Walking down the initial slope proved to be slightly difficult. The grass was wet and thick, clinging onto our boots and legs. Our shields were also unexpectedly getting in the way as we go further down. Initially, the grass was only at our ankles but slowly they became taller, reaching our knees and now reaching the bottom of the first slope, below the forest, the grass was as tall as our hip.
"This is denser than going through the forest." - Frank
"At least the grass doesn't sometimes, reach your face, uncle Frank." - Ken
"Sorry, I forgot the both of you are small. Walk closer to us so the grass doesn't hit your face." - Frank
"Is uncle David cutting down the grass in the front?" - Kaede
"Yes, but there is only so much he can cut down." - Frank
"Frank, maybe you should also cut down some grass on your side. We should make the path wider so we can see any monsters that might hide in the grass." - Ian
"Understood." - Frank
"Gibing, how are the scouts ahead and around us?" - Ian
"The last time I checked on them they said that there were no enemies yet. However, it is hard to discover anything since the grass is so dense. The scouting sphere around us is very small. If Leader Ian wanted to then he could find Gopopo at the front by running forward a couple of steps. He is not that far away from the main force." - Gibing
"I see. It is a lot harder for the goblins to watch over everything since there are no trees. The grass hides monsters as well so they could easily slip past the scouts." - Ian
"Yes, and since this area has a lot of hills there are chances that at the bottom of one, there will be monsters waiting for us." - Gibing
It was true. Moving through the grass without cutting down our path would have been like wading through a thick swamp. Although, I remember seeing the monsters sprint through the grass when I was looking at the top of the hill. Is it just less dense and shorter the further inland?
I had Belle, Dawn, and Razor accompany Celine rather than scout the front. After all, having the rest of the goblins scouting around was enough. It would also provide a chance for them to grow and evolve into hobgoblins. Gibing and Gyumi played a big role in the fight in the cave as well as scouting increasing their experience and in turn pushing them closer to evolution. Now, it was the rest of the goblin's turn to grow stronger.
Knowing how difficult the battles have been so far, I need them to grow stronger as soon as possible. I also needed David, Frank, Yor, Stellar, Ken, and Kaede to grow stronger as well. However, training them to become stronger was different from the goblins and I have no idea how to properly do that just yet.
Training and battle do help increase their stats but it was not like they were able to evolve. The only real way they grow stronger is to receive a blessing, like Solar, or upgrade their weaponry. I sigh to myself thinking about the possibilities but increasing our overall strength was going to be hard. This journey will hopefully increase everyone's strengths and make them strong enough to fight against new enemies and prevail.
The sun was slowly coming down and the sky was turning a slight shade of pink. We were on our way up a steep slope as we had just traversed through our first small valley.
"We need to look for a place to sleep and rest up." - Stellar
"I know. However, we can't stay at the bottom of a valley at night. Cold air sinks and that place in the dead of night will be freezing." - Ian
"I remember there being a large tree not far away, over this slope and then just forward a little more." - Kingston
"Then we head towards there and make camp. We need to rest properly. Gibing, have the scouts ahead of us climb the slope first and look for the path to the closest tree." - Ian
"Yes Leader Ian." - Gibing
Gibing runs forward, passing David who was busy cutting a path forward and not before long Gibing come back with some news.
"Good news Leader Ian. Gopopo and Gewari have found a large tree with a dirt clearing below is not too far away from the top of this slope." - Gibing
"That's good. We will head toward it at once." - Ian
"There is also bad news." - Gibing
"Go on." - Ian
"It seems to be home to a monster. From what they saw as well as what I could observe from my glance of the monster. It seems to be a beast of some sort with golden fur or hair around its head. Its main body is black with orange stripes and it has two large fangs pointing downwards." - Gibing
"How many of these monsters are there?" - Ian
"A lot of 10, Leader Ian and they seem to have to have noticed us as well as one of them stood on all 4 of its legs looking at us." - Gibing
"Did they display any aggressive behavior? Or were they just looking?" - Ian
"Just looking at them they didn't seem like they were going to attack us. However, if we step too far into their territory I believe they will retaliate with full force." - Gibing
"Do you think we can confront them? No, whether or not we can, I think we should." - Ian
"Are you sure?" - Stellar
"Yea. We need to get stronger and more fighting will help us grow." - Ian
"Alright. How do you want to do this?" - Kingston
"Let's get to the top first so I can see how everything looks." - Ian
With the goblins at the top waiting, we slowly climbed the slope, zigzagging up the slope due to how steep it was. The sun was just touching the horizon, meaning there wasn't a lot of light left, and knowing how dark the forest got once night fell we needed to hurry and secure a place to sleep.
The clearing under the tree was like how Gopopo described. A singular luscious tree stood waving in the wind. Its leaves rustle as they brush against each other. Underneath, hidden in the shade were 10 monsters. An obsidian black body with a gorgeous golden mane and orange stripes topped off with two pearl canines that grow out of the monster's mouth.
A lion? A tiger? A sabertooth tiger? A monster that screams, apex predator.
Around the clearing was the ocean of grass, dancing in the breeze. We stood on top of the hill, watching over the clearing. In my head, I was thinking about the method to attack them, while keeping the risks to a minimum. However, we don't know their skills or their stats. They could be faster than our fastest person or stronger than our strongest person. The threat of the unknown was pulling on my subconscious.
I didn't want to attack them at night, something inside me thought that it would just lead to death and since the night was approaching fast I needed to think of something soon. I took a glimpse at everyone's stats and see that Belle had the highest agility. I walk up to Celine and Belle and tell them my plan first.
