Eldritch Hobgoblin:

Level 25

Eldritch Hobgoblin Warrior:

Level 42

Starving Eldritch Hobgoblin:

Level 14

Eldritch huh? Max said to Emi.

Kill them. Emi said back.

With the goblins still distracted by their voracious appetite, the mage duo started preparing the area. Water spread along the village square while an Accelerate tunnel formed. The warrior was the highest leveled, meaning he was the focus. Three reinforced and Accelerated Ice Lanced splintered into its back, ripping off chunks of flesh before being deflected away by Eldritch empowered bones. The two other goblins looked up, hatred and rage in their eyes. With an unruly scream, they charged protecting their downed ally. Ice began to volley, slicing into the goblins and slowing their movement while water moved around the battlefield. A quick teleport ended in the warrior having a rapidly spinning blade of water pierce it’s neck.

A rock slammed into Max’s side, pulling his attention back to the other goblins. One stood further back, gathering ammo while the other found a large stick and held it like a club. The goblin holding the rocks suddenly found itself gushing blood from its body, as three cold objects embedded themselves in its gut. It fell to the ground cold and weak. The last goblin turned and ran towards the forest but was stopped by an invisible wall. It pushed and kicked, shattering the wall only to find itself trapped by a second. Its last moments were spinning around only to watch as an Accelerated Ice Lance slammed into its chest.

Overall, an easy fight, but the warrior’s resilience worried Max. It survived an Accelerated spell; he didn’t want to think about how the fight would have gone if it didn’t start in a favorable ambush. If what the woman said was true, and there were more out in the forest, he would need to be the one to kill them. Who knows how long it would be until other adventurers got here, or if they would even come. Nearby was a trail of bent red grass leading off into the forest in the same direction the last goblin was trying to run.

I’m thinking that way. Max said to Emi.

Duh.

Max rolled his eyes and turned back to the goblins. Blood and chunks of flesh were scattered around the village, while the still twitching bodies of the goblins seemed to be steaming. Much about the Eldritch was unknown, but from the stories he’d heard, he knew what was going on. The Eldritch blood was melting through the now deceased host. Without any fire or Purification Spells, he did the only thing he could think of; put the bodies into his inventory. The woman saw the bodies suddenly disappear while peeking out of a window. The door suddenly flung open, and she hesitantly stepped out.

“You are going to want to burn the bodies of the deceased.” Max said motioning to the dead villagers. “I’m not sure if the Eldritch lingers in their bodies, but I’m not comfortable taking them from their home.”

“Right…” She whispered.

“Are the kids hungry? I have some snacks.”

“Hungry? Oh, yes… I believe so.”

“Gather the others, meet me inside.” Max and Emi started off towards the building only for him to realize he was covered in blood, Eldritch blood. His clothes turned to shadows as a fresh set was put on through his inventory. This, of all things, cause the woman the most pause.

Just who is this man? She wondered.

It took a few minutes but eventually the small house was nearly packed. Max and Emi sat alongside four teary eyed kids. Each eating a prepared and still hot apple pastry, momentarily forgetting about the situation. Altogether, the villagers counted in the upper teens, making this one of the larger villages under Domic’s protection route. They waited in wary silence for the start of the meeting.

“I’m Max, and this is Emi.” He began. “We’re here on a favor for Lesterwood’s Mage Guild Master, Domic. As you have already seen, there is something around the area causing the Eldritch mutation. I’m going to finish off the rest of the goblins, but I recommend your migration to Lesterwood. At least until a specialized team can assure you the area is safe.”

No one spoke.

“I can provide protection on the journey back to the city, if you all decide to leave.” Max added.

The villagers seemed to share a collective glance. The woman from earlier cleared her throat.

“Fine.” She said.

“Fine?” Emi chirped, drawing the eye of everyone in the house.

“Yes… Before today we were already talking about moving in for the winter. The goblins were sighted more and more, but now? This is only more conformation to leave.”

Max stood. “Alright, everyone gather your stuff, pack your wagons, and say goodbye to the dead. I’ll be back before nightfall.”

Following the bloody trail into the forest brought Max and Emi face to face with a goblin encampment. Sharpened branches were stuck into the ground forming rows and a makeshift wall. Stones and hardened mud were set along the base of the wall, strengthening the perimeter, and increasing defensive properties. Huts made of sticks and animal skins were built along with strung up unidentifiable cuts of meat, that were actively being drained of blood.

The sight made Max recoil. He had exterminated goblin settlements before, but this was different. Normally goblin encampments were nothing more than a cluster of tented furs, but the one before him is a defensible home. But that raised the question of just who created it? The goblins in the village were hunger crazed barbarians, while the settlement suggested a certain level of intelligences.

