Tower of Paradise

Chapter 65: Desire (2)

The leaves of the forest shimmered with dewdrops, capturing the morning light as if they were tiny lanterns scattered at random.

I observed the goblin camp carefully from my hidden position among the undergrowth.

A large and frightening-looking goblin, evidently the leader of this camp, lazily basked in the sun in front of a ruined tent.

I immediately identified it as a goblin Thrower. These had the strength of a goblin Fighter, but with a crucial difference: they threw javelins and spears similar to an archer, although with much more terrifying firepower. A threat that should not be underestimated.

Fourteen goblin fighters were scattered, patrolling the small camp. Occasionally, one would find a fat worm among the surrounding bushes and pop it into his mouth with obvious delight. An unpleasant spectacle, but irrelevant to my plans.

Eight goblin carpenters had already dispersed through the nearby woods and begun felling trees. The rhythmic sound of their axes resonated in the environment.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amid the din of the logging, I slowly approached one of the carpenters. Under the cover of tall grass, I reduced the distance between us inch by inch, with the patience of an experienced predator. Caution was essential; a single mistake could alert the entire camp.

When barely tens of centimeters separated us, I suddenly jumped. My small figure shot toward the goblin carpenter like a sharp arrow, taking advantage of the surprise factor. Before he could even register my presence, my icy spear had already pierced his throat.

[You have killed a goblin (G)]

Green blood splattered in all directions, but I acted quickly. Before the goblin could emit an alarm cry, I decapitated it with a precise movement. Its lifeless body fell to the ground with a thud.

Carefully, I dragged the goblin carpenter's body and hid it in the dense grass. I couldn't allow the others to find it; stealth was my greatest advantage in this situation.

I observed the camp for a few moments, assessing whether anyone had noticed anything unusual. Satisfied after confirming that my presence remained unknown, I submerged myself again in the grass, crawling toward the second goblin carpenter.

Minutes later, the second carpenter also fell under my sharp spear. A clean, quick, and silent attack. Then it was the turn of the third, then the fourth. In the blink of an eye, I was silently eliminating the goblin carpenters one by one.

My strategy was working perfectly; none had time to alert their companions. Soon, the last goblin carpenter also died under my claws.

In the small camp, there now remained only twelve goblin fighters and three goblin throwers. The first phase of my plan was complete, but the hardest part was yet to come.

In the middle of the camp, one of the goblin throwers who was sunbathing suddenly stood up and roared at the twelve lazy fighters. His guttural growls resonated through the clearing. Something had caught his notice, perhaps the prolonged absence of his carpenters, or maybe a primitive instinct of danger.

I watched as the twelve fighters panicked at their leader's roar and walked toward the forest with bows and arrows in hand. The unusual silence of the forest had made the leader of the throwers nervous, and his simple but effective wisdom led him to send the hunters to patrol while he himself grabbed the throwing spear he carried on his back, preparing for any threat.

Perfect. They had fallen into the trap.

Pooh!

An almost imperceptible sound spread through the forest as I emerged behind a goblin fighter. The spear went directly through his heart, a lethal and instantaneous blow. A sinister smile drew on my face as I hid again, crawling toward my next target.

I had become the supreme predator in that forest. Whether carpenter or fighter, any goblin that crossed my path met a quick death. The dense forest and tall grass had become my perfect allies, hiding my figure as I moved from one victim to another.

The eleventh goblin fighter fell without even suspecting my presence. I accelerated my pace, stealthily approaching my last victim among the dispersed ones. When I jumped again, something unforeseen happened.

The goblin in front of me died without complications, but the last goblin Fighter, by pure chance, turned around just as my figure was jumping toward him. Our gazes crossed for a second, and I could see the terror reflected in his yellowish eyes.

The goblin screamed in terror, hastily backing away. At the same time, he drew his bow and shot a sharp arrow at me. His shriek alerted the three throwers who remained in the camp, who reacted immediately. Three short, sharp spears flew in my direction, cutting the air with a menacing whistle.

—Since I've been exposed... Let's do it by force —I muttered, feeling how coldness took possession of my gaze.

My speed suddenly increased as I ran toward the last goblin fighter. There was no point in continuing to hide; now it was a matter of acting quickly and forcefully.

Pooh!

With a sharp sound, my spear pierced the last fighter, who fell to the ground lifeless. But I had no time to celebrate this small victory. The short spears continued to arrive one after another, producing bursts of penetrating sounds as they cut through the air.

Against these flying weapons, I relied on my agility, which surpassed that of any goblin. I ran toward the throwers at my maximum speed, dodging their projectiles with precise and fluid movements.

Twenty meters!

Fifteen meters!

Ten meters!

The distance was rapidly reducing. Just when I was only five meters from the leader of the throwers, I felt how his energy suddenly rose. The short spear in his hand turned jet black, charging with energy that I could perceive even at that distance.

When his aura reached its maximum point, the black spear with metallic shape flew toward me at a speed several times greater than the previous ones.

Damn.

This thought crossed my mind instantly. I knew it wasn't an ordinary attack. I quickly jumped in the opposite direction, hoping to avoid the full impact of the powerful goblin thrower.

Boom!

The explosion was comparable to that of a grenade. A shock wave shook the nearby trees, creating a small crater two meters in diameter. Fragments of metal, rocks, and branches shot out in all directions as my body was thrown several meters through the air.

Pain coursed through every fiber of my being when I hit the ground. For a moment, my vision clouded. But I knew I couldn't allow myself even a second of weakness. After unleashing that devastating blow, the goblin thrower's aura had considerably weakened. It was my opportunity.

I got up quickly, ignoring the stabs of pain that went through my body. Although I was injured, I had managed to avoid the most serious damage from the attack. I ran again toward my target, who now found himself vulnerable, with his energy depleted after the powerful attack.

The goblin thrower tried to back away, but it was too late. He had no resistance when my spear cleanly cut his throat. He died instantly, with an expression of surprise frozen on his greenish face.

[You have killed a first evolution goblin (F)]