Chapter 35: Hobgoblin’s Demise (II)

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Chapter 35: Hobgoblin's Demise (II)

His first strike came down with such ferocity that the ground split apart, sending shockwaves rippling across the field. A crater formed beneath his feet as he howled again, a crazed glint in his burning eyes.

"Get ready!" Odin shouted to his team, already bracing himself for the coming onslaught. "This is going to get ugly!"

The Terra's Resilience had covered Odin in its stone-like plates, forming an armor around the Lycanthrope Armor. He was fending off the strikes from Dazan, but he could feel the power passing past his defense.

Dazan snarled, his berserk fury only intensifying. He spun, his sword slicing through the air in a deadly arc as he unleashed one of his signature moves, the Executioner's Strike. 

Yet because of his Berserker's Rage, the power in this strike got amplified to the point that Odin was worrying that it might one-shot him, even though he recovered his HP to 63% because of the Regeneration Passive. 

The massive blade, gleaming with crimson energy, cut through the air toward Odin's shoulder. 

"I'll cleave you in two, dog! You'll die screaming!"

'Stalwart Parry'

Odin barely raised his sword in time, catching Dazan's blow in a brutal clash of strength. 

[You have received 2,854 DMG]

The force was staggering, and despite the power of Terra's Resilience, Odin was pushed back several paces, his feet leaving deep trenches in the dirt. The stone armor around his shoulder cracked under the pressure, small fragments falling away.

'Well, his strength might have reached 1000 for all I care. He has a high chance of killing me if I'm not sharp the entire fight.'

'Let's give the newbies a series of commands to follow, and help me drag things while my MP is recovering.'

'I can't just use my Zephyr's Swiftness with only 30% of my MP, since I will spam all of my skills to kill this damned goblin.'

'Patience. There will come an opportunity if I hold strong.'

Odin had sweat beading on his brow as he fended off the onslaught, his HP gauge constantly lowering by 3-5% for each strike he blocked. Dazan's increased attack speed made it hard for him to gain ground. Even with his high defense, each blow felt like it was pushing him closer to the edge. But he wasn't about to back down.

"Flee or fight, it makes no difference! You're dead either way!"

Dazan followed up with another brutal series of slashes, using his Whirlwind Cleave.

[Whirlwind Cleave (A): A spinning attack that strikes all enemies in range for 235% weapon damage. Increases attack speed temporarily. Cooldown: 45 seconds.]

The Hobgoblin spun incredibly fast, making his figure appear like a giant Beyblade.

His massive blade was so fast that it made it impossible for normal eyes to follow its path as it arced toward Odin in a vicious whirlwind. 

Odin also tried to conserve his Red Energy instead of spamming Sovereign Insight to get insights on Dazan. In those trying moments, he wanted to raise his Red Energy for the benefits of increased stats.

Gritted his teeth as he was put on the burner, positioning himself to block as much of the attack as possible. 

Odin's sword was raised high, and he caught the first strike, but the momentum of Dazan's berserk state was relentless. The second cleave smashed into his side, shattering the stone-like plates of Terra's Resilience and forcing him to stagger back.

[You have received 1,254 DMG]

Blood dripping down his lips, Odin smirked as he held his ground.

"You really don't get it, do you? I don't run from trash."

Coughing blood as he staggered back, he remained the same stone-cold knight, not letting his emotions dictate his next moves and attacks.

"If this doesn't work, then I'll just devour you next!"

Dazan pressed his advantage, bringing his sword down in another overhead strike, the blade crackling with dark energy as he activated Black Wolf's Bite, a vicious strike meant to tear through any remaining defenses.

Odin, however, was ready after being pushed around like a training dummy that couldn't counter back. 

Even the Iron Bastion buff for the Hobgoblin Champion ran off, but the Berserking state remained, wrapping the monster's mind into a deep rage.

He quickly pivoted, dodging the attack just in time. "Not fast enough, you ugly bastard."

'Wolf Heart. Activate.'

With the space created, his hands tightened around the hilt of his sword as he called upon the latent cursed magic within his Lycanthrope Armor, activating its most powerful ability that could be gained only by completing the whole Lycanthrope Armor Set, the 'Wolf Heart'.

