Chapter 166 Wrestling Raccoon

Hermit stood before Suzuka, tears streaming down his face, his ears clenched tightly in frustration. The weight of his emotions bore heavily upon him, his small fists clenched with both anger and despair. Suzuka, now feeling a twinge of remorse for pushing the prank to such an extreme, was overcome by a wave of disgust that threatened to make her vomit. Regret tugged at her conscience as she realized the extent of Hermit's distress.

Struggling to contain her own revulsion, Suzuka mustered a stern voice as she scolded Hermit, her words laced with a mix of frustration and concern.

 "You disgusting goblin! What is wrong with you? How many times do I need to tell you that it was all a joke? You should have realized by now that I wasn't serious about the goblin meat. Jeez! Why must you overreact so drastically?"

Hermit's voice trembled as he sobbed, his words choked with a mixture of disbelief and lingering mistrust. 

"I... I can't believe you, Master Helen. You tricked me to eat my own kin. How can I trust what you say is true?"

Feeling a sense of urgency to rectify the situation, Suzuka's frustration peaked, and she whacked Hermit on the back of his head, a mixture of scolding and frustration in her tone. 

"I told you it was just a joke, you idiot! Who in their right mind would even consider eating a repulsive, feces-eating goblin? Think, Hermit, think! I would never stoop so low to do something so vile."

Hermit flinched at the impact of Suzuka's slap, his head lowered in shame. The realization of his own overreaction began to dawn on him, and a glimmer of understanding flickered in his eyes. The weight of his emotions slowly subsided, and he mustered the courage to lift his gaze, meeting Suzuka's stern yet caring gaze.

"I... I'm sorry, Master Helen. I let my fear cloud my judgment. It's just... the past has left scars that are difficult to heal," Hermit confessed, his voice filled with vulnerability.

She sternly commanded him, "Finally! Now! Clean this mess you made and off we go to the guild."

Hermit meekly said, "Yes Master," and scooped the vile remains of the food then dumped them into the trash bin. 

"All done, Master Helen."

Suzuka smiled, "Good, and now that that's settled we should be going to the guild."

"Yes, Master! I want to see my dear friend, Larry, he will give me a warm hug and affection. Hermit can't wait to see him again. Larry is not as mean as you, he will pat and hug Hermit. Say nice words to me and even give Hermit belly rubs. Oh, the joys of belly rubs!"

"Sure, whatever... you overgrown baby."

In the background, Suzuka prepared herself to go out. She squeezed herself into her black-red leather short jacket and tight matching color leather pants. Hermit jumped into the action and scurried to the table. He grabbed the leash with a choker and handed it to Suzuka.

"Master! I got you the leash, please be gentle. Hermit is weak and feeble. No choking, please."

Suzuka looked at the goblin and said, "You know what? You don't need the leash, we look weird as I walk you like some pet. And if anyone thinks about bothering you, they will have to go through me first."

Hermit's face contorted with happiness.

"Realy Master? No more leash? Hermit can walk beside Master as a free goblin? No chains of oppression, no ropes of binding? A free goblin!"

"Yes, you can."

Hermit threw the leash with a choker on the ground with an exaggerated throw and started happily jumping on it. Suzuka smacked him on the back of his head and said, "You idiot! Don't dirty it, I still need to return it to Lisanna."

Hermit rubbed the back of his head with his tiny arms and said, "I'm sorry Master."

Suzuka and Hermit left the Mystic Oasis Inn and walked toward the guild.

On their way to the guild, Hermit's belly began to grumble, its hunger becoming insistent. He clutched his gurgling tummy, whimpering in discomfort. 

"Aww, Master Helen," he moaned, his voice tinged with a blend of hunger and discomfort, "my poor, poor belly is all grumbly and wumbly. It's crying and begging for some yummy nummies. Ouchie! Tummy hurts so much. Hermit needs some munchies! Hermit's tummy feels like it's being squeezed by a grumpy troll! It's all empty and achy."

Suzuka, with an air of nonchalance, responded, "It's your own fault for being so disgusting, ripping the food out of your stomach and throwing it on the ground. Serves you right."

Hermit's ears drooped, and he clutched his stomach with his tiny, bony hands, "But, Master, Hermit is starving! The rumbling in Hermit's tummy is louder than the wailing winds. Please, Master. Spare Hermit a morsel of food. Hermit will eat it, but please don't try to trick Hermit into consuming his own kin."

Suzuka, firm in her decision, said, "I will not give you any. Let it be a lesson for you to not waste food."

Hermit reassured Suzuka with a resolute tone, "Oh no, no Master! Hermit understands the value of precious food. Hermit would never waste such a gift."

