A/N: Since it's the New Year, and some might be alone, reading, and with themselves, I'm with you on this front. Thus, I am posting this chapter for all of us. Happy New Year, and as a resolution for this new year, I hope I can finish Saharan Successor or at least put it into a great spot for me to return and write on it without having the intrusive thoughts of 'reworking'.
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Chapter 64: No Goblin is Innocent
The heavy wooden doors groaned open, revealing the Hobgoblin Barracks in their full, grim glory.
The chamber was lit by flickering torches mounted on the stone walls, their light casting long shadows over a scene of militant organization. Racks of weapons stood neatly against the walls, and crates of supplies were stacked methodically. The air smelled of sweat, iron, and something more acrid—like burnt herbs.
Dozens of goblins and hobgoblins turned toward the entrance as one, their guttural chatter silenced by the intrusion.
At the forefront, a line of Hobgoblin Warriors raised their shields and weapons, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Behind them, smaller goblins scurried into position, some drawing crude bows while others clutched jagged knives. Farther back, two Goblin Shamans were already weaving spells, the crackling energy of lightning and fire coalescing in their gnarled hands.
Odin and Malfurion had stepped into a lion's den.
"Intruders!" bellowed one Hobgoblin Warrior, his tusked mouth curling into a snarl. He slammed the hilt of his axe against his shield. "To arms, you maggots! Defend the barracks!"
The smaller goblins scattered at the sound, some drawing their bows and others clutching jagged knives. Their voices were shrill, panic mixing with aggression.
"Humans! Kill them, kill them!" screeched one goblin, hopping from foot to foot in nervous excitement.
"Meat for the pot!" another goblin cackled, licking its lips as it clutched a rusted blade.
In the rear, the two Goblin Shamans hissed incantations, their hunched forms illuminated by the eerie glow of magic. One, its voice rasping like sandpaper, muttered, "Lightning to strike… burn them to cinders…"
The other, larger and adorned with a crude bone headdress, pointed a clawed finger at Odin and Malfurion. "Sacrilege! They disturb our sanctum! Show them the wrath of the goblins!"
As the Hobgoblin Warriors surged forward, their leader—a particularly imposing hobgoblin with scars crisscrossing his chest and a jagged greatsword in his hand—stepped into view. His HP gauge glowed was larger than the rest, marking him as a cut above the others.
He snarled, his voice deep and commanding, "You dare enter my domain? Foolish meat-sacks! Your bones will hang from our walls!"
He raised his sword, pointing it toward Odin. "Take the big one alive! I want his screams to echo through these halls!"
The smaller goblins cheered at their leader's words, their chaotic energy spiking.
"Break them! Break them!" one screeched, its voice like nails on glass.
"Take the shiny armor! It'll fetch a good price!" another goblin shrieked, brandishing its chipped dagger.
The hobgoblin leader barked another order, his voice cutting through the din like a whip. "Archers, loose! Shamans, unleash hell! Warriors, don't let them through!"
The Goblin Shamans, emboldened by their leader's presence, began cackling maniacally as their spells reached completion. "Lightning from above! Fire from below!"
Hearing the chaotic chorus of their voices, Odin tightened his sword grip and smirked grimly. "Guess we're the party crashers they didn't invite."
The first wave came almost instantly. Hobgoblin Warriors charged forward with disciplined aggression, their heavy footsteps echoing off the stone floor. Odin moved to intercept them, his voice ringing out.
"Stay back and focus on healing, Malfurion!"
As the hobgoblins closed the distance, Odin's gauntlet-clad hand shot forward. With a gesture, his Lycanthrope Leather Armor shimmered and shifted, the light bending around him as it transformed into the imposing bulk of the Armor of Despair.
The chamber seemed to grow darker as the armor took shape, its jagged edges and abyssal design exuding an oppressive presence.
The moment the transformation was completed, Odin radiated a chilling aura. His 'Despair's Aura' passive pulsed outward like the breath of a dark god. The Goblins nearest to him froze in place, their confidence draining as they felt the weight of despair settle over them.
One goblin dropped its knife, its voice trembling. "W-what is this feeling? Why can't I move?"
Another whimpered, its eyes darting to the exits. "He's a demon! A monster!"
Even the hardened hobgoblins shifted uncomfortably under the oppressive aura. The disciplined front line faltered, their formation breaking as uncertainty crept into their eyes, but it wasn't enough to deter the monsters from trying to kill this human.
'Iron Arm'
[User has consumed 220 MP]
Odin's muscles hardened like steel the moment he activated his defensive skill. Axes and swords came crashing down on him, but their blows glanced off his enchanted form.
