Okay, so, it seems like that thing Theca did killed a few of them. At least five of the goblins are on the ground, and one bigger one who I would assume is a hob-goblin is straight up gone. I mean, I can only sense two hob-goblins with mana sense+ now, so I'm just assuming things here.
But, I don't really care about the goblins or hob-goblins, I just want to kill the goblin lord! I mean, imagine what kind of skills it has! And seeing how it's in the range of mana sense, I'm going right to it!
It's in this pretty big hut, and now, I'm right outside of it. So, let's go in!
Oh, that thing is huge. And ugly. I mean, goblins are known for being not so good-looking, but this brings it to another level. Wrinkled skin, a long nose, and strands of hair all around its head and body. It was about two and a half meters, wearing nothing but tattered rags. But, on its back was a long, not very wide, rusted sword.
And... it's asleep. Like, after all of the confusion that's going outside, it's still asleep? How's that even possible? Well, I might as well use this time to my advantage by appraising it.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Name: Enk
Species: Goblin Lord
Lv: 49
Health: 120/120
Mp: 50/999
Strength: 82
Agility: 22
Vitality: 56
Defence: 40
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 16
Charm: 1
Skills: {Lord}, {Goblin Language Understanding >LV Max<}, {Larfus Language Understanding >LV 6<}, {Expert Tactition >LV 8<}, {Dash >LV 9<}, {Great Sword Technique >LV 4<}, {Leadership >LV 6<}, {Mana Operation >LV 4<}, {Mana Sense}, {Concentrate >LV 3<} {Increase >LV 2<}
Affinities: {Earth}, {Barrier}.
Spells: {Sink Ground}, {Earth Spikes}, {Surrounding Blockade}, {Self Barrier}.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Well, that's... sorta unexpected. I mean, first of all, I didn't even think goblins would be able to use magic, but this guy is also super strong! I mean, I haven't even heard of barrier magic, but I don't want to go against it!
Alright, let's just kill it while it's asleep, then. I walk up to the thing, slowly but surely... I unsheath my sword, and finally, go to stab through right where its heart should be! Judging how goblins are so similar to humans, their hearts should be right in the same place.
Yeah! While I did wake it up, it's now writhing around in pain! uh... that's kind of sad, actually. Almost pitiable, I sort of feel bad for the thing.
Eh...? It's... it's standing up? Come again? Dude, I just stabbed you right through the heart! How are you even alive?! Wait, is it possible that I didn't hit its heart? Not to brag, but I understand human anatomy pretty dang well!
I back up a bit, maybe becoming the tiniest bit nervous.
"You... creature. You will... die."
Huh? Did it seriously just speak Larfus? Wait, oh yeah, I guess it did have the Larfus Language Understanding skill... But still! I mean, yeah, sure, it paused every once in a while during that sentence, but it's still pretty impressive.
Hold on, did he just say he's gonna kill me? Oh, oh no, that is not good. Well, I just tried to kill it, so, of course, it's gonna kill me! I was just gonna kill it, then use gluttony on it before it wouldn't be effective, but now this is happening...
Alright, I guess I have no choice. Surprise attack it is! I quickly activate Icicle Blast, focusing on making it a whole bunch of smaller pieces of sharp ice instead of one huge icicle. And now, it goes flying at him!
"Barrier Magic: Self Barrier." And with those words, a nearly transparent sphere surrounded the goblin lord, completely protecting it from the icicles.
Alright, things just went from bad to worse. Not only could it react fast enough to protect itself, but the barrier is also one, super strong, and two, now active.
Oh, no time to think! It's already trying to slice me in half! Alright, luckily enough, I'm pretty good at dodging, and this guy's super slow! If I use gust at a slightly lower level, I can easily dodge this guy's attacks! But, he's really relentless... okay, I have an idea! I'll get behind it.
Using Gust to make me first go to the left, then forward, then right while spinning me around a bit, I try and stab it from behind! With... nothing coming out of it. Alright! Swords are useless against this barrier. But, I do have a skill that enhances punching! So, maybe blunt attacks will work!
He hasn't been able to turn around yet, so let's give it a try. Three punches in the same exact spot caused the barrier... to crack the smallest bit! Whoa, maybe I'm stronger than I thought... my sword didn't even scratch the thing.
Alright, then! I've got a strategy. Punch the barrier a whole bunch of times! This won't be as hard as I thought.
But, that's a lie.
"Earth Magic: Earth Spikes." The moment those words left the goblin, sharpened pillars came directly out of the ground, right into my chest, left arm, and right leg. The spike that came at me just barely missed my mana core and what is basically my brain, my 'nucleus' of sorts, seeing how slimes are basically just super big cells.
Anyway... uh oh. That's not good. Luckily enough, I don't feel pain as a slime! So, I can use this to my advantage. Instead of trying to free myself, I go limp, falling down even further into the spikes. Let's hope he thinks I'm dead...
