Taking the map from the village chief, I set out in the direction of the abandoned mine. After a few minutes of walking, I reached the entrance of the mine.
Approaching the entrance of the abandoned mine, it's like stepping into an eerie scene frozen in time. The mine's mouth, carved into the rocky mountain, appears as a dark, gaping hole that swallows the surrounding light. It's as if the rough edges of the entrance resemble jagged teeth, waiting silently.
Years of neglect have left their mark, and the entrance shows the wear of time. Once-sturdy wooden support beams now groan and creak under the weight of history. Cobwebs hang like ghostly curtains, draped across the entrance.
Remnants of the past are scattered around the entrance. Old mining carts, now rusted relics, rest on decaying tracks that vanish into the darkness. Abandoned mining tools, covered in dust, serve as reminders of the workers who once toiled here. The air carries the earthy scent of minerals and a touch of dampness.
So, these are the abandoned mines? Before entering, let's take a look at the map I got from the village chief.
I decided to do just that and opened the map when suddenly the familiar blue screen popped up.
New Location Discovered.
Abandon mines - Crystal Hollows has been added to the Map.
Generating Quests
Quest: Hunting
Hunt 500 different monsters from the Crystal Hollows and collect their Energy stone.
Reward: Skill Night Vision will be rewarded upon completion of the quest
Warning: A similar quest has been detected.
Merging Quests
Quests Merged Successfully
Quest: Hunting
Go and hunt the Goblin Tribe that has been causing problems for the travelers and the merchants. The goblin tribe is currently located in the abandoned mines called Crystal Hollows. Hunt them and gather their Energy stones.
Remaining Targets:
Goblin Shamen: 0/1
Hobgoblin: 0/1
Goblins: 0/1000
Reward: Evolve one of your summons skills and the skill Night Vision will be rewarded upon successfully completing the quest
Whoa, I suddenly received a new quest, just like what happened back in Verdant Grove. Not only that, it merged with the quest I received from the guards. Instead of a general hunt for monsters in the Crystal Hollows, it's now specifically targeting goblins, and I have to take down around a thousand of them. This is going to be quite a challenge.
Anyway, let's take another look at the map; the status screen interrupted me earlier, so I couldn't examine it properly. I reopened the map the village chief gave me and studied it. Wow, this mine is enormous; it's approximately fifteen kilometers in length, with several X marks denoting various locations on the map.
I wondered what those could signify. According to this map, there are five different entrances leading into the mines, but four of them are crossed out. Could these cross marks represent blocked paths? It dawned on me that the entrances might not be the only things crossed out; there was also a cross mark at the center of the cave leading deeper into the mines.
Hmm... If my theory about the cross marks is correct, then the mine is somehow blocked from within, possibly to stop people from venturing too deep inside. Regardless, it seems that the only accessible area spans about four to five kilometers. That's a relief; I won't have to explore the entire fifteen kilometers.
As I peer inside, the interior appears considerably darker. How can I see what's in there? Wait a minute, I have Truck-Kun's mana sense skill; let's use that for now.
I decided to activate the skill and focused my attention on it.
"Skill Share - Mana Sense"
Once I uttered those words, the entire world around me suddenly transformed. It felt as if I could perceive the world from a 360-degree angle.
This skill is impressive and all, but it gives me a headache if I use it for too long. I really wish I could have acquired the Night Vision skill earlier, but I can only obtain it after completing this quest. Oh well, let's make the best of what we have for now.
With my decision made, I entered the dark cave. After walking for a few minutes, I sensed something using the Mana Sense skill—there were approximately twenty of them nearby.
Before me stand creatures that defy every notion I've held about goblins. These beings, typically depicted as small, green, ugly, and unpleasant, challenge my expectations entirely. Instead, they resemble small green girls, a sight so bewildering it's almost otherworldly.
They are petite, reaching only 3 to 4 feet in height, lending them an air of youthful innocence. What strikes me most is their appearance, akin to ordinary girls rather than the grotesque goblins of legend. Their skin maintains its natural green hue, serving as a subtle reminder of their true nature.
