[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country
Deep within the Verdant Hollow dungeon, a lone figure strode confidently toward a small goblin village, his pace lazy—almost careless-as—as if daring death to come to meet him halfway.
It was me, Evan.
After hunting down every goblin outside the forest, I figured there was no point wasting time scouring for stragglers. If slaying the boss was enough to clear this dungeon, then I'd rather deal with that directly than clean up leftovers.
Surprisingly, the forest outskirts were eerily silent—no ambush, no watchful goblins. Soon, I reached the edge of their crude village. Twisted huts made of wood, vine, and bone dotted the clearing. Skulls hung from sharpened stakes along the perimeter—trophies or primitive warding symbols to deter wild beasts.
But they did nothing to deter me.
I stepped into the village. It was deserted. No chattering. No movement. Nothing. I checked a few huts, but there was no sign of life—just empty rooms and stale air.
"Hmph... hiding with your boss, are you?" I muttered. "Clever for once."
The ones I'd fought earlier must've alerted their chief about my summons. Probably gathered everyone for a final stand.
I made my way toward the village center. Sure enough, I heard footsteps and the faint chatter of goblins. They were all clustered around a large house—far sturdier and more refined than the others. Its reinforced wooden frame, sharpened roof edges, and iron-braced door made it clear: this was the domain of the goblin warlord—the boss of this dungeon.
The moment the goblins spotted me, screams erupted. I must've looked like a walking nightmare to them—a bloodstained executioner who had culled their kin without mercy.
"Well," I said, smiling as I stepped forward, "your boss sure made things convenient by gathering you all here. As thanks for the hospitality, I'll grant you... the most painless death I can offer."
Just as I took my first step forward, the heavy door creaked open.
A large figure stepped out.
Taller and broader than the goblins, it was a Hobgoblin—iron armour encasing him from neck to toe. A massive mace rested on his shoulder, and his eyes glimmered with battle lust. His face still bore goblin-like features, but his bearing was of a warlord.
He locked eyes with me, sneered, and pointed his mace in my direction, barking commands at his subordinates. Some hesitated, but seeing me alone, they found their courage and began charging.
"Tch. Predictable."
I lifted my hand, mana flaring.
[Undead Summon] [-300 MP]
As the skill activated, a system notification flashed before me, and I grinned.
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[Skill: Undead Summon (Lv. 2)]
[Type: Active]
[Mana Cost: 35 MP]
[Cooldown: 12 seconds]
[Proficiency: 0%]
[Description]
Summons a basic undead creature to serve as a temporary minion. The undead will fight for the summoner until destroyed or dismissed. The creature summoned depends on the user's Necromancer class progression and available materials.
[Summon Type: Skeleton Warrior (Basic Tier).]
[Duration: 25 minutes or until destroyed.]
[Stats]
[Health: 55% of the caster's max health.]
[Strength: 55% of the caster's Strength.]
[Agility: 55% of the caster's Agility.]
[Defense: 45% of the caster's Defense.]
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My upgraded skeletons rose one by one, their armour more complete, their blades sharper, their bone frames longer and sturdier. The glow in their hollow eyes had darkened—denser, more violent. Their presence alone made the goblins falter.
"Go," I ordered. "Show them what you're made of."
The ten skeletons charged into the fray.
The goblins snapped out of their hesitation with a roar from the Hobgoblin and rushed forward to meet my undead. There were thirty-seven of them. My skeletons only numbered ten. But I didn't stand idle.
I joined the battle, my blade slashing through goblin flesh with brutal efficiency. My flame enchantment activated several times, setting entire groups ablaze. In just under fifteen minutes, twenty-three lay dead.
The Hobgoblin hadn't moved yet.
Instead, he stood near the large totem behind him—chanting something in a guttural tongue. I could feel the mana pulsing from that direction, and the remaining goblins formed a wall in front of him, protecting him.
There were fourteen left, and they weren't running. Not yet.
My instincts were sharper now—my battle sense keener. My [Necrotic Aura] sapped the stamina of the living, giving my summons an edge, and my own attacks landed faster, more precisely.
They tried to stall me.
But I was done playing.
As I reached the right distance, I activated a skill that never failed to shift momentum.
[Shadow Leap] [-25 MP]
In a blink, I vanished—and reappeared right in front of the Hobgoblin Warlord.
His eyes widened in brief surprise.
My sword pierced his chest in a single, clean thrust.
The battle should've ended there.
But then... I saw his face.
No pain. No fear.
He smiled.
A slow, wide grin stretched across his face, and his eyes locked onto mine with eerie calm.
I instinctively pulled back, confused, wary. He wasn't falling. He wasn't even flinching.
He just kept smiling—like this was all going according to plan.
—To Be Continued—
Why is the Hobgoblin smiling even after being run through? Is it a trap, a transformation, or something darker?Leave your theories in the comments or wait for the next chapter to find out