**Loki POV**
Hobgoblins are not a separate species from goblins though they do share the same source with most hobgoblins having evolved from goblins. Monsters don't have levels like mankind, demonkind, or the Demi-Humans. Monsters did however have a status all the same with the differences being due to heritage, any unique prospects and the rather miniscule chance of training. Most monsters usually are brought into being through the barrier that blocks the intervention of deities, though there is no small amount of cases where intelligent beings have been made to birth monsters. Such a thing usually results in more unique monsters if not simply stronger ones. Loki shook his head chasing off the theories he was contemplating when a hobgoblin came into view.
Hobgoblins generally had higher stats than goblins and on average are around this benchmark:
[Stats]
● HP: 30
● Str: 18
● Mag: 0
● Skl: 16
● Spd: 15
● Lck: 0
● Def: 11
● Res: 5
● Charm: 0
Loki's stats are as follows:
[Stats]
[Level 2]
[Tier 1]
● HP: 24
● Str: 24
● Mag: 56
● Skl: 32
● Spd: 22
● Lck: 20
● Def: 16
● Res: 40
● Charm: 26
While Loki with his current stats practically eclipsed the hobgoblin in every way there were decisive differences between the two. The hobgoblin at first warily eyed all the figures flanking it before dashing at the prince and loosing a shout. Seeing those legs tremble after the snarl, the green figure had aimed its club at his legs, the only thing on the mind of the hobgoblin being the torment he could inflict before killing the child. A few of the knights looked like they were about to jump in between the two when Mekkla signaled them to hold off.
Taking a deep breath to focus Loki used C-rank dark magic, Deprivation Whip. The whip had an ethereal appearance to it aside from the almost pitch black appearance. Dark magic wasn't necessarily an evil magic, it is one that focuses on depriving the enemy of things. Loki quite frankly was tempted to rename it debuff magic if it wasn't for the majority being related to sight in some manner. Cracking the whip it hit the hobgoblin causing it to grimace, yet it kept charging. Another lash of the whip and the hobgoblin didn't even grimace though it was only now that the greenskin realized something was off.
The first lash had deprived the hobgoblin of its sense of taste something that it didn't notice. The second lash had deprived its sense of smell causing it to stop and try sniffing half wondering if the child was about to dissappear. Distracted the goblin failed to dodge out of the way as its sense of hearing was deprived. The hobgoblin was straining its beady yellow eyes attempting to lock on to the shadow like whip. It was of no use due to the speed at which the whip could be cracked and his skill stat allowing his body to move as he wishes. The fourth lash took out the sense of sight. Left with only its touch the hobgoblin ran into a tree, stunned from the impact a single light arrow ended the monster.
A number of cheers could be heard from the guards as they watched Loki finish off a hobgoblin near the end of the first day of his first hunt. The camp had been setup with haste and after rolling around on the bed which couldn't compare to one within the Palace Loki eventually fell asleep.
**Simon POV**
Under the cover of the night Simon would be emptying a bag of powder on the ground under the pretext of having just finished up his meal before returning to guard duty. He felt like there was a pit in his stomach with what he had just done. Most likely several of the knights would die or be injured and some of his men might meet a similar fate. He had orders from the Gyrant family to carry out with how Loki was proving to be even more exceptional than originally expected. The powder that had been spread would appear like crumbs to most, but those who carry elements of undeath within their blood would be able to manipulate and detect it. The faint powder would slowly be made to approach Loki keeping as close as possible acting like a beacon for his location.
(All I can do is hope whatever bloodsucker shows up, they don't do anything especially rash. The hunt might even get canceled if they don't stick to just watching. That Vice-Captain is quite the monster as well, he might even notice them from afar.)
Simon barely suppressed his shivers when he recalled the Gyrant family head drinking blood as if it was tea. He had no clue if it was just him or if more of the family had fallen to the temptation of eternal life. He attempted to subjugate Haussel Gyrant, only to have the tables turned and was forced to obey his orders. Vampires weren't counted among mankind, demonkind, or even Demi-Humans. They were seem as a heretical monsters scorned by mortals and they would even be attacked by monsters all the same.
**Loki POV**
It was the morning of the second day in the hunt and with everyone having gotten some food in their stomachs they set out searching for additional prey. A group of three hobgoblins were spotted though he was forced to allow a guard to fight alongside him. Why was this forced upon Loki? It was due to how defenses worked in this world, if the offense is greater than the relevant defense damage is possible and instant death if a vital point is struck, even if it was a rather miniscule chance with the small difference. Three foes who could all deal a lethal blow could not be allowed to potentially flank an inexperienced Loki. The hobgoblins charged as soon they noticed the weaker looking prey with only one person guarding them.
