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Chapter 30: Discoveries

I lurked in the shadows a few heartbeats longer and waited to see what the door guards would do. But other than whispering to one another and scanning their surroundings suspiciously, the six goblins did nothing else.

I sighed. I wouldn’t be getting out through the metal door. The door guards, it seemed, were too well-trained to abandon their post. Feeling the press of time and sense of danger drawing closer at my back, I turned around and raced back the way I had come.

While I padded through the passage, my eyes scanned the darkness for danger. The bell was still clanging, and the sleeping goblins were surely rousing. They will begin hunting me now. Soon, I expected the passage would be flooded with goblins.

I had no concrete plan—yet. But I knew I had to get out of the main tunnel. My first thought had been to head back to the maze, but after only a second’s consideration, I realized how foolish that would be.

The alarm must have been raised when one of the patrols discovered the guards I had slain. Even now, more goblins were surely massing at the guard station to block off my retreat into the maze. Heading to the guard station would be suicide—as would attacking the door guards.

With the only two exits I knew of sealed and guarded, I had few options remaining. There is only one surefire way I’m getting out of this, I thought. And that’s killing all the goblins.

New sounds began filling the air: the thud of feet, and the cries of goblins hollering to one another as they tried to figure out what was going on. As yet, the ruckus still sounded far off, and I couldn’t spy the tell-tale glow of approaching torches.

I calmed by racing thoughts and slowed my steps. I had some time yet. This was not the time to get careless, or let an errant goblin surprise me. I drew my swords from their sheaths. Then with my senses extended, I padded forward again.

I reached the first side room leading from the passage without incident. Sidling up to the wall next to the entrance, I listened intently. I heard no signs of movement from within. Cautiously, I ducked my head around the opening and studied the interior.

The room was empty and cluttered with junk. It appeared to be a storeroom of sorts. But more importantly, it was only a few yards in diameter. Too small to hide in, I thought. If the goblins searched the room, it would not take them long to spot me.

Moving away from the room, I crept to the next opening in the passage. It was only a few yards ahead. Placing myself next to the entrance, I strained my ears again. This time, my sharp hearing picked up a rumble of sound too indistinct to identify. I frowned. Is that whispering?

I peered around the edge of the wall. The room was large. Its walls extended off into the distance, and in the darkness, I couldn’t make out their far ends. What I could see of the interior was filled with sturdy wooden tables. On each was piles of leather and blood-stained furs.

My gaze flitted across the room, trying to pinpoint the source of the sounds I’d heard. But whatever the source, it had fallen silent. I hesitated. The room was certainly large enough to hide in, but the noises worried me.

I glanced down the passage. The ruckus was getting louder. There was no guarantee that I would find a better place to conceal myself, and every moment longer I dallied, the odds of me being spotted in the passage increased.

Decided, I slipped into the opening.

Staying on the edges of the room, I walked clockwise through it. All along the left wall, I found a set of large metal racks. Pieces of hide were stretched out on them. Seeing the skins, I realized the room’s purpose. This is a tannery.

I continued my slow circuit of the room. The back wall was stacked from floor to ceiling with rows of wooden cages. Most were empty, but two were filled. And their occupants were glaring at me with pale, yellow eyes.

Two hostile entities have detected you! You are no longer hidden.

I bit off a curse, and took a few hurried steps away, hoping to conceal myself again from the piercing gazes of the imprisoned beasts. But it was no use.

You have failed to conceal yourself.

Despite me being shrouded by room’s deepest shadows, two sets of hate-filled eyes tracked me unerringly. “Damnit,” I muttered. This would not do. Not at all. If any goblin entered the room, I was in deep trouble.

The noise I had heard earlier had started up again too. This time I recognized it for what it was: growling.

I returned the beasts’ glares with one of my own. They had both risen to their feet and were pacing the confines of their cages. The creatures looked like wolves, but I hesitated to label them as such. For one, they were unnaturally large. The smaller of the pair was four-feet-tall, and the larger topped my own height.

For another, their gazes bore an uncanny intelligence. While the menace in beasts’ eyes was obvious, their gazes bore something else too, something much harder to identify. They stared unblinkingly at me, almost as if considering the threat I posed and finding me wanting.

I shuddered. I didn’t want to entangle with the beasts, whatever they were. Best to leave while I can, I thought and began retreating from the room.

On my shoulder, I heard Gnat mumble something that I didn’t quite catch.

I paused. “What did you say?” I whispered.

“I said,” Gnat repeated, “smart choice. You don’t want to tangle with dire wolves.”

“Dire wolves,” I mused. “What rank creatures are they?”

“Rank one,” Gnat answered. “Those doggies are not just large and mean, they’re smart too.”

My eyes narrowed. “Smart? How smart exactly?”

“Not as smart as me. Obviously,” Gnat said preening slightly, “but intelligent enough to judge a threat, and know when to flee.” The familiar paused. “It’s a wonder really, that the goblins managed to capture a whole pack of them.”

My gaze flitted between the hides stretched out on the racks and the caged dire wolves. It was clear that the goblins were using the beasts to create their hide armor, and after having been forced to watch their packmates being skinned, I didn’t doubt the two still-living wolves hated the goblins.

But what about me? Would they associate me with their tormentors? “Are they clever enough to tell friend from foe?” I murmured.

Gnat cocked his head to the side. “You want to free them, don’t you?” The bat snorted derisively. “That would be foolish. Dire wolves are dangerous. If given half a chance, those doggies will eat you alive.”

“Just answer the damn question, Gnat!” I snapped, out of patience with my familiar as I felt the press of passing time. Soon the goblins would be here. Whatever I decided to do, I had to do it quickly. “Can I trust them to tell me apart from the goblins?”

Possibly,” Gnat said grudgingly. “But don’t count on them sparing you even if they do,” he warned.

I bit my lip as I considered what I contemplated. Killing all the goblins on my own was a tall order, and I could do with some help, but how much aid could the two wolves provide? After all, they were only rank one creatures.

Pensively, I studied the creatures again. They were still staring at me. Both beasts’ ribs poked through black coats matted with blood, and now that I looked more closely, I could see the limp in the gait of the smaller. They’re injured and half-starved.

Gnat was right. Mad with hunger, there was no telling what the wolves would do if I freed them. It isn’t worth the gamble, I decided. Better to find somewhere else to hide.

Resuming my retreat, I head towards the exit.

Chapter 31: A Gamble Refused

I was about to duck out the room when I heard the tread of marching feet. Bloody hell! I swore, stilling instantly.

From the echoes of the footfalls, it sounded like an entire squad of goblins was on the move. They sounded a way off still, but were drawing closer with every second. Drawing up to the opening, I risked a quick peek into the passage and noticed the glow from about a dozen burning torches from further up the passage.

I ducked back inside the room and cursed myself for a fool. Why did I delay so long in this damnable room? I should have left when I had the chance. Now it was too late.

Hurrying to the left corner of the room, I dropped down next to the metal racks and tried to hide myself.

You have failed to conceal yourself from the nearby entities.

Muttering imprecations under my breath, I stared venomously at the two dire wolves. They look back placidly.

“You three!” barked a goblin in the passage. “Search the armory. And you two, the pantry.”

With no small measure of relief, I listened to the sound of six sets of boots hurrying away—no doubt to search other nearby rooms. Unfortunately, the rest of the squad didn’t wait on them. Instead, they kept advancing down the passage. Their footfalls echoed ominously louder as they drew closer.

I was doomed, I knew. The goblins were obviously searching the tunnel network room by room. And with me unable to conceal myself, the moment the guards entered this room, the alarm would be raised and the goblins would converge on my position.

Still, I would not go cheaply. My hands tightened around my bared blades. The goblin squad was nearly at the entrance to room where I hid. Almost time now.

“You three check the workshop,” the officious sounding goblin squad leader ordered. Three sets of steps approached the darkened entrance, while the rest of the goblin squad marched onwards.

The goblin trio paused on the threshold. The one in front bore a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. The two behind him both carried spears. At the moment, the obstructing tables blocked me from the goblins’ sight. Peering from under the table, I could see them, but they couldn’t see me. But as soon as any one of them walked to the left side of the room, I would be spotted.

