The battle had long passed the point of endurance.The air was thick with the stench of blood and mana, every breath Lee Jun took burning in his lungs. The predator's towering form loomed before him, its black, chitinous hide cracked but still refusing to give in.
Godon stood at the front, his stolen elite-goblin blade trembling in his grip. His stance was unsteady—blood ran down his arm where the beast's claws had nearly torn him apart. Yet he refused to step back."Move… and it'll cut you in half," Godon growled through clenched teeth, eyes locked on the monster.
Behind them, Moji's breathing was ragged, his runic tattoos glowing faintly under the grime and sweat coating his skin. The Runic Shaman had been pouring mana into his spells for far too long.A deep, resonant hum filled the grove as Moji raised both hands. The runes carved into his staff blazed to life, forming a shimmering lattice of light in the air."Runic Seal—Crushing Bind!"
Chains of pure mana erupted from the ground, slamming into the predator's limbs and wrapping tight around its torso. The beast roared, its muscles bulging as it struggled, cracks forming in the bindings. Moji's voice shook, his eyes bloodshot as he forced every last drop of mana into the spell.
Lee Jun saw the strain in his friend's face."Hold it, Moji! Just a little longer!" he shouted, tightening his grip on his blade.
Godon took the opening, rushing forward with a desperate slash—only for the predator to twist violently, the chain around its arm snapping like dry rope. Godon was sent flying with a single backhand, the sound of his body hitting the dirt echoing like a war drum.
The chains broke one by one. Moji coughed blood, the glow of his runes flickering erratically."Jun… now!" he roared, before the last chain shattered. His knees buckled and his body collapsed, unconscious, his staff clattering to the ground.
Lee Jun didn't hesitate. He launched himself forward, every muscle screaming, blade aimed for the creature's exposed neck. Time slowed—his vision tunneled on the kill.
But the predator reacted faster than he expected.Its head jerked aside, claws flashing upward—Too fast!
The blade missed its mark, scraping uselessly along the beast's armored shoulder. The counterattack came instantly; Lee Jun felt the rush of death bearing down—
A shadow streaked past him.
Shhk!
Draksra was already in motion before Jun even realized it. The Goblin Thief's form was a blur, his dagger flashing with a cruel, perfect arc. He leapt high, his body twisting midair, and landed directly on the predator's chest.
With one savage motion, Draksra drove the blade straight into the beast's throat—deep enough to pierce through the other side. The monster convulsed violently, a spray of black ichor splattering the ground.
It staggered, trying to grasp at the goblin clinging to it… but Draksra kicked off its body, landing lightly as the predator collapsed in a shuddering heap. The forest fell silent, save for the ragged breathing of the survivors.
Lee Jun stared at the corpse, his grip loosening on his sword."…It's over."
He looked around—the battlefield was a ruin. Goblin bodies lay scattered, the smell of death heavy in the air. Of the warriors that had stood with him at the start, only 23 remained.
He stepped toward Moji's unconscious form, kneeling beside him."You did well… all of you."
Somewhere in the shadow of the trees, the wind stirred the leaves, carrying away the last echoes of the battle.
Tamed goblins remaining in Goblin's Grove: 23.