Fighters grinned as she looked herself over. Her old outfit was now gone and she wears a pair of black shorts with an orange belt and an white sleeveless tank-top coveredby a hard leather armor witn chain under it. It was brown in color and cover only her torso and leaving her arm's and leg.
She wears a pair of hard-boots, Hard shell leather gauntlet and an arm guard for her right arm, and a large protective forearm mitt for her left. Around her right thigh, she keeps a pouch for her potions and second pouch on the back of her waist to hold equipment and tools. Lastly she had on Large proctors on both legs.
"I feel so light!" Fighter grinned as she bounced on her Feet, Priestess smile at her excited partner as she over look the remaining quest's.
"So you keep saying, how about putting some of that excitement to use and help look for a quest. That gears cost most of your reward ya know." Priestess reminded getting a light glare from Fighter.
"Quiet, your ruining my high! Let me enjoy this for as long as I can!" she replied playfully sticking her tongue out at her partner, Priestess giggled as a quest caught her eye, "Mapping a mine?"
"Oh are you planning on taking that quest?" startle by the sudden voice, both looked up to see the Guild Girl.
"Umm... Maybe, we are in need of coin." Priestess stated, the reward offerings 1 to 10 gold coins per Adventurer, the quality of the map determining what their reward would. Guild Girl had actually come over to the quest board for that partially quest as it was and wasn't sure about letting the two take it.
"Normally mapping is a fine quest for rookies to take however... this one, let me give you a bit of a warning before you take it." the receptionist said, both raised an eye brow wondering what she needed to warn them of.
Unknown Fortress
Crude yet somehow unique drawings raced across the stone walls of the fortress the group of adventurers had entered into, Lizard Priest in particular looked at them with interest trying to decipher their meaning.
"I wonder could this have been some kind of shrine?" Lizard Priest question looking at the drawing as they almost seem to be depicted in a worship like manner.
"They're supposed to have been a battle near here during the age of the gods. So I think it's man-made. It's likely a former fortress." Wizard offered remembering her old reading.
"Home first to soldiers, now to goblins. A cruel fate." Lizard Priest mused.
"Speaking of cruel fates." Dwarf Shaman spoke in a quiet voice while looking over to the mortified High Elf Archer now covered in goblin blood, "Waaah! It stinks! I'm going to be sick." High Elf Archer whined (Like that, I can't even make fun of her.) he thought as she slowly managed to collect herself before marching up and passing Goblin Slayer throwing him a particularly nasty glare.
"You just remember this when we get back." he growled disliking him just a little bit more than she already did.
"I will." he said in a tone so flat and she couldn't tell if he was mocking her or not and it just seemed to piss her off even more.
"It could be worst, at least he left out the guts for you." Wizard commented dryly remembering her first... blood treatment Wizard could not find a method of hiding her scent fast enough.
"Don't worry it washes out... eventually. I would suggest lemon juice, its acids are great at removing blood stains." Wizard offered remembering that, that was what she had to use to clean her clothes with.
"You are way to use to this, has he really covered you in blood that much?" High Elf Archer sweat drop at being given tips on how to remove blood and almost not wanting to know the answer to her question.
"Actually I only got the goblin blood treatment on the first three quests that I went on with him." Wizard said off handedly.
"However I still get covered in Goblin blood and guts from time to time, whenever we ran into a particularly large nest of goblins and the most effective way to eliminate them all available to us at that time was a gory mess." Wizard stated her eye zooming out of focus as she remember all the times she got goblin blood splitter on her from one of Goblin Slayer's killing.
"I think the only time I couldn't clean and had to replace my clothing was when I stood to close to a Hobgoblin getting shot down the ledge of a three-story tall cave... that was the first time I've seen so much blood flying several feet through the air." Wizard mused drawing a blank expression as the memory resurfaced with High Elf Archer looking at her in utter confusion as well as abject horror, "Blood... so much blood, and guts."
"What the hell have you put this girl through?" High Elf Archer shouted only to take a step back when it felt like he was glaring at her as Goblin Slayer turn his gaze towards the Elf.
"Lower your voice or you'll alert the goblins." Goblin Slayer told her High Elf Archer mouth snapshut as she let out a growl are being ordered about even if it was a reasonable order.
"Changing subjects I must admit that while I'm quite acquainted with the underground... Something feels real off here." dwarf Shaman commented as their High Elf Archer looked at their surrounding and came to a conclusion.
"The path is a spiral." Elf Ranger noted to the others, Wizard having notice this already made her own thoughts known.
"Yeah it almost like a spiral though the drawings are starting to repeat themselves... it kind of creepy." Wizard comment as they came up to a 'T' split off.
"The paths branches, which way do we go?" Wizard asked High Elf Archer step forward for a better look at the split on to pause as a particularly clean floor tile caught her eye.
"Hey Everybody wait a minute!" High Elf Archer called out as she take to the front and kneels down for a better look, (Wires connecting to something below us most likely an early warning system.) she thought Goblin Slayer having walked up to her side and studied the tile came to the same conclusion.
"A alarm?" he asked and she nodded.
"Yeah a surprisingly good one too, I only noticed because this floor tile is newer than the rest so be careful." High Elf Archer warned, this
"Something is strange here, I haven't seen any totems." Gobin Slayer commented.
"No totems mean there no Shaman Goblins, right?" Wizard mused but then frown as the true implications set in.
"So that means no Spell casters, that good for us right?" High Elf Archer asked.
"It seems the shamans very absence is your concern." Lizard Priest concluded, Wizard spoke up before the Slayer.
