CH 006

"There are exactly 18 goblins. The numbers above them must be their levels," Alex said, eyeing the level five goblin. Lin nodded and opened her status panel. Alex watched her move her hand in the air. "What are you doing?" he asked curiously.

"I sent a party invite. Accept it," Lin replied. A new panel appeared in front of Alex.

**+++++**

**Party invite: Yinlin has invited you to her party.**

**+ Yes + No +**

**+++++**

He pressed yes, and the window disappeared. A new panel labeled "teammate health bar" appeared. "I think I accepted your request. Now what?"

"I'll handle the 18 goblins. You go inside and take care of the chief," she said, pointing her sword at the goblins.

Alex sighed. "Take care. I'm good at gymnastics, so I'll easily escape any attacks."

Lin smiled. "You don't have to worry about me." With that, she leaped into the air like a rocket and landed near the goblins. Alex took the opportunity to sneak into the goblin hut.

Inside, the goblin chief was snoring loudly. Alex positioned his dagger near its neck and quickly plunged it in. Green blood spurted out as a white number appeared: [120 critical hit] [+120 heal]. "Why am I healing for killing the goblin?" he wondered as green sparks surrounded him.

**+++++**

**You have defeated the wife of the goblin chief. All goblins near you will go aggro.**

**Level up**

**All stats +5**

**Level up**

**All stats +5**

**+++++**

"Holy shit! I'm screwed. This wasn't the goblin chief," Alex muttered. A larger, more menacing goblin stepped into the room. It had bigger teeth, wore bone armor, and carried a huge club. The whole room rumbled as the goblin growled.

Alex moved backward, eyes wide with fear. The goblin swung its club, and Alex barely dodged, the massive weapon smashing into the wooden wall, sending splinters flying. Alex rolled to his feet and took a deep breath. 'I have to be smart about this,' he thought.

The goblin snarled and charged again. Alex sidestepped and slashed at its arm, but the blade barely scratched the thick skin. "Damn, this thing is tough," he muttered. The goblin swung its club horizontally, and Alex ducked just in time. The force of the swing created a gust of wind that knocked over furniture.

Alex noticed a weak spot in the goblin's armor, just under its armpit. 'If I can just get a good hit in there,' he thought. He feinted to the left, then dashed to the right, aiming his dagger at the exposed flesh. The goblin roared and swung downwards. Alex rolled forward, coming up behind the creature, and drove his dagger into the weak spot.

The goblin roared in pain, spinning around and backhanding Alex. The force of the blow sent him crashing into the wall. Gasping for breath, Alex struggled to stand, his vision blurry. The goblin charged again, but this time Alex was ready. He grabbed a broken piece of wood and threw it at the goblin's face. It snarled and swung blindly, giving Alex the opening he needed.

With a burst of speed, Alex darted forward and plunged his dagger into the goblin's neck, twisting the blade. Green blood sprayed out as the goblin's eyes rolled back, and it fell to the ground with a heavy thud. Alex collapsed, panting heavily.

**+++++**

**Level up**

**All stats +5**

**Mission completed: go to the knight to receive the rewards.**

**Mora: 230**

**+++++**

Lin stood over the goblin, her sword pointing at him. "What do you think of teaming up now?" she asked, her cold voice descending like a chill. A shiver ran down Alex's spine. 'Is this normal? Maybe she's like those kung fu masters from the movies,' he thought.

"Fifty-fifty will do. Let's go back to town. I need a shower before we reach the tower," Alex said, smelling the goblin blood on his hands. Lin placed the goblin head in her inventory.

"We don't have time for that. We need to reach the tower before the House of Skulls. The first drop of loot can't fall into their hands," she insisted, pulling him to his feet.

"Can I be honest? You're taking this game way too seriously. I don't even remember the names you mentioned. But fine, I'll entertain you this once. What happens if we don't get the loot first? It's just a normal mission. Everyone gets the loot if they complete it."

"It's not. We need to be first before the House of Skulls because— I can't say why, but the first clear is important. I have a friend meeting us at the tower entrance."

**[Congratulations player HeroSaver, you have raped the ugly swamp witch. You have gained the sin of lust.]**

Lin bit her lip at the notification. "We don't have time. We must move."

They walked to the town, seeing more players like them. "I think people are realizing the reality," Alex commented.

A knight noticed them approaching. "Have you completed the task? That was quick," he said, eyeing Alex and Lin. They nodded. "We have. We'd like to go to the Tower of Hell," Lin said, showing the goblin chief's head.

The knight looked impressed. "Yes, yes. Here's the parchment. Throw it into the well and jump inside. You'll be teleported to the tower complex. The tower is in the capital of Skull Kingdom, but it's owned by the royal family. You have the ring of the House of Flames, so you'll be accepted. Best of luck."

"Sir Alex, please help my son," a voice of despair called out. Alex remembered his previous commitment and handed the man 230 mora. "This should be enough."

The man fell to his knees. "Thank you so much! I've been begging, but no one gave me a mora. I'll remember you forever."

"It's alright. Take care of your son," Alex said.

The man nodded, crying. Alex looked at Lin, who wore her usual cold expression. "At least smile a bit," he said. Lin snorted and tore the parchment. She dropped it into the well, and it disappeared.

"Jump," Lin commanded. Alex hesitated but then jumped. Lin followed.

---

As Alex and Lin landed in the tower complex, Alex couldn't help but marvel at the structure. Tall spires and dark stone walls loomed above them, casting eerie shadows. "This place is incredible," Alex whispered.

"Focus. We need to find my friend," Lin replied sharply.

They navigated through the maze-like hallways, "Your friend better be worth all this trouble," Alex grumbled.

"He is. Trust me," Lin said. They finally reached the entrance to the tower, where a figure in a hooded cloak awaited them.

"Yinlin, you made it," the figure said, pulling back the hood to reveal a young man with sharp features and intense eyes.

"Of course, I did. We need to get to the first loot drop before the House of Skulls," Lin replied.

Matpat nodded. "I've scouted ahead. The House of Skulls is already inside, but we can still beat them if we hurry."

"Lead the way," Lin said, her determination evident.

"wait you are the guy from YouTube right? I have seen your channel the game theory. Oh man, I am really a big fan of you, I can't believe that I am talking with you." Alex said with excitement in his eyes as he looked at his favourite YouTuber, Matpat shivered 'this is Alex Zephyrous. I cant believe that he used be like this.', he then quickly grabbed the hand of Alex and looked intensely 'No demon mark yet, now that we have him we shouldn't let him fall into the hands of that demon.'

"what are you doing with my hand?" he asked looking at the behaviour of MatPat, "oh no nothing I was shaking your hand. Thanks for taking care of Lin for me.".

"no problem, Do you know what's happening here? It's tough to believe that I am inside a game. Do you have some theory on how to exit this place" Alex asked pulling his hand from Matpat.

"not yet, but I think we can escape after completing the tower. Let's hope that we finish the tower as fast as possible."