Midnight Chaos

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie silver glow over the periphery of the Brambleskinner Tribe's territory. It was a desolate landscape, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Vecna stood at the edge of the goblin domain, his crimson eyes scanning the darkness.

He had methodically dismantled the Goblin Patrols that had guarded the tribe's borders, leaving no trace of their existence. The patrols, once a vigilant presence, had been reduced to mere echoes in the night.

Yet, there was a lingering worry deep in his mind, as another possibility arose in his head.

'What if those Patrols respawn? Wouldn't all my work be for nothing?'

'I can still repeat the same process, but I don't have that much time on my hands. I have about 4 hours of gametime on my hands.'

Looking around, he could see how the ground, previously marked with their footprints and crude fortifications, now bore no sign of their ever-present watchfulness. 

Vecna's predatory instincts had guided him, allowing him to dispatch the patrols with ruthless efficiency. The goblins, simple-minded and unsuspecting, had been no match for his vampiric agility and Blood Magic.

As he surveyed the empty periphery, Vecna couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The absence of the patrols meant that the Brambleskinner Tribe's first line of defense had crumbled under his calculated assault. 

The tribe, once shielded by its outer ring of guardians, now lay vulnerable. In the empty silence that weighted heavily as the Moonlight seemed to be colored into crimson blood, the unfortunate goblins that become Vecna's target had not a single chance to sound the alarm, their pitiful cries, muffled and silenced before they could reach the ears of their kin.

His levels had risen significantly during these encounters, advancing from his previous level 75 to 79. This was the effect of choosing a solo strategy, you were monopolizing all of the experience instead of sharing with other party members.

Such leveling was still in the boundaries of decency because Vecna didn't choose to go crazy as of yet. 

He relished the prospect of further challenges within the tribe's heart.

The periphery, now void of life, stretched before him like a canvas of opportunity. Vecna knew that the real test lay ahead, deeper within the tribe's territory, where higher-level opponents awaited him. 

'It's about time I got inside this mud dump.'

Vecna stepped beyond the invisible boundary that had once marked the edge of the goblin patrols' domain. 

He had entered the belly of the beast.

[You're about to enter the Dungeon 'Brambleskinner Goblin Tribe'. Proceed further at your own risk!]

'Hmph, system, you sure are full of jokes tonight.'

Without any goblin still awake suspecting, a shadowed figure ventured deeper into the Brambleskinner Tribe's territory. 

The night seemed to embrace him, concealing his presence as he navigated the maze of crude goblin huts and makeshift wooden structures. His crimson eyes scanned his surroundings, assessing the potential threats that lay hidden in the shadows.

The goblin village was a chaotic jumble of structures, with no discernible order or planning. Huts were clustered together haphazardly, and dim torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the rough wooden walls. Goblins of various sizes and statuses moved about, their guttural voices filling the air.

Vecna's vampiric senses were finely attuned to detect even the faintest sounds and movements. He listened intently, distinguishing between the chatter of civilians, the occasional snoring of sleeping goblins, and the clinking of weapons carried by sentries.

His target was to find higher-level goblins, those who held positions of authority or power within the tribe. These individuals would be key to his plan to destabilize the goblin hierarchy and manipulate their fate.

As he moved through the village, Vecna couldn't help but reflect on the irony of his situation. Here he was, a lone human-vampire hybrid in the midst of goblins, creatures often seen as the lowest of the low in the world of fantasy. 

Yet, he was the predator in this scenario, the one with the power to decide the fate of an entire tribe.

His first two attempts to locate higher-level goblins had resulted in unfortunate civilian casualties. It was a grim reminder of the consequences of his mission, but he knew that there was no room for sentimentality in his dark endeavor.

'Thankfully, I blasted those goblins in an instant. No EXP, but sounding the alarm this soon would fuck me around.'

On his third attempt, luck was finally on his side. Vecna stood at the threshold of the dimly lit mud hut, his crimson eyes fixed on the slumbering goblin warrior, Grakthar. The goblin's heavy snores filled the small, cramped space, providing a peculiar contrast to the tense atmosphere that surrounded Vecna.

'Your snores are inviting this Vampire. Excuse me for my rudeness.'

Inside, a lone goblin warrior lay asleep on a crude bed of straw and animal hides.

