I arrived at my destination for the first hunt.
"Kreeee".
"Kree…kree…"
I was just slightly deep into the outer area of the forest. And already I had sighted prey.
I dropped with extreme caution, each step a conscious exercise in stealth. My gaze remained fixed on the horde of creatures ahead, their monstrous features highlighted by the forest's glow.
These creatures are small, humanoid beings, typically standing around three to four feet tall. They have green skin, which offers them a degree of natural camouflage in their forested habitats.
Their eyes often have an eerie, glowing quality, allowing them to see at night.
Not to mention their keen sense of smell and hearing, making them adept at tracking and ambushing prey.
They are social creatures, typically organized into tribal structures. They usually have a hierarchy led by a powerful hob goblin or in extreme rare cases a shaman.
I held my stance with my sword in hand, my senses on high alert, as I examined the group of goblins ahead of me.
I had to be cautious, because striking them without knowing their numbers or backup may prove disastrous.
There was a reason many unfortunate adventurers fell at their hands despite them being so weak.
I stood frozen, my senses on high alert, as I examined the group of goblins ahead of me. Their wiry limbs moved with an unnatural energy, their pointed ears twitching with every sound.
I had to be cautious, because striking them without knowing their numbers or backup may prove disastrous.
I strained my ears while I stayed hidden and still, hoping to hear any other sounds that could signal the presence of more goblins nearby.
The air was filled with the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of forest creatures, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
I gradually moved closer, my motions careful and calculated. I needed to acquire additional information before making a decision.
A single mistake could result in a deadly fight with these cunning monsters.
My patience was wearing thin as the minutes passed. The goblins were clearly isolated in the jungle, with no hint of extra numbers or backup hiding close.
This was the chance I had been looking for.
I strengthened my grasp on the hilt of my sword with a silent resolution and made a quick decision.
It was time to seize control and strike first. The odds were stacked in my favor, and I couldn't afford to let these monsters escape.
I sprang from my covert position with a quick burst of speed, my sword aimed at the nearest goblin.
I had the element of surprise on my side as I closed the gap in the blink of an eye.
The first goblin to react raised a crude wooden shield, attempting to block my strike.
But with a swift and practiced motion, I angled my sword, bypassing the shield's inadequate defense.
The blade sliced through the goblin's leather armor and sank into its chest, eliciting a gurgled cry of pain.
Before the other goblins could fully comprehend the danger, I spun around, using the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to the second one's chest. The goblin stumbled backward, crashing into its companions and causing momentary chaos among the group.
Seizing this advantage, I pressed my attack. As I swung my sword forward, targeting the third goblin. The blade sliced through the air with precision, finding its mark and slicing through the goblin's neck. Its eyes widened in shock as it collapsed to the ground.
The fourth goblin, now recovering from the initial shock, lunged at me with a crude dagger. But I was ready. With a swift sidestep, I dodged the clumsy attack and swung my sword in a wide arc. The blade connected with the goblin's shoulder, severing its arm from its body in a gruesome display.
Only one goblin remained, its snarling jaws baring rows of sharp teeth. I knew that I couldn't afford to underestimate my enemy. With focused determination, I advanced on the final foe, my sword poised for a final strike.
The goblin lunged, but my attack was quicker. Driving the sword through its chest, ending the confrontation.
Breathing heavily, I surveyed the aftermath of the battle. Whew. That was something alright.
After this fight, one thing was made perfectly clear. I needed more combat experience.
Kneeling beside the fallen goblins, I contemplated their demise. They had been a threat, but in the grand scheme of things, they were just another obstacle to be eliminated.
In a world where only the strongest survived, I had simply asserted my dominance.
I didn't feel any particular remorse for their fate. After all, it was every creature for themselves in this unforgiving world. I had done what was necessary to ensure my own survival.
I took out my knife and carefully severed the left ear of each fallen goblin. It would serve as proof for the quest.
After that, with a detached sense of practicality, I reached out my hand towards the body of the nearest goblin and murmured.
[Devour]
A cold, dark light began to emanate from my hand, and immediately fell on the corpse, completely consuming it. I then felt a surge of power flow through me as I absorbed the goblin's corpse.
Without a doubt, I knew my stats had increased. And with that increment, I couldn't help but smile. Finally a chance to get stronger even faster had arrived.
I turned around and repeated the process with each of the fallen goblins, feeling my strength increase with each absorption.
It was a cold, calculated act, but one that was necessary if I was to survive in this harsh new world. And believe me, I will survive.