The Shadow Demon manifested in front of me after I dodged the goblin's attack.
Gazing at me the Crowned Goblin steadied its stance before it dashed towards me again.
My shadow demon used its bladed hand to block the incoming sword attack from the goblin's sword causing a loud clank sound to resonate upon the clash of the two weapons.
I hid behind my shadow demon like a rat.
The battle between my Shadow Demon and the Crowned Goblin only continued as many more sound of what seemed to be metal hitting metal reverberated throughout the Crowned Goblin's cave.
The Crowned Goblin had two long horns which outwardly protruded from it's head and its grey skin was similar in color to that of a rhino's as it held it's sword and blocked many of the incoming attacks from my Shadow Demon.
'This had to be the last enemy I had to take down, really.'
'After we defeat this Crowned Goblin and I absorb its energy I will be able to awaken my heart with energy and then I will be transported back to Earth and away from this accursed Aquinox Realm.'
'But that would be easier said than done because this Crowned Goblin is strong.'
The Crowned Goblin and my shadow demon seemed to be stuck in a draw which would last an eternity, unless I did something about it.
Done of cowering behind my shadow demon, I moved to a corner of the room and looked for any treasures to help my shadow demon defeat the Crowned Goblin.
Then a thought came to mind.
'If my shadow demon is of the Medium-rank and it's in a stalemate with this Crowned Goblin then that Goblin is a Medium-rank as well.'
That was obvious but still.. to find a Medium-rank monster here, what type of bad omen do you need.'
'Well I guess you'd need me.'
The crowned goblin dug it's sword into the ground and then, in one swift motion, pulled the sword out of the dirt ground causing dirt to be sent upward at my demon shadow in an attempt to temporarily blind it.
Unaffected by his dirty play, the shadow demon dashed through the dirt with his hand extended fully out, and in doing so he had his bladed hand mere inches away from the Crowned Goblins neck.
Slashing downward the Crowned Goblin sent the shadow demons hand down from his neck towards the ground and caused the shadow demon to lose it's balance momentarily.
Taking advantage of this the Goblin used its free hand to grab the shadow demon's arm and spin around as it let go of the shadow demon's arm causing it to keep its momentum and go crashing against a wall.
The shadow demon crashed into the wall causing cracks to form in it as the rock around it collapsed.
Turning to me the Crowned Goblin grinned from ear to ear as he dashed to me.
Stopping the Goblin in its tracks was my Shadow Demon as he looked completely fine after taking the blunt attack from the Crowned Goblin.
Hearing the Shadow demons rush to him, the Crowned Goblin turned around as fast as he could right before the shadow demon could cleave off his head allowing the Crowned Goblin to live for a little longer.
Pushed back by the sudden attack from the Shadow Demon the Crowned Goblin rolled on the ground before it jumped up and regained it's footing.
[Shadow Demon
Evolution:High-ranked (limited to Medium-rank)(Nerfed)
Assimilation: Infant (10%)
Health:60%
Abilities: None
Physical Features: Sharp claws, Bladed hand, tough skin.
Potential: Sentience, Supreme-rank(Evolution), Superior-rank (Assimilation) ]
'It's down to 60%of its health. I have to do something to help it and quick.'
The Goblin's face looked surprised as it looked back at the Shadow Demon who, on the outside, looked fine.
Engaging in a fight once more the Shadow Demon and the Goblin reenacted in a fight.
The Goblin slashed down but instead of dodging the Shadow Demon took the attack head on as he also attacked with his bladed hand aimed towards the Goblin's head.
Sensing the Shadow Demon's unwillingness to block his attack the Goblin jumped back before his attack could reach the Shadow Demon, effectively dodged a bullet.
As the Goblin pushed himself back my Shadow Demon pushed itself closer towards the Goblin.
The Goblin stopped and then also pushed itself forward towards the Shadow Demon as it intended to use it's horns to Pierce the Shadow demon.
Seeing this the Shadow Demon used it's bladed hand to block the horns which were rushing at him with hast.
Sparks flew when the bladed hand of the Shadow Demon blocked the Goblin's horns as the two both jumped backwards, distancing themselves in preparation for their next attack.
Whoosh
Whistling through the air an arrow aimed at the Goblin's head neared.
Noticing the swift arrow the Goblin squatted below the arrow causing it to hit the rock wall.
Taking advantage of my arrow distraction, the Shadow Demon rushed forward leaving a gust of wind behind as it appeared before the crowned Goblin mere moments later.
The Goblin was in no position to attack and could only jump back to avoid its attack but if it did jump back then it'd be forced against the wall behind it with no way of escaping the next attack that was to come.
Ultimately, the Goblin jumped back and ,therefore,was able to dodge the Shadow Demon's attack, but it didn't account for another arrow ,which released from my bow, to come flying at it the next moment.
The arrow was barely blocked by the Goblin who was forced to shift his entire body to block the arrow.
But that only left the Goblin open for the Shadow Demon to launch it's next attack. which is exactly what it did.
With excellent speed the Shadow Demon reached the Goblin and slashed at its neck without hesitation.
The Goblin, unable to move backwards, or block was left with only one fate... death.
The Shadow Demon's bladed hand cleanly severed the head and the body from one another as the Goblin head was sent rolling on the ground.
"Victory."
「Victory, Indeed.」
[The Crowned Double Horned-Goblin was defeated.]
[Absorb the energy quickly to awaken your energy heart.]
[Rewards for killing the Crowned Double Horned-Goblin: Horned Sword, Caved Crown.]
'I got rewards this early and on my first drive into the Aquinox Realm. Who said my luck was bad??'
Sitting down I started to absorb the energy from that Goblin and finally form my energy heart which would send me back to Earth right after it's formation, but first I checked the Goblin's body to see if it had a core.
"Well, what do we have here. Low and behold a core!"
The core was a circular shaped object within the Goblin and it's color was indigo, a very dark type of blue.
Pocketing the Goblins core I sat down and was getting ready to absorb all my energy as my Shadow demon returned to my shadow.
*****
"Sir, the ten talents will likely return in two days and the plan is scheduled for tomorrow. We accomplished what you've asked."
"Yes, they should be here by tomorrow and then after that the students will start returning in droves, just as planned." the man with red hair and yellowish eyes said.
"You may leave, thank you." the red-haired man finished and turned around to face the window behind him.
"Yes, sir." the hooded man left the presence of the illustrious red-haired man and the room.