Gorn and William exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They left the deer carcass behind, a minor concern compared to the potential danger. With weapons drawn, they sprinted towards the source of the scream, their footsteps pounding a frantic rhythm on the forest floor.
They burst into a small clearing, the scene before them instantly raising their hackles. A middle-aged woman, Elara's friend Martha, was cowering by the riverbank, her clothes basket overturned, tears streaming down her face. Surrounding her were four grotesque goblins, their leathery green skin stretched taut over bony frames, their yellowed fangs bared in vicious grins.
One of the goblins lunged at Martha, its rusty dagger raised high. Gorn roared, charging forward with the force of a raging bear. His sword flashed, a blur of steel that cleaved through the goblin's arm, sending the creature reeling back with a shriek of pain.
William, adrenaline surging through him, drew his own sword. He had never faced a real opponent before, but the sight of the woman in danger ignited a fierce protectiveness within him. He charged into the fray, his sword a clumsy but determined extension of his will.
He swung at the closest goblin, his blade connecting with a sickening thud. The creature staggered back, surprised by the unexpected attack. William pressed his advantage, his movements fueled by a desperate urgency. He thrust, parried, and dodged, his sword a whirlwind of steel.
He felt a sharp pain in his side as a goblin's claw raked across his ribs, but he ignored it, his focus solely on protecting Martha. He lunged again, his sword finding its mark, plunging deep into the goblin's chest. The creature let out a guttural gasp, its eyes widening in disbelief before collapsing to the ground.
A surge of power coursed through William, a warm sensation spreading through his limbs. A translucent blue screen flashed in his vision.
[You have slain a Goblin!]
[You have gained 100 EXP!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
He had gained two levels! The realization fueled his determination. He spun around, his sword finding another goblin, its blade slicing through its neck. The creature crumpled to the ground, its life extinguished.
Gorn, meanwhile, had dispatched the remaining two goblins with brutal efficiency. The clearing fell silent.
Martha, trembling but unharmed, rushed towards Gorn and William, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you both!" she cried, clutching their arms. "I thought I was done for!"
She explained, her voice still shaky, that she had come to the river to wash clothes when the goblins ambushed her. "They came out of nowhere," she shuddered. "I never even saw them until they were upon me."
Gorn reassured her, his voice calm and steady. "It's alright, Martha. You're safe now. We'll make sure you get back to the village unharmed."
They returned to the deer carcass, hoisting it onto Gorn's broad shoulders. With Martha safely between them, they made their way back to Willow Creek, the forest no longer seeming so peaceful and welcoming.
As they made their way back through the forest, William paused, a frown creasing his brow. "Gorn," he said, "can I check my status?"
Gorn nodded, understanding the young man's curiosity. William closed his eyes, focusing on the familiar blue screen.
Name: William Velmont
Level: 3
Class: None
Attributes:
Strength: 12
Agility: 14
Stamina: 10
Intelligence: 16
Mana: 11
Skills:
Chrono Shift (SSS-Rank): Allows the user to open a portal to a specific point in the past. (Details Unlocked)
He had gained two levels from defeating the goblins, and his attributes had increased significantly. Strength and agility had each gone up by two points, while stamina, intelligence, and mana had increased by one. He felt a surge of satisfaction. He was growing stronger, becoming more capable.
Once they reached Willow Creek and ensured Martha was safely back in her home, Gorn pulled William aside, his expression serious. "William," he said, "goblins this close to the village... it's not right. They usually keep to the deeper parts of the forest."
He paused, his gaze intense. "Something's happening, lad. Something we don't understand."
"What do you mean, Gorn?" William asked, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach. "Is Willow Creek in danger?"
Gorn nodded grimly. "This area has always been relatively safe. We have our share of wild beasts, but nothing like goblins. They're cunning, vicious creatures, and they rarely venture this close to human settlements unless..." He trailed off, his eyes filled with a troubled look.
"Unless what?" William pressed, his anxiety growing.
"Unless something is driving them," Gorn finished, his voice low. "Something dark and dangerous." He clapped William on the shoulder. "I need to speak with the other hunters, see if anyone else has noticed anything unusual." He handed William the deer carcass. "Take this back to Elara. She'll know what to do with it."
William nodded, his mind awhirl with worry. He watched as Gorn strode purposefully towards the village square, his broad shoulders radiating a sense of urgency.
He hefted the deer onto his shoulders and headed back to Gorn's cottage, the weight of the carcass a physical manifestation of the burden settling on his heart.
Elara greeted him with a warm smile, but her expression quickly turned to concern when she saw the blood staining his tunic and the worry etched on his face. "William, what happened? Where's Gorn?"
He recounted the events of the morning, the goblin attack, Gorn's grim pronouncements, and the unsettling feeling that something was amiss in the usually peaceful forest. Elara listened intently, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Goblins..." she murmured, shaking her head. "That's troubling indeed."
But she quickly composed herself, her inherent practicality taking over.
"Come now, William," she said with a reassuring smile. "Let's get this deer cleaned and put away. Worrying won't solve anything, and you need to eat."
She bustled around the kitchen, her movements efficient and practiced as she helped William skin and butcher the deer. The aroma of roasting meat soon filled the cottage, a comforting scent that helped to ease the tension that had settled over them.
After a hearty meal, William felt his weariness creeping in. The adrenaline of the hunt and the goblin encounter had faded, leaving him drained and emotionally spent. He bid Elara goodnight and retreated to his small room, the soft bed beckoning him with promises of restful sleep.
Hours later, he was awakened by the creak of the front door and the murmur of hushed voices. He lay still, his senses alert, as Gorn and Elara spoke in the main room.
"The others are worried, Elara," Gorn said, his voice heavy with concern. "Old Man Hemlock swore he saw strange tracks near the west field, and young Elspeth claims to have heard growls in the night. Even Torak, who lives on the edge of the Darkwood, says his dogs have been acting strangely."
"What does it mean, Gorn?" Elara whispered, her voice filled with apprehension.
"I don't know," Gorn admitted. "But it's not natural. Something is stirring in the forest, something dark and dangerous."
"We'll organize a search party at first light," Gorn continued, his voice firming with resolve. "We need to find out what we're dealing with before it's too late."
William listened, his heart pounding. Something was definitely wrong in Willow Creek. But what could he do? He was just an outcast, a discarded hero with a mysterious power he barely understood.