"Yep normal goblins aren't smart enough to design a trap like this, and even if they could make a trap it be very obvious. Normally stuff like traps and poison are left to this Shamans." Wizard explained having been with Goblin Slayer long enough to tell when certain things are out of place.
"Correct, no mere Goblin would set traps like this, and no Goblin guard would stay alert until dawn." Goblin spoke with a node to Wizard please she caught on.
"You mean to say they have a leader then?" Lizard Priest concluded." Goblin Slayer answered
"You said you dealt with large nests before Goblin Slayer-sama. What did you do then?" Lizard priest inquired.
"Smoke them out. Set them on fire. Flood their nest with a river. Various methods but they won't work here." High Elf Archer sweat drop at his rather dark methods.
"And those were just the clean ones. You don't want to hear about the really ruthless ways he kills-em." Wizard chime in a dry tone causing the Elf to twitch.
"What!? You mean they get worse!? High Elf Archer gasped causing Goblin Slayer to turn to Wizard.
"They are not ruthless, they are just the most effective methods to use at the time." Goblin Slayer Wizard glared back at her mentor in killing all things goblin.
"Most effective? Yeah... sure... doesn't change the fact that I have nightmares some times because of you methods." Wizard snarled
"Like the time you used my water spell to suffocated a large number of goblins to death or when you had to fight some goblins in a river so you step on one's back in the water and kept your foot there until he drown, and let's not forget the time your sword broke so you use the intestines of a goblin you disemboweled earlier to strangle a Hobgoblin's neck until it broke! I barely slept for three days after that one!" Wizard snapped causing High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman to turn a little blue in the face at hearing that.
"I had no weapon's at the time so I had to improvise." Goblin Slayer defended, the Elf of their group eyes twitch at him trying to justify his gruesome action.
"This guy is insane..." High Elf Archer murmured.
"The point is we need to be careful, if the goblins can make traps of this caliber then that can only mean an unknown element is leading them." Goblin Slayer stated stopping her from continuing and High Elf Archer was looking quiet green from Wizards words.
"Conniving monsters. These ruins could be full of traps then." Dwarf Shaman said Lizard priest nodded as he gave their current situation some thought.
"Then it is best mistress Ranger takes the lead as she can best spot traps while Goblin Slayer-san stays on her rear." Lizard Priest said.
"A fair plan, the rest of us will follow behind." Wizard concluded staying near Lizard Priest, Elf Ranger and Goblin Slayer take the lead as agreed, They walked in caution having found two more traps along the way and being careful to disarm them before coming to a split in the hallways.
"I don't sense any enemies yet so what do you want, left or right?" High Elf Archer ask looking at Goblin Slayer, at that point Dwarf Shaman step forward to inspect the floors.
"Let's see…" Dwarf Shaman inspected, "Judging by the subtle wear on the stone, their hideout is down the left hallway."
"Their main Hideout is most likely to the left." dwarf Shaman concluded causing Goblin Slayer to look at him.
"How do you know?" asked Goblin Slayer.
"Look at the subtle wear on the floor," Dwarf Shaman pointed out, "more often than not they come from the left and go to the right."
"Are you sure?" Goblin Slayer asked causing a dwarf to huff and puff out his chest.
"I am a dwarf! On metal, Stone, and wine I am the authority! " Dwarf Shaman said with pride in his voice, Goblin Slayer listen to this and simply nodded not wanting to question his expertise.
The Slayer pointed his sword to the right. "I see. This way then."
"Huh? Isn't their hideout in the other direction?" Wizard asked wondering his reasons as of the dwarfs directions seem pretty sound to her yet already following at his field with the others.
"Yes, but then we'd be too late." Goblin Slayer replied.
"Too late for what?" the Ranger asked, before she gagged. "Ack! What's that smell?!"
The group approached a door that the Goblin Slayer kicked down, bringing them into a room reeking of pestilence and decay.
"A goblin waste heap." Goblin Slayer's helmet scanned right to left.
"Ugh! I'm never going to get used to this horrible smell" Wizard admitted with her free hand pinching her nose. this was only her third time reaching a goblin waste Heap and each time it seemed that the smell gets worse and worse for her.
"You will get used to the smell eventually." Goblin Slayer stepped forward and as the light exposed the flesh of a human. It was a young woman chained to a wall as she meekly turned her head at the light. Bare skinned, streaks of dried blood, and long hair to shield her eyes of the horrors.
"What the!?" High Elf Archer says, only to hurl as she sees what is before her.
"Kill…" The Elf begs.
"Understood…" Goblin Slayer says.
"Wait!" Wizard called out, she had seen it be before, mercy kills! He did these when a victim could no longer be saved.
"Kill!"
"Don't do it Slayer! She may have been tortured but her body is still intact and there's no signs of poison, we can still save her!" Wizard cried.
"KILL THIS FILTHY CREATURE!" The She-Elf cried, in which a Goblin comes out of hiding, and with a swift slash, the creature is cleaved in two, it's blood flowing from it's wounds and into his sword.
"I will…" Goblin Slayer says, "That what I came here for."
With the Goblin dead they quickly went to work bandaging the wounded female elf as well as using refresh and two of their potions to help her heal a little faster and deal with the pain.
"Now then, I shall take care of her transport!" Lizardman Priest declared, in which he takes a few bone fragments out and tosses them to the ground. "O Horns and Claws of our Father, Iguanodon. Let thy four limbs become two legs and walk upon this earth! Dragontooth Warrior!" Using several fangs as catalysts, Lizard Priest a bipedal lizardman skeleton. "A Miracle from my ancestors, the Dragontooth Warrior!"
