Chapter 36: Pursuit

Chapter 36: Pursuit

I blinked into existence behind Narg, who was crouched behind a thick bush, nervously biting his nails.

"Narg!" I called out.

He yelped, jumping up in fright.

"It’s me. Calm down," I said quickly.

Realizing it was me, he exhaled in relief and slumped slightly.

"I knew you’d find me," he muttered.

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Good thinking, Narg."

Then I asked, "Where are they?"

He pointed ahead, voice low. "They’re just up that way. I heard fighting, but I couldn’t get closer. I don’t know if they’ve been caught... or worse."

He looked down, guilt on his face.

"You did well, Narg. Go back to the cave—I’ll handle the rest."

He nodded quickly and slipped away into the trees.

I didn’t waste a second. I blinked in the direction he’d pointed, covering ground faster than I could run. The terrain blurred past—roots, stones, tangled underbrush—but none of it touched me. I passed through the wild like a shadow skipping across water.

Then I saw something below—bodies.

I halted and blinked downward. My heart pounded in my chest.

A small clearing stretched before me, and lying there were several goblins. I recognized two immediately—they were from our clan. Their lifeless forms were crumpled on the forest floor, their weapons still in hand.

And then...

Zzok.

He was slumped at the base of a tree, blood staining the sides of his lips. Ahead of him were three enemy corpses which he must’ve taken them down before collapsing.

I rushed to him, dropping to my knees and cradling him in my arms. There was a gaping scorch wound covering much of his chest. His skin was blackened, and cracked. burned through.

"Zzok! Are you alright? Wake up—come on, man, stay with me!"

He coughed weakly.

Relief hit me like a wave—he was alive. Barely.

His voice was faint, almost a whisper.

"Chief... Zarah... they chased her... help..."

"I will. Just stay alive. I promise."

He nodded once before his eyes rolled back and he passed out.

For a moment, I feared the worst. I leaned close—he was still breathing, though it was shallow. He could be saved.

I placed a seal where I stood, grabbed Zzok, and blinked back to the cave.

Gasps and startled cries rang out as I appeared. But the moment they saw Zzok in my arms, concern overtook surprise.

I laid him gently on the ground. "Help him! Quick!" I shouted before vanishing again.

I reappeared at the seal’s location and surged forward. The sounds of battle were growing louder—shouts, clashing weapons, something burning.

Please... let her be okay.

I passed two enemy corpses—both had arrows embedded cleanly in their necks. That was Zarah’s handiwork for sure. I was getting close.

Then I saw her bow, abandoned in the dirt.

My chest tightened.

A scream pierced the air.

Zarah.

I blinked high above the battlefield.

And there she was—surrounded by a ring of goblins. A taller, cloaked goblin stood behind her, gripping her by the hair with one hand, a curved blade pressed to her neck with the other.

[Amon • Shaman Goblin – Level 20]

Rage exploded in my chest.

I didn’t hesitate. I swapped places with the shaman.

In an instant, I appeared in front of Zarah. Her eyes widened in fear—then softened with recognition and relief.

Meanwhile...

The shaman appeared in midair, screaming in confusion as he fell. Just moments ago, he’d had his blade to her throat. Now he was plummeting through open air.

He twisted mid-fall, trying to stabilize himself. Fire erupted from his hands—he blasted the ground below to slow his descent, then summoned a shimmering magical shield. He landed hard on his side but survived.

The surrounding goblins scrambled to help him up. He shoved one aside, his gaze locking onto me.

"Chief..." Zarah whispered hoarsely.

I looked back at her and exhaled, the pressure in my chest easing slightly.

"Thank God you’re alive," I said.

But then I saw the burn mark on her shoulder—charred flesh, just like Zzok’s wound.

I turned back toward the shaman, fury simmering in my veins.

He was grinning, somehow still standing.

"What are you waiting for?" he shouted. "Kill them both!"

The goblins charged.

I grabbed Zarah and blinked us both back to the cave.

"Chief!" Thok called as we arrived, and the others turned toward us.

Flogga glanced up, and a flicker of relief passed over her face before she turned back to Zzok, who still lay unconscious.

I gently set Zarah down beside her. "Her shoulder," I said.

Flogga nodded and began tending to the wound.

I crouched beside them. "How’s Zzok?"

"Not good," she said, voice strained. "I’m doing everything I can... but he might not make it."

I clenched my fists.

That bastard. The shaman did this.

I stood up, ready to return.

But Zarah’s voice stopped me. "Don’t go back..."

I looked at her. Her face was pale, strained.

"They’re too many, and the shaman..."

"I’ll be fine," I cut in. "If I don’t stop this now, they’ll just keep coming. They’ve already hurt you and Zzok. They killed our people. They have to pay."

She didn’t argue further, and I blinked away.

I reappeared at the battlefield, landing behind a goblin. Without hesitation, I slit its throat.

The others jumped back, startled.

The shaman turned to me slowly, then smiled wide.

"So... the Blessed One has returned," he said.

I frowned. "Blessed what?"

He tilted his head. "You don’t know? You bear the mark of Draguar—I can sense it."

Draguar... The name rang a bell. That was the deity the goblins worshipped.

I have heard Flogga pray to him, and members of my clan believed I was blessed by him—but I didn’t know what that meant.

And frankly, I didn’t care.

"I too am blessed by Draguar," the shaman continued. "Which is why I’ve come to take your life. Defeating you will grant me your power. And what power you must have..." He smiled darkly. "So prepare because I’m about to..."

WARP!

I blinked interrupting its rant, my blade aimed for his eye. I didn’t care for his theatrics.

He wanted to kill me—I wanted the same.

There was no need for words.