[You have consumed 500 MP. User has received the 'Wolf Heart' Buff. The user will change his Race into 'Werewolf' for a temporary period (15 minutes)][The user has been blessed with the ferocity of a wolf. While inside the Werewolf Transformation, the User will gain the following enhancements: Strength +30%; Agility +40%; Movement Speed +50%; Critical Hit Chance +15%; Attack Speed +10%; Increase in Defense by 20%; HP Regeneration while in combat +3% of maximum health per second.]

A low growl emanated from Odin's throat as a dark, primal energy surged through his veins. His body tensed, muscles twitching beneath the surface as the transformation began. The air around him crackled with this cursed energy, the ground beneath his feet trembling as if anticipating what was coming. 

His crimson eyes, already sharp, began to glow an intense mix of royal red and yellow, radiating an animalistic fury that sent chills down the spines of those watching.

Odin's skin rippled as thick, coarse fur began to sprout, spreading across his arms, legs, and torso. His hands contorted, bones cracking and shifting as his fingers elongated into razor-sharp claws. 

The transformation was not instant but gradual, painful as Odin's human form gave way to something far more savage and untamed.

His face elongated into a snarling wolf's muzzle, sharp fangs gleaming under the blood-red sky. 

His ears shifted upward, taking on a pointed shape as his senses heightened. Odin could smell the charred scent of the battlefield more acutely, hear the frantic breaths of his comrades, and feel every subtle shift in the air around him.

Where there had once been a man, a towering werewolf now stood seething with raw, untamed power.

Odin let out a deep, guttural howl that echoed across the battlefield. The sound was primal and commanding as if an Alpha had announced his presence. 

The team of newbies looked on in awe because they had never seen such a scene in their lives. Such images could only be found in movies and TV series. Still, it was a significant difference from a watcher's perspective to be an outsider and then an insider in this transformation process. 

Purphoros squinted, his expression caught somewhere between amazement and confusion. The Guardian Knight had always admired Odin's prowess in battle, but this... this was something else entirely.

⤷ Purphoros: The fuck am I seeing? Is that Odin? How does he look like some Alpha boss monster?

He blinked, shaking his head as if to clear his mind, but the disbelief remained etched on his face.

Malfurion, more analytical by nature, observed the transformation with curiosity and a hint of admiration. The druid had read about this buff in Satisfy Community Forums and even guides on how to get the strongest armors. However, in the early days of Satisfy World, the Lycanthrope was considered the strongest gear-set piece in the whole Satisfy World.

And seeing Odin transform into a Werewolf proved that whoever was writing those guides was right all along. 

⤷ Malfurion: It should be the skill of his Armor. It made him turn into a Werewolf.

He couldn't help but think of the tactical advantage Odin now had, but there was an unspoken concern: would he be able to control that much power?

Elyse, however, had a much more visceral and personal reaction. Her eyes widened as she watched the transformation, a slow grin spreading across her face, biting her lower lip as she observed Odin's six-pack and chest muscles.

Her breathing quickened, her cheeks flushing as her thoughts spiraled out of control. Her heartbeat thumped loudly in her chest, and she found herself... distracted by what she saw.

She couldn't help but fantasize about Odin in that feral form. 

⤷ Elyse: "So hot... so sexy… I wouldn't mind if Odin was... ravaging me. Biting my neck... licking my face... come to mommy..." Her voice dipped lower. "Let me pet you..."

"…"

She had completely forgotten about the chaos around them, her mind now filled with imagery of Odin in his werewolf form, taking her into his powerful arms. She imagined him nuzzling her neck, his fangs brushing against her skin as he growled softly in her ear. Elyse bit once more on her lower lip, her body tingling at the thought of being claimed by such a beast.

⤷ Malfurion: "Uh... Elyse? You... alright over there?" Malfurion asked cautiously, noticing the faraway look in her eyes and the almost dreamy expression on her face.

⤷ Purphoros: "Yo, Elyse? Earth to Elyse? We're still in a boss fight here..." Purphoros added, casting her a quizzical glance.

