CHAPTER 71: HOBGOBLINS

"Let’s head deeper." Nero said, immediately moving further into the ancient forest. As they ventured deeper, the trees around them grew more imposing and gnarled, their trunks wide and twisted with age. The air became thicker, heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the primordial energy coursing through the area turned increasingly chaotic, crackling with a raw, untamed force.

The atmosphere was thick with an almost palpable sense of history, as if the very ground they walked on was steeped in ancient magic and untold stories. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor and illuminating the vibrant moss that clung to the roots and stones. The whispers of the wind carried a haunting melody, echoing through the towering trees that had stood for centuries, their bark rough and textured, adorned with patches of luminescent fungi that glowed softly in the dim light. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, where the wildness of nature reigned supreme, and the sense of adventure beckoned them further into its depths.

The duo soon encountered a group of five Red Goblins, their twisted forms lurking in the shadows. Without hesitation, they sprang into action, moving with practiced coordination. Khione, showing a competitive spirit that amused Nero, took the lead.

In a flurry of movement, she conjured Ice Arrows, launching them with precision. The first arrow struck a goblin squarely in the chest, freezing it in place. As the creature staggered, she followed up with two more arrows, each finding its mark and dispatching the remaining goblins in swift succession. With her icy prowess, she made quick work of three of them, leaving only two standing.

Nero, not to be outdone, swiftly engaged the last two Red Goblins. With a flick of his sword, he unleashed a wave of heat that melted any ice within reach, catching the goblins off guard. He moved seamlessly between them, delivering quick, decisive strikes that ended the fight in mere moments.

As the last of the goblins fell, he glanced at Khione, who wore a triumphant smile. The duo stood amidst the defeated foes, their combined efforts earning them 24 points. Nero chuckled softly, finding her competitive edge both entertaining and motivating. It was clear that their bond was growing stronger with each encounter, fueled by a shared desire to prove themselves in this ancient and chaotic forest.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the prana around them became increasingly chaotic, thrumming with raw energy. Soon, the duo encountered a group of Hobgoblins, a more formidable form of goblin than the normal and Red varieties. These creatures had twisted, elongated limbs and dark green skin that seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows of the forest. Agile and cunning, Hobgoblins were not only quick on their feet but also possessed the ability to wield low-level magic, making them a serious threat.

Among the ten Hobgoblins they faced, two were archers, nocking arrows to their bows with a practiced ease. Six others brandished rusty weapons, their jagged edges glinting ominously in the dim light. The remaining two were Hobgoblin shamans, capable of casting basic spells from the Law of Wind; they could conjure Wind Arrows to strike from a distance.

"You take care of the archers and the shamans quickly; I’ll handle the rest," Nero instructed, his voice steady and confident. Khione nodded, adrenaline surging through her as she prepared for battle.

Together, Nero and Khione fought with seamless coordination, their movements synchronized as they took down the remaining Hobgoblins. The forest echoed with the sounds of their battle, the clash of steel and the crackle of magic blending with the primal energy surrounding them.

Nero charged at the closest Hobgoblin, his sword still ablaze with flames. He swung the blade in a wide arc, catching the creature off guard. The fiery strike cleaved through the Hobgoblin’s defenses, igniting its ragged clothing and sending it sprawling to the ground in a burst of embers. Without pausing, he pivoted to face another foe, ducking under a wild swing and delivering a swift upward thrust that sent the second Hobgoblin flying backward, its body slamming against a tree with a sickening thud.

Meanwhile, Khione focused on the remaining enemies, her wand glowing with frosty energy. She conjured a series of Ice Spikes that erupted from the ground, impaling one unsuspecting Hobgoblin as it charged at her. The creature let out a shriek of surprise, quickly silenced as the ice enveloped it completely.

Another Hobgoblin tried to flank her, but she was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a powerful wave of ice that swept across the ground, knocking the creature off its feet. As it struggled to regain its balance, she followed up with a flurry of Ice Arrows, each one striking true and leaving no chance for escape.

Nero continued his assault, using the heat from his sword to create a barrier of flames that deterred any approaching Hobgoblins. He moved fluidly, dodging and weaving through their attacks, his strikes becoming more ferocious as the battle progressed. He caught sight of a Hobgoblin attempting to sneak behind him and quickly turned, executing a precise slash that caught the creature across the chest, sending it tumbling to the forest floor.

The last remaining Hobgoblin, sensing the tide had turned, attempted to flee. But Khione was quick to react. With a fierce determination in her eyes, she summoned a swirling vortex of ice around the creature, trapping it in a frigid prison. The Hobgoblin struggled, but it was no use; Khione directed the ice to close in tighter until it shattered, leaving only shards behind.

With the last of their foes defeated, the duo stood amidst the stillness that followed, the forest around them settling back into its natural rhythm. They exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of their teamwork and the bond that had grown stronger through the heat of battle.

This is getting fun, they both thought.