"Here a note, it should help when she reaches the Elven Forest." Wizard said handing the skeleton apparition the note as she cast a look of pity at their High Elf Archer.
Wizard having seen the cases of rape in her first few missions with Goblin Slayer was indeed horrible but witnessing the level of brutality goblins had for their victims when they tortured them was far, Far worse! It was times Like These then reminded her that they were truly creations of evil were built only to cause pain and misery.
Of course she was also also berating herself for not realizing that this was an obvious trap. In no cases has she ever found that the Goblins left there capture alone, they would always leave at least one guard to both keep an eye on them and do as they please, the moment they enter this waste heap and found the captured elf but no guards visible, it should have been an immediate indicator to her that a Goblin was in hiding. If she'd been alone she would have rushed to aid the Elf and gotten ambushed.
Wizard was confident that the initial attack wouldn't have yielded any harmful results to her, her mithril under armor would have stopped any blade attack and even if by some chance the goblin managed to get a cut or two on her face or arms and it was lace with poison Wizard had several vials of antidote's on her person.
That being said this also meant that the goblin would have had the upper hand plus there could have been an alarm system there would be triggered the moment it attacked alerting all the other goblins to her present thus putting her in a extremely vulnerable position.
"I need to get better at controlling my emotions." She muttered to herself, while she certainly didn't want to become like her mentor Goblin Slayer she did think it'd be best if she could better control herself when it came to the more grisly situations. Being with Goblin Slayer she had already seen the results of adventurers who acted on emotions and seldom did it ever turn out well for them... the last party they manage to rescued was a prime example of this.
"Hey... you going to be okay?" Wizard asked looking down at the crying Rancher clearly having never seen such cruel brutality in her two thousand years of life.
"What even is this?" High Elf Archer sniffled as she tried to get herself under control.
"The price of hunting nothing but goblins, if it doesn't kill you it'll definitely leave you mentally scarred." Wizard answered, Elf Ranger having calm down some looked up at the much younger Adventurer.
"You seem to be doing pretty well for a girl who partnered up with a man who only hunts Goblins." she pointed out, Wizard simply looked away rather not going into how many sleepless nights she had since joining Goblin Slayer. Speaking of which the Slayer finally walked out of the waste heap holding a rolled up parchment and a satchel.
"There was a map in the satchel. It must belong to that Elf." Goblin Slayer noted.
"It's gotta be a map of the place. The elf was probably using it till she got caught." Dwarf Shaman mused darkly inspecting it along side Goblin slayer.
"There's a gallery to the left. You judge correctly."
"What didn't believe me?" the Shaman asked Goblin Slayer.
"I did. But it good to be sure." Goblin Slayer reply before turning to the down archer and toss the satchel to her side in the floor.
"I have no need for this, you take it." Goblin Slayer stated bluntly getting a frown from Wizard at his rather cold way of interaction with High Elf Archer. "Let go."
"Hey can you tone it down with the hard ass bit!? She-" Wizard argued but was cut off when High Elf Archer stood up with a glare on her face.
"No, I'm alright. We have to get going don't we?" High Elf Archer spoke standing up with a determinate look in her eyes not wanting to look any weaker in the eyes of Goblin Slayer. "We have to move quickly, and stop them."
"That's right," Goblin Slayer added. "There are goblins to slayer."
For the next hour the group of adventurers begin traversing the abandoned Fortress turned Goblin nest and killing several Goblin centuries that were walking about High Elf Archer managing the takedown quite a few of them herself but due to her shaken emotions her aim proved to be not as sharp as before, which was shown when she missed two that were thankfully slayed by the groups Goblin Slayer.
"Hey GS, I think we should rest before heading further in." Wizard suggested they were close to the gallery so a small rest would ensure they were in top shape for the upcoming battle with a goblin. Not only that but she was becoming more and more worried about their resident Archer who was clearly still shaking from seeing the condition of her fellow elf.
"Very well, we'll camp here for our break." Goblin Slayer agreed taking a seat with his back against the wall, they were in a hallway and if they had been reading the map correctly then just up ahead was the location of the gallery and the horde of goblins that was waiting for them.
"How many spells do you all have left?" Goblin Slayer asked.
"I have yet to use any so I'm still standing pretty at five." Wizard answered looking at Ranger in worry.
"I have four or five I suppose." Dwarf Shaman offered as Lizard Priest pulled out several bone teeth.
"For myself 3 but as dragontooth Warriors required the Catalyst, I can only use it one more time." he confirmed Goblin Slayer hear all of this as he began making plans for them.
"Hey..." Wizard called out High Elf Archer quietly, the Ranger looked up to the magic use holding a flask of water, Elf Archer smiled and thank her as she take it and Wizard.
"...Say, I know I'm the rookie in this group but... are you going to be up for this goblin murder mission?" Wizard asked, High Elf Archer looked at the much younger girl feeling slightly amused at her worry.
"I'm fine, that was definitely a shock to see but I'm not going to let it throw me off for long!" High Elf Archer stated as the Wizard take a seat next to her neither noticing Goblin Slayer eyeing them.
"She lucky, despite everything her body was still intact." Wizard getting a heated glare from the Archer.
"And how do you figure she lucky after what was done to her?" High Elf Archer growled but it wasn't Wizard who responded.
"Because Goblin's have done far worse to others." Goblin Slayer cut in causing the two to turn to him.
