great, more caves

The air in the Goblin Nest was thick with dampness, every step echoing off the moss-covered walls. Axel and Matias moved in silence, each of them staying alert as the faint murmur of goblin chatter vibrated through the stone. The further they went, the darker and more oppressive the atmosphere became.

Axel shifted his grip on his scythe, feeling a growing unease. "We should've brought more people. It's too quiet."

Matias grinned, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "You're just scared of the dark, huh? Don't worry, I've got your back."

"I'm more worried about what's lurking down here. This nest goes deep," Axel muttered, scanning the surroundings. Every shadow felt like it might conceal a threat.

They continued forward, moving cautiously, setting traps along the way to slow down any goblins that might ambush them. It wasn't long before they encountered their first group—four goblins, unarmed and scattered across the passage.

Axel's scythe flashed in the dark as he cut down the first goblin with a single, precise strike. Matias darted forward, his daggers flashing in the dim light, taking out another before it even had time to react. The remaining two tried to retreat, but Matias was already gone, his shadow moves allowing him to get the drop on them.

When the last goblin fell, Axel let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "That was too easy," he said, wiping the blood off his blade. "This isn't normal. Goblins are usually smarter than this."

Matias, grinning as usual, shrugged. "Maybe they're just dumb. Or maybe we're just that good."

Axel eyed him, unamused. "Let's keep moving."

---

They moved deeper into the nest, growing more wary with each passing step. The air grew colder, the walls tighter, and the faint sound of goblin chatter grew louder, as if it was coming from all sides.

"Something's off," Axel muttered, squinting into the darkness ahead.

"Relax. This is just the fun part," Matias replied with a devilish grin.

The ground trembled suddenly, and they heard a guttural growl—a signal that the first boss was near. Axel raised his scythe, steeling himself. This was no time for jokes.

The Goblin Shaman appeared in the flickering torchlight, its small, twisted figure cloaked in dark robes. Its beady eyes glowed with malice, and its hands crackled with the power of magic. The shaman raised a bony finger and muttered an incantation.

Axel's jaw tightened. "I'll handle this one. Keep watch."

Matias raised an eyebrow. "You sure you can take him alone? He's got those magic tricks."

Axel smirked, his fingers tightening on his scythe. "I'll be fine."

The shaman cackled as fireballs and curses flew toward Axel, but he was ready. He summoned his boar, a hulking beast that charged in, distracting the shaman as Axel dodged the flames. He summoned Ghost Fire, sending a wave of soul-burning flames toward the shaman.

The shaman responded by summoning elemental spirits, their glowing forms swirling around it like a protective barrier. Axel didn't hesitate. With a sharp, decisive movement, he swung his scythe, cutting through the spirits and striking the shaman square in the chest.

The shaman screeched, but before it could retaliate, Axel finished it with a brutal Scythe Slash. The shaman collapsed to the floor, its body smoldering from the fire.

Axel wiped sweat from his brow, panting heavily. "That magic's annoying. But he's done."

Matias, who had been silently watching, chuckled. "You're lucky you didn't get roasted."

Axel glanced at him with a grin. "It wasn't my first rodeo. Let's keep moving."

---

They retreated to a small cave nearby, using it as a temporary safe spot to rest and recuperate. Axel tended to his minor wounds, while Matias cleaned and sharpened his daggers.

Matias leaned against the stone wall, eyeing Axel as he worked. "You need to be more careful. These goblins play dirty."

Axel shot him a look. "I know. Next one's yours, right?"

Matias grinned. "You bet. I'll handle the big guy. You just stay out of my way."

Axel nodded, checking his summons once more. The Goblin Champion was next—a hulking creature with brute strength and a bat that could crush a man in a single swing. Matias was the right choice for this one. Speed and precision were key.

Matias smirked, flexing his fingers. "I'll take care of it. You just keep that boar ready, in case things go south."

Axel patted the boar's side affectionately. "I'm counting on you."

With one last look at their surroundings, they geared up and moved toward the heart of the nest.

---

They found the Goblin Champion in a massive cavern. The earth trembled with each swing of the goblin's massive bat, and the creature let out a bellowing roar that reverberated through the stone.

The Champion was larger than any goblin Axel had seen, its green skin bulging with muscle. It swung its bat with terrifying force, the ground cracking beneath its blows.

Matias barely dodged the first strike, his body a blur as he darted to the side. "This thing's tougher than it looks," he muttered under his breath, grinning as he always did when faced with a challenge.

But he didn't have time to waste. With a wicked grin, Matias flicked his daggers and dashed forward, landing a few quick strikes on the Champion's legs. The goblin howled in rage and swung its bat again, narrowly missing him.

Matias cursed under his breath and disappeared into the shadows, waiting for the right moment. He reappeared behind the Champion and summoned his Metal Web, ensnaring the goblin's bat in a tangled mess of iron threads.

"Gotcha," Matias said, his voice cold as he closed the distance. He stabbed his daggers into the Champion's exposed side, twisting the blades deep.

The goblin roared in pain, but it was too late. Matias drove one final dagger into its heart, ending the fight.