To retain the element of surprise, I would have to act before then. I slowed my breathing and bounced lightly on my haunches, readying myself to spring into action. A game message dropped into my mind.

You and your familiar are hidden.

Biting back a start of surprise, my head back around towards the caged beasts. The two wolves were slouched down on the ground. Their heads were resting on their paws and their eyes were closed.

I stared at the beasts disbelievingly. Was it chance that just as the goblins entered the room, the two had closed their eyes and oh-so-coincidently let my sneaking skill conceal my presence?

I didn’t believe it, but I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Settling back down, I prepared myself to wait and see what the goblins did before acting.

“Search room,” the torchbearer ordered, sounding bored. “I wait here.”

“You not boss!” sneered one of the spear-wielders. “You search. I guard door.”

The torchbearer swung on him and raised his sword threateningly. I smiled, unable to believe my luck. It would be just perfect if the two started fighting.

But it was not to be. “Quiet you idiots!” said the second spear-wielder. “We fight, chief will have us three heads!”

The other two goblins grumbled but lowered their weapons. “What we do then?” the torchbearer asked.

“We check together,” the second spear-wielder said. He pointed to the left side of the room where I hid. “Starting there.”

I swallowed a groan. Why ‘o why, did they have to pick this side of the room to start with? The three goblins turned my way and started forward. But before the trio could take more than a few steps, a loud threatening rumble filled the room.

“What that?!” the torchbearer whispered, spinning around in a circle. His eyes had grown large and the whites were showing.

“Relax fool,” laughed one of the spear-wielders. “It only wolves.”

The torchbearer scowled. His gaze swung towards the direction of the cages. Mine too. With their eyes closed, the wolves were growling again.

My brows drew down. This time, I was sure the beasts were trying to help me. The timing of their pair’s sudden growls was too coincidental to be anything else.

“You two got spears. Go check them,” the torchbearer commanded.

The first spear-wielder opened his mouth to protest the order, but his companion yanked on his arm and pulled him towards the cages before he could start another argument.

The two goblins moved towards the far end of the room, leaving the torchbearer standing alone near the door and with all his attention fixed on his two companions.

I smiled. Perfect. Padding forward, I crept up on the oblivious goblin.

A hostile entity has failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 25.

I made it all the way behind the torchbearer without being detected. I paused for second to take stock before acting. In the passageway, the echo of the marching goblin squad had faded away. Wherever they were, they were too far to interfere.

Up ahead, the other two goblins were poking their spears into wolves’ cage, trying to get them to stop their growling. The beasts, however, ignored the prodding spear tips and refused to quieten.

It was time to act.

I sheathed the sword in my left hand. Then sprang upwards. My left hand grabbed the raised torch in the goblin’s hand—stopping him from dropping it—while the blade in my right hand simultaneously sheared through the goblins unprotected neck.

You have killed a level 11 goblin warrior and have gained experience. You have reached level 10!

Congratulations, Michael! You are now a rank 1 player. Your experience gains have decreased. Experience gains are inversely proportionally to your rank and will decrease at each new rank you attain.

For achieving rank 1, you have been awarded one additional attribute point. You have 2 attribute points available.

The dead goblin’s lopped-off head bounced alarmingly loud—to my ears at least—on the rocky floor. But beneath the sound of the wolves’ growls, the noise went unnoticed by the other two goblins.

Gingerly, I set down the torch on a nearby table and advanced on the remaining goblins.

Two hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 26.

It was only a few yards to the pair, and I was almost within striking distance when my luck ran out. The torch, which I had no choice but to leave resting on its side on the table, flickered as its flame sputtered and nearly died out.

One of the goblins glanced back, and his eyes widened as he saw me.

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

Hurling myself forward, I thrust out with both my swords. The goblin tried to raise his spear to block my attacks, but he was too slow. Both my blades pierced his hide armor and thrust deep within his torso.

The goblin fell backwards. And I went down with him, straddling his body as I bore him to the ground. Keeping the goblin pinned down with my left blade, and I withdrew my right sword and hacked into him again.

You have killed a level 12 goblin warrior and have gained experience. Your shortswords has increased to level 22. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 15.

I rolled off the corpse, expecting to be attacked by the third goblin. But no blows fell on my unprotected back. Rising to my knees, I glanced up. But for me and the wolves, the room was empty.

The last goblin was gone.

Chapter 32: One Good Deed Deserves Another

“God damnit,” I growled. I had no doubt the third goblin would return soon and with help too. I rose to my feet and swung around to the wolves. Both had stopped growling and were staring impassively at me.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Gnat warned. “Don’t do it. Those dogs aren’t friendly.”

Ignoring my familiar’s advice, I didn’t hesitate. My sword flashed downwards and slashed free the rope holding the doors of their cages shut.

The beasts dashed out and straight towards me, looming ominously large, and for one horrible second I thought I had made a horrible mistake. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the beasts only passed me harmlessly by with their mangled coats brushing my bare arms.

Opening my eyes, I swung around to watch the pair. The two were heading straight for the room’s exit, but the smaller one—a female I thought—was limping badly, and the larger male was forced to slow his steps for her.

“Wait!” I called.

The beasts stilled, and as one, two heads swung my way—their gazes both questioning and imperious.

“Gnat,” I asked urgently, “will the healing potions work on the wolves?”

“Yes,” the familiar replied, looking at me strangely, but not adding anything further.

It was all the confirmation I needed. The dire wolves had helped me far more than they had needed to in that encounter, even going so far as allowing the goblins to prod them with their spear tips. And even though I knew time was in short supply, I had to repay my debt.

I took a tentative step forward towards the beasts. The large dire wolf bared his teeth and growled. A warning, I thought.

“Easy,” I murmured. “I mean no harm.” Holding my palms out to show I held no weapons, I removed a moderate healing potion from my bag and knelt before the female wolf. The male watched me suspiciously all the while, but he stopped growling.

Moving slowly, I un-stoppered the potion and held it before the injured wolf. She sniffed the flask, and seeming to understand my intention, sat down on her haunches and opened her mouth. Gingerly, I upended the flask’s contents into the wolf’s waiting mouth.

You have restored 30% of a level 14 dire wolf’s lost health with a moderate healing potion. A dire wolf is no longer crippled. A dire wolf’s health is now at 100%.

The wolf’s open wounds closed as the last of the magical potion disappeared down her throat. Smacking her lips, the beast rose to her feet and tested her restored leg. It bore her weight without buckling.

A cry of alarm sounded in the passage. Both the wolves’ gazes snapped towards the entrance. The escaped goblin had found help. We were out of time.

“Go,” I hissed to the beasts. Nearly too fast to track, the wolves spun around and flowed out the room. I cast a quick glance around the room, but spotted no loot chest. I frowned, wondering why none had appeared, but had no time to consider the matter further. I would question Gnat on the subject later.