"I have seen some who were left in such a state that they couldn't go on living and ended their own lives before I could even get them to the temple of healing." Goblin Slayer's words shocked her to her core, she didn't want to even imagine what must have been done to them to take their own life.
"If you are unable to handle this then turn back." Goblin Slayer said firmly getting a from Elf Archer and a glare from Wizard.
"Hey that going to far!" Wizard called out.
"Not everybody can easily brush off that kind of horror like you but that doesn't mean she should quit!" Wizard stated as High Elf Archer stood up with a glare.
"Thanks kid for speaking up for me but I can defend myself." She stated glaring at Goblin Slayer.
"Listen you, I might have freak out before but I ain't backing down!"
"My home is not far from so I sure as hell ain't about to let these little monsters get away with their actions!" Elf Ranger nearly shouted as Goblin Slayer stared her down.
"I see, in that case let go." Goblin Slayer stated standing up and moving down the hall to wait for the others, High Elf Archer could only grind her teeth as she stared after him.
"I've rarely known even a dwarf so single mindedly in his craft." Dwarf Shaman mused before staring at the high elf with a meaningful glance.
"Deep breath Long Ears, don't go hating him. Goblin's are no friends of dwarves either, They'll pay for sporting with her like that." Dwarf Shaman firmly letting her know that he was not a fan of what the Goblin's did to the Elf Explorer.
"Tch, I hate getting sympathy from a Dwarf and a Rookie... but all the same. Thanks." High Elf Archer spoke, Wizard and the Dwarf nodded with nothing left to be said. after the rest they kept moving.
"There sure are a lot of those little monsters, "Dwarf Shaman commented the group of adventurer's continued on through the ruins, until they reach an open area, light shining down from above over the dozens of goblins lying about on the lowest level either sleeping or laying about.
"Quick count I'd say at more then 20." High Elf Archer said as the looked over the sea of sleeping green monsters.
"Wizard?" Goblin Slayer question looking at the rookie of their group as her eyes sweep over the goblin horde, "I count 37 total." Wizard stated, tightening her grip on her staff and placing a hand on the hilt of her sword, she had remembered the last time she had face such a large number of goblins, her mistake had screwed up their plans but she'd do better this time for sure.
Goblin Slayer nodded, if there was one thing the girl could be counted on it was her quick count when it came to numbers.
"So you got a plan Orcbolg?" High Elf Archer asked looking at the man leading their party.
"Yes, a fairly simply one but it should be effective none the less." Goblin Slayer replied. Down below one of the few goblins still awake one of the few goblins still away yawn tiredly as it was just barely managing to still awake "Silento..." a whisper so low it almost didn't here it reach the goblins ears, looking up it caught site of Wizard just above them "verbum... Vox!" Silence..." jumping to it feet to raise it voice to shout out but but no sound escape it mouth much to it confusion.
"Drink deep, sing loud let the spirits lead you! Sing, step quick, and where to sleep they see you..." Dwarf Shaman appeared next dancing about as he sang and take swags of his fire wine.
"May a jug of fire wine be in your dreams to greet you! Stupor!" with a clasp blow of wine the goblins fell into a deep drunken sleep.
"Silence and Stupor, a deadly combo, now for the next phase of the plan." Goblin Slayer said drawing dagger as Lizard Priest and High Elf Archer arm themselves, Wizard seeing them move toward the stare place her hand on the hilt of her sword and turn to join them only to pause as Dwarf Shaman place a hand in her path.
"Now, now young lass, the back row has done it part, best to let the front row perform the next." he said sagely, though their plan was so far going well he knew when Adventurers should stick to their assigned rows. Wizard grunted with a "Tch." but didn't argue much to Dwarf Shaman amusement. The girl really was a rookie, as green as can but she knew when to listen to other's which showed she had potential to go far.
The three melee fighters made their way down below then began the massacre. With the goblins locked into a deep sleep and no sound to alert them of the upcoming danger The task was essentially a bloodbath as Goblin Slayer and Lizard Priest begin killing each and every Goblin they came near with a single strike to the juggler.
For High Elf Archer, the task of killing the Defenseless goblins to be a bit more difficult than she originally thought as it took her several strikes to ensure their existence ended, with each death dulling her throwing knives more and more until the became slick with blood and fat, it wasn't long before she could barely hold them as they began slipping from her fingers.
Turning to her comrades she watch Lizard Priest continues to till each goblin with a single swipe of his Swordclaw, "The blade made by the swordclaw miracle, does it ever dull? High Elf Archer wonder before turning to Goblin Slayer.
"What about him?" she question knowing he had no such blade so thought he might be in the same boat as her, only for her eyes to widen as he pick up a nearby dagger and jammed it into the throat of the goblin it belong, (I see, he been using their weapons.) High Elf Archer realized hilting her blade back into the sleeve on her outfit, she quickly grabbed one of the goblins nearby daggers and use it to cut open its throat.
Above them Wizard and Dwarf Shaman watch their team go to work killing all of the Goblins.
"Quite a messy and gruesome task beard cutter has, eh young Lass." Dwarf Shaman mused dryly, he had seen plenty of nightmares and horrors in his century of living be that didn't mean he enjoyed it, this Massacre couple with what was done to the Elf Explorer it didn't seem like he'd be able to enjoy his drink the rest of the day.
"Messy and gruesome yes, but necessary all the same." Wizard replied, she too remembering the Elf Explorer and knowing that Goblin Slayer stop many other from suffering her fate.