Elyse blinked, shaking herself from her vivid daydreams, but the flush on her face remained. Her heart still raced, and she had to swallow hard to return to the present.

⤷ Elyse: "Oh... right... boss fight," she muttered, quickly trying to compose herself. But she couldn't shake the heated thoughts swirling in her mind.

Not focusing on the group chat, Odin tracked the changes he was feeling with this transformation. The first seconds were uncomfortable, as if someone were sending electric shocks all over his muscles, but then they passed.

The world around him seemed to slow down, his senses becoming sharper than ever before. 

He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the rush of power from the transformation making him feel invincible. He flexed his claws, the urge to tear through his enemies now almost overwhelming.

'Makes sense why Box would be so reluctant to give me his Lycanthrope Set. You would use this in the Raids just for the Werewolf Transformation then switch to your BiS Gear.'

'I didn't expect the buff to be so OP, but let's add the cherry on top.'

'Blessing of Wind'

[You have consumed 25 RE. The user has received the 'Zephyr's Swiftness' Buff.]

[The user experiences enhanced agility and speed for the next 5 minutes. Movement speed is increased by 100%, attack speed is increased by 50%, critical hit chance is increased by 25% and there's a 20% chance to evade incoming attacks. Ranged attacks deal 50% more damage during this period.]

A sensation of weightlessness enveloped him, and what was once a quick movement speed evolved into the agility of a transcendent being. Even the system confirmed that he has reached the state of a transcendental being regarding his Movement Speed.

[Your Movement Speed has touched upon the domain of a Transcendental. You have unlocked a temporary skill 'Shunpo']

[Shunpo]

It transcends the concept of space.

You can reach a place within your 'field of view' in one step.

* Not yet fully learned. It can't be used intentionally and has a terrible chance of activating.

Resources Consumed: Unknown.

Skill Cooldown Time: Unknown.

--

'The domain of a Transcendental? This means above Legendary? Mythic maybe? Confusing. Anyway, let's just focus on reaping this goblin shit apart and take a break.'

With a final growl, Odin disappeared from sight, his enhanced speed allowing him to dodge Dazan's frenzied strikes effortlessly. "Now... let's see if you can handle a real beast."

Akin to a phantom, he appeared by Dazan's side, initiating his assault with 'Zephyr's Dash', the evolved version of Swift Charge.

His body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, and in a split second, he was upon Dazan. The sheer speed of the dash caught the berserking Hobgoblin off guard. Before Dazan could raise his sword, Odin's Soulrend came crashing down with unrelenting force.

[You have stunned the target for 1.5 seconds]

[You have dealt 3,910 damage to the target]

On contact with the berserking goblin around Odin's 'furry' body a new gust of wind strengthened his body as part of the Zepyr's Dash skill.[Your movement speed is increased by 20% for 3 seconds.]

Not wasting a moment by being impressed by the Evolution of those common skills, Odin immediately followed up with Tempest Crash, the evolved version of Mighty Strike. 

His sword, now crackling with the fierce energy of the storm, came crashing down with a thunderous blow. This form of the skill even contained an added knockback effect for the strike. 

[You have dealt 6,984 damage to the target. Tempest Crash reduces the enemy defense by 30% for 5 seconds.]

The ground beneath Dazan shook from the force, and the Hobgoblin staggered backward, armor denting and cracking under the assault.

Each of Odin's strikes was lightning fast, with the accuracy of a sniper. In his werewolf form, his reflexes were heightened to superhuman levels, allowing him to chain his attacks and not miss the tempo effortlessly.

It felt like playing the perfect chess match where all of your moves were 'Perfect'

With a snarl, he unleashed Skyline Cleave, the evolved form of Horizon Slash. 

His blade glowed as it sliced through the air in a deadly arc, leaving behind a trail of energy that slashed through the Hobgoblin's side, drawing a deep gash across his torso.

At the same time, when the energy blade made contact with the Hobgoblin's body, it also exploded in smaller blades of wind, dealing extra damage in a slash area, surrounding the whole 3-meter range into energy blades.

[You have dealt 4,760 damage to the target]

[Critical Hit!]

