Chapter-6:Goblin's Trap

The goblins' shrieks echoed through the dense forest as Edwin carved through their ranks with brutal efficiency. Blood sprayed across the mossy ground, staining it black. His sword flashed under the pale moonlight, severing limbs and splitting skulls with ruthless precision. He didn't care how messy it got; fear was his true weapon.

Animals understood dominance through brutality, and goblins were no different.

The surviving goblins faltered, their eyes wide with terror. Some tried to flee, but Edwin was relentless. His blade cut them down before they could vanish into the shadows.

The big ones were next.

A group of hulking brutes loomed at the edge of the clearing, their bulging muscles glistening with sweat and filth. Edwin steadied his breathing, ignoring the ache in his limbs.

He lunged at the closest one, ducking under its massive club and driving his sword into its exposed side. Black blood gushed from the wound, but the goblin roared and thrashed, nearly dislodging Edwin.

With a fierce grunt, he twisted the blade and yanked it free. The goblin collapsed, wheezing its last breath.

Victory was short-lived.

The remaining giants roared and charged as one, their combined fury overwhelming. Steel clanged against crude iron weapons. Claws raked across his armor, and fists pummeled his body. Edwin fought with everything he had, but they were too many, too strong.

Then it appeared—the largest goblin of them all.

Its skin was mottled green and black, and its eyes glowed with malevolent intelligence. A massive sword, emanating a sinister red light, pulsed in its grip.

Edwin gritted his teeth. "Not this time," he snarled.

But fate had other plans.

The red-glowing sword cleaved through the air, faster than any of the previous attacks. Edwin tried to block, but the sheer force shattered his guard and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Pain exploded in his chest as the sword pierced through him. Darkness crept in at the edges of his vision.

"No..." he whispered, defiant even as death claimed him.

Edwin gasped, bolting upright. His heart raced, and cold sweat clung to his skin. The familiar jostle of the carriage beneath him told him everything he needed to know.

He was back. Again.

"You alright ba—" Gavan's voice cut through the haze, but Edwin didn't need the introduction.

"Save the introduction for later," Edwin said curtly. "Give me that sword in there." He demanded.

Gavan frowned, clearly confused. "What are you—?" Gavan protested since to him right now he didn't even know Edwin.To him he was just some kid he found on the road

"There are goblins up ahead," Edwin interrupted, his tone firm.

Gavan snorted. "Goblins? You hit your head or something?"

"If I'm wrong, you can toss me out of the carriage," Edwin challenged, locking eyes with him.

The older man hesitated, then shrugged with a smirk. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when you're wrong."

They rode in tense silence. The forest grew darker, and the air thickened with an unsettling stillness. Gavan's smirk faded as his nose twitched.

A faint, metallic scent lingered in the air—blood.

Gavan cursed under his breath and pulled on the reins. "We're turning back."

"Not yet," Edwin said sharply. "Give me the sword first."

Gavan glared at him. "Why the hell should I?"

"If it weren't for me, you'd already be goblin food," Edwin said coldly. "Now hand it over."

Reluctantly, Gavan tossed the sword to him. Edwin caught it and jumped off the carriage without another word.

The forest was dense and shadowy, but Edwin moved with purpose. Years of foraging and living in the wild had honed his instincts. He also recalled bits and pieces from monster guides he had read during his childhood.

Goblins had sharp senses, but they weren't perfect. One glaring weakness was their poor ability to see the color brown.

Like mud.

Edwin grinned grimly. That would be their downfall.

He tracked the goblins' footprints, finding a well-trodden path through the undergrowth. The ground was soft enough for a pit trap.

Sweat dripped down his face as he worked tirelessly, cutting through tough wood with the sword. Digging the pit was backbreaking labor, but desperation fueled him.

Once the pit was ready, he lined it with sharpened stakes and covered it with branches. Mud concealed the trap entirely.

Satisfied, he moved on to set up additional traps—simple snares and pitfalls.

Then he waited.

The goblins returned, their shrill voices echoing through the forest. Blood dripped from their prey, and their eyes gleamed with savage glee.

Edwin tensed, his body coiled like a spring. His gaze locked onto the group as they approached the first trap.

The leading goblin stepped forward—and the ground gave way beneath its feet.

Screams filled the air as the weaker goblins plummeted onto the sharpened stakes. Blood pooled at the bottom of the pit.

Edwin grinned. "Perfect."

But his triumph was short-lived.

The largest goblin—the same one that had killed him before—stopped abruptly. Its red-glowing sword pulsed ominously.

It sneered and shoved the weaker goblins forward, forcing them to trigger the remaining traps. One by one, the pits and snares were filled, but the brute remained untouched.

Then it turned toward Edwin.

A guttural, corrupted voice echoed through the forest. Symbols filled the air, writhing and shifting like living entities:

"ᓱ҉ᚽ✠ᕇ͢𝍑♆"

The symbols twisted in Edwin's mind, impossible to comprehend. His head throbbed, but the meaning was clear enough.

"I... see you."

Edwin's breath hitched. Fear clawed at his chest, but he forced it down.

"Not this time," he whispered, tightening his grip on the sword.

The goblin's eyes gleamed with malevolence as it raised its glowing weapon.

The forest held its breath.

End of Chapter-6