There were only eight goblins, so despite the lack of experience, the ten of them should be able to take them down as long as they're careful.
But monsters are monsters. Anything can happen.
Regardless, as long as they play it safe and work together this is plausible.
Michael held his sword in front, putting on a fighting stance. As both groups stared each other down, he thought of a plan. They could all fight or stall one each as the remaining two gang up on an opponent one by one.
It wasn't the most honorable battle, but surviving is more important than pride.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to shout the plan but was suddenly pushed.
"Huh?" Falling, he saw his life flash before his eyes as he saw an incoming blade directed to his head.
He glanced behind to see the person who had pushed him, a white teen with bleached hair, wearing a wry face; it was the same person who gave him bruises above the scars cut from the past.
His blood boiled seeing his expression. Was asserting your dominance important right now? To get me killed? Michael thought as a vein bulged on his forehead.
He wasn't going to die in such a pathetic way—die from such a pathetic person. The person who beats those who do not heed his commands. A person he would have fought back to if it weren't for the peace of the group.
He stiffened his legs, firmly rooting them on the ground. Next, he returned the sword into his ring and materialized it into his left hand—the hand that was above his head as his right caught his body.
Clank!
He blocked the goblin's blow, but his left wasn't particularly strong and wobbled.
Seeing this, the goblin quickly followed up.
Cling!
But Michael was able to support his blade with his right hand in time. However, the goblin didn't relent and continued pushing with all its strength.
Michael started leaning backward as he kneeled on the ground with one foot, desperately holding on to keep his head on his shoulders.
"STEVE SMITH!" He called out angrily.
Glaring at him with crazed eyes, he flinched.
"I-I…didn't know w-what came to me…" Steve stuttered. But in truth was on purpose, he just didn't expect him to fall over. He put on a smile to try and diffuse the situation.
"Bullshit!" Michael screamed. He just almost died and the bastard was smiling! The reaction only angered Michael more.
But because of this outburst, he lost focus and failed to notice another deadly strike coming from his side.
The moment he saw it in his peripheral vision it was already right beside his head…
Thud!
Zack dashed and caught the blade using his sword's guard. Looking at the other goblin pushing Michael, an idea came to mind.
Using his guard, he locked the goblin's falchion in place.
"Duck!" Zack called out.
Michael didn't question him and lowered himself.
He planted his feet on the ground and using his whole weight, he lifted the goblin and threw it towards the one attacking Michael.
"AHHH!" He grunted, garnering strength.
"Kiekkk!" The goblins shrieked.
Bam!
The two dropped down and rolled before standing up shortly after. It didn't do as much damage as Zack thought it would, but it intimidated them. The goblins backed off and growled.
Michael stood up and yelled, "STEVE!" He walked towards him.
"Huh? I said I'm sorry!" Steve yelled back. But Michael didn't back off this time and glared at him with beastly eyes.
"Pussy, you going fight back now? Want to get another roughing like back at the castle?" He tried intimidating him with beads of sweat flowing down his cheeks. But Michael was never scared, he just let it happen.
And he had enough. He wasn't going to ignore it anymore—it almost caused his demise. He already refused to stay under his wing, but did he really have to do this to get back at him? How can anybody be this petty, to get angry from someone saying no?! Michael thought.
"Let's talk about this later, guys. They're coming again!" Chase called out, pulling back the arrow to his bow.
Being small, the weapons were too heavy for him. Hence choosing a bow. But it was no way a disadvantage it was the perfect weapon for him;
He has a [ Long-ranged ] class with a ( Sniper ) job. But that wasn't all, he was also an artist—artists known for their steady hands, reflecting on his only skill,
( Precision )
Swoosh!
Chase released the bowstring and the arrow traveled to a goblin, hitting it on the thigh.
"Kreee!" It groaned.
But despite being a sniper, he still lacked experience and skill.
However, the shot didn't go to waste as a black-haired teen followed up with his spear and stabbed it straight in the heart.
"Tanaka!" Steve yelled with a hint of anger.
"This isn't the time to be petty!" Tanaka replied as he pulled back his weapon, kicking back the corpse to unlatch his spear. His eyes showed a crazed glint from the sensation. The feeling of stabbing flesh—the feeling they will get so often from now on…
Steve gritted his teeth in annoyance hearing his response, but everyone knew he was right.
