Veil held the spear in his hand. He was tired, weak, and all alone. Despite the attack he had just landed, he knew he couldn't survive.
Goblins all around started to fuse, even the ones in the shadows. Blood and flesh came together, bones breaking and realigning.
"What the absolute fuck is happening now? How could some bullshit like this happen? Fuck you, goddess. Damn, just my luck I have to deal with this monstrosity of a being."
For the first time since entering this world, Veil felt fear from something other than hell. This new goblin monstrosity was horrifying.
The air around Veil became hard to breathe. He felt like he was standing in front of death itself, and then he heard it—a roar from the beast that sounded more like a cry for help.
『Forced Quest Updated
Quest: Kill Goblin Goliath, Goblin Shaman, and Goblin Chief (0/3)
Reward: Skill: Universal Language (Passive), Skill: Lethargy Insanity (Mentality, Passive), Item: (1‑Star Artifact—Nodachi) "Lost Blade of Até", Blessing of Storm God (Weak)
Penalty: Death
Time Limit: None』
Veil did not have courage, nor did he have hope. He had fear and resentment. Fear that this beast would crush him and send him to hell, and resentment toward the goddess for forcing this upon him.
"Fine. If this is what it takes, then I'll kill even a thousand of you if it means I get even another month out of that void."
A giant fireball shot out at Veil. He barely managed to roll to the side, and even then his arm was singed.
He heard an inhuman laugh. He seemed to forget this wasn't a 1v1 but a 1v3.
Then a giant green monster about half the size of the Goblin Goliath appeared before Veil's eyes. It was very muscular and looked like it could snap him in half.
"Human child, you have an impressive level of strength. Do you wish to fight me one on one? If you do, I promise even if I die, neither of my subordinates will intervene. The shaman would allow it so he could rise up and be his own boss, and that Goliath is but the shaman's puppet. So I, Xerovock, the Twelfth Goblin Chief, challenge you, human."
Veil was shocked. This was the first goblin he had met that could speak, which meant it had to have some level of intelligence.
"Oh my lord Xerovock, to think you saw through me. You are correct; however, I, as a great shaman, never intended to betray you."
Suddenly, the Goblin Chief swung his massive, muscular left green fist at Veil, who barely managed to clutch the spear in his hands and dodge at the same time.
Tears welled up in Veil's eyes. He was being beaten. He had no idea how he was supposed to fight this duel, and even if he won, there was no way in hell the shaman and Goliath would let him go.
"This fucking sucks. I should just let myself die at this point."
『Sub‑Quests Created
Quest 1: Kill the Goblin Chief
Reward: Full mana and health recovery, +2 Strength, +2 Speed
Quest 2: Kill the Goblin Shaman
Reward: Full health recovery, +30 Mana, +40 Health
Quest 3: Kill the Goblin Goliath
Reward: Item: (2‑Star Artifact—Pants) "Fleshbound Titan's Greaves"』
"Damn, you know how to keep me the fuck alive, don't you, System? I know what's happening—I beat the Chief in a duel, recover fully, beat the Shaman, recover to a degree, then face off against a wild Goliath. Whatever. If you're pulling out all the stops to keep me alive, I might as well try my best. One step at a time, I guess… but if I die, I'm blaming you."
Veil clutched the spear in his hand and rushed at the Goblin Chief. He plunged it into the Goblin Chief's large, muscular chest.
"Foolish human, giving up your weapon just to moderately wound me."
"Xerovock, was it? You say that as if there aren't tens of weapons all around us. Just because the goblins are gone doesn't mean their weapons are too."
Veil ran about twelve feet away and picked up a bow and three arrows that the goblins once had from off the ground.
He shot the first arrow straight into Xerovock's left eye. The second buried itself in the goblin's left leg. But before he could loose the third, a giant green fist smashed into Veil's face, sending him skidding back a few feet.
"Is that all you've got? My original name is Veil Cross. Do you know what the Cross family is famous for? Their martial arts… and their delicious desserts."
『New Skill Created: Kurosu Pamiliya Seutail
Rank: Black Weapon
History: Kurosu Pamiliya Seutail — "Cross Family Style" — created by Ezekiel Cross.
Based on 18 martial arts: Kendo, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Boxing, Okinawan Kobudo, Kali, Arnis, Sojutsu, Iaido, Nodachi Jigen‑ryu, Aikido, Tabtojutsu, Self‑Made Scythe Style, Kyudo, Gungdo, Kusarigamajutsu, Shurikenjutsu.
Covers 15 weapons: Daggers, Spears, Katanas, Nodachi/Odachi, Tanto, Scythes, Gauntlets, Boots, Bows, Axes, Battle Axes, Tonfa, Kusarigama, Throwing Stars, Hands and Feet.
Ranks: Brown weapon → Yellow weapon → Gold weapon→ Orange weapon → Green weapon → Silver weapon → Blue weapon → Purple weapon → Red weapon → White weapon → Black weapon → Crimson weapon
Philosophy: winners win no matter the cost but a winner also knows when to be a loser 』
Veil's body began to change—forgotten instincts roaring back to life, muscle memories stitching themselves into his limbs as if reclaiming what was once theirs.
He breathed in, breathed out, raised the bow, and let the arrow fly. It struck true, punching through Xerovock's left hand and stopping the giant in mid‑motion.