"This way, hurry up and follow!"

Sherfilia gradually increased her speed, though she still considered Lin Mo's pace, maintaining a speed just slightly faster than his.

Such incredible speed...

Lin Mo watched Sherfilia ahead of her. She clearly still had plenty of energy to spare. It could only be said that she truly lived up to being a veteran-level assassin. If she pushed her speed to the limit, Lin Mo probably wouldn't even be able to see her back.

Glancing at his proficiency panel, Lin Mo suddenly raised an eyebrow, drew a dagger from his waist, and casually used [Backstab] to eliminate goblins along the way.

[Backstab] proficiency +1

...

After more than ten consecutive notifications, what Lin Mo wanted to see finally appeared before his eyes.

"Skill [Backstab] Lv2 (20/20) upgraded!"

"Current skill [Backstab] Lv3 (0/40)"

"Gained attribute point Agility +1!"

Although this 1 point of Agility wouldn't make much difference, at the moment, being a bit faster was naturally better.

While chasing in the direction the cold arrow had come from, both Lin Mo and Sherfilia constantly observed their surroundings, vigilant against any suspicious places.

Bronze goblins of the ranger type, like assassin goblins, were enhanced toward agility and nimbleness. Therefore, just like assassin goblins, they could likely hide among ordinary members of their tribe to deceive others and wait for an opportunity to ambush!

However, after searching for quite a while, they still hadn't found any clues.

The trail seemed to end right here.

Lin Mo frowned tightly, observing the surroundings. All he could see were ordinary goblins and a few mutated goblins, with no sign of bronze goblins at all.

"That damn thing, it ran quite fast..."

Sherfilia also looked displeased. Although she had the strength, facing such a situation, she had no other options.

That goblin spellcaster was very cunning. In the past few days, assassins and scouts had already circled around to the goblins' rear, but apart from seeing a few bronze goblins, they hadn't found any trace of the spellcaster at all.

Continuing forward recklessly wouldn't yield results either;

instead, it would put themselves in danger.

Although they needed to hurry now, they truly couldn't afford to be rash.

Lin Mo took a deep breath and remained calm.

Since the pursuit yielded no results, rather than running around aimlessly like a headless fly, it was better to do something productive first.

Like practicing skills...

Lin Mo drew his Black Sword, flashed forward, and slashed at a mutated goblin.

[Shadow Strike] proficiency +5!

Again!

He quickly charged and attacked the next mutated goblin.

Sherfilia followed behind him, momentarily unsure of what he intended to do.

[Shadow Strike] proficiency +5!

After eliminating another mutated goblin, [Shadow Strike]'s proficiency also reached the upgrade requirement.

"Skill [Shadow Strike] Lv2 (20/20) upgraded!"

"Current skill [Shadow Strike] Lv3 (0/40)"

"Gained attribute points Agility +2!"

His attributes increased again. Because Shadow Strike was an excellent-grade skill, it even added 2 points of Agility.

However, the practice had to stop here for now.

Gaining more attribute points would be quite difficult now. Lin Mo didn't have any skills that could earn points in a short time.

Moreover, from just now until now, he had been constantly fighting and using skills. Even though Lin Mo had balanced development in Strength, Constitution, and Agility, with abundant Qi and Blood, he had already consumed more than one-third of it.

He needed to conserve some stamina and Qi and Blood.

"Finally found you..."

Just then, the elder assassin suddenly arrived where they were: "Something's happened! On the western front, several bronze-level goblins suddenly appeared together!"

"Western front?"

Lin Mo looked in the direction he mentioned: "That place is quite far from here, isn't it?"

"It's even farther from the main battlefield, and it has always been an area with relatively less fierce attacks. So, the forces deployed there are relatively fewer, with only two level 2 warriors stationed there."

Normally, that would be enough. They didn't have more combat power to invest in a less intense battle area. But now, with this sudden incident, that area would become extremely dangerous.

Should they go support?

Lin Mo fell into deep thought.

Logically, of course, they should do so. But the consistently cunning tactics of the goblin spellcaster hiding in the shadows made Lin Mo think more deeply.

What was the purpose of the enemy suddenly launching such an assault...

To break through the defense line?

That was a pointless question. It seemed logical, and the western side of the defense line was indeed a weak point with an opportunity to exploit.

But conversely, given that the goblin side already had a significant advantage, choosing to gather such substantial force to break through a peripheral defense line didn't make much strategic sense.

Because of the goblins' increasingly fierce attacks, the main front was already struggling to hold and had begun strategic contraction. If the battle line couldn't be maintained, they could only retreat to Silvermoon Town first and rely on the town walls for a final defense.

