" What on earth are they doing? These goblins sure are a piece of work!" Julian said in shock; he had never seen a cult-like scenario like this before, even at the height of his bloodstained experience!
He looked at the unusual goblin in the center of the bloody rituals and was surprised to see its powerful attributes.
[Elite Hobgoblin(Magician)]
Level: 7
Health: 1450
Physical Damage: 75
Magic Damage: 80
P. Defense: 5
M. Defense: 10
Skills:
[Fireball: Manifest a sphere of fire that deals 140 Magic Damage and deals additional 30 Elemental Damage.]
[Magic Arrow: Quickly throw a magical arrow projectile that deals 35 Magic Damage.]
Based on Julian's knowledge of monsters in the game of New Dawn Online, Hoblin is the evolved version of a goblin. They can learn magic and other skills that ordinary goblins can't; According to the New Dawn Forum, Hoblin is a fiend that loves to bully the weak goblins. Hobgoblin used weaker goblins as a meatshield and treated them like consumables in battle.
'I won't be able to fight that thing fairly, for sure. Hmmm. There are the other goblins too. ' Julian had a thought as look at the other goblin dancing like a madman. He strokes his chin and peeks at the narrow passage behind his back. 'Hmm, that could work. Let's do that.'
After observing for another minute, Julian aimed his crossbow at the Hobgoblin and fired.
[Power Shot]
-92
"Argghh!"
The Hobgoblin roared in pain as the [Power Shot] struck its glinting eyes; It quickly searched for the cause of its pain when it suddenly felt another arrow striking once again. The Hobgoblin immediately looked into the distance and saw Julian standing not far from them.
" Human! You dare to interrupt our offering ritual! I'll kill you and offer your head to our gods! " The Hobgoblin said as it let out a fierce roar and pointed its dirty finger at Julian. " Kill that human!"
Other goblins quickly took out their weapon and rushed to Julian's location. Some goblins are running comically in leather armor while brandishing swords or spears.
" Yeah, yeah. I hear you, come here and get some of this arrow. " Julian said as he fired his crossbow while retreating. He looked at the approaching Hobgoblin and raised his hand as he cast [Water Whip] and [Aquaball] in quick succession.
-34
-118
Both the spells hit the Hobgoblin's face; the [Water Whip] slows down the Hobgoblin while [Aquaball] deals a lot of damage. Julian keeps moving toward the small passage and only stops when the Hobgoblin and five additional goblins enter it.
" Now, let's see what you can do. " Julian said with anticipation as he looked at the closing goblins and the Hobgoblins at the back. He aimed his crossbow at the Hobgoblin and fired.
[Power Shot]
Swoosh!
-92
" Aargh! "
The Hobgoblin staggered after being struck by [Power Shot]. Julian glanced at it before turning his attention to the other five goblins; He calmly fired numerous arrows at the closest goblin.
-80
-80
-80
With great accuracy, the arrows pierced the unfortunate goblin's eyes, doing multiple critical damages. If there are professional players who watched this, their mouths gape at surprised by how Julian accomplished this.
Satisfied with the damage, Julian switches from his primary weapon to his secondary weapon. Without hesitation, He charges forward at the closest goblin and slashes its neck with his dagger.
-40
-40
After a series of slashes, Julian's eyes grew sharped as he saw the Hobgoblin manifest an [fireball] in its hand and throws it in his direction. He quickly approached one of the goblins and kicked its waist, launching it in the air and colliding with the Hobgoblin's [Fireball].
[Ding! You have successfully learned [Close-Combat Mastery].]
Julian grinned as he saw the notification, " I learned a mastery without using skill books!? That's a big discovery!" He has read the New Dawn Online several times but didn't find information about learning mastery in the game.
Bang!
-170
' Nice! Hehehe' Julian smiled as he saw the massive damage that appeared on the goblin. He looked at the Hobgoblin and wanted to use his crossbow; however, his aware that switching weapons within the game has a 15-second cooldown. At the moment, He could only temporarily use his dagger to fight the other goblin.
Julian took advantage of the fact that only two goblins could pass side by side through the narrow passage of the caves and used his dagger to fight the goblins.