"Maybe so but it a hard matter to drink to." Dwarf Shaman stated watching as goblin after goblin had it life end with the task seemingly taking a toll on Elf Rangers mentality. Standing up from her latest kill High Elf Archer look over as Goblin Slayer killed the last of the Goblins and couldn't help but think, (Did he use... to do this, by himself ?) she question looking at him then her own state as they were both cover in blood from every kill. High Elf Archer couldn't help but question his mental state from so much killing.
Wizard and Dwarf Shaman made their way to the bottom level after the last goblin was slayed. Reaching the three front row fighters all of whom looked ready to move one as Elf Ranger wipe as much blood from her face as she could with her cloak, the two nodded to Goblin Slayer and all turn their attention to the opening which Goblin Slayer pointed his sword at. Everyone followed his lead as they made their way to the next room. Wizard turn to High Elf Archer and gave a soft smile to which she return having vindicated some of her anger on the Goblins she was now more ground.
'THUMP!' 'THUMP!' 'THUMP!' 'THUMP!' everyone froze in their tracks as the ground shake and loud stomping slowly made rung out!
"Now that's trouble! Something's Coming! Fall back!" Dwarf Shaman shouted following his words they pulled back from the doorway as the stomping grew closer.
"It something big!" Wizard whisper gripping her staff and though she hadn't noticed it her hand fell over the hilt of her sword while a sense of unease wash her her, (It sound to big to be a Hobgoblin, Is this my chance to finally see a Goblin Champion!) Wizard wonder slightly excited by the prospects as a thunderous voice boomed out.
"I thought the goblins seemed unusually quiet. Can't even trust them with simple guard duty..." everyone tense at the booming voice, (Goblin Slayer never said anything about a goblin that could talk! Is it something else? But what could-) Wizard train of thought halted as a monster came into view.
"You filth... who knowingly trespass in our tower..." Wizard's mind had almost stop working in fear of what they were facing.
"So your the boss around here, huh?" Elf Ranger smirk with sweat dripping down her face as they look on at the large monster, towering over Goblin Slayer and his allies. He wore a large loincloth adorned with several skulls and was rippling with muscles.
Indeed Wizard's knew what this monster was, the teachers had told stories of it back in the Magic Academy, one such tale was how it face a pair of powerful Silver Rank Adventurers. A Knight with a redoubtable shield and a Magical Master Wizard... The battle ended with the Knight made one with his own Escutcheon and the Master Wizard being destroyed by immolations from a magic that was greater them his own. The Teachers and Adventurers seem to speak of his name in fear and whispers. Wizard and several of her classmates use to joke how they could take it down in one shot... how truly foolish they were.
"So this... is an Ogre!?" she question unable to believe she was seeing one outside of a illustration book.
"Yes and look at the size of him!" Dwarf Shaman gasped at the towering monster standing before them. Goblin Slayer however simply tilted his head in slightly confusion.
"Feh. So you are not a Goblin?" he question getting a annoyed groan from High Elf Archer.
"Don't you know what an Ogre is!?" she asked as he kept his eyes lock on their foe.
"No. though I know of powerful types of goblins. " Goblin Slayer answer, the Ogre snarled at his words.
You... Do you look... upon me granted this host by the Demon Lord's Generals... AND TURN UP YOUR NOSE!?" Ogre shouted enraged by what he saw as an insult. Slamming his club down on Goblin Slayer who jump out of the way. "I don't know you or any Demon Lord's Generals." Goblin Slayer stated bluntly, when it came to such matters unless it was directly in front of him, he left things like those to the heroes or other Silver or Gold ranks Adventurers. All that matter to him was Goblin. Growing more furious by the second Ogre calm down as he stare at the foolish Adventurer and held out his hand.
"The let me acquaint you. Personally, so you can die knowing." Ogre snarled as a tiny fire spark appeared, "Carbunculus.. Crescunt!" Wizard's eyes widen as a the spark of fire quickly grew in a high fire ball!"
"I guess it wasn't an exaggeration that he killed a magic master with greater power then his own" Wizard said as she take to the front readying a counter spell but then froze at the sheer size of the fire ball, "It... too big...!" she whispered as the fire was even bigger then the Ogre, (If he throws that now, it'll cover the entire gallery!) she thought panicked.
"No choice, Everyone scatter! Find cover as best you can, Lizard Priest by me!" Wizard shouted raising her staff, "Sagitta, Inflammarae..." Wizard began her cast as Lizard Priest kneel down behind her.
"Kid this ain't the time to be showing off, ru-" High Elf Archer was cut off as Goblin Slayer grab her and jump behind a broken pillar, "I hope you know what your during lady Caster!" Lizard Priest said wrapping a arm around her waist.
"And I hope your light on your feet Priest!" Wizard replied sweating from the heat of the Fire Ball bearing down on them.
"A mere child dares to challenge me in a battle of Magic!? There is a limit to have impudent you humans can be! Iacta!" "Radius! Fire Bolt!" Wizard and Ogre shouted as they fire their spells, Wizard's spell was much weaker, there was no question about that, if she had clash with his head on it wouldn't even make a dent... that why her target was his hand! Be it item, equipment, or body part, the focus point use to cast spells must remain stable, if it damage in anyway before a spell is cast...
"GAAHHHH!" Ogre screamed, 'BABOOOOM' massive explosion rocked Fortress halls as the fire ball blew up in the Ogres face!
"By my forefathers names!" Lizard Priest shouted snatching the young Wizard up and race down the hall harling themselves behind a fallen pillar as large embers of fire flew over them! "Causing a spell to blow up in the casters face, that a first one for me!" Dwarf Shaman admit hiding behind a slab of stone wall, he could feel the fire hitting it and hope that his protection held up. "That kid as crazy as you!" High Elf Archer screamed from her place with Goblin Slayer.
