60 Bonus Chapter 25.5: Searching For Survivors (1/2)

On the other side of the caverns, everyone had left towards Sharoo to file their report about what transpired in their expedition.

Although one individual stayed behind,

as he had been brought in for a separate mission altogether.

The individual in question was Geo Birchwood,

not only was he brought along to ensure their survival during the journey towards the cavern, but he was also in charge of rescuing and retrieving those who did or did not make it through this expedition.

As Geo embarked he quickly found multiple cases like the victims they had encountered along the way. None of them looked familiar to him, even if the victims were fresh...

None of them were part of the expedition.

”Hmm... it seems we weren't the only ones being informed by the king, does he need what he requested so desperately that it's worth it to sacrifice the many for the needs of the few?

Well... can't argue with that logic... for one to achieve greatness, many have to fall! At least I'm glad it's not me.”

Geo closed his eyes, balling his fist as he shivered with excitement.

What he quickly came to find, was that he wasn't alone inside the caverns anymore. Not paying attention he didn't realize goblins had spotted him and tried to surround him.

As one tried to jump him from behind, Geo saw a body laying on the ground,

nothing like the ones he had found before... this body wasn't devoid of most tissue or liquid. Also, this body belonged to someone that was part of the expedition.

Curious to see what had happened to them and alarmed as it was someone that was part of the team Geo kneeled to examine the body. Because he did the goblin barely missed him.

Caught up in the moment Geo wasn't aware of the group of goblins that tried to attack him.

Instead, he carefully began to examine the body as it appeared to Sarah... one of the mages that tagged along on the expedition. All-over Geo could see claw marks and bruises covering her body.

The goblins now enraged by their failed attempts began to rally as they attacked from all sides. Geo looked up as it occurred to him that there might be more victims inside the caverns.

That's when he realized he what had ambushed the victims of the caverns.

”Goblins!!”

Geo screamed as he jammed his fist into the ground.

Instantly breaking apart the foundation underneath the goblins as he sank them,

only to let their head remain above ground.

”Disgusting little pests... say... did you do this to my companion?”

Geo asked one of the goblins as he joking knew he wouldn't get a valid answer. Something inside him burned up as he realized the teams were ambushed by goblins. Geo vaguely remembered something from his past life... when he was little his village was overrun by hordes of goblins, he had seen his friends and family being slaughtered in front of his eyes...

His parents had hidden him away in the freshwater well of the village, but because goblins love a dark and damp environment they soon had found him too. Killing and ripping apart his body as he east the last survivor of the village.

Now, gaining a second chance in life as he was summoned to this world he vowed to himself never to allow such atrocities to happen again in his presence...

The kind, yet sometimes awkward, but ever interesting young man had broken down...

And turned into a ruthless beast that didn't know the meaning of the word ”mercy”.

The goblin spits at Geo's face as it tried to break free of the ground. Something inside him snapped as he moved his hands closer to one another.

This in turn moved the now hardened earth he had trapped the goblins in closer too, as they got crushed by sheer pressure. He had a torch with him as he was unable to see otherwise.

Knowing the goblins would survive the fractured earth if left alone there was only one thing left to do. Trying out his magical abilities he tried summoning roods around the head as he began to strangle and pop their heads one by one.

Taking his time, Geo then proceeded to carefully toast their heads to ashes making sure they couldn't ever come back to torment the surrounding villages.

As he looked around, he soon realized he had gotten to a wide-open area inside the cavers, bodies lay all over the place as he looked left and right.

It was indeed true, the group that had returned consisted of fewer members than they originally entered the caverns with. But looking closer...