Rising to my feet, I followed after the wolves.

~~~

By the time I reached the entrance, the wolves were nearly out of sight. I managed only a half-caught of their hind-quarters and tail as they headed towards the yelling goblins.

I paused for a second on the room’s threshold to consider my own options. The goblins were not yet visible, but their shouts were coming from further up the passage, in the direction of the maze guard station.

As yet, I heard no cries of alarm from further down the passage. But I hesitated before fleeing that way. There were no rooms in which to hide in that direction, and both the goblin squad that had recently passed by and the door guards lay that way too. If they spotted me, I would be quickly overcome.

Better to help the wolves and then find another room to conceal myself, I decided. Choosing speed over stealth, I made no effort to conceal myself as I raced up the passage.

As I ran, I heard new sounds fill the air, and the goblins’ yells become intermingled with cries of pain and growls of anger. I smiled grimly. The wolves had engaged the enemy. I hurried on for a few more yards before stopping short.

A little further up the corridor, multiple shadowy forms battled one another. The two wolves, lithe and sure-footed, weaved between what looked like six goblins. I couldn’t make out the goblins’ numbers clearly—the squad the wolves had ambushed had either carried no torches or had lost it in the ruckus somehow.

The wolves clearly were unhampered by the dimness of the surroundings. The goblins, on the other hand, were obviously struggling. My own sight in the dark was good enough to make out the battling figures, but I hesitated to trust to it entirely to track the goblins’ blows in the dark.

I need to see better, I thought and willed my choice to the Game.

Your Perception has increased to rank 8.

Immediately, my vision sharpened and the somewhat-blurred forms of the goblins snapped into focus. There were seven of them, I saw.

Drawing my blades, I moved to engage the closest goblin. The warrior had his back turned to me, and distracted by the wolves raging within his squad’s ranks, he failed to notice me as I advanced on him. Without hesitation or remorse, I plunged my blades within his defenseless back.

You have killed a level 11 goblin warrior and have gained experience. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 16.

The goblin stiffened momentarily, before dropping slumping lifelessly. Withdrawing my swords, I moved to engage the next warrior.

I was not so lucky with my next foe. Whether he spotted his companion’s demise or heard my movement, as I raised my blades to strike, the goblin swung around and parried away my descending blades with his spear.

A level 12 goblin warrior has evaded your attacks.

Grimly, I raised my swords to strike again. But before I could do so, the goblin jumped back and shouted, “He’s here! The player is here! Kill him!”

Immediately, two other goblins broke away from the wolves and turned to confront me. Faced suddenly with three opponents, I broke off my attack and danced backwards.

The goblins closed quickly, not letting me retreat. The one to my right thrust out with his spear, but with his sight marred by the darkness, the blow was ill-timed and hesitant, and I easily sidestepped the attack.

You have evaded a level 10 goblin warrior’s attack. Your dodging has increased to level 15.

Nearly simultaneously, two other blows descended upon me: another thrust spear from the front, and a slashing sword from my left. I did my best to avoid both.

You have evaded a goblin warrior’s attack. A goblin warrior has injured you.

I fended away the spear, but wasn’t able to dodge the third goblin’s attack and was struck a glancing blow. I flinched at the new line of red that appeared on my bare arm.

Buoyed by their success, the trio crowded me again. Knowing that simultaneously trading blows with all three goblins was a losing proposition, I dropped to the floor and rolled out from between them.

With their poor night vision, the goblins struggled to track my sudden motion. Caught flat-footed by the maneuver, the trio swung their heads frantically in an effort to relocate me. But the darkness hampered their efforts, enough so that I rose to my knees on the sword-wielder’s left flank. Before the goblin could react, I shoved my blades under the warrior’s hide armor.

The goblin shrieked as my swords buried themselves deep within his ribcage. Feebly, he swung around to strike at me. But his life was fast escaping and the blow carried no force behind it.

I leapt back to my feet as the dying goblin’s companions retaliated. A spear was thrust at my face. I beat it away with my left sword.

Another spear was shoved towards my hip. I swayed to the side and chopped down on the wooden shaft with second blade. The force of my blow momentarily unbalanced the goblin wielding the spear and he stumbled forward. As quick as a flash, I lunged forward and rammed the blade in my left hand through his throat.

More by instinct than anything else I sensed the last goblin thrust towards my exposed back. I swung around, knowing I was too late already.

But the blow was poorly aimed. Instead of running me through, the goblin’s spear bounced off my shoulder, gouging my skin, but not penetrating much further.

Before the warrior could recover his stance, I pushed forward and struck from up high with my left blade. To my surprise, the goblin dropped hold of his spear and grabbed onto my left arm with both hands.

Mid-motion, my blow was stopped. Gritting my teeth, I tried to force the weapon downwards, but the goblin was too strong and my blade travelled not an inch further. Seeing me straining fruitlessly, the goblin grinned triumphantly.

His pleasure was short-lived though. With the attack of my first weapon blocked, I brought the second in play, and thrust it brutally forward.

The goblin’s eyes grew round and his smile turned bloody as the blade in my right-hand tore through his innards. A moment later, the warrior’s eyes glazed over and he slipped lifelessly to the floor.

You have reached level 11! Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 18. Your dodging has increased to level 16. Your shortswords has increased to level 23.

I swung around, ready to do battle with my next foe. But none of the other goblins remained standing. The dire wolf pair had finished off the other three warriors.

Both wolves’ muzzles were bloody, and new scratches marked their faces, but otherwise the beasts appeared unharmed. Seeing that I was finished with my own opponent, the wolves bobbed their heads in my direction and wagged their tails once, before turning on their heels and sprinting off into the darkness.

I frowned. Had the wolves just said goodbye?

Chapter 33: Going Hunting

Finding myself alone in the passage, I surveyed the battlefield. I could hear no other goblin cries nearby and the alarm bells had stopped clanging, but I knew that sooner, rather than later, more goblins would turn up.

And before that happened, I had to be gone.

I didn’t think I had time to search any of the dead goblins, and once more no loot chest had appeared. Wiping my blades clean on a corpse, I sheathed my swords and dropped into a crouch.

You and your familiar are hidden.

Padding stealthily through the passage, I put some distance between myself and the recent scene of carnage. Once I was sure I was far enough away that I wouldn’t be immediately uncovered by a search, I ducked into the closest suitable room to take stock and plan my next move.

The room I entered was empty. From the lumps of furs evenly spaced about the floor, I assumed the cavern served as the sleeping quarters of about a dozen goblins. The room was unlit, and I immediately crept to its darkest corner. Placing my back against the cold rock, I slumped to the ground.

The last hour or so had been frenetic. Danger had dogged my heels every step of the way. And now I could feel weariness settle in. I needed rest, real rest, and soon.

But not just yet. I was still in danger. How many goblins still remain? I wondered. And how do I defeat them all?

I could follow in the dire wolves’ footsteps, but I doubted I would be able to keep up with the two beasts. Besides, I had gotten the distinct impression that the pair didn’t want me tagging along. Whatever they were about, they didn’t want—or need—my help.

I was on my own. I glanced at the bat resting on my shoulder. Well, except for my familiar. My gaze flicked to the room’s entrance. I still didn’t hear the tread of approaching feet. Whatever the dire wolves were doing, they seemed to have drawn attention away from this section of the passage. I had time, I thought, to risk a short conversation with the familiar.

“Gnat, why didn’t any loot chests appear?” I asked in a low-voiced tone. The mystery was still bugging me. Given the number of enemies in the area, I was hoping that I would be able to fill out my skill list and perhaps even obtain my second and third Classes with all the loot I would collect.

“I told you, training was over,” Gnat grumbled. “Loot chests will not appear as often, or as regularly as they did in the first phase.”

“But the Game granted me loot chests on both my previous encounters,” I protested. “After I ambushed the archers and killed the guards. Why stop now?”

“Hmpf,” Gnat sniffed. “Those were distinct and contained conflicts. Consider the battle you are in now one big encounter. It may be drawn out, but it won’t end until all the goblins are dead—or you are.” The bat paused. “But given the odds you are facing, it is probable the Game will reward you—and handsomely too—once you complete this challenge.”

My eyes narrowed in consideration. I wasn’t sure if I believed Gnat, but the evidence before my eyes was undeniable: I had been rewarded with no loot chests thus far. And I couldn’t bank on getting any more soon.

So either I get a whole treasure trove when I finish clearing out these tunnels, or I get nothing.

Still, it didn’t change what I knew I needed to do: hunt down all the goblins. It was the surest means of securing my escape, and despite the lack of loot chests, each kill I made would only make me stronger.

But first, I must prepare.

Closing my eyes, I willed the Game to display my player data. It had been a while since I had looked at it.

Player Profile: Michael

Level: 11. Rank: 1. Current Health: 100%.

Stamina: 40%. Mana: 100%. Psi: 100%.

Species: Human. Lives Remaining: 3.

Attributes

Available: 1 point.

Strength: 0. Constitution: 0. Dexterity: 4. Perception: 8. Mind: 0. Magic: 0. and Faith: 0.

Classes

Primary Class: Scout (basic).

Secondary Class: None.

Tertiary Class: None.

Traits

Undead familiar: +1 to necromancy rank.

Nimble: +2 Dexterity.

Skills

Available skill slots: 2.

Dodging (current: 16. max: 40. Dexterity, basic).

Sneaking (current: 26. max: 40. Dexterity, basic).

Shortswords (current: 23. max: 40. Dexterity, basic).

Two weapon fighting (current: 18. max: 40. Dexterity, advanced).

Abilities

None.

Equipped

1 common thief’s cloak (+3 sneaking).

2 basic steel shortswords (+10% damage each).

Backpack Contents

11 x field rations.

1 x flask of water.

3 x used poison darts.

2 x unused poison darts.

5 x empty potion flasks.

1 x summon lesser wight spellbook.

3 x minor healing potions.

1 x archer Class stone.

2 x goblin shortbows.

4 x iron daggers.

1 x bedroll.

1 x heavy shields skillbook.

1 x moderate healing potions.

My stamina was low, I saw, and restoring it was my first priority. Pulling out a field ration, I unwrapped it and popped a piece in my mouth, while I studied the rest of my player profile.

I frowned as I chewed, less than pleased with my advancement. My skills were progressing slowly, I was still badly underequipped, and I had yet no abilities to speak off.

Even worse, I was unhappily aware that my attributes were skewed. Despite my high investment in Perception, I had no perception-based skills yet. It didn’t matter that circumstances—and my dire need to improve my night vision—had forced my choices in that respect, in the long run further investment in Perception would hamper my future development.

I can see well enough in the dark now, I decided. It was time to stop improving my Perception. But what do I invest in now? I rubbed my chin as I considered how to spend my single remaining attribute point.

Dexterity was the obvious choice, but the latest encounter with the goblins had made clear that if I was going to keep throwing myself in melee combat, I would need to make at least some improvements to my Strength. The last goblin I had fought had overpowered me too easily.

But I also needed Constitution to be able to soak up more damage. And it was still my hope to obtain a magic Class at some point, which made the Magic attribute important as well. Faith and Mind I wasn’t too sure about yet, but they could also be necessary. I sighed. Too many options and not enough points.