Malfurion, standing behind Odin, was quick to act. With practiced precision, he summoned a barrier of shimmering green energy around himself. "I've got your back, Boss," he muttered, his staff already glowing with the light of a healing spell.
The assault was relentless. Goblins with bows unleashed a volley of crude arrows while the shamans in the back completed their incantations. Lightning arced toward Odin, followed by a roiling ball of flame.
The impact sent waves of heat and electricity surging through the room, but Odin stood firm and absorbed the punishment.
[HP: 13.305/20.476] [MP: 10.250/11.160]
The siege of the goblins managed to carve out in that instant exchange around 35% of his HP gauge, even if he was using his defensive cooldowns.
"Enough," he snarled. He slammed his sword into the ground, unleashing Black Wolf's Howl.
[User has consumed 350 MP]
A deafening, feral roar erupted from him, reverberating through the chamber like the cry of a vengeful spirit. The goblins and hobgoblins within a 7-meter radius froze in terror. Some clutched their heads and whimpered, their minds overwhelmed by fear, while others stumbled in confusion, unsure whether to flee or attack. Even the shamans faltered, their spells dissipating as their concentration broke.
[Taunt Successful][Some targets have entered a Confused State. Attack and defense decreased by 15% for 30 seconds.][Some targets have entered a Fearful State. Attack and defense decreased by 15% for 30 seconds.]
The oppressive howl had another effect—Odin's attack power surged, his strength amplified by 25%, and his movements became sharper, quicker.
"Perfect," Odin said under his breath, his crimson eyes gleaming as he advanced.
"That sound... it... it can't be!" one hobgoblin stammered, its eyes wide with disbelief.
At the back of the room, the Hobgoblin Captain stood rigid, his greatsword trembling in his grasp. His yellow eyes burned with rage as recognition dawned. "That howl..." he hissed through clenched teeth. "It belongs to Dazan—my brother!"
The captain's voice grew louder, raw with fury. "How dare you, human? How dare you mimic my bloodline's cry? You will pay for this blasphemy with your life!"
Emboldened by their leader's outrage, the other hobgoblins roared in unison.
"Kill him! Tear him apart!"
"Dazan's legacy will not be defiled by filth like you!"
The Hobgoblin Captain slammed his greatsword into the ground, sending sparks flying. His voice echoed with unbridled hatred. "I'll carve that howl from your throat myself, human!"
Odin's expression barely shifted as the Hobgoblin Captain's threats echoed through the chamber. Instead, a sinister smirk curved his lips, crimson eyes gleaming with deadly intent. "Big words for a creature about to kneel," he muttered.
With a flick of his wrist, his Lycanthrope Gloves vanished, replaced by the sleek, glowing Braham's Gloves. The magical artifact shimmered faintly, pulsating with arcane energy. Their presence immediately boosted Odin's capabilities— his magical prowess surged, and a faint aura of heightened mana began to swirl around him.
"Let's see how loud you can howl, vermin," he said coldly.
Odin's crimson eyes gleamed with cold calculation as he extended his hand, fingers curling as he began weaving his Alarm spell.
[User has consumed 500 MP]
The air around him shimmered, bending light into a faint distortion as the spell's unique stasis field began to take form. It pulsed faintly, an otherworldly sphere suspended in time and space, ready to hold whatever damage Odin would unleash next.
"Let's set the stage," His voice was low but laced with malice.
With the stasis field active, he began his Multicasting. Thanks to the enhanced precision and mana efficiency granted by Braham's Gloves,
One by one, Magic Missiles materialized around him, glowing orbs of crackling energy poised to strike. Each missile shimmered with amplified spell power, their tips radiating an ominous blue light as they orbit within the confines of the Alarm spell's containment.
'Only three so far. I'll leave it at that since they are approaching another round of attacks.'
The Hobgoblins began closing in the distance, their shrill cries ringing out as they charged, but Odin paid them no mind.
Just when the first blade of a goblin ambusher was about to touch his armor, with a flick of his wrist, he cast his Arcane Explosion.
[User has consumed 800 MP]
A surge of raw arcane power erupted outward from the sphere, rippling through the chamber with deafening force. The explosion bathed the room in blinding light, sending shockwaves through the ranks of enemies.
The goblins closest to Odin were obliterated instantly, their small, frail bodies unable to withstand a chance to his spell. The larger hobgoblins fared slightly better, though many were hurled backward, crashing into walls and one another with bone-shattering impact. Weapons clattered to the ground, and shrieks of pain filled the air.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 26,180 damage to the target.]
The notifications of his victory over the low-based goblins didn't bring him any joy, apart from his EXP meter filling up almost to 40% from him blasting around 46 goblins in a single spell.