So despite the pathetic and unnecessary hostility towards each other, they all took a leap of faith and charged. Except for Steve who hesitated for a moment.
"AHH!" They ran albeit shaking and trembling.
Clank!
They bashed into the enemy, sloppily striking and dodging. Some shrieked seeing their blood gush as they were cut. They were sheltered all their lives living in luxury and peace. Seeing their bodies have wounds bigger than they had ever seen made them frightened.
Meanwhile, the goblin Tanaka had slain dropped down.
He looked at the bleeding body—he could see its insides and almost puked because of it. Guilt overwhelmed him.
Whilst holding back his vomit, a green orb suddenly came out of the corpse's chest and separated into two.
'"Uwah!" Tanaka fell as the orb entered his body while the other went around him and pursued a different target.
In a panic, he shrieked. "Ah! Something's inside of me!"
But none could look his way as they fought off their opponents.
Seeing the orb shooting towards Chase, Michael called, "Watch out!" activating his skill simultaneously.
"!" Chase instinctively covered his side as soon as he saw the light in his peripheral view. But the orb fazed through his block and entered his chest.
"Ufuh!" He coughed and fell to his knees.
But…nothing happened?
Chase subconsciously exaggerated the blow thinking he was going to feel pain.
[ World Points (10) ]
"Don't worry, it isn't dangerous!" Michael explained.
Tanaka jittering exclaimed. "And how do you know that?!"
"Trust me, just focus on the battle!" Michael brandished his sword and assisted Zack.
Clink!
Zack struck with an overhead but was blocked. Quickly, Michael went around the goblin and cut it behind its knees—one of the humans' vital spots.
"KEEEE-" It screamed but was silenced by Michael as he finished it off, stabbing it behind its neck.
Kshluk!
He puffed in relief that it worked, after all, they were monsters so he wasn't sure about the spot. But they were humanoid creatures and that was enough for Michael to target it.
He gazed at the corpse with cold eyes. Whether it was because he is used to the sight or adrenaline blocked his emotions he didn't know.
All he knew was that he had to survive.
Clank!
Another strike came from behind him but Zack covered his back. "What's up with you getting ambushed from behind."
"I knew you were going to cover for me so I didn't bother." They bantered.
They were indeed scared, and are still horrified by the sight. But they both knew worse are to come. So they steeled their resolves fully, reflecting on their cold eyes—eyes deprived of their innocence. They were now killers.
Both swung their swords, taking off the blood—splattering it onto the green grass.
As a sign of change, their expression darkened. They were no longer modern people. They have to kill to survive.
Then, a green mist started emanating from Zack's body, in sync with Michael's transforming eyes. Changing into the color of red—the same color as the blood they shed.
______________________
Race: Green Goblin
STR: 45
AGI: 23
______________________
[ Stone Falchion (Poor) {56.78} ]
[ Hardskin Thong (Medium) {78.12} ]
Holding his sword by the side, preparing to run, Michael shouted. "Hold on! We'll pick them off one by one!"
But instead of the scornful stares he usually gets when speaking, what showed were eyes of hope and joy.
"Chase, cover those struggling whilst we help the others!" Michael ordered.
Taking another arrow from his quiver, Chase replied. "Yes sir!" Releasing another shot simultaneously.
At the same time, Michael and Zack charged into battle once again. This time, feeling calm—one of the moral shackles of their old world snapped. But they don't know whether this was a good thing or not.
Swish! Clang! Thud! Thump! Plorrk!
Another goblin came down.
Clink! Thud! Swoosh! Shnk!
And another.
Swish! Swoosh! Chut!
And another. With each victory shorter than the other until only one remained.
It shuddered in fear.
All surrounded it to stop it from retreating and…
Thud! Pak! Flat!
They started beating it to death. Adrenaline ceased their clarity.
They stomped. They punched. And they stabbed.
They looked at it with cold and dead eyes.
Fear became anger. Anger became hatred. They used the poor goblin to vent their feelings.
After a few minutes, Chase snapped from his daze and stopped everyone.
Finally realizing what they were doing, they all looked at the bloody mush they made and puked—all but Zack and Michael.
They changed. They must kill—they had killed. They felt disgusting because of it.
But they knew it has to be done for them to survive. To fight enemies to gain strength to avoid death.
Stomp!
…And their next opponent has come.
"GRAWWRRR!"