[Goblin Warrior Grakthar - LV. 120] (Elite)(30,500/30,500 HP)

The room was adorned with crude decorations made from animal bones and tattered animal furs. It was a testament to the goblin's primitive lifestyle, one that had likely persisted for generations. 

But Vecna had no time for anthropology; he was here on a mission.

With each passing second, Vecna's cold heart beat in rhythm with the goblin's snores, a steady reminder of the delicate balance between life and death that hung in the air. He knew that one wrong move could awaken Grakthar and spell disaster for his infiltration.

Vecna's predatory instincts had guided him to this moment, and he was ready to strike with lethal precision. His blade, The Knightsblade, gleamed in the dim light as he gripped it tightly, its cold steel imbued with the promise of death.

He approached Grakthar with the silence of a phantom, his vampiric agility allowing him to move effortlessly and soundlessly, especially in dark environments such as the goblin's hut. The goblin warrior's exposed neck was a tantalizing target, and Vecna's pale fingers tightened around the hilt of his blade.

As he drew nearer, Vecna couldn't help but observe the goblin's features more closely. Grakthar's green skin was mottled with scars, each one likely a story of survival in the brutal world of goblin society. His muscular frame hinted at a life of combat and hardship.

Vecna's lips curled into a predatory smile, though there was no one there to witness it. He was about to become the unseen reaper in the night, a force that would shape the fate of this goblin warrior and, by extension, the Brambleskinner Tribe.

With a swift and fluid motion, Vecna lunged forward, his blade aimed at Grakthar's exposed throat. His precision was unmatched, and the blade found its mark without hesitation.

'Blood Requiem'

[Critical]

[You have dealt 15,260 damage.]

Grakthar's eyes snapped open in shock and pain as he was abruptly roused from his slumber. His hands instinctively went to his throat, but it was too late. Blood gushed from the deep wound, staining the straw and animal hides that made up his bed.

Vecna's cold, predatory hand clamped over Grakthar's mouth, preventing any scream from escaping. The goblin warrior's struggles were feeble, and his life force began to ebb away rapidly.

It was uncertain that a Goblin would outpower a Higher Race, that being a Vampire with their meager strength.

As Grakthar's life gauge dwindled to a mere 10%, Vecna knew that it was time to extract information. He loosened his grip slightly, allowing the goblin to gasp for breath.

"Listen carefully," Vecna hissed, his crimson eyes locked onto Grakthar's terrified gaze. "I have questions, and your life depends on your answers. Nod if you understand."

Grakthar, his eyes wide with fear and pain, managed a weak nod. Vecna's uncanny grip remained firmly in place, a constant reminder of the imminent threat to the goblin's life.

"Good," Vecna continued. "I want information about the leadership of the Brambleskinner Tribe. Who are the key figures, and where can I find them?"

Grakthar's breathing was ragged, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to speak. "Chieftain... Fangor... in... central... hut. Advisors... Zogak... Krosh... guards... at... walls."

Vecna absorbed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. Chieftain Fangor was the primary target, the linchpin of the tribe's leadership. If he could manipulate or eliminate Fangor, it would sow chaos among the goblins.

"Tell me more about Chieftain Fangor," Vecna pressed, his grip tightening slightly as a warning.

Grakthar winced in pain but continued to speak. "Fangor... strong... fierce... commands... loyalty. Central... hut... heavily guarded. Rarely... leaves."

Vecna had what he needed. He knew where to find Chieftain Fangor and understood the basics of the goblin hierarchy. With one final, sinister smile, he released his grip on Grakthar's throat.

However, once he released the grip on the goblin's throat, he used his sharp claws to cleave his head off.

[You have defeated 'Goblin Warrior, Grakthar' gaining the following rewards]

[You have received 55,860 EXP]

[56 Silvers received]

[Goblin Ear acquired (x2)]

'I couldn't get much. This bit of information was also told by Rax, who isn't even in your tribe.'

'However, the blind spots of the Tribe were handful for my plan.'

The night was silent, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the Brambleskinner Tribe going about its nocturnal activities. It was the calm before the storm, the eerie stillness that heralded chaos.

Vecna, concealed in the shadows, observed the Brambleskinner Tribe from his vantage point. He had extracted valuable information from Grakthar, the goblin warrior he had captured earlier, and now it was time to set his dark plan into motion.

With a flick of his wrist, Vecna conjured small orbs of blood magic, each one a deadly spark waiting to ignite. 