[ You have dealt 5,786 damage to the target]

Dazan howled in fury, his eyes glowing with murderous intent as he tried to strike back, but Odin's newfound agility was too much. The werewolf dodged the wide swings with ease, moving fluidly, almost tauntingly, around the enraged Hobgoblin.

[Hobgoblin Champion - Dazan of the Black Wolves - LV.125](Field-Boss) (7,518/58,225 HP)

However, just as Odin was about to deliver the finishing strike by sending a Soul Slash at the Hobgoblin, he saw Dazan pull out an object from underneath his armor. It was the heart of a Harpy from what his Sovereign Insight could read.

Odin's eyes narrowed as he saw the Troll Witch Doctor's heart glint in Dazan's hand. 

It pulsated with dark, sickly energy, its surface glistening as if freshly torn from a living creature. 

Dazan's crazed eyes gleamed with renewed hope as he raised the heart toward his mouth, his sharp, jagged teeth sinking into the organ with a grotesque, wet crunch.

"Not on my watch!" Odin growled, launching himself forward with lightning speed. But it was too late.

When Dazan bit into the heart, a wave of corrupt magic surged. His wounds, once gaping and oozing with blood, began to close. Flesh knitted together at an unnatural speed, and the gashes left by Odin's relentless assault mended as if they had never been there.

[Dazan has consumed the Heart of the Troll Witch Doctor. He will regenerate 30% of his health over the next 10 seconds.]

[Dazan has regenerated 17,467 HP.]

"You think you can kill me?" he bellowed, his voice deep and distorted, as though twisted by the dark magic now coursing through him. "I am Dazan, Champion of the Black Wolves! I'll tear you apart, piece by piece!"

Dazan let out a guttural roar as the life force of the Troll Witch Doctor coursed through him, his hulking body swelling with renewed vigor. 

His cracked armor seemed to tighten around his now-bulging muscles, and the sinister red glow in his eyes intensified. The Hobgoblin Champion stood taller, more menacing, his berserk fury now fueled by the twisted power of dark magic.

[Dazan of the Black Wolves - 24,985/58,225 HP]

Odin gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "Damn it, he's back in the fight!" he snarled, frustrated but undeterred.

Nonetheless, that moment of hope for Dazan was temporary as Odin started his second siege.

Still, Dazan, despite his berserk state, was not completely defenseless. 

With a roar of defiance, he swung his massive two-handed sword down in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Odin in two. 

"Come, mutt! Face your end! I'll cut you down like the dog you are!" Dazan roared, his voice booming like thunder as his massive sword whistled through the air, eyes wild with bloodlust. 

"No one escapes the Champion of the Black Wolves!"

But Odin was faster. 

He vanished like a shadow flickering from the Hobgoblin's path again, reappearing at his side, launching Gale Strike, the evolved version of Piercing Thrust. 

His sword pierced through Dazan's armor and into his chest, so deep that he could feel the rumbling of his heart in his right hand.

[Critical Hit!]

[ You have dealt 9,385 damage to the target]

However, Dazan wasn't done yet. With a savage grunt, the Hobgoblin grabbed Odin's arm, refusing to let go. His grip was ironclad, fueled by all the accumulated rage from the damages he received.

"You won't escape this time!" Dazan bellowed, raising his sword with his free hand, ready to bring it down in a killing blow.

Odin snarled in frustration.

"You're like a rabid beast that doesn't know when it's beaten!"

With a vicious snap of his jaws, he sank his fangs into Dazan's throat, blood splattering across the battlefield as he ripped into the Hobgoblin's flesh. 

Dazan gurgled through the blood pouring from his throat, his voice raspy but filled with rage. "You… filthy mongrel! I'll tear you limb from limb, bite by bite, if I have to! You're nothing without your tricks!"

"You're a stubborn, shitty goblin. Just drop dead already." Odin growled, his voice dripping with venom as he tasted the Hobgoblin's blood on his lips. 

"All that rage… it's useless. You're just another brute trying to outlast your fate."

