Chương 44: Decapitation Strike

The journey went surprisingly smoothly. The team encountered no unexpected situations along the way. Occasionally, they came across a few wild beasts, but the creatures were smart enough to flee the moment they sensed the fully armed adventurers approaching. After traveling for a little over two hours, Cyr's figure suddenly appeared ahead of the group.

"We're almost there." Cyr tilted her head slightly.

"The Mist-veiled Caverns are just ahead, at the foot of the mountain. There are three goblins guarding the entrance." Everyone immediately tightened their focus and entered combat readiness. They began moving forward as quietly as possible, careful not to make any unnecessary noise. After pushing through a dense barrier of ferns, the scenery before them suddenly opened up. The central region of the Ashwood Forest was crossed by a magnificent mountain range stretching endlessly into the distance.

The sight was breathtaking. Beneath the steep cliff face directly ahead of them was a massive opening carved into the rock. The Mist-veiled Caverns. The cavern entrance sat in a low-lying area, almost like a natural basin. An underground river flowing from deep within the mountains gathered nearby. The water slowly evaporated, mixing with the moisture in the surrounding forest and creating a hazy landscape wrapped in drifting mist.

"More fog…" Zelier waved his hand in front of himself. The familiar sight gave him an inexplicable sense of déjà vu. Before he knew it, the image of the Mistwraith surfaced in his mind. Just as Cyr had reported, three hunched creatures stood guard outside the Mist-veiled Caverns, each holding crudely made wooden clubs. They were barely a meter tall, far shorter than ordinary humans.

《The Adventurer's Association Universal Bestiary》 【Sequence 1】: Goblin Individual Threat Rating: [Easy] Appearance: A small humanoid creature. Their skin is usually filthy green or muddy yellow, with thin limbs and long, pointed ears. Habits: Individual goblins are extremely cowardly creatures at the bottom of the food chain. However, once they gather in sufficient numbers, their vicious and greedy nature becomes apparent.

They favor occupying dark caves, and occasionally establish small settlements resembling primitive villages. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Goblin society possesses a strict hierarchy. Unlike scattered beasts, they understand the use of tools and coordinated group attacks. Core Weaknesses: Goblin weaknesses are everywhere. No special tactics are required. Even a farmer wielding a hoe could easily kill one.

Association Notes: The first and most important lesson for every novice adventurer: Never underestimate any monster. Although goblins are extremely weak, countless adventurers die to them every year because of carelessness. Always remain vigilant! Additional note: Stop adding those bizarre goblin variants into the bestiary! Especially the Leapmare Town branch! The group quietly retreated some distance and began discussing their strategy.

"Looks like those three are the only ones standing guard outside." Marcus glanced over his companions.

"The White-haired Goblin, the Hobgoblins, and the rest of the goblin forces should all be inside the cavern."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's just charge in and kill them all!" Gark sounded eager.

"Charging straight in is suicide." Vaelis shook his head.

"Goblin nests are usually complicated and filled with traps. One wrong step and you're finished. Do you really want to get your stomach pierced by a wooden spear smeared with feces?"

"Don't forget, the Rhode Squad died in there."

"What about using fire?" Grey patted the bundle behind him.

"We have torches. We could block the entrance, fill the cave with smoke, force them out, then kill them when they come running."

"Not a good idea." Marcus shook his head.

"We don't know whether this cavern has another exit. If we scare them away, they might escape."

"As long as the White-haired Goblin survives, it can rebuild another goblin settlement in no time." The team fell silent. Everyone began considering their options.

"Draw them out." Zelier suddenly spoke.

"How?" Cyr looked toward him.

"Marcus, you, Grey, and Gark will go first and draw their attention." Zelier picked up a branch and began sketching in the dirt.

"The Rhode Squad only died recently. If the goblins see only three people approaching, they'll definitely underestimate us and send their entire force out."

"Your job is to hold them back and slowly lure them toward us."

"Vaelis and I will hide in the bushes. Once the White-haired Goblin appears, we'll kill it immediately." Marcus thought for a moment before slowly nodding.

"I think it'll work. What do the rest of you think?"

"A group with a White-haired Goblin has to be dealt with using a decapitation strike." Vaelis agreed.

"Otherwise, things will become troublesome." After advancing to a Mid-tier Ranger, he was confident he could complete the assassination task. No goblin would be able to stop his arrows. Grey and Gark both nodded.

"Then the three of you draw their attention from the front." Cyr smiled faintly.

"I'll provide support from the surroundings. If something unexpected happens when the White-haired Goblin appears, I can finish the kill."

"Alright. We'll do it this way." Marcus finalized the plan. …… Entrance of the Mist-veiled Caverns. A goblin sat lazily on a moss-covered boulder. It poked at a dung beetle with its finger, repeatedly forcing the insect to change direction. Eventually, after growing bored, the goblin grabbed the beetle and tossed it into its mouth.

"Crunch, crunch." It chewed twice before swallowing. Nearby, two other goblins were communicating in their strange language.

"Gik… guk…" One of the smaller goblins rubbed its stomach and spoke weakly.

"Waga…" (I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?)"Waga! Aguru guru!" The other goblin replied impatiently. (No. Just endure it yourself!)"Gururu… gaga… jiga waga…" The first goblin lowered its head sadly. (I miss the feast from two days ago. Human meat was really delicious.)"Gawawa! Gua!" (Stop complaining! Keep watch!) Goblins assigned to guard the entrance usually held the lowest status within the group. They received the least benefits, did the most unpleasant work, and often went hungry.

Even during the rare human feast two days ago, they had only received a single piece of meat and a few mouthfuls of soup. A gentle breeze swept past. The mist drifted through the air. Suddenly, the goblin standing guard widened its eyes. Three dark figures had appeared ahead. And they were rapidly approaching.

"Gagu waka! Gagu waka!" (Alert! Alert! Something's coming!) The shout instantly woke the other two goblins.

"Move!" Marcus shouted. The three adventurers broke into a sprint, charging directly toward the cavern entrance. The three goblins were completely caught off guard.