"Celine, can you tell Belle that I need her to act as bait?" - Ian
"Huh? What do you mean?" - Celine
"I'm planning to have her lure the monsters closer to us before we fight them. Fighting them when we are on the top of the slope will be a lot easier since the grass is the thinnest and shortest here. The closer we get to them the taller the grass meaning we might get ambushed easily." - Ian
"Okay, I'll tell her." - Celine
"Thank you." - Ian
I walk towards the shieldbearers and David.
"I need everyone here to be ready. There will not be a lot of light and the monsters will most likely be fast. However, I trust that everyone here will be able to defend the rest of us when times get tough." - Ian
"Ian, the monster's this time. Is it going to be hard?" - David
"I'm not sure David. These monsters are new and we have no knowledge about them." - Ian
"So just hold the shield and attack whatever comes near?" - David
"Yep. Exactly that." - Ian
I pat David on the back before moving towards the goblins. Every single one of the goblins had relatively high agility with some reaching close to mine. They all use knives and bows and work well as a team, so I play to their strengths. In the previous battles, they were mainly archers, attacking from a distance. In this battle, I wanted to separate them so I had squad of assassins as well as a squad of archers.
"Gibing, I want you to lead 5 other goblins out as a strike squad. Have Gopopo join you as well. Your role will be to loop around the right side after the monsters are lured in by Belle. You need to be swift and silent as you move but the moment you have an opportunity to attack them, go all out. We will be right there with you at the front." - Ian
"Understood. Gopopo and you 4 come with me. We need to check our equipment before we go off to battle." - Gibing
"Gyumi, you will be leading the rest of the goblins with Gewari. You will be behind us as archers, firing volleys down on the monsters. Only use your Discharge when we are in a bind. The attack might trigger a fire and with how much grass there is here, the fire would spread extremely quickly." - Ian
"Got it. Let's go, everyone." - Gyumi
I see the two goblin groups part, each preparing for the fight. Kingston, Frank, Yor, Stellar, Solar, Ken and Kaede came up to me. They saw how I was getting things ready for the fight and came over to ask about their positions.
"Frank, you will be defending Yor. With Yor's condition, it will be difficult to fight at this moment, however, that doesn't mean you will be useless. Yor you are very intelligent and while you will not be able to fight you can still see the battle. Watch, learn, and then inform us of the changes. There will be things that I miss and I need you to point it out as fast as you can to help everyone." - Ian
"Yes, Leader Ian. While I cannot fight I want to still be of use." - Yor
"I'll make sure no harm gets to him." - Frank
"Good. Kingston, Ken, Kaede, Stellar, and I will be the main damage force. We will start off with light attacks, using spears but the moment Gibing comes in from the right side, I want us to attack from the left. We need to pincer the monsters from 3 sides just to make sure they do not escape to the side. If they run backward then there isn't much we can do about it but we can still do a little damage." - Ian
"What about me?" - Solar
"Solar. You are the most important. The light will be vital to my strategy especially since night is coming fast. Your attack with Ball of Light will momentary blind the monsters as well as deal damage. That attack will be vital, however, the timing is something I'm not sure of just yet. If I see an opportunity for you to cast the spell, I ask that you do it as fast as possible. Otherwise, keep up the shield buff and the healing if needed." - Ian
"Understood, Ian" - Solar
"Are you sure you don't want me with Gibing?" - Stellar
"I'm sure. I eventually want the goblins to be both assassins and archers and this will prove to me how strong they can be in a surprise attack. They won't be true assassins like how you are, Stellar but will be become reapers on the battlefield. I know they will."- Ian
"Alright." - Stellar
"How about the kids? Are you sure about that one?" - Kingston
"Why don't we ask them? Ken, Kaede how do you feel about your first true battle?" - Ian
"READY!" - Ken, Kaede
"See?" - Ian
"Whatever. Don't blame me if they get hurt." - Kingston
"You will be surprised. They have grown quite a bit." - Ian
I smile while I look at the twin's stats, patting their heads as I look at the monsters. It's almost time.
Name: Ken
Race: Demi-Human (Wolf)
Health Points (HP): 32/32
Mana Points (MP): 5/5
Strength: 19
Vitality: 16
Intelligence: 10
Dexterity: 12
Agility: 16
Luck: 3
Skill: Beastman Senses ( Passive ), Follow the Pack ( Passive ), Ferocity ( Active ) - 5MP
Name: Kaede
Race: Demi-Human (Wolf)
Health Points (HP): 35/50
Mana Points (MP): 15/15
Strength: 17
Vitality: 14
Intelligence: 15
Dexterity: 15
Agility: 21
Luck: 1
Skill: Beastman Senses ( Passive ), Follow the Pack ( Passive ), Ferocity ( Active ) - 5MP
Beastman Senses (Passive) - With the blood of a wolf, the user is capable of absorbing battle experiences easier. Participating in battles will strengthen the user, however, observing battles will also heighten their battle sense.
Follow the Pack (Passive) - When the user is following a leader they become stronger under the leader's command. Increase 10% Strength, Agility when fighting within a 10m radius of registered leader. Registered Leader - Ian
Ferocity (Active) - Unleash the power of the wolf. +10 Strength, Agility, and Vitality for 1 minute. After 1 minute, -10 Strength, Agility and Vitality. The lowest HP the user can become after the skill is finished is 1HP. Cooldown 1 hour
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