He had chosen key locations within the tribe that were vulnerable to fire, strategic points that Grakthar and Rax had mentioned. These were the heart of the tribe's infrastructure: the food stores, the armory, and the makeshift barracks.

As Vecna released the orbs, a sinister grin played at the corners of his lips.

"Marvelous."

One by one, Vecna launched the blood magic orbs towards their targets. They landed with a soft thud, and then as if fueled by his dark will, they erupted into flames. The fires spread rapidly, devouring the dry wood and thatch of the goblin structures. The crackling of the flames was like a symphony of destruction, and Vecna reveled in its malevolent melody.

Chaos erupted within the tribe as panicked goblins rushed to contain the fires. The warriors, who had been ready to defend their home from external threats, now found themselves battling an internal inferno. The thick smoke billowed into the night sky, a sinister omen of what was to come.

"Grab that bucket! We need to douse those flames!" a goblin warrior shouted, his voice tinged with desperation, as he tried to organize a bucket brigade to fight the fire.

Another goblin, a civilian clutching a bundle of hastily gathered belongings, ran past Vecna, his eyes wide with fear. "Where do we go? Where's safety?" he cried out, looking for any sign of hope.

Vecna watched the chaos unfold with a twisted sense of satisfaction. He couldn't help but revel in the fear and confusion that gripped the goblins. It was a symphony of suffering, and he was the conductor orchestrating their torment.

As the fires raged, Vecna moved with ruthless efficiency. 

Amidst the inferno's turmoil, Vecna moved with ruthless efficiency, maintaining his unwavering focus on his mission: to locate and neutralize the Goblin Warriors. 

Amongst the tribe's ranks, which included a formidable warrior contingent of 40, alongside numerous subordinate goblins like patrols and scouts, they proved defenseless against Vecna's methodical strikes.

Utilizing his vampiric agility, he navigated the chaotic labyrinth of the burning village like a shadowy specter. His crimson eyes adeptly scoured the tumultuous scene, identifying the warriors as they desperately battled the encroaching flames.

One unsuspecting warrior, a brawny goblin wielding a jagged, gore-smeared axe, was fervently attempting to beat back the flames consuming a storage hut. His focus on this urgent task rendered him oblivious to the impending danger inching towards him.

[Goblin Warrior Aakax - LV. 115]

Vecna advanced soundlessly, his blade, The Knightsblade, shimmering in the eerie illumination of the conflagration. In one swift, precise motion, he expertly cut the goblin's throat, causing a spray of green-hued blood to arc through the air. 

Yet another masterful utilization of Blood Requiem from Vecna, but he wasn't as lucky as to get a Critical. His critical hit came after he casted 'Blood Shard' which all three shards stabbed into the goblin's body.

Shock and agony engulfed the warrior as his eyes widened, and he emitted a guttural, gurgling sound before crumpling to the ground, life's vitality pooling around him.

Another goblin warrior, armed with a malevolent spear adorned with wicked barbs, endeavored to rally a group of his comrades to combat the surging fires. He hoisted his spear aloft, shouting, "We cannot allow this anarchy to conquer us! United, we—"

Before he could finish his rallying cry, Vecna launched his assault. Emerging from the shadows, his Blood Missile spell unleashed a volley of crimson projectiles that pierced the goblin's chest. 

The warrior staggered backward, his attempts to staunch the bleeding from his wounds futile. Without giving a chance to the goblin to react, he used 'Lighting Strike' ability chained with Swift Strike and Blade Dance. 

With a final gasp, he succumbed, his determination extinguished.

[Goblin Warrior Vren - LV. 114]

Vecna's relentless pursuit continued, his actions precise and unwavering. He selected his targets with precision, mainly the lower-level Warriors who had lesser chances of resisting his attacks. 

He eliminated them one by one as they tried valiantly to safeguard their burning abodes. The night resounded with the anguished cries of the goblins as they struggled to fend off an assailant they could not see.

In the midst of the turmoil, Vecna embraced the unfolding chaos. The amount of experience he was generating at that moment was mind-boggling. While he started the Chaos when he was level 79, after killing a handful of Goblin Warriors it swiftly surpassed his previous level that he held as a human.

[You have reached level 82.]

At one point he also turned off the notification alert since it acted as a distraction from his mission.

Such that his power grew with every fallen warrior, and the Brambleskinner Tribe descended deeper into disorder and disarray.