Chapter 13: Strategist

The night was quiet, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like the world was holding its breath. The stars above the village twinkled softly, and the air was cool and still. But that peace didn't last long.

From the dark edges of the forest, a low rustling began. It grew louder, more frantic. Then, the silence shattered. A horde of goblins burst from the trees, their screeches cutting through the night like knives.

The villagers, prepared, moved quickly. They had been through this before, though never on such a scale. Wooden barricades were shoved into place, their spikes pointing outward like the teeth of a beast. Arrows were nocked, and the first volley flew into the oncoming swarm.

The villagers weren't skilled archers, but they didn't need to be. The goblins were many, and their small, green bodies made easy targets. Arrows found their marks, and the first wave of attackers fell.

Meisie, the shieldmaiden of Caled's party, stood firm at the front. Her shield was large and sturdy, her mace heavy in her hand. When a goblin managed to slip past the arrows, she was there to meet it. With a loud clang, she slammed her shield into the creature, sending it flying.

Caled stood a few steps behind her. His hands glowed faintly as he summoned his magic.

"Elemental Nova!" he shouted.

A swirling vortex of fire, ice, and lightning erupted from his palms, pulling goblins into its center. The creatures screeched as they were torn apart by the elemental forces.

The village leader, an old man with a weathered face, watched the battle with wide eyes. "This… this isn't right," he muttered. "The goblins… there are too many. And they're bigger than before."

Caled glanced at the old man, his expression calm but focused. He had noticed it too. The goblins were larger, stronger, and more numerous than they should have been. This wasn't a typical raid. Something was wrong.

The villagers were holding their ground, but the goblins kept coming. Their numbers were overwhelming, and some began to break through the barricades.

Quinn stepped in. Her fists moved like hammers, crushing any goblin that got too close. She fought with a fierce determination, her movements precise and powerful.

The village leader approached Caled, his face pale. "I… I'm sorry," he stammered. "This quest… it shouldn't have been Rank F. It's too dangerous. I didn't know…"

Caled smiled, though his eyes remained serious. "Don't worry," he said. "We may be Rank F, but we're stronger than we look. We'll handle this."

He turned back to the battle, his mind racing. The goblins were too many, and the villagers were tiring. They needed a new plan.

"Plan B!" Caled shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The villagers didn't hesitate. They abandoned the outer barricades and retreated to the center of the village. There, they formed a new defensive formation, their spiky wooden walls creating a tight circle.

Then, they did something unexpected. They collapsed one section of the barricade, creating an opening.

The goblins, seeing the gap, rushed toward it. They thought it was a weakness, a mistake.

But it was a trap.

The creatures poured into the opening, their numbers pushing them deeper into the village. They didn't realize they were being funneled until it was too late. The path behind them closed, and they found themselves surrounded.

In the center of the formation stood Meisie. Her shield was raised, her mace resting on her shoulder. She slammed the weapon against her shield, the sound ringing out like a war cry. The goblins turned their attention to her, their beady eyes filled with rage.

Behind Meisie stood Caled and Quinn, ready to strike.

The goblins charged, their claws and crude weapons glinting in the firelight. Meisie met them head-on, her shield slamming into the first wave with a deafening crash.

She didn't think, didn't hesitate. She trusted Caled's plan and knew he would follow through.

And he did.

Caled stepped forward, his sword glowing with energy. "Whirlwind Slash!" he shouted.

His blade moved in a blur, sending arcs of energy slicing through the air. The goblins didn't stand a chance. They fell in droves, their bodies piling up around Meisie's feet.

The villagers, seeing their chance, unleashed another volley of arrows. The projectiles rained down on the trapped goblins, cutting through their ranks.

Quinn joined the fray, her fists a blur as she punched through the remaining goblins. Her strength was unmatched, and within moments, the last of the creatures lay still.

For a moment, there was silence. The villagers breathed heavily, their faces pale but relieved.

They had won.

But then, a new sound broke the quiet. A deep, guttural roar echoed from the forest. The ground trembled, and the villagers froze in fear.

From the trees emerged a monstrous figure. It was a goblin, but unlike any they had ever seen. It stood seven feet tall, its muscles bulging beneath its green skin. In its hand was a massive club, made of stone and covered in spikes.

Meisie's eyes widened. "A Marauder Goblin," she whispered. "This… this is bad. Only a Rank E party can take on something like that."

The village leader looked horrified. "I… I didn't know," he stammered. "I had no idea something like this was out there."

Quinn clenched her fists, her expression grim. "If we lose," she said, "that thing will take everything. The supplies, the women… it'll destroy this village. I won't let that happen. I'd rather die fighting."

Caled looked at the Marauder Goblin, his expression calm but determined. Then, he smiled. "Leave this to me," he said. "I'll handle it."

The others stared at him in shock. "Caled, you can't—" Meisie began, but he cut her off.

"I've been holding back," he said simply. "This is a good chance to see how strong I really am."

The villagers and his party members watched as Caled stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the firelight. The Marauder Goblin roared, its club raised high.

Caled smiled. "Let's see what you've got."

The battle was about to begin.