Chapter 16: Tactics (Part 1)

Just as quick as it had started the resounding footsteps had all but stopped. Instead, vile shouts and screeches replaced it, booming out in its place.

Again as the shouts were continuing, Wulfarth placed his hand on Faruth's shoulder as if signalling him to stay back. Just as the two were about to whisper and formulate a plan with one another, a voice towering over all the others pierced through the entrance of the cave, to which Wulfarth swiftly removed that hand down to his side again.

["Come out 'ere you! Ma boy's han't reported back in n'ole day! I know you killed 'em you magg'it!"] {???}

Faruth was confused as to who this voice was, but his instincts suddenly started going off inside of his head, even though it didn't when they approached. He was worried. He met the one enemy that he didn't want to go against above anything else that he knew of. An enemy that was able to block his [Instincts].

Though Faruth's face showed both confusion and worry, Wulfarth's showed worry alone, or rather, fear.

He knew that type of voice and vulgar language. It could only belong to one type of being, a Hobgoblin! It was similar to the regular Goblin in its mannerisms and behaviour, however, what sets it apart from its small sized counterparts is its overwhelming strength and speed.

Although the charisma and wisdom is just the same.

Turning to his Master in a panicked state, Wulfarth hastily whispered as sweat dripped down his hands and pooled on the floor.

["Master! Master! You must not try to fight it! You cannot! You must not!"] {Wulfarth}

Faruth was utterly surprised at the shock of his companion, though it had happened a few times before, it was kind of his character, it had never been as serious as this. Even he could tell that this enemy was not something that he could face head on.

Ironically, Faruth new that it was best to use his head to face him. But before coming up with anything, he decided to consult with his ever so worried companion. In the same whispered tone, he asked inquisitively.

["Wulfarth, what is that thing"] {Faruth}

His Beast Master companion didn't drop his guard at all as he responded to his Master.

["Master, that is a Hobgoblin. Likely the boss of the ones that you killed yesterday! You must not fight it, they are strong. So much stronger than that Goblin Leader you killed! Do not try to fight it!"] {Wulfarth}

["Don't worry Wulfarth. I won't fight it head on, I'm not suicidal. I know my limits. But I'm not a coward either, I won't go down without any kind of a fight!"] {Faruth}

Even though Wulfarth had only known his new Master for a little over a day, he knew that he was anything but a coward. Like how he charged in against the Goblins that greatly outnumbered him, or how he didn't cower in the face of the mysterious black mist.

He knew that if his Master was this confident, he must have at least some semblance of a plan. And he did.

Still in his sneaking state, Faruth crept quietly as to avoid the detection of the Hobgoblin outside. He kicked towards the fire with force, extinguishing it only to its embers. Though the fire still smouldered, the blaze had completely vanished.

He picked up both of the animal pelts on which they slept and tossed them into his inventory. Wulfarth was extremely confused by this action.

He knew that his Master had the ability to store and retrieve things seemingly at will, like the animal pelts now and the stone token before. But how? Although, the Gnoll knew better than to intervene in this kind of situation and simply kept quiet.

Unaware of his companions plight, Faruth slowly headed towards him with a hand outstretched. It had only been roughly 20 seconds since the Hobgoblin leader had last bellowed and he was seething in rage at being ignored by the duo.

["If you won't come out, a'll jus come n' there ta you!"] {???}

To this shout, another voice chimed it from outside. An older and much wiser sounding voice, incomparable to the Hobgoblin from before.

["I don't recommend that Boss. They could be hiding in wait, there could be more than you can handle."] {???}

It sounded like the voice of reason coming to save the Gnoll pair, frozen in place listening to their conversation. But it appeared that the Hobgoblin was far from reasonable, simply responding with even more anger than before.

["Da you think a'hm weak ma'ggit? Shud ah kill you too?"] {???}

The elderly voice didn't respond to his rebuttal, leaving the Hobgoblin satisfied at winning the argument before stomping towards the cave once again.

At the sound of his heavy footsteps, Faruth and Wulfarth realised that they had stopped in place and hurried to finish what they began. Faruth placed his hand on Wulfarth's shoulder, before activating [Stealth].

Now with a degree of security, they walked towards the room at the back of the cave through the old storeroom. The room in which Faruth had found the old elemental crystals.

Hiding into place behind the stone slab within, Faruth decided to us appraisal on the skill that he was currently using, [Stealth].

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[[Name: Stealth]]

[[Description: A skill born from the [Wanderer] job class and harnessed best within the wilderness. If the user is discovered whilst the skill is active, the skill will be forcibly de-activated.]]

[[Effects:]]

[[Enemies with a lower combined Agility and Wisdom than the user will be unable to discover them]]

[[Strikes while in stealth do increased damage (Damage + Agility x 2)

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Before Faruth had a chance to marvel at the godly might of this skill, the Hobgoblin boss stepped into the entrance of the cave. It appeared that even though the duo could see the Hobgoblin, he couldn't see them.

Faruth was stunned by the might of the monster exuding from its vicious appearance. It was a similar humanoid shape to the Goblins that he had fought yesterday, only much larger. Wulfarth wasn't lying. A lone horn protruded from its forehead and two from each of its elbows, glowing with a malevolent aura.

It appeared that the shock this creature gave him was even outside of the jurisdiction to be fully controlled by the blessing.

It was the first time that he had felt real fear in his second life.

With said sliver of fear with him, he unhesitatingly used [Appraisal] on the creature, as if to find out what he was up against.

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[[Name: Fulbash]]

[[Age: 21]] [[Level: 14]]

[[Race: Hobgoblin]]

[[Job: Warrior]] [[Affiliation: None]]

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[[HP: 6000]] [[MP: 126]]

[[Stamina: 2116]]

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[[Strength: 92]] [[Endurance: 80]]

[[Vitality: 75]] [[Agility: 23]]

[[Intelligence: 18]] [[Wisdom: 7]]

[[Charisma: 0]] [[Luck: 1]]

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[[Skills:]]

[[Active:]]

[Strong Blow lvl.6]

[Bash lvl.4]

[Pound lvl.2]

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[[Passive:]]

[Herculean Strength lvl.1]

[Leader lvl.4]

[Warchief's Aura lvl.2]

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Faruth was both amazed and shocked. Shocked at how overwhelmingly strong this Hobgoblin was and amazed that he managed to make it out alive. Wulfarth definitely wasn't lying. Going against him as he was now was simply suicide, but after checking his Stats, a new plan arose in his mind.

Whilst Faruth was hiding in the back room out of sight, Fulbash was becoming angrier and angrier. Those two that had killed his men had left? Unacceptable! With an earth shaking roar, he lifted up his club and smashed it onto the ground of the cave. Causing the walls to shake and dirt to fly from the spot that he had hit.

After his burning anger had quickly ended with a single strike, the simple and foolish Hobgoblin hurriedly left the cave and began barking out orders to his followers to leave, perhaps with a look of embarrassment on his face.

Back inside, Faruth merely chuckled before whispering to the Beastman beside him.

["The first part of the plan is over. Next comes phase 2."] {Faruth}