The baton firmly held the creature as it flailed uncontrollably, desperately trying to set itself free.
Dylan stepped back, observing his work.
Noticing the fight was over Elin slowly stepped out of her cover.
Elin: "Is that it?..."
Ethan: "Don't jinx it."
Elin: "I know but compared to goblins they didn't feel that threatening."
She looked at her hand, remembering the earlier fight.
Elin: "I think I could've taken it on, probably?"
Ethan: "Probably? I seriously doubt that but, it's better than facing down some sort of 'souls like' boss like the one on the bridge you told us about."
Elin: "But this somehow felt off? Didn't it?"
Ethan: "Off? What do you mean?"
Dylan: "You're not wrong."
Dylan, who had been inspecting the creature's body, nodded.
Dylan: "Contrary to their 'disturbing' appearances, turns out they're pretty weak."
Ethan: "Ya ya, it's not like anyone here is stupid enough to get injuried by one of these things."
His eyes suspiciously slipped towards Dylan.
Dylan: "I got distracted saving your butt and the regeneration caught me off guard."
Ethan: "Hhmm, Likely story."
Dylan: (I should've just let that creature eat him.)
Ethan rolled his eyes ignoring Dylan's burning eyes.
His attention shifted at the creature. Like a broken toy the creature's smile stretched wider, as if taunting him.
Ethan: (This piece of shit.)
He stared at it for a moment before letting out a tired sigh. His hand planted across his face.
Ethan: "I am honestly pissed that we wasted three mana and a bullet on these knockoff Frankenstein's monster."
Elin's shoulders sank like a puppy.
Elin: "Sorry about that. Their appearance freaked me out a bit."
Ethan: (Just a bit? Why do I suddenly regret giving her a gun?)
Dylan: "Don't be, you had the right instinct. It's just how the situation unfolded."
Ethan: "Actually, now that I think about it there is one thing that has been bothering me."
Elin: "Hm?"
Dylan: "What?"
Ethan: "How did these things manage to find us? Just, think about it for a minute."
He pointed down the street.
Ethan: "The goblins stay in a set area because of some unknown reason, which is concerning in itself but alright. Buttt these guys on the other hand were specifically camping at our base. They were trying to find us."
Elin: "On that note, it is suspicious that these mindless monsters even managed to reach here to begin with."
She folded her arms.
Elin: "Almost every path leading here has goblins stationed at every point. Its difficult to navigate this place, even with a map. How did these mindless creatures even reach here?"
Ethan: "The only somewhat logical or uncomfortable explanation is that something is hunting us."
Elin: "Or these things could be working for or with the goblins?"
Dylan: "Do you think it's one of the intelligent goblins again?"
Ethan shrugged.
Ethan: "Maybe?? But we can't ignore the possibility that there might be something else entirely."
Dylan: "Like what?"
Ethan: "I don't know, a Lich, possibly? These guys look pretty undead to me."
Elin: "How about we confirm that?"
Ethan: "There's a way?"
Elin: "I know of a safe location nearby."
She pointed at a tiny alley. Actually it looked more like a tiny gap.
Elin: "A grocery shop. It isn't as comfortable as the hotel but it has a working generator and food won't be a problem. We can stay there for a few days to see if this was a one off incident or a intentional attack."
Ethan: "Works for me."
Dylan nodded as he picked up Ethan's bag.
Ethan: "But before we set out on another quest I need to reorganize my bag. You should also pack your bags, just in case."
Elin: "Sooo, half an hour?"
Ethan: (By that time my mana should fully recover.)
Ethan: "Sure."
Ethan turned, heading off inside.
Elin: "Wait! Are you just going to leave these guys?"
Ethan: "What do you want me to do?"
Elin: "Now that we have them pinned why don't we try burning or poisoning them?"
Ethan: "We already tried reducing them to atoms. What do you think a little fire is gonna do?"
Elin: "Ugh– Maybe we could."
Dylan: "Ethan's right, their regeneration is not a biological factor but literally magic."
Elin: "I'm just worried they'll get loose."
Ethan waved dismissively.
Ethan: "Don't worry, Dylan can deal with that."
Dylan: "Huh?"
Elin: "Is that ok?"
Dylan: "Ya, fine. I'll deal with it."
Elin: "Thanks."
Elin slowly walked through entrance, looking back as she entered.
Dylan shot his eyes, glaring at Ethan.
Ethan: "What are you staring at me for?
He pointed at the creature.
Ethan: "Get to it. Don't you want your bat back?"
Dylan let out an annoyed sigh.
Dylan: "Yaaa."
But he wasn't about to let Ethan get his way – without warning he yeeted Ethan's bag inside.
*Crack*
Ethan: "HEY! What was that?!"
Dylan: "Oops my hand slipped, nothing we can do about it now."
Ethan: (This guy...)
Ethan: "There were delicate things in there!"
Dylan: "Then you better start checking. We only have half an hour."
Ethan: (I should've seen this coming.)
Ethan gritted his teeth and hurried after his bag.
Dylan: (Now then...)
He turned his attention towards the creature. His smile slowly fading.
Dylan: (How do I deal with them?)