Chapter 15: The Goblin’s Fortress

Chapter 15 - The Goblin's FortressChapter 15

It was common knowledge among seasoned heroes and rookies alike: Beasts and Monsters were not the same.

Beasts, though dangerous, were often modeled after animals—enhanced, possessed abilities, and wild, but still grounded in nature. A lightning tiger, a flame serpent, a frost bear. Predictable in instinct.

Monsters, however... were different.

They were twisted reflections of humanity—humanoid in shape, but corrupted. Disfigured by darkness. Their thoughts were cruel, their instincts murderous. They didn't kill for food or territory. They killed for pleasure, and among them, none were more feared than the Dark Goblins.

Unlike their lesser cousins—the dull-skinned, dim-witted green goblins—the Dark Goblins were smart, strategic, and terrifyingly deadly. Their obsidian skin shimmered like burning oil, and worst of all, any weapon they touched turned black—cursed and extremely lethal.

---

The group stood frozen around Cain's remains. No one spoke.

"What should we do?" someone finally asked, eyes flicking to Nathan.

As the leader, Nathan was responsible for decisions, for lives. He stepped forward, his voice steady despite the weight pressing on his chest.

"Dark Goblins usually operate in groups," he said, scanning the trees. "This one is alone. That gives us a chance."



He signaled to four others. "With me."

Without hesitation, they charged.

The Dark Goblin met them head-on.

The clash was brief but brutal—steel against obsidian, strength against madness. Despite their injuries, the five managed to bring it down, burying their blades in its heart. As it died, the goblin laughed—a rasping sound that chilled their spines.

It took minutes before anyone could breathe normally again.

---

After tending to their wounds and collecting the core, the group pressed onward, moving deeper into the twisted forest. The trees eventually thinned... and then the land opened up.

They stared in disbelief.

A city.

But not one made by humans. The buildings were crude, shaped from bone and blackened stone. Smoke coiled from cracked chimneys. Goblin markings decorated the walls—savage symbols carved in blood and ash.

Nathan squinted at the horizon.

"There," he pointed.

At the far end of the ruined city stood a tall structure—larger than the rest. A makeshift fortress. Heavy iron doors. Guard towers.

"That's where the Portal Boss will be."

He turned to the group, voice heavy.

"Here's the plan: we split into two teams. One will infiltrate and head toward the boss. The other... will draw the goblins and their beasts away."

Silence.

They were down to fourteen people. Cain's death still lingered like smoke in the air.

Everyone knew what that meant.

The decoy team wasn't expected to survive.

"Who'll distract them?" Nathan asked quietly.

No one answered.

Eyes avoided his. Hands clenched. Teeth gritted. No one volunteered for what sounded like a death sentence—facing a horde of goblins and their snarling Wildhounds head-on.

Nathan sighed.

He couldn't blame them.

This mission just became a gamble with death.

Just when Nathan was about to give up hope, a calm voice rang out.


"I'll go."

All eyes turned toward the speaker, wondering who could be foolish enough to volunteer for a mission that was practically a death sentence. Standing at the edge of the group was a young man with black and white hair. He raised his hand higher.

"I said, I'll go," he repeated.

"What? Are you insane?" someone snapped. "Do you even understand the mission? You're supposed to distract the goblins and their wild hounds. That's a suicide run!"

Murmurs of disbelief echoed. Had it been someone like Nathan, a top-ranked hero, it might have been possible. But a D-rank? That was a joke.

Han simply shrugged. "Since none of you are stepping up, I will. So don't worry about my safety. Just do your part."

The crowd stared at him like he had a few screws loose.

Then another voice chimed in.

"I'll go with him."

Heads turned. It was Aiden. Despite being a Vire—a name many distrusted—he stepped forward confidently. Some, driven by prejudice, seemed almost excited to let him walk into danger.

Han shot Aiden a sideways glance. Aiden gave him a thumbs-up.

Why is this guy always in my way? Han grumbled internally. His plan was simple—lure out monsters and rack up kills while using multiple abilities normal humans shouldn't possess. He couldn't afford to reveal his secret.

"No," a firm voice interrupted Han's thoughts. Nathan stepped forward and pointed at Aiden.

"You'll stay with us."

Nathan's eyes were serious. Between the two, he believed Aiden was more valuable in the upcoming boss fight. He had no clue what Han could do. To him, Han was a disposable D-rank at best.

