Chapter 82: Monster Claws (1/2)
Arthur's current mentality was that of a goblin's chief. It was a side-effect of the skill Goblin's Bond, as it went two ways. Of course, he could have decided to leave the goblins to their demise but it would have left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Another reason was that he realized the goblins village would be attacked if it was found, and Kira was still there. He had to get to the village and hide it before they were found.
As he felt the dagger tear through the back of the man's back, Arthur retreated in a hurry when he felt the other person coming to attack him. He dodged in the nick of time and used his latest offensive rune, Fire.
This rune was like a gate that would turn his mana into a fire and manifest it into the world. He could command this fire, that was originally his mana, as he wished. He could condense it, spread it, increase it, or decrease it.
With a swing of his hand, fire needles condensed and attacked the other cloaked person while the injured one fell to the ground. The man raised his hands and the fire needles deflected in front of him. However, Arthur was already sending a spear of fire in his way before he could counteract.
”Dammit,” The man shielded himself with his cloak expecting for the fire to explode on his body. However, Arthur had the fire spear make a turn and target the injured man who was still lying on the ground. He wanted to finish him off before he attacked the other one.
However, it seems he still had some strength left in him as he dodged last second and the spear exploded on the ground. The fire raged next to him as he breathed heavily in relief but this was not the end of Arthur's attack. Using the rune that linked him to the fire, he ordered the already exploding fire to move and engulf the man. Although it has lost its destructiveness after exploding, it was still enough to have the man scream in agony.
”Kakan! Kakan!” The goblins finally reacted and started cheering. They were the group that had accompanied Arthur earlier and some of the weaker low-tiered ones.
”Bastard, die!” The cloaked person, who was left, bellowed full of anger as he dashed toward Arthur. The protection rune he had cast worked to deflect the attacks of the person for the first few rounds. It was enough for Arthur to use fire again to attack the person.
The cloaked person seemed to realize that the distance between them would kill him, so he dashed through the flames as he used mana to deflect them. Arthur felt a gravitational force pulling him toward the man as his body staggered forward. However, in the next second, Arthur began flying toward the man against his will.
Realizing this was the work of the man's ability, Arthur gritted his teeth and braced himself. The man had his sword directed at Arthur, ready to slice through his body.
In the last second, Arthur used his skill Shadow Swap and appeared behind the man. Caught off guard, the man turned around but it was too late. Arthur placed the fire rune on his dagger and stabbed the man, causing fire to explode within him and end his life.
”Hah!” A gasping sound penetrated the proceeding silence and Arthur turned to see Amelia, standing there in a daze at the sight of him covered in blood. Ignoring her, Arthur turned to the goblins who were frightened a distance away.
Looking at the ground, Arthur saw three goblins, dead. One of them was Nero. Arthur clenched his fists hard as he bit his lower lip. He had no idea why he felt this way, but it hurt to see one of his followers die. It was because of him.
”Are you okay?” Amelia walked over and patted his shoulder consolingly. Arthur nodded his head and turned toward the other goblins.
”We'll leave this place now and go back to the village.”
The goblins nodded their heads as they picked up their wounded. As they were leaving, Arthur absorbed the two cloaked people and stripped them of their cloaks and masks before taking them with him.
[Mana stat increased by 1.]
[Mana stat increased by 1.]
[Mana stat increased by 1.]
[Mana stat increased by 1.]
There was nothing else, and Arthur watched the bodies turn to ashes under the flames of his rune. He then looked at Nero, who lied on the ground and sighed. Arthur then watched as his body turned to ashes as well.
The group then headed toward the location of the village, relieved that it was still undiscovered given the sheer size of the mountain range. Arthur walked into it, greeted by the goblins and Kira, before using his ring to hide the village altogether and replace it with groves.
[Scholar Guardian's Legacy]
[Level: 18 (49%)]
[Strength: 85] [+10]
[Agility: 80] [+10]
[Stamina: 72] [+10]