I pondered my choices a while longer before reaching a decision. For now, it makes the most sense to play to my strengths, I concluded. Investment in other attributes could wait until I at least obtained some useable skills for them. I willed my choice to the Game.

Your Dexterity has increased to rank 5.

There was one other matter I needed to consider before moving on: the archer Class stone. It was the only other Class option available to me at the moment and despite it being only a basic Class, I needed to at least deliberate on its potential benefits once more. I willed the Adjudicator to display the Class’ properties again.

The archer is a basic Class that confers a player with three skills: light armor, daggers, and a ranged weapon skill of the player’s choice. This Class also permanently boosts your Perception attribute by: +1, and your Constitution attribute by: +1.

Should I acquire the Class? I wondered. Archery itself was useless to me at the moment. I couldn’t see well enough in the tunnels’ poor light to shoot over any meaningful distance. In that respect, the Class was of little worth to me in my current predicament.

But becoming an archer would also give me access to the all-important light armor skill. The goblins’ hide armor was crude, but it would give me at least a modicum of protection.

Still, I had only two Class slots remaining, and taking up another basic Class was not the smart choice in the long run. Don’t forget Michael, you have three lives, I told myself. If you die, you die.

I grimaced. It was a fatalistic attitude to adopt. But I knew I could not escape taking some measure of risk. And as much as I didn’t want to experience death, I couldn’t shrink from it.

I will play the long game, I decided. The archer Class is not for me.

I rose to my feet. I was as ready as I could be and settled in my mind as to what needed to be done. Finishing my field ration, I tossed away the wrapper.

It was time to go hunting.

Chapter 34: A Roll of the Dice

I slipped back into the passage, alert and ready for danger, but detected no hostiles in the vicinity.

Tilting my head to the side, I strained my hearing. Further up the passage, I thought I heard guttural voices, but the sounds were too faint for me to be certain. Padding along the wall, I crept towards the half-heard sounds. As I drew closer, they became more distinct. Another guard squad was up ahead.

The goblins were not yet in sight, but I could hear them clearly now. Pausing, I listened. They were noisy and loud, and making no effort to be quiet. Some of the goblins were yelling, others moaned in pain, while yet others muttered nonsense.

I smiled. The squad was in disarray. Was this the dire wolves doing? I wondered. Likely. I drew closer. Rounding a slight bend in the corridor, I finally caught sight of the goblins. There were eight of them.

Four huddled in the small circle of light cast by a dying torch. Bellowing loudly to each other, the goblins were in the midst of a heated argument. Every so often, one of them would scan the surrounding darkness. The goblins were afraid, and uncertain of what to do next. They had obviously been attacked recently. I scanned the darkness myself, but could spot no sign of the dire wolves. The beasts had moved on.

My gaze flitted to the other four goblins. The nearest two were lying slumped on the ground, outside the light cast by the torch. Both appeared gravely injured.

The last pair were on the far side of the four goblins and looked to have been placed to guard their fellows. The wolves must have last been spotted on that side, I thought. The two goblins were doing a poor job of patrolling though. Nearly petrified to be outside the torchlight, they seemed more intent on whispering feverishly to each other than watching the passage.

I inched forward, intent on finishing what the wolves had started.

Eight hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 27.

I crept up unseen on the two injured goblins. Both were nearly senseless with pain. I edged up to the first. Clamping a hand down across the goblin’s mouth, I rammed my sword through his open wound.

With a final whimper, the goblin died. The second goblin was none the wiser. Dropping to his side, I pressed my hand against his mouth.

But I had miscalculated.

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

Despite his writhing, my target was not as far gone as I had thought. The moment my hand clamped down on him, the goblin’s eyes snapped open and he shrieked.

Or tried to.

The resulting sound was muffled by my hand, but not entirely cut-off. A low moan escaped the warrior. The four goblins in the torchlight—already on edge—noticed immediately. “What that?” whispered one, setting his hands to his axe.

Biting down a curse, I pressed my left hand down harder on the goblin until no further sound escaped him and rammed the blade in my right hand through his throat.

The warrior did not die immediately. His limbs thrashed wildly and blood spurted all over me. Ignoring my target’s dying throes, I shoved my blade deeper until he stilled entirely.

You have killed a level 13 goblin warrior.

“Who there?” a second goblin yelled. Squinting his eyes, he was peering intently in my direction.

Still kneeling over my slain foe, I tensed. I was fully expecting the goblins to discover me and was ready to flee the moment they did. But much to my surprise, the goblin’s eyes passed over me sightlessly.

You are hidden once more.

Given the goblins’ failure to detect me, I was unsurprised at the Game message.

“Shuddup you fool!” a third goblin hissed to the one who had yelled. “It be the beasts. They back.”

“Enough yacking!” ordered the last. “Go find them!” But despite the command, neither the four goblins, nor the two beyond them made any move in my direction. Fear had them petrified.

Six hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 28.

The moments ticked by, and I relaxed from my tense pose. Inch by inch, I withdrew my blade from the corpse and rose warily to a crouch. My stealth held, and I smiled grimly. It seemed that my sneaking skill had improved to the point that even after I took hostile action, the goblins had trouble finding me. At least while I was cloaked in darkness.

I backed away from the two dead goblins and warily circled around the light cast by the torch. Its flame was sputtering. From the splatter of oil on the floor, I assumed the goblins had dropped the torch during the wolves’ ambush, and I expected it would not be much longer before the torch died entirely. Until then, the four goblins were safe from me.

Not so, the two on the far end.

I successfully maneuvered myself to the far side of the four goblins without being detected. Crouching down, I took a second to study my next two targets. Both had their back to me.

Like the four goblins safe in the light, the pair were staring fixedly in the direction of their recently deceased fellows and were oblivious of the danger at their back.

Perfect.

Padding forward, I crept up on the pair. Neither noticed me, right up until the moment I yanked back the head of the first and plunged my blade through his throat.

Only then did the second react. Jumping back in fright, he scrambled to lift his sword. But it was too late. Dancing forward, I batted aside his weapon with one of my blades and skewered him with my second before he could fully register my presence.

You have killed a level 11 goblin warrior. You have reached level 12! Your dodging has increased to level 17. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 19.

At the clang of blades and the wet gurgle of my two dying victims, the four remaining goblins spun around, their weapons raised. Refusing to budge from their position, they scanned the darkness fruitlessly.

Four hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 29.

“How beasts get around so quickly?” whispered one of the goblins.

“Those dogs be demons!” another exclaimed.

“Chief stoopid to try tame them,” agreed the first.

“Chief not stupid! Chief smart,” objected the third. “Wolves strong. Good mounts!”

The fourth goblin grunted. “Chief is fool. We goblins. We ride worgs. Not wolves. Now we pay price for chief’s mistake.”

I smiled in grim amusement. The goblins were not smart. Despite the audible clash of weapons, they still seemed to believe it was the dire wolves that had slain their fellows. Which, given the four’s visible fear of the beasts, I wasn’t going to complain about.

It would make killing them easier.

I tiptoed silently away from my latest victims and placed myself to the remaining goblins’ rear. With surprise on my side, I would back myself to triumph against the four even after being exposed by the torch, but there was no need to take any foolish risks.

So, crouching down on my haunches, I waited for the torchlight to expire. While I did, I idly pondered what had possessed the goblin chief to try taming the dire wolves. From my brief interaction with the beasts, I knew they were too intelligent and independent to be domesticated.

More importantly, where was this goblin chief I kept hearing off? He must be somewhere in this tunnel complex, I decided.

The torch flickered and died.

The goblins’ eyes grew round and they yelped in sudden fear as the encroaching darkness swallowed them. Muttering prayers to dark gods, they hastily repositioned themselves so that they stood with their backs to each other.

I almost snorted. That is not going to save them. Padding forward, I stopped until I was less than a yard away from the huddled figures. I was so close I could see the whites of the goblins’ eyes.

Bending down, I picked up a few loose stones in one hand. Then flung it beyond the goblins. The stones ricocheted loudly in the silence.

Nearly as one, the four spun around and whispered nervously to each other as they tried to pick out the menace that stalked them from the darkness—albeit in the wrong direction.

I drew one of my blades and dashed forward.

My first target was the goblin on the far left. Yanking on his arm, I pulled him off balance and away from his fellows. With a shriek of alarm, the goblin stumbled and fell. Plunging both my blade into the goblin’s chest, I silenced his cry abruptly and rolled away from the corpse.

The other three goblins were in an uproar. They still couldn’t see me, but they knew I was close. One shouted meaningless orders, while the other two swiped blindly at the darkness with their weapons. Cloaked in shadows, I circled the trio until I was on their opposite flank.

Then darted forward again.

Ducking under the goblin on the right’s wild slashes with his axe, I thrust my blades from below and ripped them upwards, tearing open his torso from hip to sternum. I spun away before the weapons of the other goblins could find me. But the surviving pair had had enough. Throwing down their weapons, they fled.

Or tried to.

In his blind panic, the first ran full tilt into the passage wall and staggered back in a daze. Ignoring him for now, I chased after the other.

Weighed down by both his armor and poor vision, the second goblin was easy to catch. Flying across the ground, I dove onto the fleeing goblin and bore him to the ground, before plunging my swords through his exposed back.

I rose to my feet and searched for my last target. He was sitting on the floor, lips working soundlessly and eyes staring sightlessly. I strode closer and stood over the goblin. He didn’t look up. The blow the warrior had taken to the head must have been harder than I thought.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured to the senseless goblin. “Mercy is a luxury I can ill afford.” Raising my blades, I buried them in the defenseless goblin.

Chapter 35: Clean Up

You have reached level 13! Your dodging has increased to level 19. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 20. Congratulations, Michael! Your skill with two weapon fighting has reached rank 2. Your shortswords has increased to level 24.

I dismissed the Game message with a weary sigh, unable to muster enough enthusiasm for a smile. My skills were advancing much more rapidly now, but surveying the carnage around me, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was worth it.

“Well done, Michael,” Gnat said with an appreciative chuckle. “You are a truly magnificent killer, aren’t you?”

I eyed the skeletal bat sourly. “You think you can fly ahead and keep watch while I loot these corpses?” I asked brusquely. I was not in the mood for the familiar’s macabre humor and wanted to be alone.

Gnat opened his mouth to protest.

I cut him off. “Go,” I ordered. “It’s not combat so won’t conflict with your Pact. Return to me if you see any goblins approach.” I turned away from the bat, not waiting for his response, and after a momentary pause, I felt him glide off my shoulder to do my bidding.

Leaning over the first corpse, I began to search it.