As the duo scouted, it became evident that the woman’s initial estimates of the number of goblins was severely low. No less than thirty non-Eldritch Hobgoblins moved around the fortified walls. The moved with reason and structure, the warriors commanded the weak and the weak worked laborious jobs. From shoveling dirt with stone spades to maintaining super-heated fires to dry clay, the goblins seemed completely different than the ones from before.

Hour went by as the two continued to watch. It had been long since decided that they would not attack, both agreeing that the goblin numbers warranted a raiding party rather than two mages. But Max decided it would be wise to gather as much info as possible for Lesterwood. Just as he was about to leave, the largest and most centralized hut opened and out walked a tall but hunchbacked thinly hobgoblin. It wore multiple bead necklaces, shiny rings, and carried a massive wooden staff.

With a muffled shout, the hunchbacked goblin commanded three others. They moved out of the walls and back towards the village. As they moved, they began to twitch and spasm, regressing their selves into a repulsive Eldritch mirror image. They began to move faster, ignoring their burning eyes and newly protruded horns.

“They turned into Eldritch when they leave their outpost?” Max asked in a whisper.

“Gross.” Emi whispered back.

A teleport later and Max and Emi were standing in the edge of the village. Behind them villagers carried boxes and sacks of food to wagons. Mounts were harnessed and ready, while others actively worked on creating a hot enough flame to burn bone. It was shameful, having to run because of a monstrous threat. It was shameful to leave the dead and run. It was shameful not to stand and fight. But it was human, it was survival.

Soon the newly Eldritch Hobgoblins broke the tree line. They screamed in wild screeches, having smelt the blistering, burning flesh in the air. Their mouths salivated as a triplet of Ice Lances hit their lead. It was somersaulted backwards, but the remaining two didn’t seem to notice. They continued their rampage forward, charging at the now alert citizens. The villagers screamed and hid in their homes, barricading the doors and praying to their Gods.

Max and Emi never let them get to the Village. Mud and grass collapsed inwards, creating wet holes and tripping hazards. One of the two charging goblins tumbled after it stepped directly into newly opened pit, ending its hastened momentum, and possibly breaking a hardened bone. Reinforced ice quickly ended all of its movements, locking it in a constricting cage of cold. Multiple Accelerated Ice Lances pierced the two downed goblins killing them instantly.

The last of the Eldritch Goblin seemed to be different. It seemed smarter, more adaptive. Instead of blindly continuing its charge, it hid behind small trees or animal pins. It carried a small, serrated stone knife and acted more as a [Rouge] than [Berserker]. Max chose to let this one play out its idea, hoping for more information. After conveying his plan to Emi, he moved out into the open, leaving Emi in their above vantage point.

He stood with his rotating blade of water, knowing that in a direct fight he’d most likely lose. But as the goblin stalked closer, Max began to understand. The goblin was scouting, searching, looking for information, just like he was. They both needed information to bring back to their superiors. But only one of them would survive. After realizing that the goblin wasn’t going to attack, it was quickly killed and added to the Lost One’s inventory.

“Alright everyone!” Max yelled using mana to augment his voice. “Time to go!”

Slowly the village populace filed out, glancing to the woods and back to their young savior. Silently they moved, finishing up the last of their preparation while a few paid their last respects to the smoldering grave. The entire village boiled down to six wagons and three trolly trailers. A surreal sight for Max. These people’s lives were nothing but their home, and now they were abandoning it.

“Who are you?” The woman harboring the children, who finally introduced herself as Roxane, asked.

Max, the recipient of the question, smiled. “I’m nobody. Just a man doing a favor for a friend.”

Water mixed with black ink mixed in mid-air and fluttered down to a small piece of parchment. Words were created and were quickly dried by the [Water Mage]. Three copies of the same note were written and sealed using the Fowler seal. Max purposely used the seal, allowing just enough of an answer for Roxane to sideline her curiosity. It may lead to more questions down the line, but for now she seemed to accept his noble status. With a sudden pulse of mana, the three letters disappeared finding new residence on the desks of Lesterwood’s leaders. A final custom-made letter was written and sent without sealing, as the recipient was Vel, and Max didn’t think adding an official seal would be wise.

The journey out to the remaining villagers was supposed to be quick and without action, but now? Now there was only tender silence as the group of morning outsiders traveled to the very city the sought to live without. With a keen mind, Max worked his aura out and around the group. To the children it felt as through the ride was warmer, smoother, and safe. For the adults, they felt the same but to the perspective they knew the feelings were artificial. It was straining to maintain such an engaged form of perceived aura manipulation, but through the books assigned by Burk, Max felt he could do it. No, he felt he needed to do it.

