In the brief moment when Cliff lunged at the creature, it felt as if the world had slowed to a crawl.
He could clearly discern the creature's movements as it prepared to bring its weapon down on him.
Just as they were about to collide, Cliff pivoted his katana, quickly altering its trajectory...
He aimed for its neck.
The sound of his saber sliced through the air like a detonating charge...
The blade cut deep into the creature's throat.
As the laws of gravity dictated, Cliff fell and rolled until he struck a rock.
Struggling to rise, he felt his muscles writhe in agony, a groan escaping his lips.
Am I not supposed to be able to withstand pain? Damn it! he cursed inwardly.
A bitter expression crossed his face as a sharp, itching pain radiated from his right side.
The creature had managed to strike him; a severe burn marked by a gash from its flaming club marred his skin.
"He got me! That bastard touched me!" he spat, limping to his feet, each step threatening to send him toppling again.
Wait a minute, the announcement didn't say that bastard died… Did I miss it?
Cliff quickly turned around to see the creature curled on the ground, clutching its throat where blood continued to pour from the wound.
Limping toward the creature, he held his saber in one hand, purposefully dragging the edge of the blade across the ground to create a provocative sound.
"Didn't I tell you my next move would get you? Huh?"
The creature couldn't respond; it merely stared at him with wide, pleading eyes, as if begging for mercy.
Cliff watched the creature's life ebb away, its blood seeping onto the ground. Unlike its peers, this creature's blood was red, making it more human-like—and that unsettled him.
He had convinced himself that the creatures of the forest were not human and that he could kill them without hesitation to claim their essence stones.
But now, realizing the creature could speak, everything blurred in his mind. Until now, he had viewed them as mere animals, but they possessed consciousness too.
He pondered how he was any different from these creatures who killed humans for the thrill of it. How was he different from the awakened humans who hunted demi-humans mercilessly, forcing them into the most dangerous parts of the forest simply because they were easier targets?
And why am I striving to grow stronger, anyway?
Do I really have a goal? I put on a brave face in front of Rakahn and the others, but deep down, I'm still that frustrated kid who refuses to shoulder adult responsibilities.
Cliff gritted his teeth in frustration.
With a swift motion, he pierced the creature's chest with his saber.
"I know it's selfish, but all I can give you is a quick death," he declared. "And thank you for the stone!"
[You killed a mutant monster: Goblin Lord.]
[You have received a Mutant Essence Stone.]
So this guy was the boss of the goblins, and he was classified as a monster? he mused. What could be more terrifying than this?
He sighed heavily, standing up and wiping the blood from his saber before sheathing it.