Okay, so, he's walking up closer to me, and the spikes just sorta, go back down. He attempts to check my pulse, and seeing how I didn't have any, he could only assume I was dead. Alright, it worked! So, now, I once again have gained the element of surprise.
Okay, so, now... I slowly stand up, walking over to the goblin lord once again. And now, I use a fully powered gust on my fist and drive it right into the exact same spot I hit before!
Great! The barrier broke! And now, with my off-hand that still has the dagger in it, I'll plunge it into its neck with the help of gust once again. Honestly, even if it didn't hit its heart, I'm surprised it can still move... now, right into the neck of the goblin the knife goes!
Oh, come on! It managed to step out of the way just in time! Fine, I'll follow up with another punch! But, of course, it blocked it with its arm.
"How are you... alive." It spoke again, squinting.
I could ask the same thing you! Just look at you, you have a hole in your chest! I mean, true, I do too, but I'm a slime so it doesn't count! Now that the barrier is down, I should probably take out my sword... Huh? He's trying to cast the spell again! Whoa, hold up, stop it!
Fine then, I'll just have to stick my sword through the barrier before it is fully created! He completed the chant and bingo! My sword is half in the barrier, half out.
Which means... I should be able to cut it from the inside! Yes, it worked! It must be a lot less strong on the inside than out. And, because it was cut in a huge place, the mana seemed to dissipate and the spell failed. So, I now have a way to deal with his barriers! I'm such a genius.
But... I still have no way to kill him, and he's going on the offensive again! It's all I can do to just dodge him, attacking while dodging and blocking is literally impossible at the moment.
Alright... I'll have to rely on Defence Form! The skill, on its own, isn't that good. I mean, when I use it, I literally can't move, so it can sorta put me at a disadvantage. But, if I'm able to deactivate the skill the moment the goblin lord hits me, he'll be startled enough that'll I'll be able to hit him!
Okay, let's do it! I activate defence form and his sword hits me right at my side! But, it completely fails, of course. So, I immediately deactivate the skill and using Gust to propel myself forward, I use gust once again to punch the goblin lord right in the face, followed by a kick to the bottom of his jaw! However, don't think I'm done, using Gust for the fourth time, I throw my sword at him, aiming for his head this time. I have no idea where the heart of a goblin is, so, going for the head is just the better decision.
Yes! While he was dazed, the sword hit him right in the forehead! Huh...? But instead of falling to the ground, he regained his composure and took out my sword.
Okay, first of all, ew, and second of all, how are you still alive?! My sword punctured your skull, and it went at least six inches in. Checking his status again, his health is at forty-five! Oh, but his mana is at fifteen, so he could maybe cast one more spell.
While I was distracted, he managed to close the distance to me! And now he's trying to slice me right in two from the top! Okay, I might be in trouble here. I don't even know if I'll be able to dodge in time! I activate Gust in a hurry, trying to dodge to the left.
However... my right arm has been completed chopped off. Seriously, what's with my right arm getting separated from my body?! This is like the second time already!
I might as well calm down. Since I got that skill called Body Reattachment, if I can just get to my arm, I can reattach it.
"Give up... puny creature."
Why don't you give up, you stupid goblin? This guy probably thinks he's all that, huh? Sure, you might still be alive after what should be multiple fatal blows, but that doesn't mean you're special!
For what seems to be the thousandth time, I activate Gust and launch myself forward over to my severed arm, grabbing it, then using Icicle Blast towards the goblin lord, giving myself time to reattach my arm.
Okay, while I'm at it, let's try out a spell I've been wanting to give a try. The moment the icicle blast hits its mark, I cast the spell. Ice rose up from the ground around the goblin lord, trapping it inside a large hollow rectangle of ice, around a meter thick.
I've noticed people keep doing these weird chants before they cast spells, like, saying the type of magic, then the name of the spell. I don't really understand that, so I just skipped it. Anyway, I call this spell 'Encapsulating Ice' because of obvious reasons. Now, while it's stuck in there trying to get out, I'll use Body Reattachment and wait for it to regenerate fully.
Huh, it seems pretty much all of the goblins are dead, all except one hob-goblin I'm pretty sure Ashin is fighting, with Quenilla and Theca either watching or helping... Oh, Ai's entering the hut, guess she's done since there's only one left. I'm surprised this went so smooth, but I guess it's not really over yet.
Ai pointed at the spell I cast, with the slightest hint of confusion on her face. I guess she wants to know what it is...?
"Goblin lord." Hopefully, that answer will satisfy her.
With barely a visual nod that she comprehended what I said, she nodded, casting a spell, "Enhancement Magic: Physical Enhancement."
Oh, she cast it on me, thanks, I guess. And now she's backing up, I guess she knows I sorta want to beat the goblin lord on my own? It's kind of scary how good she is at guessing what people are thinking... Oh, she stepped back into a corner of the room.
Alright, let's continue the fight!
[Chapter 35, end.]