Chapter 12

Tehemena Falls — Dungeon Hideout Lv2

"A Party of three has entered our Dungeon, sire," a Goblin Rogue standing guard reported to a prominent figure sitting on his throne. It was more of a stone chair than a throne. But to the creature sitting on it, it was definitely a throne. Yes. Their room was called the Throne Room, after all — and a throne room required a throne.

Impatient in its nature, the throne-sitting figure immediately gave an order. "Guards! Attend to the intruders. And don't kill the females," spoke the kingly creature, "f*cking c*nt, sl*t, b*cht! Raaargh!" it continued in utter unkinglike rage. The Goblin Rogue became extremely frightened and trembled before its awe-inspiring king.

"You may leave my presence," the king spoke, and the Goblin Rogue bowed as deep as gnomishly possible before stepping out of the Throne Room.

It was the second time today that the kingly figure was woken up from its precious sleep. It would make sure to lash out its built-up frustration on the captive female Hunter later.

It was a relatively new home to the goblins and their king. They had moved into this abandoned kingly cave only a moon and a fortnight ago. The Thraen inhabitants in this region were feeble. And weak. Goblins had no trouble fending off peasanty intruders. And the tax revenue was good. Plenty of small towns meant plenty of food and women to satisfy their needs. Since the towns were small, the chances of encountering troublesome Hunters were also minor.

Outside their fantastical domain, dozens of brave goblin knights were stationed. Intruders getting past a few valiant goblin knights stationed in their awe-inspiring garrisons meant nothing. If outside threats became substantial, the Headquarters would already have been warned by now. It was mere luck or coincidence that someone had entered their fortress. The unrelaxed king went into slumber for the third time.

A gigantic club swung down, and it was a little too late to dodge.

"Numb!" Bellamy exclaimed and hurriedly blocked with his Small Iron Buckler as he side-stepped away from the falling club.

Clank

Luckily, the full brunt of the force was not felt from the goblin's swing.

Bellamy had not strayed away from his strange Buckler-wielding tactics and still had it equipped on his forearm. Projectiles would be harder to deflect, and sword jabs harder to block. On the other hand, a shorter distance from shield to shoulder meant that he could put more force into his Defense.

The Elite Hobgoblin's club trajectory changed and smashed into the Dungeon ground.

[You have taken -170 damage.]

Phew. I'm glad I didn't put my weight behind the block.

Bellamy leaped backward to create some distance from the Elite Hobgoblins. This much he could withstand, and Luny's Mana should be conserved if the battle drew out.

"Triple shot Lv1!"

It was Frederick's Skill.

Three arrows hit one of the Hobgoblins in quick succession. Though the two first arrows stuck to the target, they had not completely penetrated the thick goblin skin. The last remaining arrow went into the Hobgoblins broad trapezius next to its shoulder.

[Frederick has dealt -142 damage to an Elite Hobgoblin Lv13.]

Since the trio consisting of Loretta, Frederick, and Bellamy had formed a Soul Window Party, they could obtain specific Party data from each other. A collective Map was one of the features. There were three green dots in each corner of their Soul Windows showing their current location within the Dungeon. There were around 12 to 15 red dots among the green dots, meaning a pack of goblin enemies was in front of them.

Loretta finished chanting her Skill. "Firespear Lv1!"

A large Fire-attributed glowing spear appeared from her staff. It shot toward the arrow-struck Hobgoblin, hitting its upper torso, forming a sizeable molten hole where the spear had landed.

[Loretta has dealt -389 damage to an Elite Hobgoblin Lv13.]

"Good job, guys," Bellamy praised, "I'll hold off any goblins trying to approach our rear. Keep focus-firing on that Hobgoblin."

The Elite Hobgoblin cried out in anger and pain. Instead of retreating to its formation, it dashed forward together with two Goblin Rogue Lv8s.

The fast Goblin Rogues dashed in zig-zag patterns, trying to avoid a Skill lock-on from Bellamy's Party, each throwing a dagger.

Again with the daggers…Cheap tricks won't work.

These daggers' speed was slow compared to the daggers thrown by the Blue Treasure Goblin, and Bellamy swiftly evaded them.

His Tempered Iron Sword at the ready struck the first approaching Goblin Rogue with two slash motions.

[The target has taken -342 damage.]

[The target has taken -362 damage.]

"Duck!" Bellamy heard from the rear and immediately stooped to the ground next to a dead Goblin Shieldbearer Lv8.

Two arrows flew over his head, only a few breaths away.

Swoosh, swoosh

[Frederick has dealt -50 damage to a Goblin Rogue from a grazed attack.]

[Frederick has dealt -166 damage to a Goblin Rogue.]

[Goblin Rogue Lv8 has been defeated.]

[You have gained 132 experience.]

This asshole.

"Hey! That was too close!" Bellamy shouted without taking his eyes off the other Goblin Rogue.

In the background, an apologetic Frederick replied, "Sorry! Still not used to the new bow!"

The Hunter Party had split the Experience gained. The Dungeon Experience was amplified by two times since there were three Hunters in the Party. Loretta had earned 120 Experience points. While Frederick, who had killed the Goblin Rogue, earned twice the Experience points. Bellamy, with the Pendant of Hostility equipped, had gained slightly more Experience than Loretta.

"Don't get up yet!" Loretta yelled and channeled two Fireball Lv1s in quick succession.

The fireballs flew in the direction of the remaining agile Goblin Rogue, both shots missing their intended target. However, they were currently in a narrow section of the Dungeon. One of the fireballs struck the wounded Elite Hobgoblin.