~~~

It didn’t take me long to loot the dead. It was a distasteful—but necessary—task.

While there were plentiful weapons and armor to be had, none were better than my twin blades and there was little enough else of value. With my pack already weighed down, I was hesitant to add further unnecessary items to it.

Still, I did recover a few smaller objects that seemed as if they would prove useful in future.

You have acquired a coin pouch.

You have acquired 10 copper coins.

You have acquired one flask filled with water.

When I was done with the goblins, I glanced up and down the passage. Things were quiet in both directions, which I found strange. Surely by now, all the goblins in the complex must know the dire wolves were loose. Why weren’t they searching for the beasts?

Unless they know where the wolves are already and are mustering there.

I frowned, feeling a touch of concern for my erstwhile allies. But the beasts had shown themselves capable of taking care of themselves, and I knew if I rushed to their aid, I would likely only endanger myself.

It was better to continue my cautious approach up the passage, I decided, and trust that wherever the dire wolves were, they hadn’t fallen prey to the goblins yet.

Before moving to rejoin Gnat, I took a moment to spend my new attribute points.

Your Dexterity has increased to rank 7.

With the last of my tasks seen to, I melded into the darkness and continued on. A dozen yards later, Gnat dropped wordlessly onto my shoulder and we resumed our careful exploration.

I hadn’t progressed much farther before strange noises attracted my attention. It was coming from a chamber on my right. I peered in. Three goblin fighters were in the room—all in various states of distress. One was trying to bandage his torn arm, another clutched at his ripped open torso, while the third’s right leg was gnawed to the bone.

But for the three goblins, no one else was in the room. I studied the three’s wounds again. They had all been made by tooth and claw. The dire wolves had done this.

Slipping into the room quietly and without fuss, I put an end to the three fighters. Then, I resumed my journey. Not much later, I stopped again. Two goblin workers were crawling across the passage, leaving bloody streaks behind them. The pair were mewling pitifully and nearly senseless with pain. They too, had been mauled by the wolves. Bending down, I took their lives.

The dire wolves’ tactics were becoming clearer: hit and run. The beasts were doing just enough damage to disable their foes, but were not bothering to finish off their kills. In this manner, they kept one step ahead of the goblins and stopped themselves from being bogged down and ambushed.

Perhaps that is why they didn’t want me joining them. I had neither the speed, nor the ability to meld as completely into the darkness as the beasts, and I would only have hampered their efforts.

Instead, I had been relegated to clean-up duty. Not that I am complaining, I thought wryly. The pair had still left plenty of goblins for me to kill.

For the next few minutes, I followed the trail of injured goblins as I retraced my path back up the passage. In only a few cases did I find the enemy hale enough to put up a fight. In every instance, I paused and slew the goblins. I was not about to leave a live enemy behind me.

By the time I reached the crossroads near the maze guard station, I had dozens of goblin-kills under my belt. Weirdly enough, I gained no player levels from my grim work. The Adjudicator, I realized, had to be factoring in the circumstances of each of my kills and not just my opponents’ levels when calculating my experience gains.

My lack of advancement did not bother me overmuch though. Despite the numbers of goblins I slew, they were too few given the size of the tunnel complex and facilities I spotted. It was becoming increasingly obvious to me that somewhere up ahead, I would find a large force of goblins.

I did stop long enough to loot all my kills. Realizing the goblins carried little of value besides the arms and armor, I only bothered to riffle through their coin pouches. If I lived long enough to secure the tunnel complex, I would come back and search the corpses more thoroughly. But for now, my efforts yielded a tiny sum of money.

You have acquired 123 copper coins. This has a monetary value of: 1 gold, 2 silvers, and 3 coppers.

Standing in the crossroads, I studied the three options that lay before me. Up ahead was the way to the maze, which given the chaos wreaked by the wolves, was likely not guarded anymore.

The left passage was dark and quiet, with not the least hint of sound emerging from its depths. In the far distance of the right tunnel though, I spotted a glimmer of light, and when I strained my ears, I caught the faint echoes of shouts and yells.

I considered my choices. Undoubtedly, retreating back to the maze was the safest course, but the maze itself was a dead-end. Heading back there made little sense.

