The two baleful red dots ignited in the darkness of the tunnel. They fixed on Astrael with an intelligence and malice.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
With the stepping sound, the monster came closer and closer and finally came into Astrael's view. What surprised Astrael was that the monster was thrice as big as the goblins he was killing.
Its body was about two meters long, with brownish skin and was surrounded by a thick leather armour that glowed. In one massive hand, it clutched a crude maul fashioned from stone and rusted metal, easily as long as Astrael was tall.
"Since when did goblins get so big...?"Astrael felt a chill crawl down his spine as he watched the massive creature steadily approach, its two eyes locked on him, brimming with murderous intent.
'Appraise'.
[Target: Hobgoblin]
[Tier: 1]
[Level: 7]
[Threat: High]
[Status: Alert, Ravenously Hungry]
[Note: Significant physical superiority to common goblins. Poor long-range eyesight compensated by a keen sense of smell keen smell, easily startled but vicious in packs.]
Astrael immediately became alert. He knows that this creature is different from others.
But he didn't panic. He half closed his eyes towards the incoming creature.
The giant hobgoblin was currently less than fifteen feet away, letting out a low, unnatural growl as it fixed its intense gaze on him. The killing intent radiating from its form was so overwhelming that even its blood-red eyes appeared to burn brighter.
Clearly, the creature could sense that one of its kin had been slain by this small human and was now desperate to tear him apart.
Though Astrael was only level 3, he had just emerged from his first true life-or-death encounter. For him, this was a fight where survival meant everything. It's Do or Die.
Even if the giant hobgoblin sought to kill him, Astrael would never retreat.
He licked his lips, and for a fleeting moment, a wild glint flashed in his eyes before vanishing beneath a cold, composed stare.
From the instant he killed that goblin, Astrael felt intoxicated by the thrill of his body and soul becoming stronger. It was like his entire being was being reforged.
Human nature was bound to the pursuit of power. The history etched in ancient tomes was undeniable proof of that.
Astrael desired power as well... To endure, to improve his life, to shield those he cared about, to never lower his head to anyone, and to exact vengeance on those who dared to harm his loved ones.
"I wonder..."
A wide smile lit up his face, which looked surprisingly adorable.
"I wonder how much stronger I'll become after killing this goblin."
He declared.
The hobgoblin was stunned, seeing the puny creature able to stand in front of him, which enraged him more.
He immediately raised his weapon, larger than the Astrael had faced till now.
GROOWLL!
With a mighty roar, the hobgoblin moved. Faster than its bulk body. It covered the distance in two strides, the stone maul whistling through the air in a devastating overhead arc, aiming to crush Astrael into meat paste.
Asraeldidn't try to block. The addition of two status points in agility enhances his reaction time greatly, which propelled him sideways in a desperate roll as the maul slammed into the ground where he'd stood.
KRAKOOM!
Rock shattered. The impact of the creature's maul was a foot deep. One hit. That's all it would take. The shard of stone stung Astrael's face and arms as he scrambled back to his feet.
"Ugh..."
Astrael grimaced in pain, and a small drop of blood slid from the corner of his mouth.
As the creature's eye darted to his side, Astrael, without any hesitation, silently added two status points to his agility and two to his strength.
Seeing the monster striding in his way, he quickly activated {Quick Draw}. The Ender blade's blue light flared as he blurred forward, aiming a lightning-fast thrust at the hobgoblin's thick thigh. The starstell point bit deep, drawing a spurt of dark, viscous blood.
GRAAAGH!
The hobgoblin bellowed, more in annoyance than in pain. It's a massive left fist backhanded out like squashing a mosquito. Astrael saw it coming, and he twisted, trying to dodge. But it was already too late.
CRUNCH!
BOOM!
His body was flung two or three meters away as he winced in agony. A crunching noise came from his left shoulder. If not for the fact that he had reinforced his body by allocating status points, that strike would have left him half-dead, if not completely dead.
Without allowing him a moment to recover, the hobgoblin spun around and charged at him, the rage in its eyes seemingly ready to devour him alive. Though far stronger than a mere human, Astrael's earlier blow had drawn its blood. It meant little physically, but the fact that such a feeble being had made him bleed was a complete disgrace to him.
Making use of the fact that his speed was slightly higher and his smaller frame gave him a bit of an edge, Astrael suppressed the weakness surging through him after the blow and clenched his teeth, pushing through the pain as he sprinted.
One was dashing and twisting while the other gave chase without pause, smashing everything in its way. Astrael and the hobgoblin were trying to claim each other's lives through completely different means.
Astrael clearly understood he couldn't win a head-on confrontation with the beast. Every physical stat of his was inferior to the monster's, except for his Agility. So, if he wanted to survive and emerge victorious, he had to rely on his wits.
After nearly ten and a half minutes of relentlessly chasing its despised target, the hobgoblin's enraged roar echoed throughout the tunnel. But in that instant, a flicker of fatigue passed through its eyes.
Astrael also noticed the change of pace in the creature's step and hurriedly ducked and dodged the incoming attack, while jumping from the initial built-up momentum and striking again with his sword to the hobgoblin's waist.
A dark blood spurted, while Astrael's hands numbed, his whole body trembling,
ROAAAAAR!
The goblin roared, getting injured and swinging his maul to Astrael's side. Astrael landed on the tunnel wall as the pain assaulted him.
"It hurts! It fu*king hurts!" he yelled out uncontrollably, his face twisting in agony. It felt as if his body was being pounded by a sledgehammer, and the intensity of the pain was driving him insane.
Blood trickled from his temple into his left eye, and his entire body was riddled with bruises. Yet, a part of him was revelling in it. The adrenaline, the bloodshed, the fight, it all made him grin ear to ear.
Clenching his teeth and resisting the tears that threatened to fall from the unbearable pain, Astrael sprinted with all his strength, deeper into the tunnel, and came to a halt.
While flipping the hobgoblin off with his middle finger.
The hobgoblin, upon seeing the gesture, instantly understood that the insignificant creature was ridiculing him, which ignited his rage.
With a thunderous roar, he charged toward him, determined to crush him completely and tear him into pieces to erase the shame.
.
.
.
***
🌟 Hey, fellow traveler of tales and treasures! 🧭 Your presence here is a journey filled with surprises, like uncovering hidden gems 💎. Isn't it fascinating how a little GOLDEN ✨ something can change everything? 💛