"She is young and green but she is Innovator." Goblin Slayer stated as the flames died down as quickly as they began covering the halls in heated smoke and vapor.
"Though a little crazy it was Mistress Wizard, your idea was a mighty fine one none the less." Lizard Priest mused, over looking the smoldering halls, "AGHH! GHHHAA! GRAHH!" the thick smoke and vapor made it impossible to tell the level of damage that was done to the Ogre but the loud groans was enough to them know that although he survived it was not without I jury.
"Everyone be caution, the enemy is still alive!" Goblin Slayer stated as they all came out from their hiding place as the smoke began to slowly fade away showing the Ogre kneeling on the ground, his face was smoldering, the left have of his body had become charred from his shoulder blade down to his waist, the Ogre breath deeply as the group of Adventurers take notice at how he was healing with the dead burnt skin falling off his body bit by bit while growing new flesh glaring furiously at the group.
"He healing from that!?" High Elf Archer gasp stun watching him stand up, (Now this feels like a real Adventure!) She thought readying her bow.
"Impudent Caster Girl! for this outrage Your suffering shall make light of what was done to the Elf! When Death finally claims you, you will see it as a kindness!" Ogre roared as the party tense, "There aren't enough of us. Create a Dragontooth Warrior." Goblin Slayer order.
"Certainly! O horns and claw of our father iguanodon, they four limbs, become two legs to walk upon the Earth!" the lizardman skeleton was summoned but knowing it wasn't much use unarmed Lizard Priest began his next spell.
O sickle wings of velociraptor! RIP and Tear! Flt and Hunt!" Lizard Priest made a sword claw for the Dragontooth Warrior as, moving into formation Goblin Slayer move to the middle of Lizard Priest and the Dragontooth Warrior with High Elf Archer right behind him, Wizard drew her long sword while holding her staff out to the ready as she and Dwarf Shaman take to the back of the group.
"How many spells do you have left Lass?" Dwarf Shaman question to the Wizard.
"Three... what about you?" she asked, "Same here, best aim well, don't want our comrades getting caught up in the cross fire!" he warn, Wizard gulp as she had never take that into consideration. Normally it was just her and Goblin Slayer but she had to be careful not to hit the others now.
"DIE!" Ogre shouted rushing at the group, slamming down his club they scatter.
"Come out you Gnomes, it time to work! Now don't you dare-" 'BRSSSSHHH' Dwarf Shaman barely dodged the club swing interrupting his spell.
"Thought I let you finish your little-GAH!?" Ogre grunted as High Elf Archer shot an arrow through his right eye! "You Dwarves are so slow!" she shout as he hop back with Wizard reach the top of the hall from before!
"Sagitta, Inflammarae, Radius! Fire Bolt!" Wizard shouted sending her fire projectile right into his fore head, "GAAAH!" she smirk only to frown when she saw how little damage she did, (Fire bolt good for knocking off a finger or two but it doesn't have kick needed to do real lasting damage!) She thought annoyed, she couldn't risk using her thunder spell on an moving target as she might bring the whole place down on their heads!
"That enough from you, caster!" Ogre roared raising his club, Wizard gasp jump to the side as the club came down, 'BRSSSHHH' the top platform was destroyed with one swung barely missing Wizard but sent her over falling to the ground "Shit that hurt!" Wizard grunt then stared up in fear as the Ogre glared down at her before Dwarf Shaman jump in fronted her.
"Now don't you shrink your duty! Stone Blast!" Dwarf Shaman shouted sending dozens of large stone spikes pummeling him across his body and giving Wizard enough time to return to her feet as the Dragontooth Warrior rushed at the Ogre and striking with his swordclaw forcing him to block it.
With the Ogre on the defensive Goblin Slayer and Lizard Priest rushed at him to strike.
"Let start be stealing away his movements!" Goblin Slayer called running at the Ogre with his sword at the ready, reaching him he made a strong swing 'SHHKK' on for his blade to break on contact!
"He imperious to blades!" Lizard Priest shouted, moving faster then something his size should have been able to Ogre spin on his feet with his left arm reared back before smashing his club right into Goblin Slayer!
"GAAAHHH!" Goblin Slayer groaned as the attacks as so strong he was sent flying from the impact through the air, slamming into a pillar!
"Know this, I am no Goblin and I shall exact my price for this humiliation!" Ogre roared, jamming his broken blade into the pillar to keep from falling Goblin Slayer take several deep breaths as he look down at his small shield, noting the impact of the blow cave it in and pretty much render it useless. Of course if he had taken a direct hit, it would have cave in his chest, armor and all.
"Orcbolg! You still with us!?" High Elf Archer called out as she and Dwarf Shaman fired several arrows and stone blasts to keep the Ogre at bay. Dropping to the ground Goblin Slayer coughed out several times while flexing his shield arm.
"Somehow." Goblin replied checking over his body quickly, (My back plates of my armor has been crushed, front plate as well.) Goblin thought, he felt pain all over his body as turn to the Ogre who glared up at the Slayer while using one hand to block the attacks coming from the Elf and Dwarf.
"That attack should have broken me... but I can still move?" Goblin Slayer question himself, Ogre snarled trying to smash the Dragontooth Warrior turning his full attention on Goblin Slayer.