The left tunnel was more promising. If I explored its depths, I might just find a way out of the tunnel complex that wasn’t guarded. But there was no guarantee I wouldn’t run up against another dead-end either.

Going right… venturing that way was fraught with peril. I was sure that the remaining goblins in the tunnel complex were gathered somewhere down the right passage. And likely the wolves too. If I headed in that direction, I would be running straight into conflict.

Though if I had to face off against the goblins, I preferred to do it with allies at my back. Better to face the goblins now, while there is still a chance the dire wolves are alive.

To battle, I decided and headed right.

Chapter 36: Chiefly Matters

As I padded down the right tunnel, the din steadily increased in volume. So too did the orange-yellow tinge of torchlight. Somewhere up ahead there were a great many goblins.

Fifty yards later, the corridor ended in an arch broad enough for an entire squad of goblins to walk abreast. With my back braced against the passage wall, and doing my best to remain out of sight, I edged up to the arch and peered through.

Beyond the arch was an enormous cavern. Torches were dotted all along the chamber’s rim. More torches were affixed on wooden stakes at regular intervals along the floor as well, but the cavern was so large that, despite the many torches, it was gloomy and full of dancing shadows.

Most of the floorspace was taken up by long rows of tables, many more than I had seen in the other room that I had mistaken for the goblins’ main dining-room. This is a great hall, I decided.

No goblins were seated at the tables though. But neither was the chamber empty.

Gathered against the cavern’s far end was a crowd of some fifty-odd goblins. My heart sank upon catching sight of their numbers. So many, I despaired. How am I going to defeat them all?

The creatures were pressed up against a large wooden dais, hollering and cheering while watching the spectacle playing out on the stage with avid interest. What I had first mistaken for yells of panic were actually jeers of laughter.

Fearing the worst, I lifted my gaze upwards to ascertain the source of the goblins’ amusement. An oversized chair—a throne really—had been placed on the dais, and standing before it, was the largest goblin I had yet seen.

Without doubt, he was the chief I had heard the other goblins talk of. Nearly twice my own height, the chief towered over every other creature in the room. Facing off against him were the two dire wolves. With raised hackles and bared fangs, both beasts circled the goblin. The two wolves sported a host of cuts and bruises, while the chief’s spiked hide armor was spotless.

I bit my lip worriedly. What was going on here? It was clear from the chief’s languid stance and the negligent manner in which he swung the greatclub in his hands that he felt not the least bit threatened by the beasts. Nor did the spectating goblins seem to believe their leader in any threat.

But if that was the case… why were the dire wolves squaring off against the goblin chief in a direct confrontation? The wolves were smart enough to size up the odds. Why abandon their hit and run tactics?

A blur of movement in the shadows cast by the throne attracted my attention. Narrowing my gaze, I focused on a half-seen figure. It was a pup. No, not one, but three dire wolf pups. Each was chained by an iron collar to the throne and was straining at their leashes to get free.

“Ah,” I breathed. Now the adult dire wolves’ actions made sense—both the urgency that drove them, and the imperative that forced them to confront the chief.

They are trying to save their pups. Still, the manner in which they sought to do so was foolish. The dire wolves could not triumph.

A pup whined. Another yelped. Seemingly in response to her pups’ distress, the dire wolf mother darted forward to nip at the chief’s heels. But the goblin had been anticipating the attack. His club swept towards her in a brutal arc and smashed into her midriff.

With a yelp of pain, the dire wolf mother was sent flying through the air before crashing back onto the floor in a boneless heap. The whines of the three pups turned to angry barks and growls.

I bit off my own cry of anger and stopped my first reckless impulse to draw my blades and charge into the chamber. I could no more prevail against the goblins in direction confrontation than the dire wolves.

Forcing myself to patience, I studied the fallen beast. She was still and unmoving, but from this distance, I could not tell if she was unconscious or dead. Either way, there is nothing I can do to help her yet.

I turned my gaze to the dire wolf sire. He was pacing in wary circle just outside the range of the chieftain’s club. But he made no move to attack. He was either wiser than his mate, or less driven by rage. The chieftain twirled his club and watched the beast with a sneer pasted on his face.

I tore my gaze away from the pair. Their confrontation could only end in one way, and if I wanted to help the dire wolves, I needed to figure out a means to do so while the goblins were still distracted.

I scanned the rest of the cavern. On the right side of the chamber were two large black cauldrons laid over two open fire pits. Near the pots were four goblin workers. They were the only goblins in the chamber not gathered near the stage, yet their gazes were just as transfixed by the goings-on on the dais as their fellows.

A cream-grey goo was bubbling inside the cauldrons. Raising my head, I took a cautious sniff. It smelt like some sort of gruel. Has the night passed? I wondered. Was that why the goblins had gathered here? For breakfast? I wasn’t sure, but it was clear the goblins intended on eating soon.

My thoughts whirled, and a bold—if risky—plan took shape. My gaze flitted between the cooks and the stage. I didn’t know how much longer the goblins would remain distracted. If I was going to act, it had to be now.

Go, Michael.

