We fell right into their trap. The goblin even waited until the very end to get as many shiny stones as possible - what a bastard.

With goblins guarding the exit, I was left with two men. But I knew it did not end there - even if we are somehow able to escape this tent, there will be many more goblins waiting for us on the outside. If my men waiting outside are also surrounded, that would be extra troublesome. If only we had the wolves with us…

I tightened the grip on my axe, cautious of any possible attacks. I wish I could expand the dungeon area here or yield a stronger magic power.

Wait - can I use Talamuth’s wisdom? No, no… I don't even know how to use it. I did not use it even once. It’s my stupidity of not having practiced it. Only if I had…

But, I used magic before to locate the first goblin village. What I did to use it - the origin magic - was to imagine the magic I wanted to use. If the origin magic works with imagination, and also because I have Talamuth’s wisdom skill now, is it not possible for me to use any other magic just through imagination?

I can surely try, but I do not know if it will work. What do I have to lose anyway? I fell right into their trap, and we are outnumbered. The question is: what should I imagine? I cannot just imagine the goblins dying, I doubt it would work that way. Every single time I used magic, and even when I was able to summon monsters, magic worked as a part of me. Death of these goblins is not a part of me. I can manipulate my mana to cause an effect outside or inside me, but I do not think I can simply change the condition of others. Or, can I?

Still, it is much more logical to try and cast something that is more doable like… a fireball, than to attempt a death magic which I am not even sure whether is possible. If I can get out of here alive, I could also expand my dungeon here and loot everything this village has. But - that is only if I can get out of here alive.

No - I will get out of here alive. This is the mindset. I will kill the goblins in the tent, and I will get out of here. Then I will kill more of them if I have to. I have to survive this.

A fireball would be a mess in this tent. I have to imagine something for close quarter combat. Any magic that would deal an area damage. Something to help me fight, maybe. Like body strengthening.

Yes! That is it.

I condense my mana into a thin but dense layer that covers my body and axe. This should both help me defend against strikes and increase the impact of my axe.

Without much pause, I strike at the goblin. I quickly raise my axe and it comes rushing down into his left shoulder, not allowing him time to escape. The goblin groans painfully as I push down on the axe to rip his arm off. He takes out a dagger with his right hand as the blood gushes out of shoulder. His arm falls onto the ground with a thump.

Screaming, he takes a stab at me with his curved dagger, managing to break the mana layer enough to sink the tip of his dagger into my ribcage. Luckily, the mana layer prevents more of the dagger from going inside my body, blocking it from piercing my organs.

The goblin is visibly surprised, but without giving him much chance to comprehend, I raise my axe one more time and with it coming down, so does his head. I quickly turn around to the view of my men fighting the guards. One of my goblins is on the ground with the guard standing on him, about to pierce his spear right into his chest. I throw my axe without giving it much thought, allowing it to get stuck into the goblin’s skull.

Saved goblin gets up and helps his friend by jumping on the other guard. Three goblins dead, one dungeon master and his two goblins alive. We managed to survive with minimal damage. I only need to seek attention for my ribcage.

“Thank you, my master. I am sorry to disappoint you.”

“If you want to repay me, then practice harder. Do not let this happen again.”

The goblin is surprised, probably for my apparent mercy. Did he expect to be punished?

“I understand.”

I get out of the tent in a hurry to see the situation outside with the two goblins.