[Loretta has dealt -188 damage to an Elite Hobgoblin.]

Due to its evasion of the fireballs, the Goblin Rogue lost its center of balance and tripped. Bellamy dashed forward, "Precision Stab Lv2."

[Critical hit!]

…

[Goblin Rogue Lv8 has been defeated.]

…

A wave of incoming fireballs was hurled from the goblin rear.

Bellamy hurriedly activated a defensive Skill. "Aqua Shield Lv1"

Aqua Shield Lv1 absorbed most of the incoming fireballs as it had a 100% Elemental advantage over Basic Fire-attributed Skills.

Frederick took aim and sent a Precision Arrow Lv2 into the goblin rear. A Goblin Shaman Lv5 was critically hit and instantly died after having its head pierced.

Meanwhile, Loretta finished chanting Backdraft Lv1. Small fiery explosions started teeming up in the goblin rear, dealing massive area damage in a wide radius. A few of the previously wounded goblins instantly died from the explosions. The goblin rear became wary, and two Goblin Shieldbearers tried to mitigate the fire damage by raising their large shields.

Fire seems to be effective against them.

A new plan formed in Bellamy's mind.

He put his thoughts into his Soul Window. "Hey guys, can you hear me?"

"Yes," "Yeah," Loretta and Frederick replied.

"Luny can also hear Bell," the Wood Sprite cheerfully voiced in the Party channel.

Another Soul Window feature was to speak one's inner thoughts to Party members through telepathic channeling instead of vocally revealing their tactics to the enemy.

"Loretta. When I say 'go,' combine Backdraft with Smoke Screen as many times as you can. Frederick. Once Loretta runs out of Mana, start shooting as many arrows as possible."

"But I won't be able to locate targets if a Smoke Screen is up," Frederick protested.

"Don't worry about aiming. Just shoot, you fool. Where's the belligerent and arrow-showering Frederick that I know?" Loretta teased.

"There's time for jokes later," Bellamy voiced and retreated away from their line of sight to the goblins.

"Go!"

The dark Dungeon was lit up with spectacular fireworks, and the whole combat area ahead was covered in shrouds of dark, heavy smog. Screams of suffering goblins echoed in the cave.

Loretta signaled Frederick to open fire.

System announcements piled up in their black interfaces, and red dots started disappearing from the Soul Window Map.

"Alright, stop firing and save your Mana. I'll head into the smoke now," Bellamy announced in the Party channel.

!

"Head in?! What do you mean head in?" Frederick opposed.

"It's too dangerous," Loretta followed up.

"Guys. These goblins have blocked our path for too long. We need to advance – there might be stronger monsters ahead. We need to take care of the goblins before reinforcements show up."

A brief moment of silence was followed by Loretta's encouraging words. "You're right. But be careful – I wouldn't be able to bear you dying while trying to rescue Mina."

When the dust from Loretta's Smoke Screens finally settled, a large pile of dead goblin corpses decorated the area. Some of the corpses were still burning from her Fire Skills. Among the corpses lay two larger Elite Hobgoblins, also dead.

"Where's Bellamy?" asked a confused Frederick.

"He isn't among the corpses," Loretta gestured relievingly, "and he's not showing on the Party Map either...How strange."

"Look at our Experience. It's already halfway to Level 10," Frederick informed in disbelief.

Luny flew over their heads, swirling around with his signature somersaults.

"Luny will scout ahead!" he bawled, "Master is strong. Luny can feel that he is safe," and with tremendous speed, Luny disappeared deeper into the Dungeon.

...

...

[Your Party members are too far apart from your current location. The Party has been temporarily disbanded.]

[Upgrade your Soul Window for additional perks.]

Behind Bellamy, dead goblins were scattered across the hallway leading to the arched metal door in front of him. He took out his Map Generator Lv2.

I've definitely passed the Barracks. Am I already at the Headquarters though?

"System, is this some sort of boss room?" he inquired.

[Yes.]

!

That has to be the shortest Soul Window reply ever.

[Upgrade your Soul Window for additional perks.]

Figures...

Bellamy pushed, and a crack in the middle of the door emanated darkness before him. The door opened wider, and he heard someone yawn as if they had just woken up.

[You have entered a Boss Room.]

[You have encountered a Champion Monster. Goblin Warmonger.]

[System is unable to predict their Level at the current Soul Window Lv1.]

[System update! Champion Goblin Warwongers are at least Level 14 or above.]

"So we have a visitor..." a raspy voice came from a figure on a stone chair ontop of large stone-laid staircases.

Huh? I can understand gnomish now? ... Oh, right. The system is probably translating it live.

[You are correct.]

Bellamy ignored the Soul Window and focused on the Goblin Warmonger. His enhanced vision barely allowed him to perceive the dark Boss Room.

"Yes," Bellamy nervously replied the chair-sitting Boss. The whole situation was awkward. Could they not just begin their fight already? Why did they start this conversation? "I'm here to clear this Dungeon."

I'm here to clear this dungeon? That's the best I can do?

The Goblin Warmonger rose from the stone chair; the shadow tailed from its figure enormous. As the goblin stepped down the obscure staircases leading to Bellamy, the shadow grew smaller.

On the last staircase, Bellamy saw a tiny goblinoid figure the size of a human child.

"Um..." the tiny goblin started. "Don't kill me!" it cried.

"Huuuh?" was Bellamy's immediate response.

"You see, I'm actually not a monster...I'm...I'm a Hunter just like you."

"Prove it."

...

[System notification! Dungeon Hideout Lv2 has been cleared!]