In the same motion, he activated Manifestation of Will, an invisible blade forming at his side, cleaving at Dazan's arm with a brutal slash. Blood sprayed as the ethereal blade severed tendons, loosening Dazan's grip.

Yet, the Hobgoblin still clung to Odin's arm. Growing impatient and annoyed, Odin resorted to fighting dirty. 

Growing increasingly frustrated by Dazan's relentless grip, Odin sneered, his red-golden eyes glinting impatiently. "Still holding on, huh? Fine. Let's see how much pain you can take!"

With a savage grin, he drove his knee upward into Dazan's groin with bone-crushing force. The Hobgoblin's eyes bulged, and his grip weakened enough for Odin to slip free.

Dazan's face contorted in agony, his breath catching as the force of the blow reverberated through him. "You… cowardly... bastard!" he wheezed, his grip weakening but his eyes burning with hatred. "I'll crush your skull between my fists!"

Disappearing like a ghost, Odin reappeared in a flash behind Dazan, this time striking with Zephyr's Barrage, the evolved version of Rapid Assault. 

His claws and blade moved like a storm of blades, each strike landing rapidly, shredding through Dazan's defenses and leaving deep cuts in their wake.

[You have dealt 2,784 damage to the target]

A second slash ruthlessly tore through the Hobgoblin, carving out a chunk of his flesh while the winds bellowed around Odin's body, giving the impression that this Werewolf was the incarnation of a Storm God.

Unlike the Searing Flames Debuff of the Inferno's Embrace, the Zephyr's Barrage, from what Odin could perceive, had a higher damage output, and as the second slash followed, it was critical.

[Critical Hit!]

[ You have dealt 5,614 damage to the target]

The third hit followed immediately, landing with the momentum of a cyclone, not giving the Goblinoid even a fragment of a chance to escape this onslaught.

His sword danced through the air, each strike landing with blinding speed and unerring precision.

The winds surged around Odin with a primal howl as he prepared for the final assault. 

After the third strike that didn't crit, which, considering his high critical chance, felt like being 'cursed,' which, in one sense, wasn't wrong, Odin followed up without losing his pace, not that he could since it was an activatable skill.

His body could be moved forcefully by the System, however you would get better results if you leaned in and tried to do those attacks yourself with the assistance of the System.

Odin's Soulrend swept through the air in a decisive arc, unleashing a bloody cyclone onto the Hobgoblin.

[Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 6,844 damage to the target]

Dazan's roar of defiance was cut short as the final blow struck with devastating force.

[Hobgoblin Champion - Dazan of the Black Wolves - LV.125](Field-Boss) (6,955/58,225 HP)

Breathing heavily, amidst this carnage, the Hobgoblin stood towering, but even in his Berserking Rage, he could feel that his life was draining. 

The fear of death began sinking in for the goblin, who, while being a stronger, more menacing version of a goblin, at the core, was the same cowardly green goblin.

Instead of swinging or attacking Odin back for all the damage caused, he chooses to disengage, running toward the humans captured for the Summoning Ceremony, trying to take them hostage, anything just to buy himself some time.

Odin wasn't expecting this one bit, and he got annoyed when he saw Dazan take another Troll Heart.

"Everyone begin your attacks. Any damage is good damage, so start attacking him."

The pulsating dark energy coursed through Dazan's veins, and with each passing second, his health gauge regained its vigor once more. 

His muscles bulged as the corrupt magic restored his physical wounds and vitality, making him a more formidable adversary than before. The sinister red glow in his eyes intensified, and the berserker's fury that had driven him to madness now blended with this twisted power, heightening his already fearsome presence.

[Dazan has consumed the Heart of the Troll Witch Doctor. He has regenerated 20,467 HP.]

[Dazan of the Black Wolves - 27,426/58,225 HP]

He also continued his charge toward the captured villagers who were bound as sacrifices put under a spell by Frika, who had yet to wake up. 

Malfurion used his Entangling Vines, and instead of focusing on the Hobgoblin's present location, he tried to estimate where he would be in time for the casting to be done. 

"Now!" 

The vines coiled around Dazan's legs just as the Hobgoblin leaped toward the villagers. The entangling vines tightened like iron chains, snapping him mid-air and slamming him to the ground.

