Chapter 15 - Surrounded

My legs move as soon as the words came out of my mouth. I dash towards the closest goblin and stab forward with my spear catching it off guard. The sharp stone end of my spear pierces through the skull splattering green blood and brain matter behind the now dead goblin. I retract my spear and take a few steps towards my next target swinging my spear at the goblin. I could hear the bones of its arms crack when I hit it with the wooden body of my spear. Quickly, I turn my spear around and stab its head killing it in one swift motion. I started to retreat a bit after killing the second goblin and instead aimed for a goblin that was already injured. It had an arrow in its shoulder but it was still running forward in a crazed state. I run towards the goblin and was about to stab it when David pulled me backward.

I feel the bridge of my nose get cut and then a thud. An arrow came flying at me from the forest and embedded itself in the wall.

"Didn't you say be careful? Why are you rushing at them?"

David pulls my stunned body back towards the group. Owen and Oscar were trying their best swinging their spears around in front of them. Cutting the goblins arms, legs, body but unfortunately not doing enough damage to kill them. Luke was running along the outside wall swiftly placing a knife in a goblin's head one after another, retreating instantly when he was about to be surrounded.

"If we do not attack them when they are separated and running from the forest we will eventually lose. Once they group up there will be too many of them to face all at once and there is a chance they might be able to climb over the wall too. It might seem crazy but the best place to fight them is when they have just exited the forest but that opportunity is already gone so the next best thing is the area between the forest and wall. Once they reach the wall the space between each goblin gets smaller."

I explain my thought process to David while stabbing the closest goblin. We had retreated to Owen and Oscar and helped them take care of the goblins next to them, however more and more goblins were congregating towards us. Luke started to face them head to head rather than running around them as well since he was losing ground.

"We are not looking too good Ian."

I hear Owen talking to me and I glance in his direction. His lower body was covered in goblin blood and he was breathing heavily. Oscar next to him was a little bit better, it must be Owen doing more than normal to make sure he protects his son.

"Owen, I know it is hard but keep attacking no matter what."

I reassure Owen and at the same time, I decided to take a risk.

I step forward stabbing in front of me multiple times aiming at the space in front of me rather than the goblins. I make big swings and deep thrusts and any unfortunate goblin that was in my path got sliced or punctured. I move forward until I was about 10 steps away from the rest of the group and shouted at the top of my lungs.

"COME AT ME!"

The goblins nearest to me looked at me and snickered. There were 6 goblins within arms reach of me. I swing my spear around like a mad man keeping them away as best I can while screaming. I started to attract more attention and 6 goblins slowly became 10 goblins and then 15 goblins.

On the bright side, the goblins near David and the rest were less and were quickly defeated by them. I could see them handing any stray goblins that I could not attract but I had more things to worry about. I unsling my shield and carry it with my left hand while holding my spear tightly with my right hand. I squat down ready and constantly shift around poking at the goblins that moved closer to me. I knew this stalemate would not last long and the balance shifted to the goblins side really quickly. 4 goblins ran towards me ar different directions. I swung my spear around frantically hitting 2 of them with the body of the goblin and luckily hitting the other with the tip of my spear but 1 goblin was free to attack me. Its knife went under my shield and stabbed my thigh. The sharp pain from my leg caused me to wince a bit but I quickly recovered and bashed the goblin away with my shield. I open the status quickly to observe my HP.

Name: Ian

Race: Human

Health Points (HP): 8/10 (Bleeding Lose 1 HP every 30 minutes)

Mana Points (MP): 0/0

Strength: 5

Vitality: 5

Intelligence: 5

Dexterity: 5

Agility: 5

Luck: 5

Equipment: Wooden spear, Goblin Knife, Wooden Chest Plate, Wooden Shield, Lucky Goblin Totem Necklace

A new status effect was seen next to my HP and was slightly saddened by the status effect. I lick my dry lips and prepare for the next attack from the group of goblins, hoping I can avoid the next attack properly.

The group of goblins surrounding me grew impatient and they all started to run at me in all directions. Knives were in the air ready to be swung down and some knives crept along the ground waiting to strike. I couldn't defend against all of them and I seemed to have accepted my mistake for pushing forward without any help.

"HAAAAAAHHHH"

From behind, I hear a loud yell. A yell I was familiar with. The goblins seem to stand still like statues. Their knives hang in the air just a bit more before they drew blood.

Howard used his skill and at the same time rushed towards me with his ax followed closely were David and Luke. They killed the goblins behind me and stepped around in front of me pushing the goblins away.

"HAHAHA! Ian, it looked like you need some help."

Howard come next to me with a beaming smile, he had helped me once again with his skill.

"Don't worry Ian, this time I won't run away."

David reassured me but I could see his shaking hands and legs.

"That's right Ian, watch. Summon Golden Wolf!"