My dagger was raised just in time and had protected me in just the nick of time as the goblin fully brought the force of his sword onto my shoulders. The sparks flying off our clash had lit the area only slightly, using my blade I pushed forward and deflected his sword to my side.
The sword brushing past my right shoulder I prepared to send out a stab towards the unsuspecting dungeon boss, only to be quickly and rudely interrupted by a punch to my gut. The punch was brutal as it had sent me flying a couple of feet, which was no surprise.
After all, hobgoblins were creatures specked out for brute force attacks, they weren't known for their intelligence or speed. They were the typical species that had only relied on strength to get what they wanted rather than on their intellect.
Although I do wonder if they had large brains or pea-sized brains. I could dissect him later to test that theory, oh the thought of it makes me shake in excitement. Placing my dagger in a reverse grip I was intended to start dealing with some damaging cuts now.
I will mainly target the Achilles heel first, cripple his range of movements and once done then he'd be my victim to take advantage of. Lowering my stance I rushed at him but first I sent a stone dagger at his eyes, this caused him to raise his sword blocking his vision slightly.
Lowering myself, I was able to get behind him and was able to get my first strike. The cut didn't go through as easily as I thought as his skin felt tough, sighing, I prepared to go for another attack but was roughly stopped by a wide and readable swing.
Dodging backwards I stared at the goblin that seemed to be filled with rage, his movements causing cracks in the ground, his breathing going irregular and his muscles starting to bulge.
' Was this an E-rank dungeon?'
I dashed back trying to keep distance between myself and the goblin, my brain was now at a higher capacity than ever trying to brainstorm all possible strategies. He was angry which meant his attacks would have more force and strength placed in them however because of that it gave me an opening.
Although I'll have to test the theory myself. I dashed at him, he raised his sword in response and from judgment it seemed he was aiming for a diagonal slash. From the looks of it, it should leave his right side completely vulnerable for around three seconds.
Very well let's do this, squinting my eyes I continued drawing closer towards the green beast. His sword dropped causing me to move right which allowed for the sword to narrowly miss me and just as I had thought his chest was left open.
Gripping my dagger harder than ever, I tried to pierce his armpits. The feeling was different this time, it had pierced through, and the howling of pain from the goblin also told me as well.
Withdrawing the dagger I dashed backwards keeping my attention focused on the enraged animal ahead of me, its grip on its sword was now practically non-existent as it was focused on its wound. Seeing the open opportunity I tried to rush in once more only to be stopped by a kick that sent my left leg open leaving me completely unbalanced.
I was now wide open for an attack and the hobgoblin did not miss on its opportunity, A left hook landed on my gut sending me smashing along the floor.
" Agh, fuck! " I groaned as I held onto my stomach, " I was too careless."
Trying to rise back on my feet, I stumbled a few times but I eventually managed. The Goblin standing in place, it was moving odd. It was like it had gotten drunk, its steps were misplaced causing it to almost trip on its own.
'This might be a trick.' I readied my dagger once more prepared for the enemy attack to arrive.
10 Seconds passed and no attack came.
20 Seconds and he kept stumbling.
40 seconds, the hobgoblin has fallen on its knees.
60 seconds, the hobgoblin has fallen face first.
Staring at the downed opponent before me, I could not understand how a simple armpit wound could do so much. Unless I had cut a major artery, that was the reason why the hobgoblin died.
" Awwww man, " I moaned out as I walked towards the soon-to-be corpse of the hobgoblin, "Why couldn't he have fought longer?"
I poked his body a few times before eventually plunging my dagger into the back of his neck and slashing it outwards leaving a rather large wound.
[ Hobgoblin defeated - With this, the host has now achieved 'Level 3'. I hope the host is happy as he will be sent to the next dungeon in 5 seconds ]
I breathed in deeply at those words. To think they'd make me go fight in another dungeon so soon especially right after I had already fought my best and cleared one.
'Was my system really that heartless?'
[ I am a being made simply with the function of completing tasks and Dungeon progress. Of course, I am heartless, we are monsters after all. ]
Hearing its words that I couldn't debate with, I simply released a sigh of defeat waiting for my summon to the second dungeon. Lying down on the ground I stared absently at my dagger, the weapon that has been on me since the beginning and something that hasn't shown any sign of wear and tear.
Seriously where did the system find a weapon like this to just give me without making me pay a fee? I'm sure this could've fetched a hefty price for its excellent quality.
[ Dungeon Transfer Beginning - Lycan's Edge ]
' Lycans? like those wolf monsters?' I pondered to myself as I read the dungeon's name. Staring ahead of me, I steadied my dagger hand and prepared for any dangers that might arrive before me when i get summoned.