"He's vulnerable!" Elyse shouted as she unleashed a roaring Fireball, her hands glowing with intense orange mana. 

The massive orb of flame sailed through the air and exploded against Dazan's chest, setting his armor ablaze. 

She followed up swiftly with two more spells, 'Fire Blast' and 'Ignite', the latter sending a fiery shockwave through his body, igniting the flames further. 

The Hobgoblin's snarls became agonized roars as the flames licked at his skin.

Malfurion followed up with Thorn Missiles, launching three sharp, vine-like projectiles into Dazan's exposed chest, drawing blood with each strike. 

Meanwhile, Purphoros dashed forward with Swift Raid, his sword moved with blistering speed, a rapid thrust aimed straight for the Hobgoblin Champion's side.

[Your 'Swift Raid' has managed to stun the target. You have stunned the target for 2 seconds]

[Dazan of the Black Wolves - 16,898/58,225 HP]

But it still wasn't enough.

Dazan's eyes, full of rage and desperation, glowed brighter. Despite the searing pain, he began activating an HP regeneration skill. 

The corrupted magic surged through him once more, trying to patch up the countless wounds inflicted by the Leviathan Party. His muscles twitched as they began to repair themselves, his broken form slowly regaining strength.

Odin saw the regeneration in progress and couldn't allow Dazan to recover again—not when they were so close to ending it.

His eyes glowed more with the crimson light as he activated Cyclone Edge, the evolved version of Whirling Blade. 

A whirlwind of slashes tore through the air and rained down on Dazan's form, cutting through his already battered armor and flesh, 

[Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 10,297 damage to the target.]

Dazan staggered, blood pouring from the fresh gashes that opened across his body. But even that wasn't enough. He bellowed, his HP still holding at dangerous levels, refusing to die.

Odin felt his mana reserves draining fast, but there was still one final card to play. With his eyes blazing like twin infernos, he activated Zephyr's Tempest, the evolved form of Tempest Sword. 

His body surged toward the Hobgoblin while the air around him vibrated with violent winds as the storm of blades readied for its final assault.

He wasn't the only one attacking, Malfurion used all of his mana to place the boss monster under a prison of vines and roots. 

The Hobgoblin, still entangled in Malfurion's vines, managed to get one hand free, his fingers twitching as he activated his regenerative ability. His health began ticking upward again, the twisted magic working desperately to save him.

Dazan's voice was a guttural growl, hoarse yet filled with unyielding pride and hatred. "No... not like this..." He gritted his bloodstained teeth, his crimson eyes blazing with fury. "I refuse to die! I am Dazan, Champion of the Black Wolves!" His muscles strained against the vines, the veins bulging under his skin as the last vestiges of strength surged through him.[Dazan has activated Regenerative Might (A)! Restoring 4,567 HP per second for 6 seconds.]

The numbers ticked upward, but Odin could see that even Dazan's magic couldn't outpace the damage he was about to unleash.

With the last drop of his mana, Odin unleashed the final sword movement of Zephyr's Tempest, sending a blinding, arcing slash of pure wind and energy toward Dazan. 

The Zephyr's Slash cleaved through the air like a sonic blade, striking the Hobgoblin directly in the chest. The force of the blow was so powerful that it blasted the vines off his body, sending him skidding back across the battlefield.

[Critical Hit!]

[You have dealt 14,526 damage to the target.]

Dazan's final roar of defiance turned into a gurgling gasp as the life drained from his eyes. His massive form collapsed, the sinister red glow in his eyes fading into darkness as his body lay still on the blood-soaked battlefield.

[You have slain the 'Dazan of the Black Wolves' gaining the following rewards: 1,395,000 EXP, Dazan's Berserker Greatsword (Unique), Hobgoblin Champion's Helm (Epic), Wolf Champion's Breastplate (Epic), Wolfblood Gauntlets (Epic), Ring of Vicious Strength (Epic), Weapon Enhancement Stone ×5, Armor Enhancement Stone ×5, Skill Book: Black Wolf's Howl, Skill Book: Iron Arm, 410 Gold Coins]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have leveled up!]