Shamans who had been preparing counterspells faltered. Their incantations were cut short as the explosion disrupted their focus. One fell to its knees, clutching its staff as its aura fizzled out. Another, struck directly by the blast, crumpled in a heap, its robes charred and smoking.
Three seconds later, the ground shuddered again as the 'Arcane Aftershock' rippled through the clearing.
The aftershocks weren't as visually dramatic as the initial explosion, but they were no less devastating. They erupted in smaller but powerful bursts, dealing 20% of the original damage to all the enemies within the blast radius.
[You have dealt 5,236 damage to the targets.]
It wasn't a rare occurrence with his increased critical chance with spells for them to miss his targets.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 10,472 damage to the targets.]
The aftershocks rippled through the survivors, catching goblins and hobgoblins mid-recovery. Their staggered forms were thrown about like ragdolls, their groans of agony punctuating the chaos.
Those who managed to hold their ground were left severely weakened, their armor cracked, and their weapons trembling in their hands.
The aftermath of the devastating Arcane Explosion still lingered as the air crackled with residual energy.
Odin strode forward, his crimson eyes glinting with cold malice. The room was a battlefield of broken bodies and shattered morale. Yet amidst the carnage, the Hobgoblin Captain emerged from the haze, battered but alive, his greatsword gleaming with fresh bloodlust.
Odin's gaze locked on the captain, his smirk widening into something darker. "Is this the best you can muster?" he taunted, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "Your brother's howl deserves a stronger heir, wouldn't you agree?"
The captain's nostrils flared as rage overtook reason. "I'll silence your foul tongue, human!" he bellowed, gripping his weapon tightly as he charged. "You're no warrior—just a spell-slinger hiding behind tricks! Let's see how you fare without your mana!"
The hobgoblin's heavy footfalls echoed as he barreled toward Odin, his greatsword raised high for a cleaving strike meant to end the fight in one blow. His confidence surged, and he convinced the human mage before he was vulnerable, spending time from his earlier display of magic that wasn't enough to kneel the Black Wolves tribe.
'What the? He thinks I'm a mage? Pff, then let's just trigger the Alarm and kill this Mini-Boss.'
But Odin's movements betrayed no panic. Instead, with a deliberate calm, he drew his magic sword, the blade thrumming faintly with a purple-blue hue.
As the captain's sword descended, Odin, whose crimson eyes constantly observed even the slightest of muscle moves on the monster, sidestepped fluidly, his blade meeting the hobgoblin's weapon in a precise Stalwart Parry.
The clash reverberated through the chamber, sparks flying as the magical energy of Odin's sword held firm against the brute strength of the captain's strike. The hobgoblin staggered, his momentum thrown off balance.
Odin chuckled, his tone dripping with sardonic amusement. "Spent? Me?" he said, tilting his head mockingly. "Oh, I have so much more to give. Let me show you."
Without hesitation, Odin extended his left hand, a glimmer of arcane energy forming in his palm.
A single Magic Missile shot forth, its crackling form streaking through the air before slamming into the captain's chest. The impact sent him stumbling back, his armor scorched,d and his breath forced from his lungs.
The missile triggered the Alarm spell Odin had carefully laid earlier.
The stasis field surrounding the dormant Magic Missiles dissolved, releasing the trio of orbs Odin had prepared. They shot out in perfect synchrony, spiraling toward the Hobgoblin Captain with lethal precision.
Each projectile struck the vital points of the monster, detonating on impact and driving the captain further to his knees as his cries of rage turned into guttural howls of agony.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 13,272 damage to the targets.]
[You have dealt 6,514 damage to the targets.]
[You have dealt 6,820 damage to the targets.]
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 12,726 damage to the targets.]
[Grathok the Vengeful - LV.125](Mini-Boss)(11,832/85,580)
Yet Odin wasn't done. He closed the distance swiftly, his movements a blur of deadly intent. The captain, barely clinging to life, raised his greatsword in a desperate attempt to defend himself. But Odin's blade moved faster, carving through the hobgoblin's neck in one clean, decisive stroke.
The captain's head hit the ground with a heavy thud, his lifeless body collapsing shortly after. Odin stood over him, his blade dripping with dark ichor.
[Ding!]
[You have slain 'Grathok the Vengeful' gaining the following rewards: 650,000 EXP, Vengeful's Core (Rare), Black Wolf's Pelt (Epic), Boots of the Traveler (Rare), Hunter's Bow of Precision (Epic), Stormcaller's Gauntlets (Rare), Weapon Enhancement Stone ×2, Armor Enhancement Stone ×4, 120 Gold Coins][You have leveled up to 107!]