Banishing my doubts, I retrieved a handful of items from my backpack, then crept into the room.

~~~

Slipping from shadow to shadow, I made my way towards the two cooking pots as fast as I dared.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the dire wolf sire was still patiently circling the chieftain. I didn’t know if the beast had a plan, but I silently willed him not to attack. The longer the contest between goblin and wolf dragged on, the more time I had to enact my plan.

For now, both the crowd of goblins and cooks remained mesmerized by the spectacle on the stage, making my task of sneaking through the cavern’s jumble of shadows easier.

Multiple hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 30. Your skill in sneaking has reached rank 3.

I made it to within a few yards of the bubbling cauldrons undetected. Crouched down under a table, I considered my next move.

Only a few feet separated the four cooks from the two pots, and the area between was unfortunately well-lit. But the goblin workers had their backs turned to me and the cauldrons. I could reach the pots unseen, provided none of cooks turned around.

If that happened, it was game over.

I licked my lips nervously and got going. Ducking out of the shelter of the table, I moved forward, one cautious step at a time.

I judged it was ten steps to the cauldrons. I took the first step, then waited with bated breath. No reaction.

I placed my next foot forward. Still no reaction.

Another step. A cry rose from the dais. I stilled. A roar followed from the crowd. I didn’t turn to look. It would only waste valuable time. My concentration absolute, I placed another foot forward, then another.

A pup howled. The sound was forlorn and grief-stricken. My heart sank. Was the dire wolf sire dead? I stepped forward again, my eyes fixed on my destination.

The crowd bellowed again, drowning out the pup’s cries. I stepped forward. I feared I was out of time, but I was committed now. Turning around was no longer an option.

Another step. Two more steps and I would reach the cauldrons.

“GOBLINS!” a voice shouted suddenly. I froze.

“LOOK at these pathetic dogs!” the speaker continued. “Is THIS what you’ve been afraid off?” It was the chief speaking, I realized, but I didn’t dare turn around to look.

“WHY?” he thundered. “They are nothing more than pitiful beasts!” The chief’s words reverberated throughout the cavern, and as their echoes died, the watching goblins’ yelling died down.

I closed my eyes, then screwing up courage took another step forward, trusting that none of the goblins’ attention would waver from their leader.

“With me as your chief, you need fear NOTHING! Do you hear me goblins?”

“AYE!” fifty voices roared in response.

I stepped forward again. I was at the cauldrons finally. Moving with deliberate haste, I unwound the poisoned darts from the cloth protecting them and dropped them into the cooking pots.

You have lost 3 used poison darts and 2 unused poison darts.

With my deed done, I turned a slow circle. The chieftain, I finally saw, was still on the stage with his eyes turned downwards and directly upon on the crowd of goblins gazing adoringly at him.

“We will KILL all the players,” the chieftain screamed. “We will earn the Master’s reward. WE. And only we will do this. Our tribe.”

“AYE,” echoed the goblins.

I began my careful journey back to shadows, with half an ear on the chief’s words. It had not escaped my notice that the goblin leader was not only larger than his fellows, but that his speech was smoother and more cultured too. He will be a dangerous foe, I thought.

“And then,” the chief continued, “we will return to the surface and RULE. We, the Fangtooths, will stand above all other goblins. We and no other.”

“LONG LIVE FANGTOOTH. LONG LIVE CHIEF,” the goblins sang.

I reached my table without mishap and ducked under. The table was wide, and the shadows beneath it were deep enough that unless a goblin looked directly under I wouldn’t be spotted. I was safe—for now. Heaving a relieved sigh, I turned my gaze upon the stage again.

“These dogs will serve us,” the chief said. Bending down, he picked one of the squirming dire wolf pups in his hands. “Fangtooths will ride wolves—not worgs. They will be a symbol of our supremacy. Dire wolves will bow to Fangtooths. How say you, my goblins?”

“CHIEF, CHIEF, CHIEF,” the goblins bellowed, shouting each word louder than the last, until their utterances blended together in an unintelligible and deafening wall of sound.

I clamped my hands against my ears, wincing at the painful noise. Blimey. These goblins are fanatical. Good thing they won’t be around for much longer. Making myself comfortable, under the table I settled down to wait.

Chapter 37: A Broken Breakfast

It was a full ten minutes before the ruckus settled down and the goblin crowd dispersed from the stage. Chatting animatedly, the goblin warriors slowly took their seats at the tables while the workers returned to ministering the pots.

No goblins seated themselves at my own table. The hall was at best half-filled, and wanting to be closer to their chief, all the warriors jostled together for places at the tables nearest to the stage.

The chief, of course, seated himself regally on his throne, and with his nose stuck in the air, watched his followers from above.

From beneath my table, I watched it all absently. My gaze was fixed on the two felled dire wolves. Both remained on the stage. The sire, I saw with relief, was moving—if feebly—but I couldn’t tell what the female’s condition was.

The pups had somehow managed to extend the range of their iron chains and reach their mother. Gamboling around her, they frantically licked and sniffed at her snout, but the dire wolf mother still did not stir.

Just as I began to wonder if the beasts would be left untended, the chief gestured imperiously and two older and scarred goblins ascended the stage. Bending over the wolves, they began to lather both with some pale green paste.

I blew out a relieved breath. It seemed the chief intended on keeping the creatures alive, and that the female was not yet dead. Whatever was in the paste, it had to be a form of healing ointment.

Movement on my left drew my gaze. Dipping huge ladles into the cauldron, two workers were filling wooden bowls, while the other pair, with a bowl in each hand, began making their way towards the tables.

Breakfast was being served.

Renewed anxiety filled me. I was about to find out if my plan had any merit. Of course, I had no idea of the potency of the darts’ toxins, or what effect—if any—they would have on the goblins.

I was gambling, though, that they would have some effect. Considering how quickly a single dart had felled the young slime, I was willing to bet the poison would cause some adverse reaction on the goblins. How severe that reaction was would determine the further actions I took.

I wanted to save the dire wolf pups. I wanted to help their sire and mother, but I could not risk it if the poisons didn’t in some way incapacitate the goblins in the hall.

I watched the two workers bearing the dosed bowls of gruel ascend the stage. It seemed that the chief was to be served first. As the workers neared him, the chief grabbed a bowl and without ceremony began stuffing huge gobfuls of the creamy goo into his mouth.

I observed the chief with keen interest, searching for the least hint that the goblin realized something was amiss with his food. But in an astonishingly short space of time, the chief flung away his empty bowl and grabbed another from the waiting workers, and started eating again.

I smiled. The poison had gone undetected and the chief was none the wiser. Of course, it could also be that the toxin had been too diluted in the cauldrons’ contents to retain any potency, but I refused to believe that.

The poisons had to work.

The chief ate through all four bowls the two workers held out for him before he slouched back in his throne with his hunger sated. Rubbing his hands over his stomach, the goblin sighed and closed his eyes. I scratched my chin. Was the poison working? I couldn’t tell.

The workers descended the dais and began serving the warriors. On the stage, I spied one of the pups approach the chief’s empty bowls, but after a cautious sniff the pup wrinkled his nose and backed away. That at least is a good sign, I thought hopefully.

I turned my attention back to the warriors at the tables. They were eating with gusto and, like their leader, showed no sign of noticing anything amiss.

How long would it be before I knew if the toxins were working? There was no way to tell. Stretching out flat on the floor, I rested my head on my hands and schooled myself to patience. I would find out soon enough.

~~~

With a start I jerked awake.

Amazingly, I had fallen asleep. Damn, I’m tired. I can’t keep going on like this. I need rest. How long had I been unconscious? I wasn’t sure. Blinking my eyes rapidly to shake off the clinging tendrils of sleep, I looked around warily.

Something had awoken me… but what?

I was still under the table and unnoticed. The cavern remained murky and poorly lit, but had grown silent. Deathly silent. Are all the goblins dead? I wondered hopefully.

A snore erupted. Then another.

Guess not.

More sounds filled the air: stifled groans, wheezing moans, and wretched puking. I rose to my haunches. At least some of the goblins were still alive, but from the sounds of it, they weren’t doing too well.

“C-c-cooks, what have you done!” bellowed a voice, with both fury and pain choking his words. “Report! At ONCE!” It was the chief.

Damnit. I had been hopeful that the goblin leader at least wouldn’t have survived the darts’ toxins, but if anything he sounded haler than his followers.

My gaze drifted to the cauldrons. The four goblin workers were on the floor there, writhing in silent agony. It seemed like they too had partaken of breakfast.

I slipped out from under the table.

Multiple hostile entities have failed to detect you!

“COOKS! Where are you!” the chief shouted again, his words half muffled. “Come here NOW!”

Silence was his only response. I drew my blades and raised my eyes to the dais. The two adult dire wolves had been chained to the throne. Iron collars draped the necks of both. Lying on their sides, with their eyes closed, both appeared unconscious. I would get no help from them. The goblin leader was curled over on his throne, with his head bowed in his hands.

The chief was vulnerable.

Instinct urged me to strike at him while he was distracted. I bit back the impulse. The stage was the most brightly-lit portion of the cavern. Even if I did manage to sneak up on the goblin leader and slay him before he detected me—which was unlikely—the other goblins could not fail to notice me thereafter.

My gaze dropped from the dais to rove over the rest of the hall. The warriors had scattered all over the cavern, seeking solitude to vent their suffering. I wrinkled my nose. The air was rancid with vomit and… worse things. Urgh. All the goblins had been afflicted, but not all of them were equally ill.

Despite their violent retching and sickened groans, many of the goblins were not senseless. I was sure they would act once I was revealed, and if I was not careful, they would overwhelm me with numbers alone.

Best to improve the odds before tackling the chief, I thought, and see to the demise of the weakest first. My gaze drifted to the four goblin workers. Starting with them.

Chapter 38: Assassin

You have killed a goblin worker!

You have killed a goblin worker!

You have killed a goblin worker!

You have killed a goblin worker!

Slaying the four duped cooks went off without a hitch. None of the goblin warriors so much as glanced in my direction.

Leaving the blood of the four to stain the ground, I crept through the shadows and behind the nearest sick goblin. Vomit liberally spattered his armor and his head lay flat on the table. He was snoring. The warrior had fallen unconscious, and I thrust my blade through his exposed neck without regret.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

Once more, my actions went unnoticed.

Slipping away from the corpse, I began hunting my next victim. The chieftain had not stopped his bellowing. Even though all his repeated calls went unanswered, he kept at it. Perhaps, it gives him comfort, I thought idly.

Setting aside my speculation over the chief’s behavior, I focused on the task at hand, and over the next few minutes, carried out my grim work with ruthless efficiency.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

Your sneaking has increased to level 31.

You have reached level 14!

You have killed a goblin warrior!

You have killed a goblin warrior!

Your sneaking has increased to level 32.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

Your shortswords has increased to level 25.

Halfway through my slaughter, my luck ran out, and one of sick warriors noticed that his fellow—whom he had first mistook for being asleep—was in fact sitting in a widening pool of blood.

Even half-senseless with pain, the warrior retained enough awareness to realize that something was amiss and he raised the alarm. “Ware! Intruder! Knorl is dead!”

As if awakening from a daze the chieftain raised his head, took in the hall, and after a stunned moment, seemed to realize that over a score of his followers were dead. His head whipped around to the back of the throne, but seeing the five dire wolves were still chained there he turned back to his warriors. “RISE you fools!” he roared. “There is a foe amongst you.” Following his own orders, the goblin leader rose unsteadily to his feet and grabbed his greatclub.

