~ Eye of Horus ~
The Goblin Leader
Level: Peak of the Second Level
Skills:
Rage (Allows temporary access to the Third Level)
Golden Spear Strike
Swift Steps (Increases speed)
---
"Athena, that brown-skinned fool is strong. He might reach the Third Level," said Sulayman.
"I'll take on all three of them. You watch from the side, and if things get dangerous, step in. Understood?"
"Allow me to assist you, Your Highness."
"No. I didn't feel pressured when I fought the previous goblin."
Sulayman turned to his men. "Ariston, Zahir—I want no goblin left alive in this cave. Not even a child."
Ariston, his blade already slicing through a goblin's neck, responded coldly, "As you command, Your Highness." His eyes were devoid of emotion.
Zahir, drawing his bowstring taut, spoke with evident hesitation, "My duty is to follow your orders, Your Highness."
Sulayman glanced at Zahir but chose not to say more. He needs to understand the weight of his actions on his own.
With slow, deliberate steps, Sulayman advanced toward the goblin leader and his two guards.
From behind, Athena raised her hands, and a dazzling white beam of light, shimmering like a cascade of stars, descended onto Sulayman's royal spear. He cast her a brief glance of acknowledgment before lifting his weapon.
"Rooo! You all deserve to die!" the goblin leader roared, hatred burning in his crimson eyes.
"Kill him!" he ordered, his voice laced with unrelenting fury.
The two guards lunged at Sulayman simultaneously. He raised his spear horizontally, parrying both attacks, and shoved them back with a powerful push. Before the leader could react, Sulayman's spear flashed through the air—two heads rolled across the cave floor.
"Now, it's your turn," Sulayman said, his voice laced with quiet amusement. His gaze carried the weight of absolute dominance. "I hope you join them quickly—without suffering too much." A faint, condescending smile played on his lips.
The goblin leader's veins bulged, his muscles swelled, and his eyes burned a deep red as the effects of Rage overtook him.
"You wretched human! I'll kill you, violate your woman, and slaughter your men!" he bellowed, charging at Sulayman with terrifying force.
Sulayman's expression darkened, his previous smirk vanishing. His eyes held nothing but contempt.
"How persistent… But an ant will always be an ant."
The clash between them began—blades flashing, feet shifting, the cave echoing with the sound of metal meeting metal. The battle raged for dozens of exchanges.
When they finally broke apart, Sulayman stood firm and unscathed, while the goblin leader panted heavily, sweat rolling down his skin. Rage had exhausted him, but he remained uninjured.
From the sidelines, Zahir and Ariston stood next to Athena, their work done.
"My Lady, should we assist His Highness?" Ariston asked.
"No need," Athena replied with a calm smile. "He's enjoying himself. And besides, I'm right here if things take a turn."
Zahir and Ariston exchanged glances but remained silent. They trusted their prince, but they knew that, alone, they weren't strong enough to face this goblin leader.
Sulayman glanced sideways at his fallen enemies, then at the goblin leader.
"Oh? The battle is over already? Your tribe is gone. What's the point of fighting? Why don't you just end it yourself?"
The goblin leader let out a twisted grin.
"You're right… I'll end it myself—and take you all with me!"
Reaching into his side, he pulled out a piece of enchanted hide, spat his own blood onto it, and watched as it glowed ominously before crumbling into ashes.
Sulayman's eyes sharpened. Something was wrong.
"Seal of Ra!"
Chains of golden light erupted from thin air, binding the goblin leader in place.
His eyes widened in shock as Sulayman drove his spear straight into his left chest.
"NOOOOO—!"
The tip pierced through his heart. Sulayman twisted the spear mercilessly before yanking it out.
The goblin leader's vision blurred. His body trembled.
"Don't look at me like that," Sulayman said coldly. "Only the strong survive. If I had left you alive, you would have done the same to my people."
With a final, hate-filled glare, the goblin leader collapsed, lifeless.
Sulayman turned to his men.
"Zahir, Ariston—search the cave. Take everything of value."
Without hesitation, the two warriors and their soldiers rushed inside, leaving Sulayman standing beside Athena.
As soon as they were out of sight, Athena stepped behind him, steadying him.
With a deep sigh, Sulayman allowed himself to sink onto a nearby rock.
He closed his eyes briefly before speaking.
"What just happened to me? I was in control, yet it felt like… like I wasn't the one thinking. Is this some kind of schizophrenia?"
Athena's gentle voice reassured him.
"No, Your Highness. I examined you—there's no foreign soul inside you. It's likely the aftereffect of your fusion with Horemheb. His personality is influencing yours, and it becomes intensely pronounced during battle."
"So that's the reason for my change… Is it dangerous?"
"Not necessarily. Since the fusion is still recent, you're experiencing shifts in personality. Over time, you will either fully merge with his will or absorb his knowledge while retaining your own identity. Either way, you will still be Prince Sulayman."
"I see. I suppose all I can do is wait." He leaned back, gazing at the cave ceiling. "Sigh… Is the Third Level weak, or am I just too strong?"
Athena chuckled.
"You are strong, Your Highness. But it is also because goblins are inherently weak. Besides, the leader had to rely on a magic scroll just to boost his power."
Sulayman exhaled in mild frustration.
"I thought I was powerful… but in reality, my opponent was just weak."
Still, defeating a Peak Second-Level opponent on his second day in this world was no small feat.
---
Later…
Zahir returned, carrying a large haul of supplies—food, leather, and various materials. It seemed the goblins had raided a merchant caravan.
A few moments later, Ariston arrived with three women in tow.
One of them stood out—a young girl with golden hair and emerald-green eyes. Her body, though still youthful, hinted at early maturity. There was an innocence in her gaze, yet her trembling body betrayed her fear.
Despite her best efforts to appear strong, her shaking hands and unsteady stance gave her away.
Sulayman's sharp eyes flicked from her to Ariston.
Ariston nudged the girl forward.
"Introduce yourself to my Lord."
She hesitated, then took a deep breath, her voice wavering but determined.
"M-My name is Lona…"