Although doing so would lead to being besieged by the goblin army, it was the only option left.

At such a time, from the goblins' perspective, victory was almost certain. With sufficient forces, what they should do wasn't breaking through the defense line, but rather engaging in personnel exchange as much as possible, depleting Silvermoon Town's effective forces, and reducing the difficulty of subsequently capturing the town.

Conversely, choosing to break through the flank would only make Silvermoon Town completely abandon holding the battle line and return to reinforce the town at the fastest speed. The town still had some personnel stationed there, fully capable of buying time. Then, it would be this assaulting group of bronze goblins that would be in danger.

By then, after eliminating these bronze goblins, they could directly retreat to the town. Although they would face the predicament of being unable to resupply and could only wait for rescue, for the goblin side, capturing the town would also require a long time.

During this process, there were too many uncertain factors.

This didn't match the goblins' obvious intention today to achieve total victory in one campaign.

Moreover, instead of sending a large army, they sent an elite squad to exert pressure. Such an approach seemed almost like deliberately luring away the experts from Silvermoon Town...

"Not good!"

Lin Mo suddenly realized something and said urgently: "Hurry back, we need to go to the main defense line!"

Although Sherfilia didn't immediately understand why, she didn't ask further and directly chased after him, leaving only the assassin, dumbfounded, watching their figures gradually recede into the distance.

"What did you think of?"

Sherfilia quickly caught up with Lin Mo and inquired.

"The attack on the western side is just a feint, meant to attract attention. If they can trick the experts from the main battlefield into leaving, even better... The goblins' real goal is most likely to make a move on the main battlefield. If I'm not mistaken, that goblin spellcaster should be about to reveal itself!"

Sherfilia nodded, not questioning his judgment. She suddenly came to Lin Mo's side and extended a hand: "Hold on tight."

Lin Mo was momentarily stunned, then grasped her hand.

The next moment, the scenery before him rapidly changed, as if he had boarded a high-speed train.

A howling wind poured from the front, and Lin Mo's exclamation of "Holy shit!" was quickly swallowed by the wind.

This speed was so fast that his feet didn't even have a chance to touch the ground;

he was pulled along like a kite.

In a short while, they returned to the front of the battle line.

Sherfilia stopped at the edge of the flank. Lin Mo, behind her, directly collided with her, momentarily dizzy and feeling nauseous.

It was only because his constitution was good enough;

otherwise, he might have vomited up today's lunch.

Sherfilia remained silent, letting him lean against her. Lin Mo gradually recovered and then looked at the battlefield before him.

Compared to earlier, the battle line had been pulled back very far. Corpses were everywhere on the ground, both goblins and human soldiers, all piled together. The entire land was stained blood-red.

Large groups of goblins were still charging forward. It didn't seem particularly strange at first glance.

Was his judgment wrong?

Lin Mo slightly furrowed his brows, carefully observing the battle situation.

Until Sherfilia's voice, carrying a hint of coldness, suddenly reached his ears: "How long are you going to keep your hand there?"

Lin Mo looked down and only then realized that he had subconsciously placed his arm on her shoulder, and his hand had naturally rested downward, and then...

"Sorry, didn't notice."

It was indeed hard to notice. If she hadn't reminded him, Lin Mo wouldn't have even known what his palm had touched.

He didn't feel anything at all.

Sherfilia's gaze grew even colder. Clenching her fist, she constantly reminded herself that this was a battlefield, forcibly suppressing the impulse to hit him.

"Anyway, let's find the Association President first. I hope he hasn't fallen for the trick."

After saying this, Lin Mo directly headed toward the front.

Sherfilia could only snort coldly and follow him.

Lin Mo entered from the flank of the battlefield. Those ordinary goblins couldn't stop him at all. Soon, he returned to the crowd.

He searched among the people for a moment and quickly found the figure he wanted to see.

Lin Mo quickly approached him: "Glad to see you're still here."

The Association President shook his head with a bitter smile: "I was almost tricked... If the town's lord hadn't stopped me, I'd be on my way to the western front right now."

"Are you planning to retreat and defend now?"

This meant the complete collapse of Silvermoon Town's defense line against the goblin invasion. They could only shrink back to the town, using the walls as their final defense line.

"This is the only option..."

Including the sacrifices and losses on the western front, in the face of large-scale war, calm trade-offs were necessary.

"Ensuring the safe withdrawal of the main force is the most important thing now."

These words were also spoken by the lord. In such a war, retreat wasn't as simple as giving an order.

Especially when the enemy was pressing forward step by step.

They had to fight while retreating. If their own formation failed to stabilize and was broken through by the enemy, it wouldn't be a withdrawal but a rout.

