Chapter 32: Return to the Cavern
The wind howled through the trees as Srabon, Mira, and Magnus stood at the entrance of the cavern. The darkness inside seemed even more ominous than before, as if the shadows themselves were watching.
"You sure about this?" Magnus asked, tightening his grip on his axe. "Last time we barely made it out alive."
Srabon nodded, his jaw set. "If there's a way the Goblin King can come back, we need to know."
Mira shivered, clutching her bow close. "Aria said he's coming back. We need to find out how."
[New Quest: Investigate the Cavern. Reward: 3000 Gold, 2000 Elixir.]
The system's notification echoed in Srabon's mind. He took a deep breath, stepping forward. "Stay close. We don't know what we're walking into."
---
Inside, the cavern was cold and damp, the scent of blood and ash lingering in the air. Broken weapons and shattered armor littered the ground — the remains of the Goblin King's fallen soldiers.
"It's quiet," Mira whispered, her eyes darting around. "Too quiet."
Srabon activated the system map, searching for any signs of life. "Nothing."
"Wait," Magnus said, kneeling by a cluster of strange markings on the ground. "What's this?"
Srabon crouched beside him, tracing the markings with his finger. They formed a circle with a series of runes etched around it.
[New Discovery: Dark Rune Circle. Analysis in Progress...]
Srabon's eyes widened as the system scanned the runes. "These runes... they're not goblin magic."
"Then what are they?" Mira asked, her brow furrowed.
[Analysis Complete: Dark Rune Circle - A ritual used to bind and resurrect powerful entities. Source: Dark Sorcery.]
Srabon's heart pounded. "It's a resurrection ritual."
Magnus's eyes narrowed. "You're saying the Goblin King was brought back to life?"
"Or he's preparing to be," Srabon said, standing up. "We need to destroy this circle. If he's using dark sorcery, he could come back stronger than before."
Mira nocked an arrow, aiming at the circle. "Let's end this."
Before she could fire, a low, rumbling laugh echoed through the cavern. The air grew colder, the shadows thickening.
"Leaving so soon?" a familiar voice sneered.
The ground trembled, and the air shimmered as a dark figure materialized in the center of the rune circle. The Goblin King stood before them, his eyes glowing with an eerie red light.
"Did you really think you could kill me so easily?" the Goblin King said, his voice dripping with malice. "Now, it's my turn to show you true power."
Srabon's blood ran cold as the system blared a new notification:
[New Quest: Defeat the Goblin King - Phase 2. Reward: 5000 Gold, 3000 Elixir.]
Srabon gripped his sword tighter, his eyes narrowing. "Get ready. This fight isn't over yet."