Chapter 17:
Everyone stood frozen as twenty dark goblins surrounded them, their presence suffocating. Whether the goblins chose to attack now or later, one thing was certain—they wouldn't survive. Taking down even a single dark goblin required a team of three. Against twenty, it was hopeless.
Nathan's expression was grim. As their leader, he felt it was his duty to protect everyone. But right now, that seemed impossible. No plan, no hope, just death waiting patiently.
Then the throne goblin opened its mouth.
"Y...you...human…" it growled in broken speech.
Nathan stared at him, eyes narrowing. It could talk. That meant only one thing—it was at least A-rank. No wonder the pressure it emitted was crushing.
"I... will... give... chance. Fight... win... survive... fair."
Nathan's brows furrowed, trying to piece the words together. The goblin was offering... a one-on-one duel? Win and they'd be spared? He didn't trust it—who would? But if it bought time, if even one of them could get away, it might be worth it.
The other goblins stepped back, making a path.
Another dark goblin stepped forward—this one different. Larger. Hefting an obsidian battle axe instead of daggers. His glare promised death.
Entertainment. That's all this was to them.
"Tch… you expect me to believe you'll let us go?" Nathan muttered. But he knew. There was no better choice. If stalling could give his team a chance, he'd take it.
He stepped forward. "I accept your challenge."
He slammed his black gauntlets together, taking a fighting stance. The goblins hissed in approval. The duel had begun.
---
Meanwhile, with Han...
"They're surrounded by dark goblins?!" Clara gasped, panic rising in her voice.
Han nodded, expression pale. "That's the only explanation. The pressure… the silence…"
"Then we have to go!" Clara shouted, white spheres forming around her legs, preparing her for high-speed movement.
But Han raised a hand and stopped her. "If we go like this, we'll just die too."
Clara froze. She wanted to argue—but then she saw him.
Han looked exhausted, injuries covering his body. He had done most of the fighting. If he pushed himself any further in this state...
She clenched her fists. She was hurt too—but Han was worse. And deep down, she knew he was right.
"If only you could just restore yourself… back to full strength…" she muttered, mostly to herself.
Han's eyes widened. "Restore…"
He suddenly stood up.
"W-What are you doing?!" Clara stammered. If he moved now, he'd collapse. Was he out of his mind?
Then Han dropped to the ground—and started doing push-ups.
Clara twitched. Her face scrunched in disbelief.
What the hell is he doing now?!
---
Back at the Fortress
Nathan slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash, stone and dust erupting around him. But he rolled just in time—wham!—an obsidian axe split the earth where his body had been a second before. He pushed himself up, blood trailing down his face and arms. His breaths came ragged. Deep gashes marked his body, while the dark goblin facing him bore only a few cuts. It was obvious who was losing.
If I don't use it now... I'm dead, he thought grimly.
He had hoped to hold out longer—to buy time. But the gap was too wide. Nathan might be B-rank, and so was the goblin, but no one ever respected his skill. He hadn't even used it in combat before—its side effects were too dangerous. But now? He had no choice.
The dark goblin lunged. Nathan met its charge head-on.
He sprang high into the air, fist cocked back. The goblin raised its axe to block, and Nathan feinted, sweeping low. As expected, the goblin leapt—Nathan was ready. He drove a punch straight into its face mid-air, slamming the beast into the rooftop.
The goblin landed on all fours, crouched with unnatural agility. The squad tensed—Han had suffered heavy injuries from this same maneuver. They'd seen what came next: a high-speed dive attack.
The goblin grinned wickedly.
But this time, Nathan was faster.
Already airborne, Nathan's eyes burned red with blood-veined fury. His black gauntlet glowed molten red.
The goblin hesitated for a split second—it felt fear.
"Charging Blow—activate. Multiplier: ×2."
Nathan's punch connected like a meteor, slamming into the goblin's face and sending it crashing back through the roof with a PAHH! of shattering stone.
He landed hard, falling to one knee, his body trembling. His muscles spasmed under the strain. The gauntlet, now cooling, hissed against the wind.
Charging Blow drew in air friction, turning the gauntlet red-hot and explosive in impact. Multiplier, his unique skill, could enhance any attribute—he had chosen power.
But both abilities drained him to the core.
Behind him, the goblin's headless body finally collapsed to the floor with a sickening thud.
Nathan gasped, barely able to stay conscious, his limbs heavy.
He turned toward the throne goblin—larger, darker, and clearly the leader.
"I won," Nathan growled, rising slowly. "Let us go."
The throne goblin tilted its head.
Then it smiled.
Nathan's stomach dropped. They weren't going to be released. The monster just wanted entertainment.
Grinding his teeth, Nathan surged forward one last time.
"Charging Blow. Multiplier ×3—strength and speed."
His body screamed in protest. Veins bulged. Blood burst from beneath his skin as the strain ripped through him. He shot toward the throne goblin like a missile, his red-hot gauntlet poised to end this.
If I take out the leader, maybe they'll break ranks. Maybe they'll survive.
But just before impact—SLICK!—a black blade burst from the throne goblin's hand, severing Nathan's arm in one clean motion.
He gasped, pain erupting like fire—but he didn't stop. With his remaining hand, he swung again.
The goblin caught it.
And squeezed.
Crack!
Bone pierced flesh. Crack! Muscle tore. Crack! Tendons snapped like wires.
Nathan didn't even get to scream before the goblin flung him back like a ragdoll.
His broken body skidded to the feet of the others.
They stood frozen. Hope had bloomed when Nathan felled the first goblin—but now... now they watched their leader lying in a pool of blood, one arm missing, the other a twisted ruin.
Aiden's instincts kicked in.
His arm morphed into a blade. Without hesitation, he cut off Nathan's ruined hand, preventing further damage.
"Mia!" he barked, snapping the trembling healer out of her stupor. "Stop the bleeding! Now!"
Mia rushed forward, tears streaking her face. She pressed glowing hands to Nathan's wound. A soft green light shimmered, slowing the bleeding. Barely.
But Nathan was pale. Broken. And the throne goblin still sat, watching them like prey in a cage.
To be continued.