25 This Hero Vs. Goblins! (1/2)
This forest is dense. We've been wandering around inside of it for a few hours now but aside from trees and birds, I've only seen the occasional deer. I have yet to see a monster. What's the deal? Even Tael is getting antsy, much to my dismay.
”Jeez! Are there any monsters in this place at all? Come on people! I need to level up!”
”Shut up! Do you have any idea what could be in this forest?”
”Yeah! That guard said there would be wolves, goblins, slimes, and maybe some undead! I doubt we'll have much trouble with them so I want to get this over with!”
”That doesn't mean you should look for trouble! Unlike you, I don't have magic. We also had trouble with a single slime earlier so I don't understand where your cockiness is coming from.”
”We only had trouble with it because we didn't know it had a core! Once we had that figured out it was a piece of cake! Honestly, Kenji you're way too tense.”
Instead of responding to his banter, I simply grimaced and continued walking. Though he's not going about it in the best way, he's still correct. That firebolt contained a notable amount of power. With him by my side I doubt the things we were told about will give us real trouble.
We continued walking in the forest until the sky had turned a rich amber color. Since the sun had gone down, it is now much harder to navigate the forest floor. Although I cannot see the sun, it is probably close to time to make camp.
”Tael, let's call it a day and make camp. I don't want to wander around in the dark.”
”No! I don't want to stop!”
”Quit acting like a child! Not everything works out the way you expect it to!”
”Nooo!”
”Giri giri.”
”Wait, stop, shut up for a second. What was that noise?”
”Eh? What's going on?”
I can hear the noise of some creature. From the sounds of it, it's not alone and it is communicating with others.
”Giri giri.”
”Tael, get close to me and watch my back. I don't know where these sounds are coming from but I doubt it's friendly.”
”Huh? O-okay! I'm right behind you!”
We got back to back in a spartan style as I drew my broadsword. I watched Tael's back while he watched mine. If something was going to sneak up on us it would have a hard time of doing so.
After a few moments of hearing nothing but the nonstop noises of these creatures, three short humanoids that were roughly 80 centimeters tall emerged while brandishing weapons from the treeline. Each creature was wearing a loincloth and had light green skin, pointy ears, and beady eyes.