Turning to face the remaining goblins and hobgoblins, Odin's voice rang out like a death knell, cold and commanding. "Run," he said, his tone devoid of emotion yet carrying a weight that froze them in place.
However, he never intended to let those monsters escape to other parts of the dungeon and regroup so that later on, they could ambush him in numbers since Goblins, without their leaders, were like headless chickens, only ruled by their cowardly instincts.
Odin's movements became a blur of death in the blink of an eye.
His blade flicked through the air unnaturally, cutting down the first group of goblins that dared approach. He didn't pause to savor the kills, his eyes constantly darting around, calculating his next move. His sword cleaved through goblins as though they were paper, their bodies crumpling with each strike, their blood painting the stone floors red.
Odin's gaze was drawn to the Goblin Shamans, standing slightly behind the rest, their hands glowing with the faint light of their dark magic and elemental magic. These shamans were a bigger threat than the mindless goblins or hobgoblins. Their spells could cause chaos, disorient him, or even turn the tide of battle in an instant.
Shifting priorities, Odin rushed forward, cutting through the few goblins still standing in his way, and in one fluid motion, he parried the first Shaman's attack, a streak of dark energy that flew past him and drove his blade straight through its chest.
Since most, if not all, monsters were battered by his Arcane Explosion and Arcane Aftershock, now that he was using his melee strikes, the Arcane Echo began doing the DoTs on the monsters.
It took only a 'Piercing Thrust' to end the miserable life of the Goblin Shaman, whose body crumpled to the floor, its magic dissipating in a puff of smoke.
[You have slain 'Goblin Shaman' gaining the following rewards: 5,250 EXP, Talisman of the Blood Moon (Rare), Goblin Shaman's Ritual Robe (Uncommon), Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, 2 Gold Coins]
"Pathetic," Odin muttered coldly, his voice sharp with disdain. He quickly turned his attention to the next shaman, whose hands were already charged with the next spell.
Before the shaman could release it, Odin raised his sword in a smooth arc, and the Shaman's head was separated from its body, its spell fizzling out into nothingness.
[You have slain 'Goblin Shaman' gaining the following rewards: 5,820 EXP, Shaman's Bone Ring (Uncommon), Vine-Wrapped Boots (Uncommon), Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, 57 Silver Coins]
"Keep moving,"
He was like a predator, always hunting, never slowing down. His sword found another goblin, another shaman, cutting through them ruthlessly. With each kill, the room grew quieter, the sound of combat fading into the echoes of death.
From behind him, Malfurion's voice broke through the silence.
"Odin, they are trying to escape! My range for Entangling Roots is limited to that side of the room."
Odin barely spared a glance at Malfurion. His hands were covered in blood, his eyes never leaving the next group of goblins trying to flee. "I know," he replied coolly, his tone sharp as ever. "That's why I'm not letting any of them get away."
With a flick of his wrist, Odin cast his Magic Missiles, another Multicast, which sent two projectiles streaking through the air with unerring accuracy.
They struck the fleeing goblins, each one hitting their target, blasting them into a lifeless heap. The remaining goblins attempted to sprint toward the exit, but Odin's Magic Missiles picked them off one by one, each burst of arcane energy lighting up the room as the goblins crumpled to the ground in a cloud of smoke and dust.
Meanwhile, Malfurion joined the fray, his staff glowing with vibrant druidic energy.
He slammed his staff into the ground, sending a shockwave of nature's wrath toward a cluster of goblins. Roots shot up from the floor, ensnaring the monsters and holding them in place, allowing Malfurion to unleash a wave of thorns that pierced through the trapped goblins.
As the two of them fought synchronously, the chamber was soon filled with nothing but the sounds of magic, steel, and the sickening thud of goblins falling to the floor.
Every movement, every strike, every spell felt like the inevitable march of doom. With each kill, Odin's satisfaction grew, but his focus never wavered. His mind worked like a machine, calculating, observing, and anticipating the movements of every monster.
When Arcane Explosion came off cooldown, Odin wasted no time.
He cast it without hesitation, his body already in motion as he unleashed the devastating burst of energy. The blast shattered the remaining goblins in the Barracks, sending their bodies flying in all directions. The force of the explosion echoed through the stone walls, and the room was momentarily engulfed in a dazzling light.
The remaining monsters had no chance. They were overwhelmed, trapped in the chaos created by Odin's relentless assault. Malfurion's druidic magic kept them in place while Odin's sword danced through the air, cutting down the stragglers.
After fifteen minutes of brutal combat, the Barracks fell silent.
