I make my way back to the chamber with the now uncommon weapon. I look for more illusions on the way, but nothing pops out. The second goblin doesn't respawn yet, either, even though it's been a decent amount of time, compared to when the first one reappeared.
After the short walk back to the chamber, I take a breath and step inside. The outline of a goblin appears, but this time, it had something. A short dagger in it's right hand. While worrying, I don't think it will make too much of a difference, since I have more range with my weapon.
The second the goblin solidifies, it charges, pointing the dagger at my gut. Stepping to the side when it gets closer, I swing the rod down onto it's wrists, hoping to disarm it.
Shockingly, the goblin dodges my attack, backing out of my attack range, before charging again, this time tilting towards my right side. I side step to the left, and aim for the back of the head, but the goblin ducks under the attack, and turns around, charging at me.
The swing left my arms over extended, meaning I can't counter attack, so I dodge to the right. Recuperating my stance so I'm not defenseless, I prepare for the next exchange. The goblin takes a moment to get it's bearings as well, showing an eerie amount of intelligence.
This will not be an easy fight.
Taking initiative, I dash forwards. With the goblin only having a short dagger, I have the advantage of reach, which I should have been using better. Using only one hand to swing, I wait until the goblin moves away from the attack, before I grab onto the hand with the dagger, using my strength to squeeze it's hand.
Unexpectedly, the result is a sickening crunch, and a loud howl ripping form the throat of the monster. Not wasting the opportunity, I make a large over head swing, attempting to crush it's skull.
The results are not as good as I had hoped, but it does do enough damage to guarantee victory. With another two swings, it finally does, becoming black strings, and forming another small orb. Along with the orb, the sound of a small metal object in the middle of the room draws my attention.
A small pocket watch, with a light bronze covering with no chain, sits there, quietly ticking. I pick up the orb and put it into the bag, before picking up the watch. As soon as I touch it, it Bonds.
-----
Bonding Classic Pocket watch...
Bonding complete!
Classic Pocket Watch
Normal
Trinket
A normal pocket watch. Accurately tracks time, from seconds to years.
+1 INT
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Looking at the watch, it shows a basic twelve numbered layout, with a second, minute, and hour hand. On the right side of the bronze case is a labeled with MT, and the number 4, and the left side has YR, with the number 15 PR. On the bottom is DY, with a 1 next to it.
A useful tool to have. Lookin at the numbers on the case, the date is, according to the watch, 5:52 PM, on the first of the fourth month, of the year 15 PR. Or, 1/4/15, 5:52 in the evening.
Looking at he description, it says it's a trinket, instead of just an Artifact. Looking at my gloves, I notice that where the "Trinket" is for the watch, is instead "Arms". I would think it means the type of arms used to describe weapons and armor, and not the body part.
The Quality Metal Rod also has Arms there, which means there are probably more types of Artifacts.
I put he pocket watch into the bag as well, so that it won't break. It looks sturdy, but I'd rather not risk it for no reason. I step out of the chamber and check for any injuries, but I find nothing. I handled that fight well, for the most part, but I could have done better. The important thing is that I'm not wounded.
After taking a quick break, and eating a bit more moss so I have more energy, I head back into the chamber, planning on clearing it. The smoky tendrils form a goblin again, but much different this time. Much taller than the others, and definitely much stronger too.
I use [Gauge] before it finishes forming, and instantly regret being reckless and trying to complete another fight right after the last one. At least 10 STR, 6 DEX, and 12 CON, a beast in physical strength.
At most 4 MP, and only 3 INT, but I get the feeling that the INT is only measuring the mana control part, and not actual intelligence. All in all, way too much for me to be able to confidently fight it.
Too late to back out now.
The large goblin blurs towards me, much faster than it should be. It's arm swings down at my head, and I barley get the rod high enough to block. Even through the block though, I still feel the force behind the attack, making my knees buckle.
I use everything I have in me to keep myself standing. Being in a lower position would seal my fate, guaranteeing my death.
The goblin takes a step back, before throwing itself forwards, trying to slam into me. I step off to the side at the last second, but it's large build makes it hard to completely avoid it, and my arm gets clipped.
Pain shoots through me, but I push through, forcing myself to find my footing and face the goblin. It looks angry that it's attack didn't work, and charges again.
When I try to dodge again, I find myself unable to move. I look down and see a vine wrapped around my legs, locking me in place. When I look back up, the goblin is right in front of me, using it's entire body to run me over.
At the last second, I decide to take a risk, and raise the rod above my head, using all of my strength in a large swing. When the rod and the skull of the goblin meet, I feel a ringing sensation going through my arms, and they go numb.
The attack worked though, causing the goblin to feel pain, and become confused. It's charge slows down and moves off to the side, but no enough for it to not still hit me.
Once again, I get shoved back, breaking the bindings around my legs, and sending me stumbling away. I forcefully get back up, and dash at the goblin, who is still holding it's head in pain. Taking the advantage, I swing as hard as I can against it's knee, making a loud crunch.
The monster howls in pain, and quickly gets it's bearings. While it drops to one knee, it throws a punch at my ribs, much too fast for me to avoid. With both of us now injured, a few seconds of silence fills the room, with nothing but breathing.
The silence feels like it stretches on forever, but also not nearly long enough, as my ribs continue to stab at my lung with each breath. All at once, we both attack, using the last bit of energy we have.
The goblin aims for my heart, trying to take my out in one large hit. At the same time, I swing my metal rod horizontally at it's neck, trying to break it.
After what felt like the longest half a second of my entire life, the extra range of my weapon gives me enough of an advantage to hit first. With my muscles strained hard enough that I know they'll hurt for days, I see, hear, and feel the goblin's neck give out under the force, bursting veins, and destroying it's windpipe.
With the very last of my physical and mental strength, I force myself slightly to the right, making the disappearing goblin's fist glance off instead of hitting directly. I then pass out.