I was on my way to my next target, but at the chieftain’s rallying cry, I aborted my maneuver and slipped deeper into the nearest shadow where I trusted to my skill in sneaking to hide me.

Rousing themselves out of their various states of distress, the nearly two dozen remaining goblin warriors shambled and stumbled to their feet, crying in alarm or disgust as they slipped over vomit, blood, and excrement. Urged on by their leader, they began half-heartedly searching for me.

My eyes glinted coldly. There was neither order nor discipline to the warriors’ search, and if they continued in this manner there was little chance of them finding me. In fact, the goblin leader’s commands had made my own task easier by dispersing his followers even further apart in clumps of ones and twos.

To my disappointment, the chief himself did not budge from his place on the stage. I had been hoping he would descend into the cavern’s shadows where I had a much better chance of striking at him unseen. But for now, I would have to content myself with killing his followers.

A warrior staggered past me, cursing foully as he stubbed his toe on a nearby table leg. After a quick glance around to ascertain none of his fellows were nearby, I rose from my half-crouch and dashed two steps forward. Coming up behind the oblivious warrior, I wrenched back his head and slit his throat.

You have killed a goblin warrior! Multiple hostile entities have failed to detect you!

The kill was not spotted and I dropped back into hiding unseen. Tiptoeing through the shadows, I repositioned myself and took a moment to observe the goblins’ movements.

Two warriors, who were weaving unsteadily between the tables, would pass close by my hiding spot if they stayed on their current course. The first’s stomach was heaving convulsively, while the second was coughing incessantly. Both were preoccupied with their ailments.

I hesitated, torn between ambushing the pair and letting them pass unmolested. While neither appeared particularly aware of their surroundings, trying to take down both quietly was risky.

My hands tightened on my blades. The goblins know I am here already. Even if I was caught in the act of slaying the pair, I would not be surrendering much of an advantage. Decided, I waited for the two warriors to draw closer.

Two hostile entities have failed to detect you!

The pair passed within a few feet, yet still didn’t see me. When the goblins were two steps beyond me, I leapt upwards from my crouch and raised my blades up high. In a flash, I brought both down simultaneously.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

Your attack against a goblin warrior has been deflected!

The first goblin died instantly as the sword in my right hand plunged into his back and squarely through his heart. My attack against the second goblin did not fare as well. The point of the sword in my left hand was slightly off kilter and instead of penetrating the warrior’s hide armor, the blade skittered off.

The goblin spun around wildly, and even in his ill-disposed state spotted me immediately.

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

My foe’s eyes widened, and he fumbled for the still sheathed sword at his side. Biting off a curse, I lunged forwards. The goblin was not nearly quick enough to stop me, and I struck high and low simultaneously.

You have critically injured a goblin warrior!

You have critically injured a goblin warrior!

Unfortunately, neither blow was instantly fatal, and a painful howl escaped the warrior. I spun around. Delaying neither to finish my opponent—he’d die soon enough from his wounds anyway—nor to observe the rest of the goblins’ reactions, I scurried into the deepest shadows I could find.

Chapter 39: Death Lurks in the Shadows

Of course, as soon as the other goblins heard their fellow’s death throes, they converged on his location.

But even before the warriors had reorientated themselves, I was long gone from the vicinity. Ducking from shadow to shadow, I wove an erratic path towards the cavern’s exit. My plan was to flee the chamber in the event that any of the goblins spotted me.

Though after only a dozen yards, I realized my precautions were unnecessary as I slipped entirely from the goblins’ sights again.

Multiple hostile entities have failed to detect you! You are hidden once more.

Well, well, I murmured. It seemed that given my relatively high stealth and the goblins’ debilitated state, I had an even greater advantage in the darkness than I first realized. Reversing direction, I headed back to the converging goblins and searched for a straggler.

My escape into darkness had not gone unnoticed by the goblin leader. “FIND HIM!” he roared, but he still made no move to take up the search himself. Ignoring the chief, I found another target and plunged my shortsword through his neck.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

With the deed done, I slipped away to find another mark.

~~~

I was methodical. Systematic.

One by one, I ran down lone goblins and dispatched them quickly and silently. Meanwhile, the chief ranted and raved from the stage. I was content to let him do so. Every one of his warriors that I slew was one less who would be around to aid him once we finally clashed.

It took the warriors a while to grasp that death was stalking them from behind. The realization galvanized them into some semblance of order and the survivors formed into two large groups to hunt me.

It was too little, too late.

By then, I had felled a dozen more of their number and only ten remained. Concealed in the near center of the room, I studied the two bands of roving goblins while I decided which to attack first. The warriors were mostly recovered from the effects of the darts’ poisons, and already looked more alert and dangerous.

All the same, I felt confident of my ability to defeat their two five-man squads—as long as I managed to meet each separately and their leader didn’t intervene. I glanced up at the stage. Leaning forward on his throne, the goblin leader was still spitting furious orders to his followers. At least there didn’t appear any danger of him interfering soon.

Behind the throne, I saw that the two adult dire wolves had finally roused. Restrained by their chains, the beasts lay on all fours and panted heavily as they observed the chaos below them.

The many deaths I had dealt in the hall had honed my skills, and now I felt measurably stronger. Turning my gaze inwards, I reviewed the changes to myself and invested my new attribute points.

You have reached level 15! You have 2 attribute points available.

Your sneaking has increased to level 34.

Your shortswords has increased to level 27.

Your dodging has increased to level 21.

Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 23.

Your Dexterity has increased to rank 9.

Returning my attention to the two goblin squads, I waited until they were on nearly opposite ends of the hall before creeping through the shadows towards the nearer group.

It’s time to end this.

~~~

You have killed a goblin warrior!

I killed the trailing goblin of the five-man team before the others realized battle was upon them. Stepping past the corpse, I engaged the next warrior in the squad.

But the heavy thud of his fellow’s lifeless body had alerted my target, and he spun around, sweeping his axe before him.

I dodged under the weapon’s arc. In the same motion, I slashed out with my twin blades. The swords were a dark blur as they severed the warrior’s tendons both below and above his knees.

You have crippled a goblin warrior!

The warrior crumpled to the ground. Clutching his now useless legs, he shrieked in agony. Knowing I was out of time, I didn’t leap back to my feet. Instead, with my opening gambit completed, I dropped straight into a roll and retreated swiftly, deftly avoiding the thrust spears and sword of the other three goblins in the process.

A few yards away, I bounced back to my feet. At my back, I heard the shouts of the other squad. They were racing to my position. Up ahead, the three remaining warriors from the first squad were closing fast too. I had only a second before they were on me.

Setting my stance, I waited.

The three goblins were hollering, forgetting all semblance of discipline in their eagerness to get at their elusive prey. Reaching me, the three attacked in an uncoordinated and messy fashion.

The goblin on the left thrust out his spear. I spun away, dodging the weapon to place myself on the trio’s left flank. The swordsman—in the middle and a step ahead of the others—slashed out with his blade, but fouled his strike on his companion’s spear. The goblin on the right tried to lunge past the others to get at me and predictably crashed into them, sending both stumbling.

I didn’t allow the goblins to recover. Nipping forward, I plunged my right blade into the first spearman’s torso, before slipping behind the still unbalanced swordsman and skewering him with the sword in my left hand.

The last goblin swung around. Dropping his weapon, he stared at me with wide and fearful eyes. Mercilessly, I thrust both my blades through his heart.

You have killed 3 goblin warriors!

I stepped back from the corpses and looked up. The battle with the goblins had lasted just a few seconds, and the second squad were still only halfway across the room.

Feeling another’s gaze burning into me, I turned towards the stage. The chief was glaring hatefully at me. Pasting a mocking smile on my face, I raised my bloody weapons in salute to him.

The goblin leader’s face turned purple with rage. With a roar of anger, he rose from his throne and stomped forward.

Hahaha, that’s done it, I thought with a more a genuine smile. Spinning around and leaving the chief with no target for his fury, I disappeared into the darkness.

Comments

CM

I saw a typo in paragraph 8 it starts out "so I calmed by racing thoughts...." I'm assuming you ment to type "my"