The cavern was silent once more.

Matias stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That was a close one. But he's finished."

Axel grinned, stepping forward and clapping him on the back. "Nice work. You earned that one."

---

With the Goblin Champion defeated, Axel and Matias took another moment to catch their breath. The real challenge was still ahead—the Monstrous Goblin. It was bigger, stronger, and deadlier than anything they had faced so far.

Axel crouched low, preparing his boar for the final fight. "The last one's got claws. I'm not taking chances. We'll both hit it with everything we've got."

Matias nodded, his face hardening with determination. "I'll be your backup. Let's finish this thing off."

Together, they set their traps and prepared for the final stretch. The air in the nest felt heavier, the walls closing in as they moved toward the heart of the labyrinth. They could feel the Monstrous Goblin waiting for them, its massive presence looming ahead.

The time for rest was over. Axel and Matias exchanged one last look before they stepped into the depths,

----

The cavern was damp and oppressive, the stench of decay thick in the air. Axel could feel the pressure building as they neared the deepest part of the goblin nest. The air was staler now, colder even.

Axel's voice broke the silence. "This feels like a trap."

Matias snorted, cracking his knuckles. "Relax. They're probably just tired of hiding. We're about to make a mess."

The massive figure of the Monstrous Goblin emerged from the shadows, lumbering into the dim light. Its claws scraped against the stone floor, and its eyes glowed with a predatory gleam.

Axel didn't wait for it to make the first move. He reached into the air and summoned his boar, sending it charging straight at the goblin. The boar barreled forward, but the Monstrous Goblin swatted it away like a fly, sending the creature crashing into the wall.

"Great," Axel muttered, drawing his scythe. "Guess it's up to us."

Matias vanished into the shadows, his daggers gleaming as he waited for his moment. Axel stepped forward, swinging his scythe at the goblin's thick hide. It bounced off with a dull clang. The Monstrous Goblin growled, swiping its claws at Axel. He dodged, but the attack grazed his side.

"Gotta hit harder," Axel muttered.

Matias reappeared behind the goblin, stabbing one of his daggers into the creature's leg, leaving a shallow wound. The goblin howled in rage, spinning around. Axel lunged forward, slashing again, this time getting a deeper cut across its chest.

The Monstrous Goblin roared, claws swiping in every direction. Axel danced back, letting Matias use his speed to get under its defenses. Axel waited for the right moment, then unleashed a blast of Ghost Fire straight into the goblin's face.

The creature staggered back, howling in pain as the fire burned its eyes. Axel grinned, taking advantage of the opening to stab the scythe deep into its chest.

With one final swing, the goblin collapsed, dead. Axel stepped back, panting from the effort. Matias clapped him on the shoulder, nodding at the fallen monster.

"Not bad, not bad," Matias said, wiping his daggers clean.

Axel let out a breath. "Yeah, we got it. Now, let's get this over with."

The Monstrous Goblin's massive form slumped to the ground, but that wasn't what Axel was focused on. He crouched next to the fallen creature, his eyes scanning it for anything useful.

Matias wasn't far behind. "Loot? Or are you gonna do your creepy corpse thing?"

Axel ignored him, drawing a small vial from his bag. He pricked his finger, allowing a drop of his blood to fall onto the goblin's body. The ritual began, and the corpse shuddered. Ghostly flames flickered around Axel's hand, marking the start of the summoning.

Matias whistled. "So you're really gonna take this thing with you?"

Axel nodded. "It's a powerful creature, perfect for summoning. Plus, it might come in handy later."

The ritual finished, and the goblin's body transformed, reanimating as a grotesque puppet of Axel's control. The Monstrous Goblin stood shakily, its movements jerky and unnatural, but under Axel's command.

"Great. Now we've got a goblin pet," Matias said, laughing. "Guess I'm just the extra muscle."

Axel gave a half-smile. "You're not wrong. But that's not all."

Axel turned his attention to the body of the boar he had summoned earlier. Its corpse was battered and broken, but the bones still held power. He repeated the summoning ritual, using his blood once more. In moments, the bones reformed into a new creature—an undead version of the boar, ready for service.

Matias raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're going all in with the creepy army?"

Axel didn't answer, focusing instead on gathering the loot scattered around the goblin cavern. They found weapons, a few trinkets, and a stash of odd, glowing stones—likely valuable to some merchant or adventurer. Axel stuffed them into his pack without a second thought.

Matias sighed. "I'll take a few of those stones. Maybe we'll get something good."

Axel threw him a look. "Don't get greedy. We're not here to loot everything."

"Right," Matias said, grinning. "Just enough to get a nice meal at the guild hall."

Axel chuckled. "Fair enough. Let's head back before something worse shows up."

With their undead creatures now at their side and the loot secured, the two adventurers turned and walked out of the cavern.

the fresh air hitting their faces. They'd been underground for days, fighting through goblin nests and monsters, and the change in atmosphere was a welcome relief. The moment of peace, however, was shattered by a sudden, sharp scream—a girl's voice, filled with terror.

Mat and Axel were surprised and give each other a strange look before they rushed in the direction of the loud scream.