"Just stall them for a few minutes," Nathan said. "That's all we need."

Han gave a single nod. That was all he wanted anyway.



As Han turned to leave, Nathan's voice came again, quieter this time.

"I'm sorry. Truly sorry."

Han paused, confused—until it hit him. Nathan thought he was already dead. His eye twitched in annoyance.

This guy already buried me in his head, he thought, then walked off without a word.

Nathan watched him go.

He's got guts, he thought. If he survives, he might just become a real hero someday.

Aiden stared after Han, unsure why, but part of him believed the guy might actually survive. Still, the odds were dismal.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team arrived at the staging point near the goblin fortress. They crouched low, waiting for Han to create the diversion.

It might take some time, Nathan thought.

BOOM!

BOOM!!

BOOM!!!

Three thunderous explosions tore through the forest. The goblins and their wildhounds instantly rushed toward the chaos.

"...Well, he's efficient," Nathan muttered, eyes widening.

With the fortress cleared, the squad began to move in.

"Let's take the boss down fast!" Nathan ordered. Still, a part of him wondered—how the hell did a D-rank cause explosions like that? Explosive ability, maybe?

---

Somewhere else...

Han's face was expressionless, but internally he was cursing.

Standing beside him was a girl in a yellow sweater, white tech glasses glowing faintly, and white boots. Clara.

She tossed another white sphere at a building. BOOM! It detonated, lighting the area with flame.

She turned, pink eyes gleaming.

"I've done my part. I'm not asking anything from you."

Han sighed. He hadn't expected to run into Clara here. Apparently, she'd entered the portal early, aiming to snatch an artifact from the portal boss. But the black goblins were too strong, and she had to retreat. Now, she lingered, waiting for heroes to weaken the horde so she could swoop in and loot.

Unfortunately for Han, she heard about his mission and decided to "help." Her version of help was overkill.

With that many explosions, every goblin and hound in the region was probably heading their way.

Clara giggled. "Now it's your turn."

Han looked up. Sure enough, they were surrounded—hundreds of goblins and wildhounds closing in fast.

This is going to take a while, Han thought.

One goblin lunged.

BANG!

Clara calmly shot it down with her white pistol.

"You know what? I'm helping out," she said.

Han didn't argue. More monsters meant more CP, EP, and resources.

He summoned White Fang, his blade gleaming. Taking a stance, he murmured,

"Fourth Jungle Art: Cheetah Stride."

In a blur, he dashed forward—three goblin heads dropped before they even realized what hit them. The others reacted, charging. Han and the tech girl met them head-on.

---

Meanwhile...

Nathan's group crept through the towering structure of the goblin fortress. There were thirteen of them. That should be enough... right?

He kept repeating that thought, trying to convince himself.

But deep down, he knew—portal bosses were different. If they had an A-rank and a few B-ranks, maybe. But this team? They were too weak.

Still, they moved forward, hoping the one left behind could stall just long enough.

"Watch out!" a voice snapped Nathan out of his thoughts.



He barely had time to react. A wildhound, massive and snarling, lunged toward him with its claws extended, aiming straight for his head. But before the blow could land, someone stepped in front of him. A shield came up just in time, taking the full brunt of the beast's attack. The impact sent the defender flying backward, slamming into a nearby wall with a sickening thud.

Before the wildhound could press its advantage, a dagger whistled through the air and embedded itself deep into the creature's skull. It collapsed instantly, lifeless. As the blade shimmered and shifted, it morphed back into a hand—Aiden's hand.

Nathan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you... I owe you one," he said, glancing gratefully at Aiden. He turned to thank the shield bearer as well, but the poor guy had already passed out cold, blood trickling from a gash on his temple where he'd struck the wall.

They pressed on.

The deeper they went, the more resistance they encountered—clusters of goblins and wildhounds, all dispatched after brief skirmishes. Then, they reached a large, imposing door, reinforced with steel-like roots and pulsing faintly with eerie energy.

"This has to be it," Nathan muttered.

"How do you know?" asked a chubby-cheeked boy, blinking in confusion.

Nathan pointed ahead. "Because those things are guarding it."

Three dark goblins stood before the door, each gripping crude weapons that suddenly turned black as obsidian the moment they touched them. Their eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

"Everyone, be on your guard," Nathan ordered, voice steady. "This won't be easy."

And with that, they charged into battle.

To be continued.