Goblin Cave Trap?

The captain's words were enough to quiet the laughter, but Noah could still feel the judgment in their eyes. 

He forced himself to his feet, dusting off his clothes and putting on the best stoic face he could manage, though the effect was somewhat spoiled by the lingering tear stains on his cheeks.

"Good job on staying alive, though, Nightshade," the captain added, his tone just a touch patronizing. "Even if you're not rolling in crystals, at least you've got your skin."

"Gee, thanks," Noah mumbled under his breath, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He gripped his dagger tightly, feeling the weight of every mocking glance.

"Hey, if you're this unlucky in the dungeon, you should try the lottery when we get back," another hunter teased as they prepared to move forward.

Noah rolled his eyes and muttered, "Maybe I'll just bet against myself—seems to be a surefire way to win."

Dark humor aside, he knew he had to do better, or he'd end up as nothing more than the group's comic relief. 

With renewed determination (and a healthy dose of resentment), Noah steeled himself for whatever came next. If the universe wanted to laugh at him, fine. He'd make it choke on its own joke.

As they began to move deeper into the woods, he found himself lagging behind the others, the weight of his failures pressing heavily on his shoulders. 

The underbrush crackled beneath his boots, the sound sharp and grating in the quiet that followed the laughter. The sting of humiliation still burned in his chest, but he refused to let it break him.

A part of him wanted to prove them wrong—to show them that beneath the mistakes and bad luck, there was something more. A fighter. A survivor. He knew he wasn't the strongest, nor the fastest, but if there was one thing he could count on, it was his stubbornness.

..

After a grueling battle with the wolf packs in the forest, Noah Nightshade and the rest of the hunting party sensed they were drawing closer to the source of the darkness that had been luring the beasts towards them. 

The air was thick with tension, the remnants of their earlier struggle still palpable in the atmosphere as they pressed forward.

As they cautiously navigated through the dense foliage, Erin Light's keen eyes caught sight of a small opening in the mountain, partially obscured by the gnarled trunks of dark trees. 

She quickly pointed towards it, her voice a mere whisper. "There seems to be a cave there. This place might be what we're looking for."

Captain Juan Ladd, the seasoned Hunter with years of experience in the field, stepped forward, his gaze scrutinizing the entrance. 

"If this is indeed the source of the darkness, we must approach with caution. The cave could be more dangerous than we anticipated.," His words carried the weight of authority, a reminder of the precarious nature of their mission.

Noah nodded in agreement, steeling himself for what lay ahead. The hairs on his head prickled with unease as they began their slow approach towards the cave. 

With each step, the air grew colder, a chilling breeze swirling around them, carrying the scent of damp earth and something foul lurking in the shadows. 

The darkness thickened as they neared the cave entrance, wrapping around them like a shroud.

As night fell, the forest transformed. The sounds of the woodland creatures faded into an eerie silence, and a palpable sense of foreboding settled over the party. 

Before them loomed the stone cave, its mouth gaping like the maw of a beast, dark and foreboding. Only a few scattered stones emitted a faint glow, illuminating the rough walls and the uneven floor, casting long shadows that danced ominously in the darkness.

The party advanced with caution, each member on high alert, every sense heightened in anticipation of an ambush. 

Captain Juan Ladd took the lead, moving with a practiced grace that spoke of his extensive experience in navigating such hostile environments. 

The flickering light from their torches cast unsettling shadows, which seemed to shift and writhe as if alive.

As Noah moved deeper into the cave, a sudden cool breeze slithered through the narrow passage, chilling him to the bone. 

It was accompanied by a faint whisper, almost indistinguishable from the wind, yet it tugged at something within him, a sensation that was both familiar and deeply unsettling. 

He exchanged a quick glance with Erin, who appeared equally affected. The voice echoed in his mind, urgent and compelling—a warning or a promise? It was a sound he recognized, one he had encountered in previous encounters, but this time it was stronger, more insistent.

"Look out! Something is moving in the dark!" Juan's voice cut through the stillness, a sharp command that sent adrenaline coursing through Noah's veins.

He barely had time to react before a group of small goblins, their eyes glowing like embers in the shadows, surged towards them from the depths of the cave.

Squeak-! Squeak-! Squeak-! Squeak-! 

The creatures were child-sized, their dark green skin glistening in the dim light, each brandishing crude weapons that, while primitive, were lethal in their cunning hands.

"Goblins!" Juan shouted, his sword drawn and gleaming in the faint light. "Prepare to fight!" His voice was a rallying cry, urging the hunters into action.

The narrow confines of the cave erupted into chaos. The hunters sprang into action, utilizing their unique skills to confront the oncoming horde. 

Noah, fueled by a mixture of fear and determination, drew his dagger, feeling the familiar weight of it in his hand. 

The first wave of goblins came rushing at them, their shrieks piercing the air as they attacked with reckless abandon.

"Oh! Shit!," Noah's heart raced as he engaged the nearest goblin, dodging a wild swing of a crude dagger aimed at his side. He retaliated with a swift slash of his own, the blade catching the creature just above its shoulder. 

The goblin let out a guttural cry, stumbling back, but another quickly took its place, relentless in their assault.

"Stay focused!" Juan Ladd commanded, cutting down a second goblin that attempted to flank him. 

The veteran Hunter moved with practiced efficiency, a whirlwind of steel and strategy, directing the hunters with precise instructions. "Form a line! Don't let them surround us!"

A Hunter, positioned beside Noah, unleashed a flurry of arrows from her bow, each one finding its mark with deadly accuracy. 

Clinck-! Clinck-! Clinck-!

The sharp twang of the bowstring was a reassuring sound amidst the chaos, and Noah felt a flicker of hope as the goblins began to falter under the onslaught.

But the creatures were cunning, their small size allowing them to dart and weave between the hunters with surprising agility.