——— POV: 3rd person ———
Blue Fang was in a foul mood. He had been ever since his audience with the king where he'd been ordered to reclaim the outpost that was corrupted by mushroom demons. He was even laughed at for being a coward. Those pompous entitled fools had no idea of the terror he had faced.
Thankfully, neither did any of the new recruits he was leading this time. His old crew had seen his heroics first hand and spread news of that, conveniently glossing over the mushroom demon being one of their own.
"Fire will be key to our victory!" Blue Fang stood tall on a stump not far from their destination. "Light your torches!! Go forth and cleanse the corrupting spores from our lands!"
The goblins charge forth! Eager recruits and runts at the front, with the seasoned elite warriors close enough behind to claim credit for anything achieved, but far enough to "barely escape" should things go south. It's the sweet spot that took many battles to discover.
Vegetation, spider webs and mushroom caps were being chopped by rusty cleavers and chipped shortswords. Blazing torches flared as they burned the spores infesting the air.
The entrance had been breached and the goblins at the front screeched to a halt at the sight of mushrooms covering every surface of the old hideout. Some were glowing while others oozed red juice and a delicious savory aroma.
"Burn it all!" A veteran grabbed a nearby goblin's torch and tossed it into the cave.
"WOOOOOFFFF!" A mini dust explosion sent flames and burning chunks of mycelium shooting out of the entrance as the thick cloud of spores in the cave instantly combusted.
A couple of the new recruits stood had been standing too close and were caught in the blast and vaporized. The other newbies nursed various minor injuries or mourned the loss of all their matted ratty hair. The veterans were fine as usual.
"My chief! Good news!" The warrior who had tossed the torch proudly saluted to Blue Fang. "I have successfully neutralized the enemy!"
——— POV: DM Blueberry ———
"WHAT THE FUNGUS WAS THAT!"
A moment earlier, my cultivation was rudely interrupted by a massive explosion that shook the entire hill my dungeon was located in. My critters were screaming and the brick wall separating the two parts of my cave system was blown open sending bits of shattered brick and smoldering mushroom all over the place.
My gobs were quick to stomp out the embers before surrounding the opening with their spears.
Their fears were unnecessary, as the goblin hideout soon caved in blocking that access point to my dungeon.
Now I know why soaking my walls and ceiling in mana is important. Also, that mana levels should never be reduced too low.
I get my guards to stay close and silent and be prepared for action. That means we have time for dinner.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of cheering and stomping. I should invest in some sound insulation.
I wonder if there is anywhere I can lodge a complaint against my neighbors. That property damage was not insured!
——— POV Shift ———
Blue Fang looked down at the shouldering ruin of his old lair. Conflicted feeling of relief and annoyance battled for control of his eyebrows as they wiggled up and down. He took a moment to calm his mind and plot the best next move to benefit his political career.
"VICTORY!!!!!"
Cheering and whooping could be heard as the goblins each mentally adjusted what their role in this glorious victory would be when they retold it around the table later. Of course they were amongst the first to charge! It was their torch that was thrown. Naturally they had to sneak close enough to throw it in as well.
The goblins quickly went about setting up camp for the night and arranging sentry duty. Those too slow and far back to have believably contributed were given the opportunity to contribute by being on sentry duty.
*******
Many creatures had been startled by the blast. Some chose to look for new homes with better neighbors, others reported it to the local authorities.
"As I said earlier, a loud sound of an explosion and a bright flash of light came from yonder hill. The smoke was visible for hours, some must have been carried here by the wind caus it's been smelling like a good ole grill fest." An old farmer leaning on a fence post told the hooded group of strangers. "Pretty suspicious if you ask me. I wasn't invited."
"I see" their leader replied, jotting down the general direction of the hill and nodding to his followers.
"Scared my goats half to death too! Poor things must've about fainted from shock!!!" The old man suddenly continued his story before others could say anything. "Say, who'd you lot say you were again? We don't get many visitors around these parts."
"We're rangers, good sir. We are paid to keep the forest roads and rural places safe from bandits, monsters and fierce beasts!" A youthful voice eagerly volunteered. His enthusiasm and sense of importance betraying his lack of experience as a fresh recruit. "A force of justice, if you will."
"Rangers eh?" The farmer squinted as he eyed the hooded group, "sounds pretty sus to me. This village is doing just fine on its own, thank you very much. We've got old Dylan's son, he's a knight you know. Aint one of us who hasn't fought off the odd bear or wolf either."
Several farmhands had noticed the commotion by now, and stood watching from nearby, their axes and hoes kept close, unsure wether to be concerned about the strangers or not.
The ranger in charge of the group could tell that they were drawing too much negative attention to themselves and figured it was time to leave.
"That's good to hear!" He started, "sounds like you're a capable bunch so we'll just go on our way and make sure that explosion wasn't anything serious and let you get back to work. Thank you for your time."
The rangers briskly walked down the road before entering Dimwood and vanishing from sight.
"Odd group, eh Dylan?" The old farmer called out once they were gone.
"Truly..." The neighbor who had been eavesdropping popped his head out from behind the barn and nodded as he took a few puffs from his pipe. The frown on his face deepening as he thought. "Haven't seen such a large group of rangers mobilized in decades. Bad business that is."
"Hmm? You say something there Dylan?" The old farmer asked as he shooed the farmhands away before picking up his hoe.
"Might be a storm coming."
"Aye, those clouds don't look like rain though. Then again, you never know. Best go bring the animals in for the night either way, it's getting dark.