Their clothing varies. Some goblin girls have chosen simple cloth bandages wrapped around their chests. Others have opted for leather armor to shield their torsos, offering a degree of protection. Their chests are moderately developed, in harmony with their youthful appearance. Each of these goblin girls sports a basic loincloth on their lower half.
What truly baffled me is the array of weaponry they carry. Some had Iron swords and axes While others wielded primitive, makeshift stone axes, spears, or daggers, a testament to their resourcefulness. In contrast, others simply grip wooden logs, fashioned into crude, natural clubs.
What the hell am I seeing? These are the goblins? They look like little green lollies. Why is everyone so afraid of them?
As I pondered these thoughts, one of the goblins started sniffing the air, and then she turned in my direction, pointed her weapon at me, and said something.
"Everyone, it looks like we have a brave adventurer here. From the scent, it seems to be a young male adventurer who's ventured in here alone. How wonderful! It appears a fresh, young plaything has stumbled upon us all by himself. Let's capture him and have some fun; all our old toys are already broken anyway, heh heh heh," she declared, all while pointing her weapon at me and letting out a wicked laugh.
Did I hear that correctly? They are planning to use me as a plaything? Do they really think I'd be defeated by a bunch of goblins? I swiftly drew my axe and charged at them.
I swung my axe at one of them, but they easily dodged it due to their small stature. I swung my axe a few more times, but they all skillfully evaded my attacks. To make matters worse, the passage we were fighting in was so narrow that my axe became wedged in the rocks.
"Now, girls, capture the new toy," one of them declared.
Damn it! I couldn't pull the axe out. While I was pondering this, they all began to surround me, launching attacks from every direction. One of them even lunged at me. Without hesitation, I released my grip on the axe and activated a skill.
"Blood Shield."
As I uttered those words, a shield made of blood materialized in front of me, halting the goblin girl who was charging at me. Then, I quickly employed another skill.
"Blood Spike."
Once again, a long spike made of blood formed before me. Normally, I'd launch these spears at my enemies, but this time, I grasped them, intending to use them as stabbing weapons.
While I was trying to fend them off, all of them closed in, charging at me simultaneously. One of them managed to grab my legs, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground. I couldn't believe what was happening—these little green creatures were trying to undress me. I had to protect myself somehow, but what could I do to escape this bizarre situation?
Then it hit me—I still had Truck-Kun's new skill, FM. I decided to use it to free myself from these green creatures.
"Skill Share - FM"
"Screw Off."
As I uttered those words, a powerful force emanated from me, sending the goblins flying. It was as if a tremendous sound wave had struck them, propelling some to the ground and others into the cave walls with a resounding impact, creating spider-web-like cracks behind them.
But that wasn't the end of it. The entire mine began to shake violently due to the force I had unleashed. Dust and small rocks rained down from the ceiling, and it became apparent that if I used this skill a few more times, the entire mine might collapse. I needed to be extremely cautious with its use.
For now, escaping was the priority. I quickly stood up, hastily adjusted my half-removed pants, and sprinted toward the exit. Simultaneously, I summoned my Blood Axe Rex.
"Bloody Rex, to me!"
It broke free from the rocks and soared into my hand. However, the goblins were already recovering and hot on my heels, closing the distance rapidly. Panic set in. What should I do? I couldn't use the 'FM' skill without burying myself alive. Wait a minute, what if I use the new skill that Bandalf had taught Truck-Kun?
"Gas Exhaust."
As soon as I uttered those words, black smoke began to emanate from my all-over body, gradually growing in size and engulfing the green goblins. They started to choke and fall, frothing at the mouth, but a few resilient ones managed to endure the fumes and continued their pursuit.
Damn it! The smoke was making me dizzy too. Struggling to maintain my senses, I caught sight of the cave's exit. Somehow, I managed to stumble out of the cave and promptly ceased the skill. However, it was too late. My vision blurred, and I collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by dizziness. One of the goblins was closing in, gleefully muttering, "New toy!"
Before the goblin could reach me, someone stepped in.