Ep.56 The Goblins Den Part 2

Smith Pov

The fighting continued unabated. I dispatched two more goblins with precise fire blasts, bringing our tally down to fewer than ten remaining. The tide had turned decisively in our favor.

Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed a spectacular display of magical prowess. From our backline, spells of various elements whipped past me toward the remaining goblins—gusts of cutting wind from Rowan, searing flames from Maya, and piercing earth projectiles from Cecilia. Even Lilia had joined the fray, her water magic less destructive but perfectly aimed to blind and disorient the creatures, setting them up for finishing blows.

Earlston had pushed farthest into the goblin ranks, wielding his massive battle axe with surprising grace. The weapon's enchanted edge cleaved through goblin flesh and bone like parchment, often splitting them in half with single, devastating swings. He barely bothered with magic now, seemingly enjoying the primal satisfaction of melee combat.

To my right, Rowan danced between two goblins, his movements fluid and precise. Unlike the others who maintained distance, he fought in close quarters, channeling his wind magic through swift hand motions that created invisible blades of compressed air. One goblin's arm suddenly separated from its body with no visible weapon strike—just Rowan's finger tracing a line through the air. The creature had barely registered its dismemberment before a second wind slash opened its throat.

He's not as naturally gifted as Maya, I thought, but still very impressive for his age. I'd underestimated these kids. Rowan and Maya could clearly handle themselves in combat—their magical control and battle awareness were well beyond their years. But the one who worried me most was Kai.

That kid had no magic whatsoever and still wanted to be an adventurer. It was beyond ridiculous—it was practically suicidal. Even with decent sword skills, how could anyone hope to compete in this world without magic?

Where is he? I thought suddenly, realizing I hadn't seen him during the chaos. My eyes darted around the battlefield, searching for any sign of the boy with my borrowed sword.

My search lasted barely a second before another goblin charged me head-on, breaking my concentration. Thick, yellowish drool flew from the sides of its mouth as it growled and swung its spiked club wildly at my midsection. The attack telegraphed so clearly that I had time to contemplate multiple counterattacks before simply back stepping, making the club whoosh harmlessly through empty air.

Without hesitation, I dove back into range. My fingers traced two quick sigils, launching twin bullets of concentrated flame toward the creature. It displayed surprising agility, twisting its misshapen body to avoid the first projectile. The second, however, clipped its shoulder, searing flesh and eliciting a shriek of pain as it reeled backward.

I pressed the advantage, closing the distance in a single bound. My right fist connected with its jaw. The goblin's head snapped back at an unnatural angle as its body slammed into the forest floor. Standing over the dazed creature, I released two more focused blasts of fire directly into its chest, ending its life in a brief eruption of flame.

After watching for a moment longer to confirm the kill, I raised my gaze and scanned the clearing. Bodies of goblins lay scattered across the bloodstained grass and dirt, some still smoldering from magical fire, others partially encased in earth, or severed by wind or steel.

"That's all of them!" Lilia called out, her gentle voice somehow carrying across the battlefield.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked, wanting a head count of all my companions. One by one, they converged on my position, confirming their condition as they approached. Earlston merely grunted his affirmation, hefting his gore-streaked axe onto his shoulder. Cecilia nodded curtly, already busy checking a minor cut on her forearm. Lilia arrived with a weary smile.

Then I heard Kai's voice as he approached from beyond a cluster of trees. I whipped my head around, realizing with a jolt of guilt that I hadn't seen him during the entire battle. Concern and a touch of dread filled me—had he hidden away? Had he been injured early and retreated?

What I saw instead left me momentarily speechless. Not only was Kai unharmed, but he was absolutely drenched in blood—from the blade of my borrowed sword to his clothing, barely a spot remained untouched by crimson. Behind him, I noticed a trail of goblin corpses I hadn't accounted for, at least four of them, each bearing clean, precise sword wounds.

Did he manage to kill four goblins? How? Without any magic? The question rattled in my mind. He must have gotten lucky and caught them from behind or something...

My thoughts were interrupted by Maya, who approached with a swagger in her step and a satisfied gleam in her eyes.

"Well, that was easier than expected," she declared, casually extinguishing the flames that still danced between her fingers. "If that's all it takes, I think we'll make some pretty good adventurers yet. What do you think, Smith?"

She said it with a cocky grin and a knowing look that screamed I told you so. Something about her youthful confidence, juxtaposed against the blood-soaked battlefield and the unexpected competence they'd all shown, struck me as absurdly funny.

I couldn't help but laugh—a genuine, tension-releasing laugh that seemed to surprise even me. Maya's expression shifted from smugness to confusion to indignation in the span of seconds.

"What's so funny?" she demanded, grinding her teeth, her earlier triumph giving way to irritation.

I struggled to compose myself, shoulders still shaking with barely suppressed mirth. "Nothing," I managed finally, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. "Good adventurers indeed."