The goblin's spear thrust sliced through the air, missing me by a hair's breadth but tearing straight through my shirt.
I stumbled back, eyes flicking down to the shredded fabric.
"Come on, man. I just bought this."
[System]: These guys aren't your average Joes.
No kidding. Unlike the mindless goblins I had cut down before, these ones moved with precision. Their attacks weren't wild swings or desperate stabs—they had technique, coordination.
I gripped my sword tighter and lunged forward, aiming for the goblin in front of me.
"Heuup!"
He reacted instantly, raising his spear in a tight defensive stance.
Clank!
Steel met steel, and to my surprise, his weapon didn't snap under my strike.
Metal spears?
Since when the hell did goblins get their hands on those?!
No time to think. A second goblin rushed in from my right, its spearhead gleaming as it shot toward me.
Shit! Too fast!
I barely raised my sword in time—
Clank!
Sparks exploded between our weapons as the force of the blow vibrated through my arms.
This wasn't good. They weren't just fighting me one-on-one, they were coordinating. If I kept playing their game, I'd be overwhelmed.
"Cipher! A little help here!"
Behind me, Cipher's hands ignited with a faint glow, his magic flaring to life.
"I'm ready!" he shouted.
One of the goblins lunged forward, its spear whistling through the air, aimed straight for my abdomen.
I twisted my body just in time—the deadly thrust missed, slicing through empty space.
But they weren't done.
Another goblin on my left took advantage of my movement, driving its spear toward my exposed side.
Shit! Too fast!
I barely managed to swing my sword up in time—
Clank!
Steel clashed against steel, sparks flying as I locked weapons with the goblin.
"NOW!" I roared.
Behind me, Cipher's hands glowed with a chilling blue aura.
"Ice Javelin!"
A deadly shard of ice materialized, slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh.
The goblin barely had time to react.
Shunk!
The javelin pierced straight through its chest, impaling it to the ground.
It let out a wet gurgle, eyes wide in shock, before the light in them faded forever.
The remaining goblins froze in shock, their eyes flickering between their fallen comrade and Cipher, realization dawning on their faces.
They never expected a mage amongst us.
"Now," I muttered under my breath.
Exploiting their hesitation, I lunged at the goblin on my left, my grip tightening around my sword.
Let's try that technique.
Scorching Heart.
FWOOOSH!
Flames erupted along my blade, heat radiating in waves as the steel glowed red-hot.
Cool.
I swung my sword upward, flames trailing behind like a comet's tail.
Stratos Cleave!
The goblin barely had time to react. It instinctively raised its spear, desperate to block the attack—
SHHRIIISSHH!
My flaming sword sliced straight through the metal, cleaving the spear in half like it was nothing more than brittle wood.
The goblin's eyes widened in disbelief, its broken weapon falling uselessly to the ground.
It was dazed. Vulnerable. Wide open.
I didn't hesitate.
Heuup!
With one clean, precise slash, my sword tore through its torso—
SHLICK!
The goblin's upper body slid off its lower half, collapsing in a heap as the flames sizzled against its flesh.
Two down. Four left.
I exhaled, preparing for the next attack—
But then, the flames flickered and vanished.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit me like a brick wall.
Shit.
I forgot—I have low mana capacity.
"Here, take it!" Cipher shouted from behind, his voice urgent.
I barely had time to react before something soared through the air toward me.
Instinct kicked in.
I reached out, snatching the object mid-flight.
A glass bottle, cool to the touch, sloshed with a bluish liquid inside.
A mana potion.
"Drink that! It'll replenish your mana!" Cipher called out.
I didn't waste a second—uncorking the bottle with my teeth, I tilted my head back and chugged it down.
A rush of energy flooded my veins.
The dizziness faded. My vision sharpened.
Mana restored.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, gripping my sword tighter.
"Thanks!"
Cipher smirked. "You're welcome—now get back in there!"
Scorching Heart drained more mana than expected—way more.
I gritted my teeth. The power was undeniable, but I couldn't afford to spam it recklessly.
I needed to time it perfectly.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A slow, deliberate applause echoed through the chamber.
I turned to see the humanoid goblin lounging on his throne, a smug grin stretching across his grotesque face.
"That was a fantastic performance for a human," he mused, voice smooth like oiled steel. "Tell me, would you like to join me? To become my subordinate?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"If you accept, I will overlook this mess and grant you a much lighter punishment," he continued, his voice dripping with confidence. "In fact, I will bestow upon you the finest treatment. Money, glory, power—all will be within your grasp."
The way he spoke, it was like he truly believed he had me cornered.
"Quite the tempting offer," I muttered, rubbing my chin as if considering.
"Wait—YOU'RE ACCEPTING IT?! What about ME!?" Cipher practically shrieked behind me.
[System]: Ain't no way you're falling for that. You KNOW this is complete bullshit.
I smirked. "Of course I know."
The goblin's expression twisted into one of satisfaction. He thought he had me.
I stepped forward, standing tall, voice steady.
"Well then… let's end this charade and clean up your mess."
I exhaled sharply and raised my blade.
"But I REFUSE."
The goblin's smug grin faltered. "What… did you just say?"
"You heard me." I locked eyes with him, my grip tightening on my sword. "I won't accept your offer. I refuse."
Cipher let out a deep breath, laughing. "Damn it, man, you really had me there!"
[Chat]:
— "BRO ALMOST SOLD HIS SOUL 💀"
— "Nah, MC playing 4D chess."
— "Cipher was about to cry fr lmao."
— "HIS FACE WHEN MC SAID 'I REFUSE' AHAHA"
— "Boss thought he was HIM, turns out MC is HIM."
— "TIME TO COOK 🔥🔥🔥"
The goblin lord's face darkened, his amusement now completely gone.
"Foolish human… then you leave me no choice."
He rose from his throne, the air around him crackling with raw power.
I took a deep breath, my heartbeat steady.
Time to finish this.
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Yo author here sorry for not updating for maybe a week? Important events just came crashing down on me.
I will really really try to make up for the lost time
Again author here peace out