The group moved forward through the forest, their pace steady, boots pressing softly against the damp ground.
The earlier fight lingered in their minds, not as shock—but as something to process.
One of the mages exhaled. "Still thinking about that back there."
"Same," the scout replied casually. "Ended too fast."
Leon shrugged slightly. "It's our first time actually fighting together. I only knew him a day ago."
That got a few looks.
"Seriously?" one of the knights said.
Mike glanced at Leon, then at Shadow, before looking ahead again. "Doesn't change the result. It worked. It's actually impressive if you think about it."
Leon's eyes shifted briefly toward Shadow.
'No hesitation…'
'Everything placed exactly where it needed to be.'
No wasted motion.
No unnecessary spellcasting.
Just clean execution.
"…Efficient," he said quietly.
The conversation faded as they continued deeper.
The forest grew thicker.
Quieter.
Then—
The scout suddenly raised his hand.
"…Hold."
Everyone stopped instantly.
Mike's voice was low. "What is it?"
The scout narrowed his eyes, focusing ahead.
"…Ten goblins."
A short pause.
"…No. Eleven. One's bigger."
Mike's expression sharpened. "Leader?"
"Looks like it."
"And…" the scout hesitated slightly, "…they're doing something."
The assassin frowned. "Doing what?"
The scout grimaced. "You'll see."
That wasn't reassuring.
Mike exhaled slowly. "We approach carefully. No noise."
They moved again.
Slower.
Controlled.
Each step deliberate.
The trees thinned just enough—
And then they saw them.
…
"…What the hell…" one of the mages whispered.
The goblins weren't guarding.
They weren't patrolling.
They were mating.
Not in any normal sense—
But in a crude, uncontrolled frenzy.
Bodies pressed together without care.
Male with female—
Male with male—
Some even rubbing themselves against trees or anything within reach.
No awareness.
No caution.
Just raw, shameless instinct.
Louad moans could be heard specially from the small goblin that was held down by the bigger goblin, they were both males but that didn't stop the bigger goblin from entering him with force that almost penetrated the small goblins body from side to side.
The healer lara immediately turned her face away. "That's—no. Absolutely not."
The scout let out a quiet, disgusted laugh. "Yeah… I regret coming on this trip."
One of the knights grimaced. "They don't even see us…"
"Good," the assassin said flatly. "Makes it easier."
Leon's expression tightened slightly. "…Is this even normal?"
Lara crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "Can we just kill them already?"
Mike nodded once. "We end this fast."
Shadow remained silent.
Watching.
Then—
A familiar window appeared before him.
---
[System Notification]
[Quest Triggered: Distorted Pack]
Description:
A group of goblins has been detected engaging in abnormal behavior.
Objective:
– Eliminate the goblin group (0/10)
– Eliminate the Goblin Leader (0/1)
Rewards:
– EXP (Based on contribution)
– System Points +15
Failure:
– None
---
The window disappeared.
Mike's voice cut in.
"Positions."
Everyone moved instantly.
"Scout—call it."
"Assassin—wait for openings."
"Mages—control the field."
"We, the knights, together w on the leader."
"Healer—support."
A series of nods.
Then—
"Go."
The scout shifted first. "Two on the left—they are separated."
The assassin vanished.
Leon raised his hand—
Water surged forward, slamming into a cluster of goblins and knocking them apart.
"Right side reacting—three moving!" the scout called.
"Intercepting!" a knight responded, stepping forward and slamming his shield into one, sending it crashing back.
Another mage released wind, throwing off their footing.
'system, copy it'
[Wind magic, rank F copied]
Shadow didn't participate this as he held a little to see the other ones in action. last time, he reacted on instinct thinking that the five goblins were a bit stronger, but since the fight ended before any of his group could use their spells, he was disappointed.
This time he kept observing.
Steel clashed.
The assassin reappeared behind one goblin—
A clean cut—
Gone again.
"Leader moving!" the scout warned.
The larger goblin roared, charging forward with heavy, aggressive steps.
Mike stepped in immediately. "Knights—on me!"
Both knights met it head-on.
The impact echoed.
One of them staggered back slightly. "He's strong—!"
"Hold it!" Mike snapped.
More goblins rushed in—
Still chaotic—
But now aggressive.
"Behind—two circling!" the scout called.
"I've got them!" a mage shouted, launching a burst of fire that cut them off.
Leon moved again—
Water ball shot forward, hitting another goblin's legs.
"Now!"
A knight crushed it instantly.
Lara moved quickly between them, light gathering in her hands.
"Stay still—just a second—"
A shallow cut closed on the Knight's arm.
She shifted immediately. "Next."
The fight didn't slow.
If anything—
It escalated.
The leader goblin roared again—
Despite multiple wounds, it kept fighting.
Swing after swing—
Wild.
Heavy.
Relentless.
Mike blocked one hit, boots digging into the ground.
"Push it back!"
"We're trying!" the second knight grunted.
Leon's voice cut in. "I'll make an opening—"
Water slammed into the goblin's side—
Throwing it slightly off balance—
"Now!"
Both knights struck—
Deep wounds—
But still—
It didn't fall.
"…Why is it still standing?" one of the mages muttered.
"Because it's too stupid to stop," the assassin replied coldly.
"Then bring it down!" Mike snapped.
The pressure increased.
Spells fired.
Blades struck.
Shields clashed.
Everyone pushing—
Not clean—
Not easy—
But relentless.
…
Then—
Shadow moved.
No warning.
No words.
Just—
A single step forward.
Fire formed in his hand—
Condensed.
Then another one in the other hand.
He closed the distance as the leader staggered—
And released them both together.
The blast struck point-blank.
A sharp, controlled explosion—
Driving straight through.
The goblin froze—
Then collapsed.
Silence followed~
Heavy breathing filled the air.
The remaining goblins were finished quickly.
No resistance left.
…
A familiar sound echoed in Shadow's mind.
---
[System Notification]
[Quest Completed: Distorted Pack]
– Goblin Group Eliminated ✔
– Goblin Leader Eliminated ✔
Rewards:
– System Points +15
---
[Kill Registered]
Target: Goblin Leader
EXP Gained: +5
---
[EXP Update]
Level 3: 8 / 20 EXP
+5 EXP Applied
→ 13 / 20 EXP
---
The window faded.
Shadow's expression didn't change.
But internally—
He noted the increase.
The scout exhaled. "…Yeah. That was not easy."
"No argument," one of the mages said.
Lara straightened, finishing a quick heal. "Anyone seriously injured?"
"No," a knight replied. "Just hurts."
"You'll live," she said.
Mike stepped toward the leader's body. "…Take the fangs."
One of the knights moved forward, pulling them free with effort.
"…These will sell well."
He lifted his hand—
A ring glowed faintly—
The fangs vanished into it.
"Stored."
It was a special magial device used to store things.
Leon exhaled slowly. "…That took longer than expected."
Shadow stood quietly.
Leon glanced at him. "…Why did you wait this time?"
"Timing," Shadow replied.
Leon nodded once. "…Yeah."
Seeing that many hours have passed already.
Mike straightened.
"That's enough for today."
No one disagreed.
The scout immediately said, "Yeah, I'm good with leaving."
A few nods followed.
Mike reached into his gear and pulled out a small crystal.
It glowed faintly.
"Dungeon exit tool," he said. "Since the boss of the dungeon isn't dead, this is how we leave."
The group gathered.
"Ready?" Mike asked.
Everyone nodded.
He activated it.
Light spread outward—
Wrapping around them—
The forest blurred—
And in the next moment—
They were gone.