Julian continued to take advantage of the narrow passage of the caves, skillfully dodging various attacks and using other goblins to make the Hobgoblin's [Fireball] useless. While he occasionally gets hit by the [Magic Arrow], It is due to choosing to output more damage at the other goblin. He could easily take care of the damage because of his high HP recovery; besides, his mana recovery helped him to last longer in the fight without using a mana potion.
After quite some time fighting, Julian looked at the Hobgoblin and the two remaining goblins. He switches to a crossbow and fires at the Hobgoblin.
[Power Shot]
Swoosh!
-92
" Argh! Human, how dare you! I'll rip your flesh to pieces!" The Hobgoblin muttered as he writhed in agony from Julian's arrows' wounds to his eyes again. The Hobgoblin's words, however, didn't stop Julian from firing his crossbow.
-80
-40
-80
[Aquaball]
-69
The Hobgoblin roared and manifested another [Fireball] at its hand before throwing it at the annoying intruder's body. Julian looked at the [Fireball] and quickly moved his body to avoid it. He didn't directly use the last two goblins as a shield because he needed them to keep his distance from the Hobgoblin. Although Julian could try to fight it in close combat, he doesn't want to risk it.
After a few more minutes, The Hobgoblin only has 300 health. Now wanting to waste any more time, Julian swiftly dodged one of the goblins [thrust] and aimed at the Hobgoblin's head.
[Power Shot]
-92
[Basic Attack]
-40
-80
-80
" Arrghh! How is this possible!? " The Hobgoblin said as he turned into small particles.
[Ding! You have obtained 550 Experience points.]
After killing the Hobgoblin, Julian quickly finished the two goblins earning him more experience points.
[Ding! You have obtained 125 experience points.]
[Ding! You have obtained 125 experience points.]
Even though the Hobgoblin dropped a lot of loot, Julian was more interested in the necklace than the numerous silver and copper coins lying on the ground.
[Myriad Fang Necklace]
Requirements: level 5
Strength +4
Intelligence +4
Durability: 55/70
Julian immediately wears the necklace and returns on the way to the altar. He thoroughly searched the altar and discovered a black orb with runic writing all around it; Julian could sense evil just by looking at it.
[Orb of Sacrifice] (Quest Item)
Description: "An object of evil and malice that claimed the lives of numerous creatures."
Putting the Orb into his inventory, Julian turned his attention to the iron ore he had located at the corner of the caves.
" Haahhh... finally! Let's mine this and get the heck out of here before night. " Julian said as he took the pickaxe and began digging up the iron ore.
After minutes of digging, Julian took the last iron ore into his inventory. He gave the altar a second look before continuing toward the exit of Boulder Caves.
***
The sun's flare was like a painting lit up the sky; its slanting rays gave the sky a warm orange hue. Under the setting sun, One could witness the gentle glow of the town's lights lit up the closing night sky.
' What a beautiful sky! This game is so amazing!' Julian thought to himself as he entered the Braves Town. Right now, many players are wandering around the small town. It seems like I should invite the group over to play this game! Playing by yourself can be lonesome.'
Julian quickly finds Gavin and delivers the iron ore.
[Ding! You have obtained 45 silver coins and a [Hunter]skill book.]
[Ding! You have obtained 900 Experience points.]
[Ding! You have leveled up.]
Julian smiled at the system notification as he took out the Orb he had found in the Boulder Caves and displayed it to Gavin.
" Mr. Gavin, I discovered this Orb at a mysterious goblin altar. What are you doing about this?"
"This!.. You! I can't believe I found this. Are you sure you find this with the goblins?"
" Yes, I'm sure of it. "
" If that's the case, we have a huge problem! We need to tell the Mayor. Do you mind sending this letter to the Mayor?" Gavin said as he handed Julian a letter.
[Ding! A chain quest has materialized. Would you accept it?]
[Quest Detail: " Deliver the letter to the Mayor."
Reward: Gavin's trust.]
"I'll gladly do it, Mr. Gavin."
" Then I leave it to you, Lad," Gavin patted Julian's shoulder.