A loud clang could be heard as a club swung at a shield held by the guard. Loki wasted no time in sending a light arrow at the hobgoblin, leaving a hole in its body as it fell over. The monsters not knowing about fear charged forward much in the same way, the change happened with only one being stopped by the guard. A light arrow was fired and missed and in a panic pushing his arms out, Loki used a D-rank defensive light spell, Wall of Light. When the club hit the wall it sent ripples throughout it like a stone being tossed into a lake and pushing the club back. Another arrow of light finished it off leaving a sole hobgoblin left who had finally realized the kid wasn't an easy target in the slightest. Instead of growing fearful it became enraged pushing the guard to the side as its muscles looked like they were about to burst.
(Huh? Isn't that the sign of a berserk state? Why can a ...?)
His thoughts were interrupted as the hobgoblin barreled into the barrier shattering it like glass and the leftover momentum carried the tackle as it hit Loki and sent him flying backwards until he hit a tree.
[HP: - 20]
[HP:4/24]
The rustling of armor could be heard as several knights sprung into action at once skewering the hobgoblin with numerous swords killing it instantly. The pain almost caused Loki to fall unconscious and his indirect involvement in the death of this hobgoblin was just enough to cause him to level up once more.
[You have leveled up!]
● HP + 12
● Str + 12
● Mag + 28
● Skl + 16
● Spd + 11
● Lck + 10
● Def + 8
● Res + 20
● Charm + 13
The pain which should have mostly abated from leveling up was the sealing blow as Loki fainted his mind protecting him from the pain at his current state.
**Mekkla POV**
Mekkla had a dark expression on his face despite Loki having survived, just being that close to death would likely mean several of the men who accompanied the prince would be getting demoted, exiled, imprisoned or outright killed if they could not offer an explanation. Every last monster in the vicinity was slaughtered and their corpses examined, it was only now that the findings were being discussed.
"Vice-Captain Mekkla, we found traces of high mana concentration even in hobgoblins which didn't show the ability to use magic. Signs are pointing to a King level monster being in or around these woods." The figure in robes who reported the results fell silent amid the gasps with the more experienced ones having extremely serious expressions on their face. "Has there really been the emergence of a King in these woods? Just who slacked on the investigations! Which family was in charge of it!" The roars of the Vice-Captain could be heard with such ferocity that a few guards who came along as training outright fainted from the pressure. "S-sir, I believe it to be the Vymark family whose patron is the Gyrant family." Simon who was nearby immediately had an indescribable expression on his face almost as if he was being forced to eat dung. Mekkla before he could even begin to interrogate Simon walked out of the tent and staring at a seemingly quiet part of the woods shifted into a battle stance, alerting the whole camp. A man who seemed like he was sickingly pale walked out giving a bow with an almost noble flourish to it.
"My, my would you look at that. Do the Imperial Guards only amount to that much? They can't even protect the greatest prodigy of the Imperial Family since the founding. Why don't we make a deal Sir Mekkla? I will teach his Highness Undeath magic so he might acquire some competent guards."
(Is he alone? Where is he keeping his undeath or undead servants? Is Simon involved?)
Such questions were going through Mekkla's mind as Jirai and his men arrived making the situation even more complicated. "Wait aren't you Josef Vymark?" Jirai was hesitating because of the red eyes, pale skin and fangs that the man had. His face otherwise reminded him of the 3rd son that had gone missing of the Vymarks.
"Indeed I am Josef, though I doubt the old man would call me a Vymark anymore. He couldn't even tolerate the Undead nevermind the Undeath. Surely you can convince that man to lay down his sword. I do not wish to fight, I have information I am willing to provide if I might be allowed to teach Prince Loki Undeath magic." The vampire that is Josef sounded carefree as if he wasn't at the risk of dying and there was some merit since it was generally hard to truly kill a vampire who was set on fleeing.
"Hmm, I see I'm not trusted at all. I shall start by giving you a tip. My father has recently thrown his support behind the Crown Prince due to a betrothal between him and my younger sister in the works. If you wish for proof or additional information on the hongoblins having a bersker state, I shall need to have my request of teaching Prince Loki undeath magic met, he does not need to use it, simply being taught it is enough. I shall wait here for an answer." Josef hadn't flashed an eyelash even as spears were just about pressing against him, a smile on his face. Mekkla let out a sigh and sent the order to inform the Prince of the situation once he wakes up.