Ambush

The next day,

'Swoosh'

As soon as the morning came, Aeon didn't waste any time as he started working on his goal of finding the Goblinthorn Village.

Even though Aeon wanted to find the Goblinthron Village as soon as possible, he didn't start his journey at night and the reason was obvious, the nighttime in this realm is very dangerous.

Of course, before starting his journey, Aeon didn't forget to create three Special Life Crystals for the day which he stored in the Goblin Secret Ring along with the other Special Life Crystals, Goblin Essence Crystals and Quaggoth Essence Crystals.

'It is a sad thing to leave the cave behind; however, to complete the trial, I need to do it.'

Before leaving the cave, Aeon felt sad.

Despite only spending a couple of days in the cave, Aeon risked his life in getting that cave and now, before he could not even stay in it for long.

'Never mind, once I complete the Goblins' quota for the trial, I will return to my base.'

Aeon silently swore in his heart as he started his journey.

'By reverse mapping the journey travelled by the Goblin Mage, I have to travel a day toward the west from the cave and two days towards the south.'

Although he didn't start his journey in the night, Aeon had made all the plans and route maps for his journey tomorrow using the reverse mapping technique.

The entire journey…Aeon divided it into two parts.

In the first part, he would travel west until he found a river named Emerald River.

'As long as I find the Emerald River, I am in the right direction.'

Aeon used his full speed in travelling and would take occasional breaks to check whether he was being followed by any monsters.

Along the way, Aeon saw some monster groups; however, Aeon would avoid or hide from them before resuming his journey.

'I can feel the cool breeze…the Emerald River must be close by.'

After travelling for six hours from sunrise, Aeon felt that he had reached the Emerald River because of the cool breeze he felt.

Even though it took a day for the Goblin Captain to reach the Goblin Cave from the Emerald River, it was because he was travelling with a group while fighting some other monster groups along the way and it might take many hours to find the cave behind the waterfall.

As for Aeon, he was avoiding all the monsters and running at his fastest speed with a clear intention of reaching the Emerald Lake by evening.

'Let's speed up the journey and continue the second part of my journey today itself.'

It was very dangerous staying close to a water source unless you have a hidden cave like the one Aeon got in the past. Hence, Aeon wanted to move away from the Emerald River as much as possible.

'Swoosh'

'An ambush?'

Suddenly, Aeon saw some green-coloured ink-like liquid coming at him; however, it was too fast and Aeon was in motion. 

Even though Aeon didn't know what it was, he was sure about one thing and that liquid was definitely not a good thing.

So, there was not enough time for him to dodge it.

'Boom'

However, the pendant in Aeon's neck shone brightly and a barrier appeared around him that successfully blocked the incoming ink-like liquid.

'Swoosh'

'Swoosh'

Soon, more such liquids splashed at him from different directions.

However, Aeon was no longer running and he was quick with his legs thanks to the Goblinstep Boots. Hence, he was able to dodge them all without wasting another protection from the Pendant of Protection.

"Who are you? Come out and show yourselves?"

Aeon was sure there was more than one thing that was attacking him as he shouted at them with a fierce look on his face.

When confronting an unknown enemy hiding in the shadows, the most important thing to do is not panic and be brave.

It was one of his father's teachings and it was engraved in Aeon's mind in a hard way in the past.

"Well well well….here we are."

Seeing that their attacks were not effective on Aeon, the monsters hiding in the bushes walked out.

The monsters looked humanoid with scaly and rugged skin. They have a hunched posture, sharp claws, and a long, muscular tail. In short, they looked gross and strong.

'What monsters are these?'

Looking at those monsters, Aeon frowned because unlike Goblins, Hornless Orcs, Forest Gremlins and Quaggoths, he had never heard of these ugly-skinned humanoid monsters.

'Grimoire, assess one of them.'

While keeping an eye on those six monsters, Aeon silently ordered the Grimoire of Life and Death.

As the temporary owner of the Grimoire of Life and Death, Aeon didn't have to voice out his orders. Even if he just thought about it, the Grimoire of Life and Death would execute those orders.

"It's been a while since I saw a human. For a Life Blood Soldier, you are quite fast; however, you are surrounded and cannot escape from here…haha."

While Aeon was secretly gathering the information on the monsters, one of them spoke as it chuckled with full confidence.

"What happened? Why are you silent? Don't you have any last words to say?"

The same monster spoke again as it asked Aeon with a mocking look in its eyes.

"Haha"

Hearing those words, the remaining five monsters laughed out loud.

'...'

On the other hand, Aeon was silent as he waited for the Grimoire of Life and Death to show him the information on the monsters.

[Assessmet Page: First Use of the Day]

[Monster Race: Komodoan]

[Monster Strength: Soldier or Lackey]

[Skills: Poison Spit, Claw Swipe]

[Information: A monster is known for its patience in ambushing its prey. It patiently waits for a prey to pass by a certain place before unleashing its attack]

Soon, the Grimoire of Life and Death opened in front of him and showed the information about the monster that was speaking.

'So, these are all Soldier Grade Monsters….Phew.'

After reading that, Aeon heaved a sigh of relief and looked at the monsters with an interesting look, "My last words will be….Become offerings to my Grimoire."

'Swoosh'

As soon as he finished his words, Aeon summoned the Goblinbone Dagger and Quaggoth Black Blade before rushing towards the Komodoan Lackey.