The chattering from within the tunnel grew louder as Drake and Elara approached. The air inside the tunnel was thick with the same foul, musky odor they had smelled in the main cavern, amplified tenfold. It was a smell that spoke of unwashed bodies, rotting food, and general goblin unpleasantness.
Elara held her torch higher, casting a flickering light into the darkness of the tunnel. The walls were damp and slimy, covered in more goblin runes and strange, unidentifiable stains. The tunnel sloped downwards, leading deeper into the earth.
"Stay close," Elara whispered, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space. "And watch your step. There could be more traps."
Drake nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his short sword. He activated *Sense Magic*, but the magical presence within the tunnel was even fainter than before, likely due to the dense rock formations surrounding them.
They proceeded cautiously, Elara leading the way, her torch illuminating their path. The tunnel twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the labyrinthine cave system. The chattering grew louder, indicating that they were getting closer to the goblins' main dwelling.
Suddenly, Elara stopped, holding up her hand. "Wait," she whispered. "I hear something… scratching."
Drake strained his ears and heard it: a faint scratching sound coming from the walls of the tunnel. It sounded like something was scraping against the rock.
*Notification: "Enemy Detected: 3 x Cave Crawlers. Threat Level: Low."*
As the notification appeared, three grotesque creatures emerged from cracks in the tunnel walls. They were large, insect-like creatures with segmented bodies, sharp claws, and multiple pairs of spindly legs. They moved quickly, scuttling along the walls and ceiling.
"Cave Crawlers," Elara whispered, her voice tense. "They're territorial and aggressive."
The Cave Crawlers hissed and clicked their mandibles, their eyes glowing faintly in the torchlight. They lunged at Drake and Elara, their sharp claws extended.
"Looks like we're not getting a peaceful stroll after all," Drake muttered, drawing his short sword.
The Cave Crawlers were fast and agile, scuttling along the walls and ceiling, making them difficult to target. Drake relied on his high Dexterity to dodge their attacks, using his short sword to parry their claws.
*Notification: "Skill Activated: Street Fighting (Level 2)."*
With his improved Street Fighting skill, Drake's movements were more fluid and precise. He managed to land a few solid hits on the Cave Crawlers, their segmented bodies proving surprisingly vulnerable to his blade.
Elara fought with her dagger, her movements quick and efficient. She targeted the creatures' joints and weak points, dispatching them with swift, precise strikes.
As Drake fought, he noticed that the confined space of the tunnel made it difficult to maneuver. The Cave Crawlers were using the walls and ceiling to their advantage, flanking him and attacking from unexpected angles.
He decided to try something different. He focused his mental energy and activated *Sense Magic*. He could still only sense a faint magical presence, but he focused on the vibrations in the air, trying to anticipate the creatures' movements.
*Notification: "Skill Activated: Sense Magic (Level 2)."*
Using his enhanced senses, Drake was able to predict the Cave Crawlers' attacks, dodging their claws and landing more effective strikes. He felt a surge of satisfaction as he realized how useful his skills were becoming.
After a short but intense fight, the three Cave Crawlers lay dead on the tunnel floor. Drake and Elara caught their breath, their hearts pounding from the exertion.
"That was… close," Drake said, wiping sweat from his brow.
"We need to be even more careful," Elara replied, her voice serious. "This cave is full of dangers. We don't know what else is lurking deeper inside."
They continued through the tunnel, their senses on high alert. The chattering of the goblins grew louder, indicating that they were nearing their destination. The tunnel opened into a large cavern, and the source of the chattering was revealed.