62 Beginning Phase One (1/2)
After wishing the samurais ”happy hunting,” Rydel took off at top speed and became illusory.
”Now what Master?” asked Brunar.
”I think ya both know what's next,” answered Maynard. ”Don't get yourself killed and pay attention to your surroundings. The guards are poisoned right now but don't let that get to your heads. This time we don't know how many goblins we'll face but we'll be trying to hold them off till we get Jack's signal. That's when we go all out, got that?”
”Yes Master,” the young samurais replied together.
”Good, now both of ya draw your swords and follow me.” Maynard jumped out of the empty vein with a massive leap, not caring to use any stealth at all.
Brunar did the same as his master, jumping out of the vein with some heavy yells and grunts upon landing. Unlike his fellow disciple and his mentor, Troni leaped out quietly, landing behind the others to keep from becoming the main target.
The moment that all three had revealed themselves, a couple of goblin sentries caught glimpse of them. Those goblins were unsure of what these three figures were and why they dared approach the goblin city. They contacted their captains but were surprised by the news they received.
Among the goblin guards, there were rumors about a few outposts being destroyed. Not many believed them due to the rumors being less than a day old, but it spread like wildfire, nonetheless.
When the goblin sentries received a response describing the losses of many outposts, the sentries were startled. Then the sentries were enraged after hearing that the three samurai were behind it all, along with a few other intruders.
Not wasting any time, the sentries let out deep, gargled howls. The howls were easily heard by Maynard's group, but they didn't so much as flinch. Following the gargled howls, the sounds of dozens of gargled whines and cries pierced the air.
The samurais looked ahead without hesitation. They didn't approach with great speed, wanting the goblins to come and meet them on the battlefield.
On high alert, the goblin guards readied themselves and prepared for battle. The wall had a unique design; It was like someone had taken an inflated inner tube and cut it clean in half. There were two gates, the outer gate, and the inner gate, and within the confines of the wall were goblins scrambling to get in formation.
When Maynard's party was about a quarter kilometer's distance from the city entrance, the outer gate swung open. Thanks to Rydel's investigating, Maynard had a decent idea of how many goblins there were living within the wall, but he was still amazed at the first wave of goblins that charged towards them.
”Are ya ready?” asked Maynard.
”Always!” yelled Brunar, throwing any thoughts of shrinking back to the wind while Troni gave a simple nod.
”Good, then show these pestros who's boss!” Maynard showed a delighted smile to the approaching goblin hoard. ”If ya encounter anyone above lv. 25, make it known! And if ya need to take a potion, just do it, no need for my permission.”
The goblins had ugly expressions on their faces, and not because of their natural ugliness as cave goblins. Their expressions were a mix of discomfort, unease, and savagery. Within the past hour, they had all realized they were poisoned, but it was too late to make excuses and chicken out of orders.
Taking notice of the goblins' strange movement patterns, Maynard's blades began to glow red. ”This is a thank you to Rydel, for weakening our enemies before things had even started!”
With a wickedly fast cross slash, a ”Bloody cross” went airborne and connected with the goblin wave before it could break up and try to dodge the samurai's attack.
”Aaaagghh!” the goblins hissed as over a dozen were made into mincemeat by the first attack of the battle.
Seeing Maynard's overwhelming strength, the goblin captains leading the charge focused on Maynard, intent on stopping him from performing more destructive AoE (Area of Effect) attacks.
Happy to pull the attention of the more powerful foes, Maynard smiled wide and shouted, ”Come! You're fallen brethren failed to prove themselves worthy of my blade, and you'll join them soon enough!”
Maynard ran further ahead, creating some distance between him and his students. That way the higher leveled goblin guards wouldn't get much of an opportunity to attack Brunar or Troni without leaving an opening to strike.