"How? The blow was strong enough to crush a knight with a shield far greater then your own!?" Ogre roared rushing towards Goblin Slayer with his club raided, "Look out!" Wizard shouted as the club came down, 'BABOOOM' the sound ring out as Goblin through up his hands barely blocking the attack with his open palms!
"I see, so you are not all talk." Ogre almost seemed amused looking down at Goblin Slayer who all though bought to his knees held the massive club at bay.
"As I thought, the bracelet." He grunted rousting the weapon to the side so he could jump away, (Not selling it was the right choice, I'd be an invalid otherwise...) he thought as Lizard Priest came to his side.
"Milord Goblin Slayer is full of surprises! An attack like that would have down any other Silver Rank...!" Lizard Priest commented as Ogre glared down at the two, though his main focus was Goblin Slayer as he mused on how he was still.
"Tell me Adventurer, how are you able to still move?" Ogre asked, seeing as the fighting stop for the moment Wizard use this chance to move un closer seemingly unnoticed, (If I can get close and take out one of his knees, that should steal away his movements!) Wizard thought hiding behind a slab of the pavement.
"A single strike from me crush those with far great shields then your. Yet you still stand after a direct blow!?" Ogre question.
"I believe it, my body is sore all over but I see no reason to answer someone who is about to die." Goblin Slayer replied taking not of everyone's position, Dwarf Shaman and High Elf Archer both had move off to his left and his right trying to get in. Ogre snarled at the Goblin Slayers words.
"One of us is indeed a deadman," Ogre stated raising his massive club, "let found out which, but first..." spinning on his feet Ogre slammed his club down before dragging it across the ground sending cement shrapnel, everywhere behind!
"Damn it!" Wizard gasped blown away by rocks and debris, "That enough play from you spell caster!" Ogre growled having seen her moments ad she tried to sneak up on her.
"Lady Caster!" Lizard Priest shouted as his Dragontooth Warrior jump behind her catching the girl.
"Take quiet a hit she did but the lass will live!" Dwarf Shaman called noticing Wizard huffing as she tried to catch her breath while the Dragontooth Warrior moved out of harm's way.
"Take a breather kid we got this- WHOA!" High Elf Archer was forced to jump out of the way of a club wing.
"You got nothing Elf, once I kill the men they'll become my food but you will be used to breed my goblins!" he howled then turn to the Slayer and Lizard Priest, "The human girl on the other hand will be my personal play, I may even have her bare my offspring..." Wizard paled at such a thought feeling that she rather take her own life then become this things breading host.
"Now let's start with you, "Carbunculus.. Crescunt!" Ogre began forming a large fire ball once more, (Crap! Not a gain, I got to stop him!) Wizard thought having been place on the ground way from the battle she raised her staff only to be horrified at the fact that it was damage! The head that held the gem stone for her had been broke with one of it four sides missing plus the gem stone itself was cracked!
Goblin Slayer look on at the massive fire ball forming, Both High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman was firing arrows and rock spells but it had little effect as he block both with one hand.
"So it come to this..." Goblin said in what could almost be taken for a tired tone, sheathing his sword, Ogre raised and eye brown as the only one who might pose a threat to him step forward.
"Come to face your doom?" he sneered as Goblin Slayer reach into his backsack, "No I've come to send you to your!" Goblin shot back pulling out his scroll.
"Milord Goblin Slayer, if you have a plan now would be the time to use it!" Lizard Priest stated as Goblin Slayer squared off with the Ogre.
"Yes I do, my plan is to kill this... big thing... then move on." Goblin Slayer replied removing the rope tie on his scroll.
"EVEN AS YOU FACE CERTAIN DEATH YOU SPROUT SUCH NONSENSE!? YOU WILL DO NOTHING BACK DIE! IACTA!" Ogre howled launching the massive fire ball at Goblin Slayer who in repose un rolled his scroll! " YOU FOOL!" blinding blue shine through at then Ogre who for a moment the world vanished.
What... am I... looking... at? Ogre wonder seemingly peering into deep darkness, ah yes, I should be seeing those humans roasted alive by my fire... yet what is... this.
He felt wet, like he was floating in a pool. as the feeling slowly returned Ogre wiggle his left hand fingers, flexing his hand to get full mobility back into it the slowly rose it to his face.
Water? Red water? he question as some of it drip into his mouth and it gave him a metallic taste, Sea water... with a taste of blood!? now alarmed he looked down at his right hand only to notice it was missing, just a bloody stomp then quickly looked around at himself and self half of his body was gone.
"WHAT... HAVE... YOU...DONE... TO... ME...!" Ogre shouted 'COUGH' "GRAH!" as if realization of what happen was the switch, the flood gates of pain had now been open! "Haaack! HRRRRGH! HAAARRRGH!" blood, so much blood came flying out of his mouth while holding what was left of his own entrails connected to his body! Ogre struggled to turn to the slowly approaching Goblin Slayer holding his burning scroll. A look of hatred, confusion, and fear on his face as he shouted again, "What have you done!?"
"This is a gate scroll. I linked it to the bottom of the sea." Goblin Slayer stated simply as the dying Ogre throw up more and more of his own blood.
"The -GAH!- bottom of -AGH- the sea!?" Ogre question even as he continue to hack up blood, (So that was sea water? But It all happen so fast that I barely saw it.) Wizard thought now on her feet but was leaning on the Dragontooth Warrior's shoulder for support. Looking down at her feet at the water she turn back to the dying Ogre.
"I knew he had a gate scroll but to think that he connected it to a place like the bottom of the sea... why!?" Wizard question as High Elf Archer jump down beside her.
