Chapter 14: Overwhelming Power

The night was quiet, too quiet. The forest swayed gently in the cool breeze, its leaves rustling like whispers in the dark.

But the peace was fragile. The villagers huddled together, their faces pale with fear. A Rank E monster, the Marauder Goblin, had been terrorizing them for days.

Its threats hung heavy in the air, a shadow over their small, fragile lives.

Caled, however, felt no fear. His heart raced, but not from dread. Excitement coursed through his veins. This was what he lived for—the thrill of battle, the rush of facing danger head-on. It was why he had become an adventurer. He stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his eyes locked on the monstrous figure ahead.

The Marauder Goblin stood tall, its grotesque form illuminated by the faint moonlight. Its green skin glistened, and its beady eyes glowed with malice.

When it saw Caled approaching alone, it let out a guttural laugh, a sound that echoed through the trees. The goblin's gaze shifted to the villagers, lingering on their terrified faces.

Then its eyes fell on Quinn and Meisie, two women standing at the edge of the crowd. The goblin's lips curled into a twisted grin, and it licked its chops, clearly entertained by the thought of taking them.

Caled's voice cut through the night, sharp and commanding. "Don't look at them like that," he said, his tone icy. "They're not yours to even think about. They belong to me."

Quinn, standing tall and confident, nodded in agreement. "That's right," she said, her voice steady. "You're not laying a finger on us."

Meisie, on the other hand, blushed deeply. She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, unable to meet Caled's gaze.

Her embarrassment was evident, but she said nothing, her silence speaking volumes.

The Marauder Goblin roared, its patience wearing thin. Without warning, it charged at Caled, its massive stone club swinging through the air.

The ground trembled with each step it took. Caled's reflexes kicked in. He sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements fluid and precise. The goblin was fast, but Caled was faster. His sharp eyes tracked every move, his body reacting instinctively.

The monster swung again and again, its club smashing into the earth, sending dirt and debris flying. Each strike missed Caled by inches, but he remained calm, his focus unshaken.

The villagers watched in awe, their fear momentarily replaced by hope.

"Is this all you've got?" Caled taunted, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I expected more from a Rank E monster."

The Marauder Goblin snarled, its frustration growing. It lunged at Caled once more, but this time, Caled was ready. With a swift motion, he drew his sword and slashed through the air. The blade cut cleanly through the goblin's arm, severing it from its body. Blood sprayed into the air, and the monster let out a deafening roar of pain.

Caled didn't stop. He darted forward, his sword flashing in the moonlight. Another slash, and the goblin's remaining arm fell to the ground. The creature staggered, its massive frame swaying unsteadily. Caled stepped back, his breathing even, his expression calm.

"I'm only Level 2," he muttered to himself, a hint of pride in his voice. "But I'm already this strong. Being a hero has its perks, I guess."

The Marauder Goblin, now armless and bleeding heavily, let out a guttural cry. But instead of attacking, it turned and tried to flee. Its massive feet pounded against the ground as it stumbled away, its once-menacing presence reduced to pitiful desperation.

"Running away?" Caled called after it, his voice laced with disdain. "What happened to all that bravado?"

He sprinted after the creature, his sword gleaming. With a single, precise strike, he severed one of the goblin's legs. The monster collapsed, its body hitting the ground with a thud.

It writhed in agony, its cries echoing through the forest. The smaller goblins, its minions, watched from a distance, trembling in fear. Their leader, once a symbol of terror, now lay helpless, its fate sealed.

Caled stood over the fallen monster, his sword dripping with blood. "You've been killing innocent people," he said, his voice cold. "Stealing their supplies, taking their women, and doing unspeakable things to them. You don't deserve mercy."

The Marauder Goblin whimpered, its eyes wide with fear. It tried to crawl away, using its jaw to drag itself forward. But Caled wasn't done. He drove his sword into the creature's back, eliciting a final, ear-piercing scream.

Caled stepped back, his expression grim. He raised his sword high, the blade glowing faintly with energy. "Whirlwind Slash," he murmured, activating his skill.

The air around him seemed to twist and spin as he unleashed the attack. The force of it tore through the Marauder Goblin's body, reducing it to nothing more than scattered pieces.

The smaller goblins, witnessing their leader's gruesome end, turned and fled into the forest, their terrified squeals fading into the distance.

Caled stood amidst the carnage, his chest rising and falling with each breath. His clothes were stained with blood, and a dark aura surrounded him.

But as he turned to face the villagers, that aura faded, replaced by a gentle smile.

"It's over," he announced. "The village is safe."

Quinn was the first to react. She ran to Caled, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. "You did it," she said, her voice filled with relief and admiration.

Meisie followed, her face still flushed with embarrassment. She hesitated for a moment before joining the hug, her touch soft and tentative.

The villagers erupted into cheers, their fear replaced by joy and gratitude. They crowded around Caled, Quinn, and Meisie, their voices blending into a chorus of celebration.

One by one, they joined in, forming a massive group hug.

Caled looked around at the faces of the villagers, their smiles lighting up the night. He had done what he set out to do. The thrill of battle, the rush of victory—it was everything he had dreamed of.

But in that moment, surrounded by the people he had saved, he felt something else too.

A sense of purpose, of belonging.