Vestige

The sky seethed darkness, the shadows of the forest growing.

Within the expanding darkness, Adam was positioned across from the goblin.

Gazes locked, they rushed at each other.

The goblins former smile tersely lined it's face.

Adam's brow sweating, he knew he had to maintain some distance.

Either he, or the goblin would be dying today.

If he got too close, the goblin would be able to cut him. Meaning that the range of the spear would be his ally.

He was not afraid of getting hurt, however, his bravery did not remove his sense of danger, that death lurked at the boundary of.

The distance now just over arms length.

Adam thrust forward his spear, aiming at the goblin's head.

The goblin scoffed, dodging it, shrinking their distance.

Adam who was slower than it, was pierced in the arm, as the goblin stabbed down.

Wincing, Adam swung his spear to the side, his new aim, the goblin's ribs.

The goblin swung the knife at his neck, barely evading Adam's spear.

Adrenaline running through Adam, he dove forward. Causing the knife to pierce below his collarbone, that was covered by his fur clothes.

Not wasting a moment, Adam swept his spear down, trying to trip the goblin.

The blow landed on the goblin's leg, but was not able to cause it to fall.

The goblin let out a shriek, faltering back.

Regaining distance, Adam zagged towards the goblin.

Their distance miniscule.

Adam directed a strike at the goblins arm.

If he aimed for it's hand, the precision needed ensuring the idea it would fail.

His move landed, the goblin's mobility impeded.

It called out in pain: "Bad! Hurting!"

The advantage now his, he drove the spear at it's heart.

Even with weakened movements, it succeeded in dodging his strike.

The goblin's mental state anxious, gazed at Adam's legs.

As if desiring revenge, it screamed as it gripped the dagger with both hands, dashing forward.

Feeling daring, Adam slammed his foot out.

The goblin already in motion's forehead, struck his heel.

Concussed, it dropped the knife, Adam's gaze sharpened.

The light of realization passed in his eyes.

Changing his style of attack, he swung the spear at the goblin's head.

The goblin, its focus shaken, limping, and its arm bruised was struck aside the head.

Crashing to the forest floor, the goblin's gaze was unfocused.

Adam yelled: "Elaina, here.", Tossing the spear to her.

Elaina who was watching, nearly fumbled the spear but quickly held it stably.

"Kill it." Adam said, motioning to the goblin that was barely moving.

Hesitation, fear, and motivation swirled in Elaina's gaze before becoming sharp.

She had made a decision.

Taking a breath, spear in hand, she pierced downward at the goblins neck.

Blood spilling out, the spear was pulled out.

Her anxiety largely cleared away, as her expression was wrung free of fear.

A weak smile prying itself out of her lips.

Adam was content with this.

Fear shouldn't keep people hostage.

The spear back in his hands, he waved goodbye to Elaina, stating: "Good luck with the rest of the test."

Elaina nodded, replying: "Thank you." entering a stronger stride, she vanished into the distance.

Adam, seeing the blood on the spear, his thoughts on the concluded battle, pulled his gaze into the darkness of the forest.

He too shouldn't be in the clutches of fear.

If there was one goblin, there was bound to be more.

Darkness encircling him, but his gaze bright, his figure marched into the depths of the forest.

After some time, transitioning behind trees to avoid detection, he laid eyes on a goblin.

It paraded lazily around, in its hand a rusty shortsword.

A sneer on it's face, it's eyes a deep abyssal black.

Encouraged, the vestiges of fear tapping on his thoughts for attention, Adam focused and thrust out.

His spear embedding into the goblin's gut.

Shocked by the sudden attack, it squealed: "Human, hurt by, me hurting!"

It started to bleed through its shoddy clothes, it manically waved its shortsword around to get some distance.

Not taking a needless risk, Adam scrambled back. Getting cut twice as he retreated.

Given hope through having the upper hand, Adam ran around the nearest tree.

The goblin expecting him to pull about was surprised when Adam ran back around, thrusting the spear into its neck from behind.

It feebly coughed, blood retching out.

The smell of iron wafted into his nose. A sick feeling hung in Adam's stomach.

Adam released an exasperated breath, gazing at the now collapsed goblin.

'I won.' He thought.

His spear resting to his side, a trace of fear melted away from his conscious as he absorbed the moment in his mind.

He had killed a goblin. He had successfully changed!

A surge of happiness ran through him.

Bolstering it, was the chipper sound accompanying the system's notification.

[Ding! You have broken through one of your limits, by defeating the source of one's fear you have earned the skill: [Sage's Patience]! ]

His thoughts that were cleansed of fear were rung free of haste.

Adam's concerns born through facing a insane new reality of being in a new world were calmed.

He would do things at his own speed. He did not need to hurry.

The sound of another notification followed.

[Ding! You have broken a limit, for having ended another's life for the first time, you have earned the skill: [Combat Aptitude]! ]

His body tensed, a subtle flow of rejuvenating energy shifting within.

The dark sky's moonlight pierced the forest's canopy.

Being in a new world, how beautiful the forest felt.

How great it was to be able to change.

His mind mirthful, and thoughts unhurried, he strode back to the cave, two skills greater. His gaze remaining watchful for other goblins and threats.

Settling in to sleep, Adam closed off the entrance, relaxing, he quickly fell asleep.

The next day came and went, he ate, washed himself of the blood, and continued practice with the spear, weaving into practice varying speeds of movement and strikes.

The sixth day of the test over, the last test day's light graced the forest.