By then, under the pursuit of a large number of goblins, the casualties in Silvermoon Town would be extremely severe, and the town might even be breached in one go!

The lord of Silvermoon Town was quite capable. At least for now, his command was orderly.

But would things really be that simple?

Lin Mo frowned, looking into the distance.

In the vast, dark mass of the goblin army, no one knew if some unknown danger was brewing in some corner.

"Lin Mo!"

Just then, Ellie, covered in blood, came to him.

"Are you injured?"

Lin Mo asked with concern.

Ellie shook her head: "It's all goblin blood..."

Actually, she was injured, but she had drunk some Life Potion and had recovered quite a bit.

"Where is Miss Finnie?"

Sherfilia's tone only sounded urgent at times like this.

"Finnie has already been sent back to rest early with some of the wounded."

Needless to say, she must have overexerted herself again, using too much magic.

Sherfilia's face was still full of worry, but since Finnie's safety was somewhat guaranteed, she didn't get too anxious.

The soldiers and adventurers were steadily withdrawing. The town's lord had already gone to the very front with his personal guards, actively covering the retreat for everyone.

Lin Mo estimated that the goblin side should be getting anxious.

Once they safely retreated to Silvermoon Town, it would become another prolonged battle of attack and defense, lasting at least half a month or more.

Although many people in Silvermoon Town might die in battle or starve because of this, for the goblins, this wasn't what they wanted.

They invaded human territory not only to compete for living space but more to plunder resources and women.

So even if they captured the town after a long stalemate, it wouldn't mean much.

By then, the resources in the town would be depleted, including the most important breeding vessels, which would be severely depleted...

Not to mention having to consider the possibility of Silverstream City freeing up hands to provide support.

Sure enough, soon, the battlefield ahead suddenly changed.

A large group of elite troops composed of mutated goblins gathered together appeared in sight, with one group on each of the left and right flanks.

"Trying to disrupt the formation this way?"

To be honest, it was a bit too conventional.

"No, that's not right..."

The Adventurers' Association President, however, frowned deeply: "Look carefully at those mutated goblins. Their condition is very abnormal!"

Hearing this, Lin Mo immediately noticed that those mutated goblins seemed to be enveloped in a faint green glow.

"What is that?"

Lin Mo didn't understand this, but the more experienced Association President and Sherfilia clearly recognized it.

"It's a goblin shaman! No wonder the scale of this invasion is so huge. Has the goblin population in Roland Forest grown large enough to give birth to a shaman?!"

"Goblin shaman?"

This was another new term he hadn't heard before.

"Goblin spellcasters are different from human mages. They don't learn magic through study but master spellcasting power through bloodline talent. Therefore, based on the types of magic they control, they can be simply divided into three categories..."

The Association President explained: "The first category is goblin warlocks, who are skilled in curses and negative magic."

That was the type Lin Mo had encountered and eliminated before.

"The second category is goblin sorcerers, who are skilled in offensive magic."

"And the final third category is goblin shamans, who possess various innate magic for strengthening their kin and have exceptionally high intelligence and leadership!"

That's why they could command such a large goblin group and make numerous bronze-level goblins willingly obey orders, even playing military tactics with them.

"Generally, goblin shamans only appear when the goblin population is extremely large. And once a goblin shaman appears, it means a lord-level goblin might be about to emerge as well!"

Lord Level!

Lin Mo knew this term.

Simply put, it was another level above elite-level magical creatures. It could also be referred to by another, more understandable term—BOSS.

"We must kill the goblin shaman!"

The Association President's expression was extremely grave: "That kind of creature has various means to strengthen its kind. Under the buffs of a goblin shaman, sub-adult mutated goblins can perform with strength comparable to or even exceeding that of adult ones!"

That enhancement range was really not small. It was equivalent to allowing quasi-professionals to directly transcend classes and obtain professional-level power.

"The casting range of a goblin shaman isn't very far..."

Sherfilia added: "So it has now come to the front lines!"

This was also the reason it hadn't acted easily before. The limitation on its casting range meant that once it used its abilities, it would expose itself to danger.

Lin Mo and Sherfilia exchanged glances. Without needing words, they immediately set off together.

The Association President followed closely behind. He wasn't an assassin, so it wasn't suitable for him to go with Lin Mo and the others, but he could help deal with those mutated goblins.

With him there, he could block one side of the mutated goblins, preventing them from getting close to the ordinary soldiers.

On the way, Lin Mo quickly discussed tactics with Sherfilia.

