Chapter 54: Goblin Nest

At the entrance of the cave.

The group stared into the pitch-black interior, as a foul stench began to drift slowly out from within.

"This smell, damn it!" Getari barked, as if a certain switch had been flipped.

The scent clearly reminded him of the miserable experience he had endured a few days ago. He couldn't help but turn to look at Kana, seeking answers.

Kana nodded. "If nothing goes wrong, there are followers of the Rotting Lord inside."

"Do you have spells prepared to isolate the smell? If not, you'll just have to endure it."

"The stench is a common tactic used by his minions; it is part of a ritual curse. Once you are affected by the stench and begin to vomit, the curse takes effect within your body. A disease similar to what your companion suffered will manifest in you. The more you vomit, the easier it is for the curse to succeed."

Kana seriously suspected that perhaps the dwarves' love for heavy drinking had provided the enemy with such an opportunity. Otherwise, given a dwarf's natural resistance, being infected by a Rotting Goblin's curse would be far too absurd.

Lurik's expression turned solemn. Upon hearing Kana's explanation, he had considered such a possibility, though it was a reason he had never previously contemplated.

However, he said, "We made preparations before coming."

With that, the group pulled simple filters from the backpacks at their waists. They looked somewhat like the equipment used during deep-core mining. Seeing these things, Kana couldn't help but let out a small smile; he had carried them in the game, though it was a long time ago. They were indeed effective at filtering foul odors.

Since the dwarves were prepared, Kana looked toward Bobort and George, who clearly had no such means.

"Once the fight starts, you two stay back and provide support from a distance. If you keep your distance, it will be harder for the stench to affect you."

Having experience, Bobort nodded. George was nervous, but he forced himself to say, "Don't worry, Your Highness."

The group entered the cave. After only a few steps, they saw torches stuck into the walls. It was evident that the cave was very deep, and a slight breeze carried the stench toward them, clearly leading somewhere.

"Watch out for traps," Kana said, stepping around a pitfall.

The group followed closely behind him.

"I didn't even notice that one," Getari remarked.

There were many traps in the cave, but Kana discovered and bypassed every single one. This sight truly shocked everyone, as some traps were hidden so well that they remained unseen even with torches lit and oil lamps hanging. Yet, Kana moved as if he were in his own home; he spotted various traps from a distance before the others could even reach them.

However, something even more extraordinary was to come.

Kana suddenly came to a halt and spoke to George, "See that? That small, recessed corner. Get ready."

Having said that, Kana picked up a stone and hurled it forcefully toward that direction. Fortunately, George had remained vigilant and had an arrow notched. Under Kana's direction, he instinctively aimed and held his position until the stone struck a goblin, which tumbled down in a panic. With a target in sight, George released. The arrow accurately pierced the goblin's head.

"My god, how did you find that?" Getari asked, sounding extremely surprised. Everyone around him turned to look.

"Stay alert and you'll see it. Speed up, we're about to be exposed."

Kana had already spotted shadows flickering in the distance. Without waiting for the others to react, he began to run. Fortunately, the group understood Kana's warning and followed closely behind him.

Observing the scene ahead, Kana commanded directly, "Raise shields! 180... form a semi-circle formation. Bobort and George, take the center. Block the incoming arrows, and if you get a chance, knock them down."

Fortunately, it wasn't difficult for these dwarves to understand Kana's commands. Kana raised his shield and led the way, with the two Sons of the Mountain on either side of him and the Sage bringing up the rear.

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

Arrows began to fly from the surroundings, accompanied by stones being hurled at them. There were grooves carved into the walls on both sides, where goblins stood to launch their attacks.

"Light!"

Bobort shouted, and a small orb of light drifted from her fingertips, hovering above the group to provide a wider field of vision. After all, a dwarf's darkvision was not very far-reaching, and George had no darkvision at all; otherwise, the dwarves wouldn't need to carry oil lamps with them.

George licked his lips, feeling nervous. He drew his bow and fired, though his aim was less precise than before. It wasn't until a scream erupted from the left, where a goblin had been pierced, that he felt a surge of confidence.

"Got one!" George said excitedly.

Taking advantage of the moment, Alireis lunged toward that direction, pulling out a mass of turbid blood. Kana also seized the opportunity to draw a mass of blood, sending it flying in an arc toward the right. At some unknown point, a silver metallic sphere with beautiful, glowing patterns had been floating around Kana.

The two of them controlled the blood from left and right, launching blood arrows to attack.

*Zzzzt!*

A strange sound rang out near their ears. Two bolts of lightning instantly pierced the darkness, exploding into a web-like pattern. This was followed by various screams filled with tremors. In an instant, six or seven goblins fell from both sides.

The source of the lightning was the dwarven Sage, who held a polearm hammer as tall as his own body. A rune on the hammer was glowing brightly.

Before anyone could say anything, a massive roar erupted from ahead. A large swarm of goblins rushed out, making strange shrieks. Their bodies were covered in pustules, and instead of weapons, they possessed green claws that were uncharacteristic of their kind. Among them were several giants, standing as tall as a man.

"Wala-guda!"

One of the giants wore leather armor made of bone and hide, smeared with green pus, and a helmet made of beast bone. He held a tattered longsword that emitted a faint green glow, suggesting that being struck by it would be far from pleasant.

Seeing this, Kana did not hesitate; he slashed his own arm. As the stinging pain arrived, he used "Blood Magic" to strengthen his body. His entire frame immediately turned flushed, and veins bulged across his arms and neck. He charged in at the forefront.

If he didn't charge now, it would be too late.

The light on the Sage's hammer grew even brighter; clearly, he was preparing to unleash something massive on these goblins. As Kana charged, the others followed immediately.

"For the Grey Mountains!" This time, the fully armed Getari finally felt he could have his revenge. He let out a roar and charged in like a wild boar.

The four weakest members were all Level 3 warriors, and they plunged into the goblin horde. The goblins attempting to block them didn't even have time to attack before being torn apart by the charge.

Kana killed several goblins blocking his path with a backhand motion. Seeing the experience points pop up in the corner of his eye, he knew he had indeed come to the right place. Without hesitation, he charged directly toward the most conspicuous, armored Great Goblin.

"Kuku-ka!" the Great Goblin bellowed. The goblins blocking the path ahead actually stepped aside, redirecting their attacks toward the others.

*Boom!*

However, before Kana could reach him, a massive amount of lightning descended. The dwarven Sage in the rear raised his hammer high; not just his hammer, but even the Sage's eyes flashed with electrical light.

"Aaaagh! Arghhh!"

The goblins, who had been able to resist, were instantly struck down in a heap. The falling lightning spread everywhere like electric serpents; wherever it passed, the goblins could only tremble and scream. In an instant, every goblin present was paralyzed.

Seeing this, Kana breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was only area-of-effect crowd control.

Since that was the case, it was time for him to reap the harvest.

With a powerful leap, he swung his blade at the Great Goblin, who had not yet had the chance to display his true strength. Under the compounding force of their combined power, the goblin's head flew high into the air.