Abhay stepped quietly into the cave, his footsteps barely echoing off the stone walls. Outside, the chaos still raged as goblin soldiers and grunts searched wildly for their hidden attacker. That left the upper levels of the cave largely abandoned.
The first underground floor was eerily silent. Shadows flickered along the walls, but no enemies in sight. Abhay continued downward and entered the second underground level. Seven goblins lurked in the dimly lit corridors—unarmed and unsuspecting.
Abhay didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward, fists crackling with the energy of Gare Shift, and within seconds the seven goblins were dead on the ground.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN KILLED. +10 EXP
In the center of the floor stood a massive stone fire pit. Without ceremony, Abhay dragged the goblin bodies over and dumped them into the flames. The fire roared to life, crackling with dark smoke.
He continued down to the third underground floor.
This time, he was met not by grown goblins—but by smaller ones. Baby goblins. Two of them hobbled forward, gripping tiny daggers and stabbing clumsily at his legs.
SYSTEM: AWWW, HOW CUTE!!
Abhay raised an eyebrow and stared at the squirming little creatures.
Without a word, he picked them up by the back of their necks.
SYSTEM: LEAVE THEM. THEY WON'T DO ANY HARM.
"I once watched an anime where the main character said goblins become stronger if they survive an ambush or attack," Abhay muttered.
Then, without remorse, he climbed back up the stairs to the second floor—and tossed the baby goblins into the fire pit.
SYSTEM: SORRY BABY GOBLINS. YOUR CAUSE OF DEATH WAS SOMEONE BEING INFLUENCED BY A RANDOM ANIME.
Enraged by the comment, Abhay punched the system screen and flung it into the wall. The glow flickered as it flew off.
He pressed deeper into the cave, wary now. The temperature was rising with every step. There was something else down here.
And then he saw them.
Four goblin soldiers stood in a formation, their faces twisted in fury. Between them was a shorter, hunched figure with glowing eyes. It held a crude staff topped with a mana amplifier stone.
A Goblin Shaman.
Its staff sparked as it began chanting in a guttural language.
Abhay lunged forward, dodging a fireball that blasted into the wall behind him. He took out one of the soldiers with a spinning kick, activating Gare Shift to finish him with a crackling strike.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN SOLDIER KILLED. +35 EXP
But the Shaman hurled another fireball, hitting Abhay square in the chest. His shirt caught fire as he rolled onto the ground, putting it out with a gasp.
A spear grazed his leg—poison-tipped. Abhay winced, the venom already spreading.
Still, he didn't stop. He grabbed a nearby bone club and used it to block an incoming slash, countering with a precise jab to the goblin's throat.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN SOLDIER KILLED. +35 EXP
SYSTEM: GOBLIN SOLDIER KILLED. +35 EXP
Another fireball exploded near him. His arms were burning now. He ducked low and threw the club like a boomerang—smashing into the shaman's amplifier. The staff shattered in a burst of green sparks.
Taking the chance, Abhay leapt forward and landed a final punch to the goblin's chest.
SYSTEM: GOBLIN SHAMAN KILLED. +30 EXP
Breathing hard, burns across his arms and venom in his blood, he collapsed against the cave wall.
"System…" he groaned. "Can I buy a potion now?"
SYSTEM: POTION ×3 = 150. TOTAL SYSTEM BALANCE = 150.
"What? Why do I have to buy all three at once?! Can't I just buy one!?"
SYSTEM: THIS IS BUSINESS.
Frustrated and furious, Abhay mashed the "Buy" button and used all his remaining system currency.
Another screen appeared, slowly loading.
SYSTEM: HAHAHAHAHAHA… HAHA.
He grabbed the three vials and drank one, slumped in a corner, tears mixing with soot and sweat. Warm energy surged through him. The pain dulled.
The burns, cuts, and poison slowly disappeared.
He sighed, still sniffling. "It always hurts… but I'm still alive."