Chapter 48: Clash with the Cave Warriors Once More

The corner mentioned by the Bearman was something I had noticed on my way in as well. It lay beneath the cave, a narrow stretch leading to another passage. Though somewhat cramped, it was perfectly suitable for luring monsters over and slaughtering them. I simply hadn't planned to go there, wanting to save time.

But if those Warrior Goblins were truly as sensitive to their companions' voices as the Bearman claimed... then perhaps I really must head over.

Luckily, I hadn't recklessly fired arrows to draw the monsters. Had I attracted three Warrior Goblins, things would have become truly troublesome.

I thanked the Bearman immediately, then hugged the wall and made my way to the narrow corner. After finding the right angle and path, I slowly approached the Warrior Goblins again.

The moment I entered the line of sight of the nearest Warrior Goblin, its ear twitched slightly.

Almost instinctively, I leapt backward, a question rising in my mind: Since when had my eyes become so keen?

No time to ponder. The Warrior Goblin, gripping its long spear, locked onto me, turned, and charged silently in my direction.

Watching from afar, the Bearman finally breathed a sigh of relief—his generous warning had been in hopes of witnessing another spectacular display of archery.

Unfortunately...

I had no intention of showcasing my archery skills in the cave. After all, my bow’s attack power was limited; it would take two quivers of arrows to finish off a single Warrior Goblin. Two silver coins—far too costly.

Besides, time was tight.

The Bearman had mentioned: Warrior Goblins respawn two minutes after death. If I couldn’t deal with them quickly and secure the central area, the miners in the cave might face trouble.

Though I had no direct connection to them, I didn’t want to cause them any hardship... It would be dishonorable.

With that thought, I swiftly drew the Silver Beast Dagger. As the Warrior Goblin, wielding its black spear, charged toward me, I pressed forward before it could attack.

Close-quarters combat!

In melee, a two-meter spear against a one-and-a-half-meter gnome was hardly an ideal combination!

As it awkwardly thrust its spear, the Silver Beast Magic Dagger, crackling with thunder, sliced through the folds atop its head, splattering a gush of green, viscous blood.

The Warrior Goblin howled in pain, swinging its spear horizontally—a rapid sweep!

Only then did I realize I had underestimated this level 12 magical beast...

Despite its limited intelligence, its instinctive attack response, strength, and speed made it an immense threat!

As the Silver Beast Magic Dagger struck the goblin's head a second time, I was caught by its sweeping spear, the force transmitting through my waist and sending me stumbling.

Bang!

With a physical defense of only 2 to 14 points, I was knocked back several steps, pain radiating from my waist.

"Hit by Warrior Goblin, received 9 points of damage!"

Damn!

A single sweep for 9 hp—if that spear had stabbed me, I’d have been killed instantly.

A chill crept into my heart. Fighting monsters above my level was indeed dangerous; there was no room for carelessness!

Fortunately, the Warrior Goblin was also suffering. The Silver Beast Magic Dagger’s first strike had dealt 29 points of damage. The second, landing on the same wound, not only increased the damage but triggered a critical hit, blasting away 86 hp!

The goblin lost nearly half its life in an instant. But that wasn’t all...

Whether from the critical hit or sheer luck, the dagger’s 2% paralysis chance activated. Intense thunder magic plunged the goblin into paralysis.

Its squat, wrinkled body shuddered violently. Seizing the moment, I lunged forward and, without hesitation, plunged the Silver Beast Magic Dagger into the split green wound atop its head!

Screech! Screech, screech!

The sharp cries echoed through the cave, startling the players within. Even the Bearman, who had been observing intently, frowned, a hint of tension and confusion in his eyes.

To him, a level 10 rookie archer with subpar equipment, after being struck by a level 12 Warrior Goblin, charging back in without healing seemed like a suicidal move, no matter his hp.

After all, Warrior Goblins have 240 hp!

How much damage could a level 10 archer do without using skills?

But as this thought flashed by, a ripping sound split the air—black, sticky blood erupted from the goblin’s head at the dagger’s strike.

The Bearman’s eyes widened in shock!

Black blood... The Warrior Goblin is dead?

Thud!

The goblin collapsed, defeated, its head bearing a gaping wound from which black blood slowly dried, as the Bearman and dozens of "miners" stared in disbelief.

...

Learning from my earlier mistake, I became much more cautious when luring the second Warrior Goblin.

Changing the angle of my approach, as I passed the goblin, the Silver Beast Magic Dagger swiftly slashed through the layered folds of its neck, sending a spray of green blood. Without pause, I darted behind it.

"Target hit, dealt 31 points of damage to Warrior Goblin!" The neck’s defense was even weaker than the head...

As the goblin twisted in pain to attack, I slipped outside its range.

Seeing it charge in fury, I calmly repeated my previous technique. This time, the dagger struck the same spot—the wound on its neck.

"Hit target’s wound, damage bonus, critical hit, dealt 92 points of damage to Warrior Goblin." The system’s feedback brought joy to my heart:

Exactly as expected, consecutive strikes to vital areas like the head and throat yielded high chances of critical damage!

Just two blows had halved its hp!

Though the paralysis effect didn’t trigger this time, the goblin could not escape death. Another swift pass, and the Silver Beast Magic Dagger severed its head cleanly.

Instantly...

The sound of digging in the cave ceased completely!

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief, staring at the scavenger Kirin with the Silver Beast Magic Dagger in hand: Is this guy... truly only level ten?!