They were dragged relentlessly through the forest, forced through thick underbrush and along dirt paths rarely touched by human feet. The monsters' heavy, brutish steps shook the ground, and the chains wrapped around their prisoners scraped harshly against the earth, creating a cold, metallic screech that pierced the ears.
After some time, they arrived at the entrance of a massive cave. Its gaping mouth resembled the jaws of a great beast, ready to devour anything in its path. The stone walls around it were dark and damp, covered in moss and tangled roots that crawled like veins across the surface.
They were herded inside.
The deeper they went, the stronger the stench of blood and filth grew, sharp and nauseating. The walls of the cave were marked with scratches and strange symbols, scrawled as if by rough hands or claws. Low growls and heavy breaths echoed from all directions, occasionally broken by the clash of metal or faint, untraceable screams.
Lucas strained his hearing, alert.
This wasn't just any monster den.
'What kind of monster cave has torches hanging like this?' he wondered silently.
As they continued forward, they passed groups of goblins. Some sat sharpening their weapons in silence; others stared at the captives with hungry eyes, like predators waiting for mealtime. There were other creatures too—horned beasts, thin black figures with glowing eyes, and something that skittered across the ceiling, all legs and hissing breath.
Yet none of them approached.
They only watched, silent and still.
The group was dragged deeper still, down narrow corridors and across slick, damp stone paths. The sound of dripping water echoed like ticking clock hands counting down their time.
At last, they reached a large open chamber deep within the cave's belly. The walls were curved and painted with crimson markings whose meanings were lost to time. Bones and skulls were arranged in the corners like macabre decorations.
At the center stood a massive stone altar. Its surface was cracked, stained with dried blood. Surrounding it were several short stone pillars, each bound with chains.
The monsters stopped.
A thick silence fell. The once-screaming, crying, panicking humans were now frozen in place. It was as if all hope for a brighter future had been sucked from the room, leaving only despair and fear hanging in the air.
"Oh, they brought quite a lot this time. Just in time, we were running low."
A rough, gravelly voice shattered the silence. It was strange, deep, and unmistakably inhuman.
Lucas and the others instinctively turned toward the source of the voice. Above them, carved into the rock wall, was a small balcony—a narrow ledge with a large throne made of wood and bones, imposing like a king's seat. That's where the voice had come from.
Then the figure appeared.
A goblin—but not an ordinary one. Taller and more muscular than most, though not quite as large as a hobgoblin. He wore a dark, luxurious robe and a small crown that looked like it was made of gold. The sight of him in such regal attire was jarring.
"Is he their leader? But… since when can goblins talk like humans? I've never heard or read anything like this before."
Lucas swallowed hard. The others looked just as shocked, but no one dared to speak.
The goblin's eyes were wild and revolting, sweeping over the gathered humans one by one. His gaze lingered on Lucas longer than the others. Then, a wide, crooked grin twisted across his ugly face.
A chill ran down Lucas's spine.
Suddenly, the goblin leapt down from his throne, landing lightly among the beasts around him—monsters that looked even more vicious than he did. He strolled forward, radiating authority like a monster king, and came to a halt directly in front of Lucas.
He looked Lucas up and down, then let out a low chuckle at the sight of the chains wrapped around him.
"Well now, miss, what did you do to end up chained like this?" he asked curiously, clearly unaware that Lucas was a man.
The word "miss" rippled through the group. Even those who had long since given up all hope furrowed their brows in confusion. No one dared to correct him. The situation was far too dangerous for a small clarification.
Lucas shot them a subtle glance, signaling for silence. As furious as he felt, he knew this could be an opportunity. He said nothing, locking eyes with the goblin, gaze sharp as a dagger.
"Ooh, look at those eyes, burning with fire!" the goblin laughed with delight. "A proud little lady, aren't you? I like it! I wonder how long you can keep that look in your eyes."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping, becoming even more revolting.
"Don't worry, I'll take very good care of you. By the way, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life. Are you a noble?"
The goblin's words made everyone want to gag. Lucas clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to spit in the creature's face. His expression hardened, full of disgust and fury.
"Cat got your tongue?" the goblin snapped, suddenly annoyed.
He grabbed Lucas's cheek roughly, staring into his eyes.
"What, you disgusted by me?! Damn you! What would a stuck-up noble girl like you know?!"
Then, without warning, the goblin erupted into a violent scream, his voice filled with unnatural rage.
"Damn it! You should all be bowing before me! I'm a hero! I came from another world! I used to be human… if only I hadn't been summoned by that damn witch!"
His fury spiraled into madness.
"Damn this cursed world! Why did I have to become a monster, this monster?! Why did I have to suffer like this?! That bitch... she tortured me! Used me for her experiments! If it weren't for her... I wouldn't be like this... THAT WRETCH!!!"
The goblin raged like a man possessed, stumbling and shouting incoherently. Everyone around him trembled in fear, paralyzed by terror.
Then he froze.
Panting heavily, chest heaving like a man who had just lost control. His hand still gripped Lucas's face, but the pressure began to ease. Finally, he shoved Lucas's head away roughly.
"Hah... calm down... I need to calm down..." he muttered, seemingly talking to himself.
A few seconds later, he turned toward his subordinates—smaller goblins who had been standing still all this time, too scared to move.
"Take them to the cells," he ordered darkly. "Make sure they stay alive... for now."
The goblins moved at once. They began dragging the limp, defeated humans—including Lucas, still bound in chains—down another passage. The air grew fouler with every step, the path reeking of decay and old rot, like an ancient hallway long forgotten by sunlight.
Footsteps echoed alongside the occasional faint whimper from those too weak to stand. Lucas tried to memorize the way—every turn, every smell, every sound. Anything that might help later.
Finally, they arrived at a grim underground chamber. Iron-barred cells lined the stone walls. The air was cold and damp, thick with the stench of blood and rot.
'Iron cells? Was this cave once a prison?' Lucas wondered.
It was clear this place had once been used by humans—before the monsters took over.
One of the cells was wrenched open, and they were all shoved inside without mercy. Lucas fell hard against the stone floor, landing amidst the others. Some wept quietly. Others sat in silence, eyes hollow and lifeless.
But Lucas's eyes were drawn to a dark corner of the cell.
There—he saw someone else.