When the small caravan reached guarded territory, the aura dropped. Sweat poured down Max’s skin but using cheeky manipulation the sweat was rerouted into the air. He felt as though he needed to be strong in moments like this. To show and set an example. To inspire and lead. But most importantly, he just didn’t want to sweat over the nice furs he was sitting on.

As soon as they became in range of mana messages, multiple were sent out. A few from the villagers and multiple from Max. They were more reliable than simply teleporting notes around and left a more official paper trail. Max’s worries were misplaced as a full guard unit met them on the main road.

“I see you got my letter.” Max said hopping off the side of the wagon.

“Indeed, I did.” Captain Shatterwind said. “Any injured?”

“No. Just scared and hopeless.”

“Alright, let’s get moving then.” With Shatterwind’s command, her unit stationed themselves around the caravan and restarted the slow walk. “Tell me about these Eldritch. There is normality not many sighting that close to the city…”

“I’ve seen a few Eldritch now, and there was something off about these. They were normal goblins while inside their camp, but after exiting they mutated. Horns along with bloodlust completely changed their beings. Inspect before and after were completely different.” Max said.

“Hmm. Sounds like an [Hexer]. They are able to change their targets into other things.”

“Can goblins have classes?”

“Yes… And that is what worries me.” Shatterwind whispered. “Only strong and old goblins can achieve the levels needed for their first class. I’ve fought goblins that were leveled in the sixties, and they were the same goblin as any other…”

“What are you saying?” Max asked.

“I’m saying that their maybe an Eldritch mutated goblin with a [Hexer] class, hexing other goblins into becoming Eldritch.”

“Have you ever fought a goblin with a class?”

“A few over the years…” Shatterwind sighed. “Looks like I’m going to be forming a raiding part as soon as my scouts locate the [Hexer].”

“Count the Humble Tita-“

“No.” The Sylph interrupted. “No, you have classes and Reep is in no state for large scale fighting. Is Clammy even back yet?”

“Yes, she arrived last night.” Max grumbled. “Wait, what’s wrong with Reep?”

“Nothing besides the obvious. I meant that she isn’t ready for real raids, not yet at least. You also, actually.”

“Look, captain, I know we are low leveled, but you were not there in Esmel. There were tens of thousands of undead attacking the walls.”

“Exactly. The walls.” Shatterwind said. “Defending from a wall or dueling a combatant is different than raids. We would be the undead during a raid. Attacking the walls of a goblin war camp. It’s different.”

The hours that followed after the caravan arrived in Lesterwood could only be accounted as administrative. Vel, along with the other mansion residents, mayor Silverjewl, and Domic all were waiting just inside the city. The mayor explained the temporary homes that had already been set up, along with the expected leniencies and ideas for the future. He spoke in a calm and understanding way, one that showed empathy for their situation.

The villagers would receive a small stipend for three weeks that was expected to be paid back without interest. Three weeks was a long enough time for the adults to find work and to begin their new lives. The children were to be placed into a day-care program at the Church which would hopefully bring them fun days. There was plenty of work to be found in the city, especially during winter but the fact of the matter was the villagers had nearly nothing. It would take time, but eventually they would reach the point of returning to their old lives or remaining in the Lesterwood.

Everyone thanked Max and Emi for their intervention and the lives they saved. He rejected all forms of payment, stating that he didn’t need monetary rewards and that anything they hoped to give him should be recycled into assistance for their newfound lives. It was late, and the villagers eventually followed the mayor to their new home. It was nothing special, but the three small houses were enough for the entire village to remain together.

During the walk home, Max was reminded by Vel that he did well, and he made the right choices. Attacking an unknown enemy is never wise especially when outnumbered and if the Eldritch is involved. Bishop was very interested in hearing about the transforming goblins and the tales of their defeat, but Belopi quickly put a stop to the story. She claimed it was too late, and to recount it over breakfast.

But as Max laid in bed, he thought about the Eldritch Goblin Warrior. Its bone deflected his Accelerated Ice Lance. Sure, the spell left it out of commission but the fact that it survived such an attack? That worried Max. Twice in recent memory his ice spells had been deflected or straight up stopped cold. First the Nautilus and hydra and now goblins? The strength of enemies was exponentially increasing and soon enough he wouldn’t be able to harm them. He eventually drifted to sleep while theory crafting spells in his mind. Pressure Cutters, Momentum Blades, Drills Beams… Water Arms…