The cavern walls were lit up with a flame from a roaring campfire. Fresh and warm bones littered the stone floor.
Munching on a piece of meat, I glanced at my three gobs. Dean and Dandy were at it again. They were training themselves by sparring using weapons.
Dean would try his best to break through Dandy's defense and The other gob practices his blocking and counter-attacks.
Dandy was getting pretty good at using the shield of his. Those sharp green eyes proved to be diligent observing the opponent and the surroundings. He was one who never let down his guard. If he can't block it, he would dodge. If he can't do either, the goblin would try to spot a flaw and attack.
To that gob, the shield wasn't just a tool for protection. It was a great blunt weapon as well. His throws are well calculated and always lands. He was like a moving mountain that knows how to throw boulders at people.
I tried taking away his shield once and even without it, he was able to protect himself enough by using the opponent's strength against them.
Meanwhile, Dean was like a wild beast. He never stops attacking unless he needs to dodge or reposition himself.
With two hands holding that rusted axe, his blows always managed to threaten Dandy. Once he swings his axe, there would always be a follow-up.
A fighting style akin ti a raging river. Not stopping and continuously stepping forth and smashing all obstacles.
If unable to push or smash apart an obstacle, he works his way around it. Just like water who is not afraid to adjust if the time calls.
The perfect berserker.
I praised the two and set my sights on Deck. He was quiet yet his mind never stops thinking. What spells to cast? What time to attack? What weakness could be exploited?
Quite befitting of a magician. He knows how to dodge well and keep himself safe. Never going out of bounds or letting himself be a target for an attack.
So far he only knows fireball, a weakness spell and a spell that saps stamina. Once he becomes a hobgoblin, I'll take him to Stella and the library so he would be able to learn more about magic.
Right now, he was silently casting curses at the burlap sack I brought with us. His targets were the three people inside.
How cruel yet efficient. Good goblin.
I had taken out the papers and all of them were nearly done. The skull of a rock Ursa, shadow panther, and the damned furry cockroach. The only thing I am missing for Athal's request was a lesser treant wood heart.
And there were only two other quests to be completed. The missing staff and that.
That being the quest about black corruption.
I've sensed the presence of the so-called black liquid on our first step in the forest. The only problem I have is that whatever it was, it was alive and seemed fairly strong.
I do not want to endanger the gobs and I can't leave them alone yet. We were pretty deep, somewhere in the middle circle of the forest and most creatures living at this section can kill goblins easily.
I know that my gobs would be able to fight and defend themselves but if something like a furry cockroach attacks them. They'd be dead meat.
I looked up and faint traces of moonlight had penetrated the forest canopy. Night had already set a few hours ago and it was at these times that dangerous monsters are more active.
I caressed the wound on my left arm. Just kike my other wounded arm, the damage had nearly completely healed back.
Torn flesh and muscle had recover already. The wounds were now scars that nicked my perfect body.
They'll heal fully in time.
I focused on myself and shifted my thoughts to my senses. I was able to feel it.
The mysterious thing that emanated an aura of dread. It was moving in high speeds as well. That strange ominous creature is actually needed for a quest of mine.
I can't believe that something like this actually exists here. A creature that can even give me a feeling of dread.
I need to find it and collect a sample it seems. I can't bring the gobs with me or they would suffer. I'll leave the three here for now.
"Stay here don't get into trouble." The three nodded and before waving me off.
Those three should be fine. Together, I think they can even kill a rock ursa.
If they play their cards right that is.
-----
It didn't take long before I managed to track down the thing.
From under the ground came an oppressive aura. It flared without any fear and I felt my heart grow worried.
This thing... It should be strong no? If it's too strong for me currently then I will just retreat.
Boom! I stomped hardly on the ground and I felt animosity seep from the soil.
BLURB BLURB BLURB! The sound of flowing water and popping bubbles alerted my ears. I jumped back and retreated a fair distance away.
CRACK!
The floor broke and a tall stream of black viscous slime spouted from the hole. Slime rained down from the forest canopy. I dodged most of it but a palm sized black orb stuck to my shoulder.
Ssss~ The shirt burned and melted. A frown etched on my face.
The part that was doused in slime was singed with corrosive fluid. It felt like my skin and flesh was burning.
I hastily removed the slime and saw my shoulder a bit scarred as if burnt.
I looked back at the slime that had reformed. It was pure black. Alright. Observe!
[[Discerning Eye] has been blocked]
I was shocked hearing the system's notification. Something whistled to me and I jumped.
Boom! Black slime smashed into the ground, riddling it with cracks. If I was hit with that then it would've hurt and corroded my flesh at the same time.
And slime seems to be shock absorbent no?
The amount of hostility emanating from the slime was no joke. It seemed to really want to kill me.
"Quite interesting you are... You want to kill me?" I spoke to it and the slime shot a ball of black goop to me which was easily avoided with a sidestep.
Swish! The black goop rebounded and headed back for me. I avoided it again.
The thing can bounce? If that's the case then this whole forest is its territory!
I have to end things quick.
With that thought, I bolted into action. Appearing behind the slime with a rock on my hand. I threw it as strong as I could.
Shlip! The rock was absorbed by the slime instead of it piercing it. It reacted quickly and a mass of black slime in the shape of a fist slammed into my gut, sending me flying.
This thing is actually fast!
Stabilizing myself, my feet pressed against the floor, launching me back a few dozen meters.
I need to think of a counter against this black slime.
It's fast but not fast enough to pressure me too much. The slime has a corrosive nature to it and it can bounce from any obstacle.
I felt my stomach. It still feels a bit off due to the earlier attack I've received. My opponent can harden and compress its body.
I only need a sample of it but the slime always returns back to the main body. How should I separate even just a tiny piece?
My hands won't be enough. It seems like I need to start investing on sharp weapons and magic. If I knew magic then killing this thing would be extremely easy. Without it, facing the slime is such a chore.
It blocked my observation skill too so I do not know of its weakness.
Just what the hell is this thing.
Someone who got stabbed one fateful day and got reincarnated into a slime?
The black slime bubble before shooting our a barrage of slime orbs that started bouncing off the trees. Every collision cracks the tree trunks but accelerates the orbs in return.
Soon the goops of slime came hurtling towards me. Targeting my head, legs and arms.
Give me a break.