After recovering for a bit, we decide to go back into the cave, this time with some additional people. Robin and a couple of goblin archers were going to follow us with a quiver full of flaming arrows and carrying torches in their hands. The defense at the wall was going strong, as the team of demi-humans and humans were steadily repelling any zombies.
Since the start of the event, the battle has been concentrated at the entrance of the cave but bit by bit the rest of the troops got used to fighting the zombies. Cutting down the zombies became easier and easier as time went on, and I feel like they were becoming stronger with each battle. Stronger but not stat-wise, their teamwork grew with each battle, and they were able to look out for each other easier.
Gobi and Howard both commented on the troops' performance, expressing their satisfaction. They didn't realize how much one long hard battle would affect the other troops but seeing them defend the cave without taking any damage told them more than enough. Everyone was growing stronger which meant HavenFall was growing stronger as well.
"Lynn, you sure this will work?" - Ian
"No idea. I just said I had an idea." - Lynn
"Then are we still going to go along with the idea?" - Howard
"It doesn't hurt to try right?" - Gobi
"It depends on Solar since she is the main focus of the idea." - Ian
"I think it will work. I will just need some time since this is different from using magic I already knew." - Solar
"What are the odds you will be able to achieve it?" - Ian
"I think it's more about the time. The more time I have the longer I have to construct the spell. After all, this is going to be very different…" - Solar
"It should be fine, Solar. I only thought about this idea after seeing you use Ball of Light differently. I think both of us need to understand that elven magic is fundamentally different from using magic from my book. The concept of elven magic draws power from their belief in their god.
In Solar's case, it is the god of the sun, and while the sun isn't up at the moment the god still watches over her. Thus, she is still able to draw power from the sun regardless of time or place. This was already proven when she changed the chant for the Ball of Light. The original chant was about casting light at an enemy, but after talking to Solar, I found out the new chant to create a spinning Ball of Light was about casting light around my hand.
This means, that so long as the chant is correct she can utilize magic however she sees fit. If she wants to create multiple spinning Balls of Light she should be able to so long as the chant is correct, and she properly draws power from her god." - Lynn
"I never realized this was how elven magic came about since I never really studied magical arts. I was just taught the chant and what it would do, so this really intrigued me. Stellar would love to hear about this theory." - Solar
"Can you test it now? So we don't need to try it out while we are in the cave." - Ian
"You make a good point… I honestly thought we were just going inside and then trying it when we are in danger." - Lynn
"That would be bad…" - Howard
"Then I'll help out at the front line while you get everything sorted, my lord." - Gobi
"Solar, how about you and Lynn test it out on the side. Gobi, I'm coming with you, I'm going to fight the zombies at the front and hone my skills. Howard go and tell Robin to just be ready for when we are about to go in." - Ian
"On it Ian." - Howard
"Alright, Lynn will you help me?" - Solar
"Of course. I'm very interested in how it will turn out." - Lynn
With that, we had our tasks. Gobi and I went to the front lines to fight the zombies. I took this opportunity to test out my spider legs a bit more, learning more about the way I could utilize them. Most of the time, I use them to stab something or block an attack, but the blocking wasn't as accurate as my attacks. So, I did my best to block as many of the zombie's attacks as I could while dancing around them in the small space.
Gobi also took this time to learn about fighting against multiple enemies. While he has already done that when versing the skeletons, he told me that fighting against skeletons and zombies was different. Not only were the zombies relentless, but their movement also varied from zombie to zombie simulating hundreds of different styles of attacks. Taking absolute caution, he had Solar shield him before attempting to fight against zombies by himself.
Seeing him face zombies by himself reminded me of when I was surrounded by skeletons at the front gate of HavenFall. Desperation and horror on his face, as he constantly defends and attacks the rampaging zombies. Then, something changed.
Gritting his teeth, Gobi screams loud. His booming voice echoes in the cave and the already agitated zombies howl in delight as they rush toward us. Sensing the danger, I leap over the wall and grab his shoulder but as if he had eyes on his back, Gobi deflects my hand.
"Gobi. GOBI! COME BACK!" - Ian
"NO! I CAN SEE IT! I CAN FEEL IT! POWERRR!" - Gobi
Confusion runs through my mind, but that's when I remember that the Hobgoblin's Club can trigger a berserk state. I had forgotten no one had entered that state since we fought Balta, but now I was regretting it. The stats on the weapon were strong, and I had thought anyone that wields it would be able to hold back their anger but Gobi…
"DO NOT WORRY MY LORD! This is different. AURA OF BATTLE! CLEAVE!" - Gobi
Crashing onto Gobi the tsunami of zombies attacks him, but with a single Cleave, Gobi decimates the zombies. His eyes shine crimson as he dashes into the crowd of zombies spinning so fast that the flesh on the zombies was being ripped off their bones. I look at his status window to see the change.
Name: Gobi
Race: Hobgoblin ( Chieftain )
Health Points (HP): 80/80
Mana Points (MP): 15/15
Strength: 25 (+12)
Vitality: 40
Intelligence: 30
Dexterity: 15
Agility: 15 (+15)
Luck: 5
Skill: Charge, Cleave, Aura of Battle, Leadership (Passive), 1 vs Many (Passive)
1 vs Many (Passive) - When the user of this skill is fighting against a group of enemies that outnumber the user more than 10 times, gain +50% Strength and +100% Agility. However, the user will also enter a slightly crazed state where the pain is reduced by 50% and their thinking may become clouded.
"God dammit… He gets a new passive somehow, and it is as good as it is bad. At least he isn't in a completely berserk state but isn't this technically worse? GOBI! LISTEN TO ME! GET BACK!" - Ian
"Wait!" - Lynn
Turning around, I see Lynn, Solar, Robin, and 3 goblins, standing behind the wall with readied expressions.
"Are you already ready, Solar?" - Ian
"Yes, I'm ready. I am able to perform the new spell and with Gobi already fighting the zombies, I don't think we need to back off. Instead, we can use this as a driving force to go deeper into the cave." - Solar
"I have to warn you though, Gobi isn't in the best state of mind." - Ian
Banging on his shield, I turn to Howard who was grinning.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he won't go too deep" - Howard
"Alright, Lynn and Robin what about you? Ready?" - Ian
"Ready. There isn't much I need to do other than use Bubble when we need it most."- Lynn
"Me and the goblins are ready as well. We will light the way with our arrows and the torches." - Robin
Reassuring me that we are going to be alright, I turn around to see Gobi still fighting against zombies licking his lips in satisfaction as he bursts the fleshy skull of a zombie lizard man. I nod my head at the 7 of them and signaled them to come over as I rush toward Gobi, attacking the nearby zombies and creating a chain of explosions with my trident.
Howard quickly comes behind me, bashing his shield into a zombie while Robin lit the torches lighting up the cave. The goblins fired some arrows further into the back, revealing the rushing horde of zombies but for some reason, I felt calm. I knew there was danger deeper in the cave but right now I felt like I was standing in the middle of a tranquil lake.
Of course, all calmness breaks as Howard and Gobi shout a battle cry as they fight against the zombies. Smiling, I join in the fight more aggressively attacking with all my strength and using my spider legs where necessary. Deeper we go…
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