The Goblin Chief's guttural growl reverberated through the clearing, sending a shiver down Ryan's spine. Its jagged armor looked like it was pieced together from scavenged metal, with crude spikes jutting from its shoulders. The glowing red eyes locked onto Ryan, filled with primal fury. The smaller goblins snarled, darting around the Chief, their crude weapons ready to strike.
Ryan tightened his grip on his rusty sword. His expression hardened, eyes scanning the battlefield with a practiced gaze. "Alright, no pressure. Three minions first, then the big guy. Easy.""
The Goblin Chief barked an order in its guttural language, and the smaller goblins rushed forward, their high-pitched screeches cutting through the air. Ryan stepped back instinctively, his eyes darting for an opening. The forest seemed to grow darker with each step the Chief took, the trees swaying ominously, almost as though they were responding to its heavy footsteps. The trees swayed ominously, almost as though they were responding to its heavy footsteps.
[Enemy: Goblin Chief - HP: 200/200][Enemy: Goblin x3 - HP: 50/50 each]
Think, Ryan. You can't take them all at once.
He raised his sword and activated [Parry] with surgical precision, timing the deflection perfectly as the first goblin lunged. The blade twisted with a flick of his wrist, redirecting the attack smoothly, leaving the creature wide open for retaliation. The skill activated with perfect timing, deflecting the attack and leaving the creature exposed. Ryan countered with a [Basic Slash], cutting deep into its wiry frame.
(Enemy HP: 35/50)
The goblin screeched and stumbled back, but its two companions were already closing in. One swung a rusty axe, forcing Ryan to duck, while the other slashed at his legs. Pain flared in his calf as the dagger found its mark.
(HP: 85/100)
"Damn it!" Ryan hissed, staggering back. His vision flickered slightly—a subtle reminder that this game wasn't pulling any punches. The Goblin Chief let out a booming laugh, watching the fight like it was a spectacle for its amusement.
The second goblin lunged again, its axe raised high. Ryan gritted his teeth and activated [Courage Strike], the glow of his blade intensifying as he drove it forward with pinpoint accuracy. The force shattered the goblin's stance, sending it sprawling to the ground in one fluid motion.
(Enemy HP: 0/50)
[Enemy Defeated: +25 EXP]
One down. Ryan didn't have time to celebrate. The third goblin charged, forcing him to pivot and block its attack with his sword. The clash rattled his arms, but he managed to hold firm.
The Chief barked another order, and the first goblin, still wounded, lunged for him. Ryan barely dodged, countering with a quick [Basic Slash] that finished it off.
(Enemy HP: 0/50)
[Enemy Defeated: +25 EXP]
Two down. Only the last goblin and the Chief remained.
The remaining minion hesitated, glancing at the Chief as if seeking reassurance. The massive creature snarled and stomped forward, its weight shaking the ground slightly.
[Goblin Chief Engaging.]
"Great," Ryan muttered. "Because this wasn't hard enough already."
The Chief charged, its massive club descending in a brutal arc. Ryan sidestepped cleanly, calculating the trajectory. The impact sent a shockwave through the dirt, but Ryan remained steady, his stance unshaken as he prepared to counter.
Before he could recover, the smaller goblin lunged at him again. Ryan activated [Parry], blocking its strike and countering with a decisive [Basic Slash].
(Enemy HP: 0/50)
[Enemy Defeated: +25 EXP]
[EXP: 100/100]
[Level Up: Level 2 Achieved!]
A rush of energy coursed through Ryan's body as the notification flashed. His HP and stamina bars refilled, and his stats felt slightly stronger.
[New Skill Unlocked: Shield Bash (Cooldown: 15 seconds)]
A defensive skill that channels energy into a focused strike, stunning the target for two seconds and knocking them back slightly. Effective against larger foes, it creates an opening for follow-up attacks or tactical repositioning.
"Finally, some backup," Ryan muttered, glancing at the notification. He imagined how the new skill might feel in action, picturing the shimmering energy rippling through his sword as he charged at an enemy, stunning them mid-attack. [Shield Bash]: A defensive skill that stuns an enemy for two seconds and knocks them back slightly. He barely had time to process the new skill before the Goblin Chief lunged again, swinging its club in a wide arc.
Ryan raised his sword and braced himself. The force of the impact sent him skidding backward, his arms aching from the strain. He felt the vibrations rattle through his bones, and his grip on the hilt tightened to stop the weapon from flying out of his hands.
"Alright, big guy. Let's test this out." Ryan's movements were fluid as he activated [Shield Bash], energy coiling along his blade before exploding outward on impact. The strike hit the Chief square in the chest, stunning it perfectly and forcing it to stagger back, unable to retaliate. The opening allowed Ryan to reposition, steadying his footing as he prepared for the next move.
(Enemy HP: 175/200)
The Chief roared, its fury evident. It raised its club for another devastating swing. Ryan dodged to the side, sweat dripping down his face as he searched for an opening. His stamina was holding steady, but the margin for error was razor-thin.
The fight was a masterclass in precision. Ryan sidestepped each attack with calculated ease, his blade striking in measured intervals. Every swing of the Chief's club met a flawless parry or dodge, each opening exploited with clinical strikes that whittled down its defenses.
Finally, after a series of perfectly timed counters, the Chief's movements grew sluggish. Ryan activated [Courage Strike] with seamless execution, his blade cleaving through the creature's chest with a devastating finality. The Chief let out a guttural roar before collapsing to the ground.
(Enemy HP: 0/200)
[Enemy Defeated: +150 EXP]
Ryan collapsed to his knees, panting as the notification flashed before him.
[Quest Complete: Goblin Menace]
Rewards: 100 EXP, 10 Gold, Iron Sword.
The rusty weapon in his hand shimmered, transforming into a sturdier blade. The weight felt perfect, and the edge gleamed under the faint light filtering through the trees.
"Well," Ryan muttered, rising shakily to his feet, "that was a lot harder than it needed to be."
As he turned back toward the village, he caught a glimpse of something glowing faintly in the distance. A small, flickering light danced just beyond the clearing, half-hidden by the trees.
Curiosity gnawed at him, but he shook his head. "Not yet. Let's survive the tutorial first."
With a tired smile, Ryan sheathed his new weapon and began the long trek back to Briarwood Village.