The only sounds now were the echoes of the battle, the ragged breathing of Odin and Malfurion, and the system notification alert, sending another welcomed alert, especially for Malfurion, who was getting closer and closer to Level 100.
[You have leveled up to 108!]
The bodies of the slain goblins and hobgoblins littered the floor, their forms reduced to lifeless husks. Only a few had managed to escape, abandoning their comrades in fear.
Odin wiped his blade clean with a flick of his wrist, his crimson eyes scanning the room.
"No survivors," he said, his voice calm, almost detached. "Except those who ran. Let them hide in the shadows, and I can find them even there with my Detection Spell."
"This time, we shouldn't wait for our HP and MP to be fully charged."
Malfurion nodded, his eyes flickering with concern. "There's always more Goblins, isn't there?"
Odin gave a small, humorless chuckle. "Always. They are like infesting rats. You leave one, and by next week they managed to make a recovery."
Exiting the Hobgoblin Barracks, the air outside felt thick and oppressive, still heavy with the scent of blood and burnt flesh, and just like this, the Duo stepped onto the Goblin's Den.
The den was a sharp contrast to the barracks, more chaotic and disordered in a way that made it even more unsettling. The area was cramped, and its low ceilings and narrow passages gave it an oppressive, claustrophobic feel. It wasn't a place of military organization like the barracks. This was a den of thieves, scavengers, and backstabbers
The walls were lined with crude wooden shelves stacked high with stolen goods—trinkets, weapons, tools, and trinkets taken from the nearby villages and travelers unfortunate enough to fall prey to the goblins. The remnants of past raids decorated the room… bags of coins, half-burned torches, and tarnished human relics that glinted in the dim light.
The air itself seemed thick with the stench of stale food, unwashed bodies, and something far fouler—the distinct odor of fear and decay.
This was the smell of a place where life was cheap, where survival depended on violence and cunning, and where the weak were discarded.
Odin's eyes swept over the scene, his crimson gaze taking in the details as if he were a predator.
He noted the makeshift beds scattered about—crude piles of blankets and rags that served as resting places for the goblin children and females.
The first ones to greet him were some braver runts, smaller and more vicious than their adult counterparts, their hands reaching for crude weapons—a rusted dagger here, a jagged piece of wood there. They had no intention of allowing Odin and Malfurion to pass through unchallenged in their Den.
Malfurion, his brow furrowed in unease, moved cautiously behind Odin, not knowing what to expect with those low-leveled monsters who acted so rabid. He could only think that they were innocent and leave them be instead of hunting them down.
Malfurion couldn't help but feel a twinge of empathy for them. They were just children, after all, despite the venom in their eyes.
Before Malfurion could voice his concerns, the goblin runts attacked. They weren't coordinated, but they were fast, each one darting forward with surprising agility, brandishing their makeshift weapons with a ferocity that belied their size.
A few of them made a half-hearted attempt to ambush Odin, charging forward with screeching war cries, but it was clear from the moment they moved that they were outmatched.
Odin didn't flinch, didn't pause. With the ease of long practice, as a Black Knight who specialized in slaughtering subspecies who were pests to the Empire's peace, he caught one of the goblin children by the throat, lifting the struggling creature off the ground. Its tiny feet kicked frantically, claws digging into Odin's hand, but it was powerless in his grip.
Malfurion watched, his heart sinking as Odin's cold crimson eyes met the goblin's terrified, bulging gaze.
He could feel the pulse of magic in the air as Odin's hand glowed briefly, the unmistakable hum of destructive power beginning to coalesce in his palm. The goblin child's struggles grew weaker with each passing second, its breath becoming ragged as its tiny throat was crushed in Odin's vice-like grip.
"No," Malfurion breathed, his heart pounding. "Odin, don't—"
But Odin's expression remained unbothered. He turned his head to glance at Malfurion, his voice flat like he was explaining a simple fact of life.
"It's a foolish thought, Malfurion. Let them live? Then risk the chance of some villager women being captured, raped, and used as breeding cattle for these monsters? You're naive."
"Why should I feel any emotions in squashing an ant? A rat? I'm just doing my job here."
"Remember, no goblin is innocent."
Before Malfurion could respond, Odin's hand glowed brightly with arcane power, and in a flash of blinding light, the goblin child's head exploded in a spray of blood and gore.
The body fell limp from his grasp, the lifeless form crumpling to the ground with a sickening thud. The surrounding goblins, stunned by the sudden violence, hesitated for just a moment before the next wave surged forward, their weapons raised in a desperate attempt to avenge their fallen kin.
[You have slain 'Goblin Runt' gaining the following rewards: 20 EXP, Rusted Dagger (Uncommon), 2 Copper Coins]