The goblin's yellow eyes locked onto Astrael's hiding spot, its jagged grin widening as it took a step forward.
Every muscle in Astrael's body screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to obey. Every muscle in Astrael's body screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to obey.
Astrael's breath hitched. 'Move now. '
The moment the goblin lunged, Astrael rolled sideways, barely avoiding the club that smashed into the rock where his head had been.
Fragments of stone sprayed his face. One grazed his cheek, drawing blood. He stood to his feet, his sword trembling in his small hands.
The goblin hissed, saliva dripping from its fangs. It circled him, the leg dragging against the ground. It's hunched form moving with unnatural agility. Astrael matched its steps, keeping its back to the cave wall.
The creature's beady eyes never left him, its long, crooked nose twitching as it sniffed the air.
'It can smell me.'
THUMP!
The goblin feinted left, then swung right. Astrael barely raised his sword in time, parrying clumsily. The club crashed against the blade with a metallic clang, sending a jolt of pain up his arms.
He gritted his teeth, gripping the hilt tighter. The goblin laughed, sensing his fear and weakness.
'It's toying with me.'
'I don't like this feeling. 'Astrael was still afraid, panted.
'Think, Astrael, how to defeat him? He is faster, stronger, keen nose? Oh yes, the system said it had poor eyesight. If he could use that-Astrael kicked a skull lying on the floor toward the goblin.
The creature flinched, hissing as the bone clattered against its legs. Seizing the moment, Astrael dashed past it, deeper into the tunnel. The goblin's screech of rage echoed behind him.
PANTING.
STEPS.
The stench of rot he smelled earlier was closing in.
His heart hammered against his ribs as he sprinted. Then a sharp turn was present ahead. Astrael skidded behind a thick stalagmite, pressing himself flat against the stone. His lungs burn like hell.
The goblin skittered past, then stopped, sniffing the air. Its head swivelled back toward his hiding spot.
'Too close.'
Seeing the opportunity, Astrael didn't miss,
"TAKE THIS YOU FUCKER!"
SLASHH!
Astrael swung his sword blindly.
The blade bit deep into the goblin's arm. Blackish-green blood sprayed across the cave floor.
GGGGRRRR!!!
The creature howled, its club slipping from its grip and clattering against the rocks.
For a heartbeat, they stared at each other. Astrael gasping for breath while the angry goblin snarled, holding his injured arm.
Then it lunged.
The claws of the goblin raked towards his face. AStrael ducked, but not fast enough. Pain seared across his shoulder as the claws tore through fabric and flesh.
"GROANN!"
Astrael cried out, stumbling back. The goblin didn't give him time to recover. It pounced on him and knocked him to the ground.
The impact drove the air from his lungs. The goblin's weight crushed him, its rancid breath hot against his face.
Teeth snapped at his throat. Astrael barely got an arm up in time. Pain exploded as fangs sank into his forearm. He screamed, thrashing, but the goblin held on, its jaw clamping tighter.
His blood was dripping between the creature's teeth onto his face. Its yellow eyes gleamed with triumph.
'I'm going to die here.'
'Why? Why do I have to suffer this much? What have I done to deserve this?' Astreal Whimpered
The goblin bit at his other arm.
'Mother, Father, big sis Luna.'
The memories of his family. To whom he can say he truly loves. The affectionate and over-worrying mother, the stern but caring father. The cheerful and loving sister.
'And there is Elara also and Avalon too.' Astrael thought of having a flashback.
As the goblin with an eerie smile watched him, and brought his teeth to his neck.
'Is this my end?'. Astrael thought of accepting his fate.
[Ding]
[Title 'The One Who Defies Death' is in effect]
["Fate wrote my end, and I tore the page."]
From nowhere, a profound will came to his body.
His eyes shut open, then his finger brushed something solid. The fallen club.
With a strangled cry, Astrael grabbed it and smashed it against the goblin's temple.
CRACK.
The creature's grip loosened. Astrael, with his new profound strength, hit it again without stopping.
On the sixth blow, something gave way.
The goblin reeled back with a dying shriek, one eye swelling shut. Astrael didn't hesitate. He shoved him off with all his strength, scrambling backwards.
The goblin staggered, its movements uncoordinated. Dark blood oozed from its scalp. It bared its teeth, a low growl rumbling in its chest.
Astrael's arms trembled as he raised his sword.
The goblin charged.
He swung.
SLASH.
THUNK.
The blade cleaved through the creature's neck. Its body crumpled, the severed head rolling to a stop at his feet. The yellow eyes stared up at him, empty.
Silence.
Astrael dropped to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His forearm throbbed where the teeth had pierced flesh. His shoulder burned. His clothes were smeared with the blood of him and the goblin.
"I… I killed it."
His stomach heaved. He retched, but nothing came up. Tears blurred his vision. He wiped them away with a shaking hand, smearing dirt and blood across his face.
He expected to feel relief. Instead, his hands wouldn't stop shaking.
The goblin's body lay twisted on the ground, limbs splayed at unnatural angles. Its blood seeped into the ground.
'It wanted to eat me.'
Was this what dungeons were?
Forcing himself to stand, he rifled through the goblin's ragged scraps. A rusted dagger. A pouch of foul-smelling mushrooms. Nothing useful. He tucked it into his belt.
Then a sound he is familiar with sounded in his head.
[Ding!]
[You have acquired the soul energy of a level 1 goblin scout]
[+100 exp]
[Congratulations to the host for reaching level 1]
[Congratulations to the host for killing his first monster]
[+100 exp]
[You get 2 status points to distribute freely]
[The host has acquired:
Crude club x1
Brown Mushroom x10
gold coin x1]
[Ding!]
[The system is optimized]
Stunned, Astrael watched the blue cloured screen in front of him.
Suddenly, sound echoed from the tunnel.
Skitter-scratch.
Skitter-scratch.
'I will check it later, first leave this place.' Astrael thought while tightening his grip on the sword and ran.
.
.
.
***
[Author's note: I realize the opening chapter has been extended, but this is my only opportunity to establish a solid foundation for all characters. I also know recent chapters were brief, but rest assured, future chapters will be longer for our readers.
Please support this struggling author with Power Stones and Golden Tickets if you're enjoying the story so far.
*Gives a hopeful, puppy-eyed look*]