Safe to say, the transportation between dungeons was quick. It took only 2 seconds to appear in this random cave in what I assume to be Lycan territory. It was a small cave but one that would provide decent shelter to outside dangers.
And to the outside, I was going as a light had been penetrating the entrance of the cave. A replica sun if I had to guess, rising to my feet I covered my eyes with my left hand and exited the cave.
Once I left it had taken a bit for my eyes to adjust to the new bright setting it had just found itself but adjust it did. I walked to the edge of the cliff and when I looked down I was severely shocked, a forest spanned for miles down below, its lush emerald trees covering what monsters were lurking in its shadows that were cast by the leaves.
I frowned to myself, this dungeon was going to take time, far too much time unless I tried brute forcing myself to the dungeon by torturing the lycans for their boss's location. Even then I doubt the lycans would happily give up their boss's location after what kind of monsters were they if they couldn't handle torture.
Turning my attention back to the cave I chuckled to myself.
" A new home, to think I'd be moving so soon."
Now I just had to find ways up and down this place, I'm sure the Lycans don't really patrol around the cliffs after all they'd be put at a disadvantage if they did. After all, they were animals that should stick to the flat floors of a forest or plain rather than the uneven steps of a cliff.
Placing my hand on my forehead I simply looked at the floor, disappointed at how the system had simply picked out the most time-consuming dungeon. Couldn't it have at least found something similar to the goblin dungeon which had been pretty short and easy?
Sighing, I simply decided to move on. Vanishing from my current position.
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Back at the 'Carnival of Sweet Dreams' chaos had ensued after their boss's recent abduction due to the system. The very first of the panicked lot is the high-ranking monster, Lady Rosaline. Her pace was unmatched by the rest of the clowns as she entered tent after tent.
Her expression was rugged with sweat due to her rushing to find the location of the dear host, Triboulet.
" Get every fucking worker on this!" Her panicked shout echoed out towards the clowns that had been situated around her current position. ' Why did this have to happen now?'
She would ponder to herself but the question had to remain buried, for now.
After all, she was second to the current dungeon boss. Every soldier here looked up to her and would follow her commands and as of right now, they were to find their king, the ringleader of this dysfunctional circus.
One that had been run by accursed monsters and men who fell due to their troubled pasts, although no one had expected becoming clowns to serve under a new king.
Something everyone had come to love discussing behind their king, the story of his past, and his unbound hatred for the beings he called monarchs and rulers. Although I had only gained this information through the workers, I would have to confirm it later when the king was found.
We all had kept our hopes high after all he was the one to have given us a second life, a new hope in this putrid world filled with the stench of greed and misery.
Even though the workers had always talked badly of the king in front of him. However their true feelings were different, they admired him, to the point they created a secret religion. Something I have become an adamant believer of, is the 'Triboulet Triune'.
People had begun calling it the 'Triboulet Triune' for three main reasons.
One - His kindness that extended to all his servants, a thing that the workers themselves had experienced as no matter the mischief they caused, they had always been forgiven.
Two - His authority over his subordinates and those around him. This had come to be when he had started summoning soldiers for his armies, when they had bowed before their king and he seemingly looked at them with the eyes of a predator. According to the clowns and that witch, it was quite the feeling.
Third - His sense of prestige, as no matter where he was, whether it be a mud path or his throne room. He had always exuded an aura of wealth and nobility, although many believe this should be categorised into the second topic.
Either way, when the disappearance of the king happened. These workers and Clowns had been the first to act, the witch had also sent the hyenas of hers to scope the lands away from our location.
Nonetheless, nothing has come up. Our king remained gone, his throne room a husk of what it used to be, a painting now hung above his throne to dedicate who had ruled this dungeon.
Nobody had dared to declare themselves as rulers, nor did I bother, after all, I had pledged my allegiance to one clown. An eccentric king called 'Triboulet', my oh-so-wonderful king.
I had however still tried to push this dungeon forth with commands on buildings and traps, the workers although down in their mood had continued to do so. This dungeon had followed the commands of a man, yet when he was not there it started to shatter.
Would my king be looking down on us as of now? Throwing words of spite at our uselessness in continuing the dungeon he loved and protected. Would he hate us for not enacting his revenge on the monarchs in his place?
'Could you not give us a sign my liege?' I remained kneeling before the king's throne his image staring down upon my headless body. His eyes were now void of the life that used to be held behind his jester's mask.
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Well that's that chapter done, seems like the dungeons are in a pretty sad mood.
Anyways, i'll try make them happier sometime in the future. The next chapter might take a bit longer to come out as Ive been getting a bunch of assignments lately. But I'll try to post whenever I can as I don't want to leave this to rot.
Bye byeeeeee~