Goblins

One by one goblins fell to the ground, their bodies mangled and pierced by a sharp tip of the spear. Green liquid oozed from their wounds, staining the withered ruins with an eerie hue.

It was a massacre.

"That was quite easy..."

As the last goblin dropped to the grass, Kai paused to catch his breath, surveying the surroundings for any signs of any more enemies before placing his weapon into his Spatial Inventory.

It seems that this dungeon was mainly inhabited by goblins.

While fighting, Kai noticed a distant trail of smoke rising into the sky, indicating the presence of a nearby civilization and the only beings he had encountered so far were goblins.

"The boss of the dungeon is most likely there..."

Kai scratched his chin before beginning to slowly make his way toward the source of the smoke.

To complete a dungeon one needs to defeat the boss. Once the dungeon boss has fallen, the dungeon will shortly collapse, disappearing from existence. Of course, all of the awakeners that ventured within will also be transported outside the dungeon. It is an universal law that a dungeon's existence is intrinsically tied to the presence of its boss.

Tap... Tap...

Kai continued to make his way toward the possible goblin village, his eyes scavenging the ruins around him for any enemies.

After some time, the smoke grew thicker as he approached. However, the closer he got to the civilization, the bigger were the chances of encountering more enemies.

Swish... Swish...

A sound of projectiles whizzing through the air caught Kai's attention and he immediately ducked. Arrows whistled past his head, narrowly missing their mark.

Clenching the cobalt spear that was already out of his Spatial Ring, Kai ducked under another incoming arrow and charged towards the goblin archers who were hidden in the ruins.

They were probably scouts, tasked with keeping watch and defending the village from intruders like Kai.

Kai couldn't let them alert the rest of the goblin village of his presence.

'Die.'

Running toward the group of goblins wearing some weird tunic with a red cross and arrow symbol, Kai swung his spear in a wide arc, taking down one goblin after another.

The scouts proved to be a far more formidable challenge than the goblins Kai had encountered earlier. Their movements were swift and coordinated, displaying a level of agility and skill in combat that surpassed the basic instincts of the typical goblin.

Their training was evident in the fluidity of their attacks, the precision of their strikes, and their ability to anticipate Kai's movements. As Kai engaged them in combat, he found himself pushed to his limits, facing adversaries who not only fought with strength but also with strategy and finesse.

The goblin scouts moved in a synchronized manner, covering each other's vulnerabilities and launching coordinated assaults. Their tactics were more advanced than mere brute force, showcasing a level of intelligence that set them apart from their brethren.

However, Kai easily took them down. They were still Baron Rank monsters.

As the last goblin scout fell, Kai swiftly cleaned the crimson-stained blade of his spear on the grass, the green liquid mixing with the soil beneath his feet. With practiced efficiency, he wiped away any remnants of the battle before sliding the weapon back into his Spatial Inventory.

His gaze remained sharp, alert for any signs of further danger. With a quick scan of the surroundings, he confirmed the absence of immediate threats and began striding away from the ruins.

As he departed from the massive, crumbling structures that had dominated the landscape since he entered the dungeon, Kai ascended a nearby mountain.

Climbing higher, the scenery shifted. The remnants of the ruins slowly became smaller and smaller. The air grew crisper, filled with the scent of pine and earth, a stark contrast to the musty decay of the ruins.

Upon reaching the crest of the mountain, Kai paused for a moment, his breaths measured and controlled. As he looked out beyond the peak, a vast expanse unfolded before him. A sweeping panorama greeted his eyes, revealing a valley nestled between imposing peaks.

Smoke billowed from the other side of the mountain, marking the location of a settlement or civilization. It was a stark contrast to the ruins he had just traversed, a sign of life and activity in this secluded region.

The valley sprawled out below, dotted with pockets of greenery and small clusters of trees. Kai could make out the hints of structures, perhaps houses or buildings, nestled amidst the natural landscape.

However, although he had found the goblin settlement, he couldn't help but curse.

It was an entire city.

Massive walls made out of thick stone loomed over the valley, encircling the goblin city in a formidable barrier. In the middle of the city, a towering structure rose above the rest of the buildings. It was a fortress made of sturdy stone blocks, its imposing presence dominating the skyline.

"The boss is probably there..."

Looking at the castle before him, Kai couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

It seems that the dungeon will take a while.