsheathing his sword.

Arthur, indifferent, toyed with his spear. Artha scanned their surroundings, likely identifying potential hiding spots.

Aldrich remained the most vigilant. It was his first time in a dungeon without his undead army.

'I should also focus on honing my combat skills. If I rely too heavily on the undead, I won't be able to defend myself in encounters with the Association or in one-on-one battles with monsters.'

Aldrich appeared calm on the surface, but turmoil churned within him.

The party advanced. Though there were traps in the forest, Arthur and Roland anticipated them all. They were adept at handling traps. Were a novice Super to explore this forest, they'd likely fall victim to the traps and perish.

The forest posed significant danger, yet the party of four navigated it with ease. It marked their first obstacle.

Upon exiting the forest, they reached an open clearing. Instantly, Roland charged forward and intercepted an incoming attack.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Dozens of arrows hailed down upon them from a distance. Roland's shield deflected them all. As hundreds of arrows descended, Roland's shield expanded, forming a golden barrier.

The regular arrows failed to breach the barrier and fell harmlessly.

"Damn it, these monsters fire arrows every time we arrive here," Roland cursed.

"But that works to our advantage," Arthan remarked, brandishing his sword as a horde of hobgoblins charged toward them. "We know what to expect. Thus, we're always prepared."

Swish!

He dashed toward the horde.

Twelve hobgoblins bore down on them. Their bodies were a deep red, with two large, crimson eyes and a small mouth akin to a human's.

Their towering eight-meter frames dwarfed the Aldrich party.

They wielded simple weapons—thick wooden clubs. Their bald heads gleamed in the sunlight.

Hobgoblins, a species of goblins, were far more intelligent than their kin. They operated in groups and employed various tactics: poison, traps, and ambushes—anything to secure victory.

"Never let their clubs strike you. Their clubs are coated with poison. A single blow will cause your body to rupture. Furthermore, remain vigilant; smaller hobgoblins may strike from the shadows. Their primary weapon is poison," Arthur cautioned Aldrich and Artha.

Arthan utilized his skill, conjuring a towering energy sword that halted the advance of the enemies.

Roland swiftly joined Arthan, while Arthur's spear emitted a soft glow as he positioned himself behind them.

"As I said, maintain formation," Arthur advised.

Arrows rained down once more.

"Damn these petty tricks!" Roland cursed and hurled his shield.

The shield expanded, intercepting the arrows. The hobgoblins charged, initiating the battle.

Thud!

Sword clashed with the club. Despite the club's superior strength, Arthan held his ground.

At that moment, Artha leaped onto a hobgoblin's back, driving her dagger into its skull.

The dagger emanated a black glow, enhancing its sharpness, and pierced the hobgoblin's skin, causing it to collapse as red blood gushed forth.

Similarly, Arthur engaged three hobgoblins single-handedly, his spear delivering precise strikes.

His agility allowed him to evade their attacks effortlessly. He darted around, targeting their weak spots, inflicting wounds that weakened them with each blow.

Meanwhile, Roland fended off the remaining hobgoblins. Though the hobgoblins possessed immense strength, Roland's shield and skill allowed him to hold his ground against six of them.

However, his strained expression indicated he couldn't maintain this defense indefinitely.

Arthan and Artha incapacitated one hobgoblin, redirecting their focus to another.

The critically injured hobgoblin writhed in agony, emitting a repulsive cry that induced nausea.

Aldrich observed the battle, impressed by their teamwork. Each member's actions complemented the others', yet not a single hobgoblin had been slain.

Arthur finally managed to defeat one hobgoblin. The hobgoblin fell, severely weakened by loss of blood. But it wasn't dead.

Before he could finish it off, another hobgoblin lunged at him, diverting his attention.

Arthan and Artha coordinated their attacks, exploiting openings in the hobgoblins' defense.

Arthan parried an attack with his sword, while Artha struck the hobgoblin from behind, overwhelming it.

Finally, the critically injured hobgoblins succumbed, their bodies transforming into cores.

"Now's my chance," Aldrich muttered from the sidelines, unnoticed by the others—a situation he preferred.

He cast Necromancy on one of the cores, its glow summoning a towering skeleton that drew the attention of both humans and monsters.

"Undead..." Each member watched in awe as the undead creature lunged at a nearby hobgoblin.

Arthan and Artha continued their battle, focusing on the remaining foes.

The undead hobgoblin delivered a powerful blow to its weakened counterpart, sending it crashing to the ground.

Seizing the fallen hobgoblin's club, the undead creature relentlessly battered it until it ceased moving, transforming into another core.

"Now it's my turn," Arthur declared with a smile, assuming command of the undead goblin and initiating a massacre that left his allies stunned.