This was the first time Rakahn faced such a situation.
Though he had trained with Cliff while transformed into a bear, Cliff always held back his blows for fear of seriously injuring him. As a result, Rakahn lacked extensive experience in battling powerful creatures.
But in this fleeting moment, he prepared to strike a blow—one that would completely change the course of his life.
The sound of his sword rang out like a clarion call.
Time seemed to freeze as Rakahn watched the hideous head of the abomination roll across the ground.
[You have killed a monster variant: hobgoblin mage.]
[You have received a Variant Essence Stone.]
The announcements echoed in his mind.
An avalanche of emotions surged through him—joy, sadness, anger—all intermingled. After all, he had just defeated a creature several ranks above him. Who would have thought he would one day be capable of such a feat? How could he have dared to confront a "monster" before he had even awakened?
Not awake yet, huh?
A smirk crept onto his lips.
"Not for long."
"GET THE FUCK UP!!!" Dahlia barked.
Startled, Rakahn tumbled backward reflexively, narrowly avoiding a fireball aimed at him.
Damn, I got carried away!
He realized that, in that brief moment of distraction, the remaining hobgoblin had thrown a tantrum upon witnessing his companion's decapitation.
The hideous creature, no longer able to distinguish between allies and enemies, unleashed a torrent of fireballs in all directions. Some unfortunate soldiers, apparently too slow to react, were engulfed in flames as they fell within range of the creature's deadly projectiles.
The monstrosity let out a furious roar, its crimson eyes blazing with rage.
Dahlia surged forward, swinging her weapon to parry an incoming attack. She closed the distance, dodging strikes only when absolutely necessary.
Not wanting to be left out, Rakahn took advantage of the creature's focus on Dahlia. He swung his khopesh, aiming for its back.
But the creature was no fool; it wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
As it cast spells with its left hand at Dahlia, it simultaneously bombarded Rakahn with fireballs from its right.
Rakahn clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Tsk! We can't fool you twice… can we?"
His lips curled into a maniacal smile. Well, that will be your downfall.
The hobgoblin mage had calculated everything perfectly. Even with its companion down, it had managed to defend itself while launching its own attacks.
But despite all its careful planning, it had overlooked one crucial detail.
Its attackers numbered not two, but three.
As it focused on bombarding its two opponents, a long blade suddenly erupted from its abdomen.
Taken by surprise, the creature let out a muffled cry. It spun around and kicked its assailant away.
Akumu had just been thrown backward once again.
"Didn't I tell you this would be your downfall?" Rakahn taunted.
The hobgoblin mage had been momentarily distracted by Akumu, but those precious seconds were all Dahlia needed to strike.
With steely determination, she sprinted forward, launching herself at her target. Putting all her strength into her arms, she swung her weapon down with lethal intent.
The beast was cleaved in two, falling apart without any resistance.