"At the bottom of the sea the water is under such pressure that when he releases it using his scroll it acted like a high pressure blade and cut both the fireball and the Ogre right in half." Wizard's eyes widen at her explanation.
"The stupidly rare gate scroll that most would use to escape any dangerous situation was turn into a weapon of mass destruction!?" Wizard gasped turning back to Goblin Slayer, (If that man had been born able to use magic... how much more terrifying would he be!?) Wizard couldn't help but wonder.
"GAHHH!" AGGGHH!" "OOOOHHH!" watching the Ogre suffering as he came to just a foot away from Goblin Slayer spoke, "I intend to destroy a Goblin nest with that scroll... but I suppose this is fine too." Goblin Slayer reason tossing away the burning scroll, as much as he rather have use it on goblins the Ogre was far to dangerous to leave alive, so he felt that scroll had been used well. Gasping for breath Ogre grinded his teeth at what he just heard.
"GOBLINS!? GOBLINS!? YOUR INSANE! A POWER THAT COULD BE USED TO DESTROY AN ARMY, YET YOU WOULD USE THAT POWER AGAINST MERE GOBLINS!? Ogre scream unable to understand such madness.
"Now then...you whatever you called." Goblin asked as he place a foot on the Ogres chest.
"YOU DARE FORGET ME!? THE DARK GOD HAND!" The party could only watch as Goblin Slayer walked on Ogre immobile form who was enraged that he was spends his last moments being disregarded as Goblin Slayer raising his blade above the Ogres face.
"Nevermind, Goblins are more troublesome then you anyway." Goblin Slayer retorted jamming his blade into Ogres skull, "GAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Ogre screams echoed as his death throe ring out for them to hear.
Staring down at the corpse of the monster he had slayed, it wasn't the first time he had to kill something not a Goblin but it slightly trouble him such a beast could be out there leading goblins, (Thoughts for later, for now...) turning his head to the opening the Ogre came then Goblin take a step forward but paused when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Let call a rest for today beardcutter." Dwarf Shaman propose, looking down to the short man only Wizard could tell he was eyebrow from his stands.
"No way, you want to continue!? I don't even have any arrows left." High Elf Archer stated walking up to them with her bow over his shoulder, "I sure never figured we be facing a Ogre on a little goblin hunt." she admitted as Lizard Priest came to Goblin Slayers side.
"Even fully armored and whatever enchantment you have could not fully protect you from the Ogres blow. Let me use refresh." Goblin actually found himself bemused at the surprise expressions from High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman, (So the Priest notice I was protect from an outside source.) Goblin Slayer was impressed to say the least.
"But I am more concerned about accumulated fatigue, and to cure that we have no magic." Lizard Priest warned also against continuing in their current state, "Sure even you know when enough is enough." Dwarf Shaman once more trying to end things as they are now.
"Goblin Slayer..." turning to a voice that was normally not so soft he looked at the Wizard who was no longer leaning on the Dragontooth Warrior, "If you want to go on I'll follow no matter what, but please... let's at least rest a little." Wizard pleaded, Goblin Slayer look her over, he could tell that even though she was trying to hide it she was hurting, the way she clutch her side meant she might have a bruised rib plus her Staff was badly damaged so spells was a no go for her, Sighing deeply Goblin Slayer look up above before speaking. "No, they are right, we'll stop here.
Reaching the entrance Goblin Slayers paused as they was mat by two wagons and five Elven Adventurers.
"We received your note and rush here to give aid." The Elf Leader said walking up to them with a smile, "Thank you for saving our Kin! The goblins inside, have they been..." he trailed off as the Adventurers passed him by, he turn slightly confused by this until he finally take notice of their current state as they entered one of the wagons.
"They seem worse for wear, that could have been by goblins, could it?" one of the elf's wondered as they're leader frown thinking able the Elf Explorer.
"Impossible, Scout go with the escort back to town and get a copy of the report. the rest of us will do a sweep of the dungeon just to make sure it clear." Elf leader order, The Elf scout nodded as the remaining four into the dungeon entered the dungeon.
Inside the wagon the party each lied down to get some rest with Lizard Priest and Dwarf Shaman taking one side while High Elf Archer take another, Wizard lean on the wagon wall while looking at her damage staff, (It basically useless now, and trying to get it fix would cost more then it worth... and it actually worth a lot.) Wizard thought grimly. Staffs like hers were only given to the stop five students of graduation year and the staff she had could easily go for twenty gold coins, to fix it would likely cost her two to three times more, she wonder what are teachers would think... or her little brother for that matter.
"Nothing to do about it now..." Wizard sighed placing it by her side, High Elf Archer who had lied down next to Wizard's left had been quiet as the much younger girl stared at her broken staff, she knew that magic users were attached to their magical items and it must have hurt her pride to have it broken like that, she gave the girl some space before her thought turn back to Goblin Slayer who was sleeping off in the center of the wagon sat th back, was he always going that kind of bloody work... by himself?
Killing green monsters while cover in their blood and saving people after the horrors they been through, how much was that taking a toll on his sanity... and he had been doing this by himself? The rookie Wizard couldn't have joined him for more than a month or two ago so she hadn't been with him for long.
"That not how an Adventure is supposed to be..." High Elf whisper then roll over to her side to get some rest, closing her eyes with one last thought in her mind One day I'll make him go on a real Adventure... otherwise there will be no salvation for any of us.
(Their really is no hope for either of us, is their?) Priestess thought as she and her partner Fighter stare down at the tracks they came upon during their mapping quest... tracks that belong to goblins.