"There are still too many goblins ahead. Trying to find it by force probably won't be easy. Let's stick to the previous plan: attract its attention and make it unable to resist taking action... I'll handle this part. You hide in the shadows. Once it reveals itself, immediately send it to the underworld!"

Sherfilia was silent for a moment. Compared to her, Lin Mo's abilities and attributes were more balanced, indeed making him more suitable as "bait."

Moreover, given his strength and fighting style, whether in concealing his presence or the crucial assassination, he was far less skilled than her.

Frankly, even if the enemy showed itself, Lin Mo might not necessarily achieve a one-hit kill. So this division of labor was indeed correct.

Only... the person acting as bait would face not only the encirclement and attack of numerous goblins but also the risk of being attacked by the goblin shaman's spells.

Goblin shamans excelled at buffing their kin, but that didn't mean they only had buff skills.

So being the bait was still very dangerous.

"Be careful."

After saying this, she added: "If you die, Miss Finnie will be sad."

Lin Mo smiled somewhat helplessly: "I thought you were concerned about me..."

Sherfilia didn't speak, turned around, and concealed her figure.

Was she? Wasn't she?

Now wasn't the time to dwell on this. Lin Mo adjusted his mood, tightened his grip on the Black Sword, and charged toward the mutated goblins ahead.

The Association President was handling the other side, the lord of Silvermoon Town was on the front;

this side was left to him and a few other stronger adventurers to resolve.

However, the other adventurers were mainly focused on defense, covering the main force's retreat. But to attract the goblin shaman hiding in the shadows, Lin Mo had to choose a more aggressive approach and take the initiative to attack.

Ahead was a dense army of goblins. First, he had to break through these goblins and charge over, preferably in a rather exaggerated manner...

Lin Mo raised his hand, earth elements gathering in his palm, forming a heavy large shield.

His [Earthen Shield] had already reached level 4. Compared to when he first learned it, the current [Earthen Shield] looked undoubtedly much thicker, and some details were handled better. For example, Lin Mo specifically used magic to construct a suitably sized handle for easy holding.

Well then, the "mud truck" should start up again.

Lin Mo held the shield, stepped forward, and activated [Great Shield Charge]. Supported by powerful strength, the heavy earth element shield immediately sent all the goblins in front flying.

After one charge ended, [Earthen Shield] didn't disappear. Lin Mo activated the skill again, clearing a path in this barbaric manner.

Previously, when using this set of combos, after two [Great Shield Charge]s, the shield in his hand would almost disappear.

But as [Earthen Shield]'s level and Lin Mo's magic power increased, this time, after two charges ended, although the earth shield in his hand had dimmed considerably and had some cracks, it could still be used.

Those mutated goblins were also approaching this side, now less than 20 meters away from them.

This distance was just right!

Lin Mo activated the skill again. Powerful Qi and Blood wrapped around the earth shield, and through magic control of [Earthen Shield], this time, he directly "threw" the earth shield out.

Thus, a peculiar sight appeared on the battlefield—

A yellowish-brown protective shield flew forward at extremely high speed, crashing for over ten meters in a row. Not only did it send all the goblins along the way flying, but it also very accurately hit a strengthened mutated goblin.

That mutated goblin, strengthened by the shaman, was originally extremely confident. Seeing something flying over, it didn't take it seriously at all, directly reached out its hand, wanting to perform an "empty-handed shield catch."

However, the moment its arm touched the earth shield, its expression suddenly changed drastically.

Even after crashing such a long distance, the force carried on that earth shield was still very powerful. It unquestionably broke its arm. The huge impact force made it vomit blood, its eyeballs almost popping out. The earth shield in front of it shattered accordingly, fragments flying everywhere, "accidentally injuring" a few unlucky goblins.

This wave of triple charges directly caused the proficiency of these two skills to soar.

[Earthen Shield] proficiency +48

[Great Shield Charge] proficiency +44

What surprised Lin Mo was that the few goblins killed by the flying fragments of [Earthen Shield] were actually counted toward proficiency.

This gave him new inspiration;

perhaps he could develop even more wonderful uses.

But for now, there was no time to think about these things.

The moment the earth shield flew out, Lin Mo himself closely followed behind.

Just as that unlucky guy, who had been knocked to death while vomiting blood, fell to the ground, and the mutated goblin behind hadn't clearly seen what happened, a black longsword had already arrived before it.

[Consecutive Thrusts]

"Shh—!"

Two stacked thrusts easily pierced its heart.

Immediately after, three consecutive sword energy blades flew out. Lin Mo used an instant-cast [Accumulated Sword Combo], each sword energy blade accurately flying toward a mutated goblin, severing three heads with one move!

Since he wanted to attract attention, then let him make a proper ruckus!