He held his belly with both hands now, hugging it as if trying to console his own body. 

"Oh, food! Sweet, delicious food! Master Helen, can't you hear my belly's cry for help? It's saying, 'Feed me, Hermit! I'm starving, feed me now or I'll turn you into a grumpy goblin!'"

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a loud clanking noise, emanating from a nearby alleyway. Hermit's attention was immediately drawn to a metal dumpster, its lid smacking against the container with force. 

He looked at it with surprise, his eyes widening, and yelled, "Master! There is a raccoon! A vile creature! An adversary of Hermit! Many times these monsters have stolen Hermit's meager scraps of food in the perilous forest. Where there are raccoons, there is food!"

Suzuka, adopting a playful tone, taunted the goblin, challenging him.

 "Oh yeah?! And what will you do, tough guy? Hmm?"

Hermit's expression turned serious, his voice hushed as he spoke with determination, "Hermit is hungry, and Hermit will steal the food from the raccoon."

Suzuka, seemingly indifferent, responded, "I suggest you reconsider, but go for it. I don't care. Do as you like."

Taking a deep breath, Hermit looked at Suzuka, his voice filled with confidence and a hint of smugness. 

"Watch closely, Master. Hermit will show you the resourcefulness of a goblin. I will drive away this cowardly beast and clime his food! I have chased countless hoards of raccoons."

As Hermit ventured into the dimly lit alley, his senses heightened, and his small frame brimming with confidence. He spotted the raccoon rummaging through a pile of discarded garbage, its beady eyes gleaming with mischief. 

Bravely, Hermit approached with confident gite, his chest puffed out and head held high, ready to face his cunning adversary.

With heroic steps and a steady gaze, Hermit addressed the raccoon, his voice filled with a mix of bravery and confidence.

 "Hey! You there! Wreched Raccoon! I won't allow you to steal any food! Today! I will take the eats!" Hermit yelled in a heroic tone.

 The raccoon's demeanor transformed before Hermit's eyes. Slowly, it turned its head and locked its fierce gaze with the goblin, their eyes engaging in a silent, intense confrontation. Five seconds passed in a suspenseful silence, building tension between them.

Suddenly, the raccoon leaped down from the container and stood on its hind legs, adopting a menacing posture. It approached Hermit with a power walk, its intimidating gait causing the ground to tremble beneath its weight. The raccoon moved closer until it was face to face with the trembling goblin, their eyes locked in an unyielding stare.

Hermit's voice trembled as he spoke, his fear on full display. 

"M-M-Master! H-Hermit made a m-m-mistake. This is not a simple raccoon... this is a Wrestling Raccoon! H-hh-help..."

Before Hermit could utter another word, the raccoon extended its hand to the side. With a sharp claw, it clanked against the metal container, producing a resounding sound that mimicked the ring of a bell, signifying the beginning of a fight.

Startled, Hermit stood frozen in place, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the dire situation he had unwittingly stumbled into. Panic gripped him, and he desperately flung his hands, attempting to defend himself. However, his feeble attacks looked more akin to the flailing of a newborn, lacking any semblance of fighting prowess. Hermit was completely outmatched and inexperienced in combat.

"No, no, no! Don't hurt Hermit! Please, have mercy! Hermit is just a goblin! Tiny, weak goblin!" His ears, usually held high with pride, drooped to the sides, mirroring his defeated posture.

Without hesitation, the Wrestling Raccoon swiftly stepped in, executing a quick step to close the distance. With lightning speed, it delivered a powerful backhand chop to Hermit's chest, sending him staggering backward. The impact caused Hermit to cough violently, his body wracked with pain.

"Owwieee! Waiiit! Stop, Mr. R-raccoon, please! Hermit's just a tiny goblin, not a wrestler! N-not the chest again, it hurts!"

But the relentless raccoon was far from finished. It launched itself at a nearby trash bag, propelling itself toward Hermit with the agility of a seasoned wrestler bouncing off the ring ropes.

 In a devastating display, he unleashed a Strait Hand Lariat, striking Hermit with full force around the neck. The impact sent the goblin spinning through the air, his small form whirling uncontrollably, his ears and limbs violently flailing in the air before crashing hard onto the unforgiving ground. The impact jolted through Hermit's body, leaving him gasping for air, unable to draw a breath.

"Waaah... M-Master, it huurts," he managed to utter, his voice a quivering lament.

Suzuka's excitement grew as she witnessed the unfolding spectacle. She began to clap her hands with increasing fervor, imitating the wild cheers of a wild crowd. The wrestling raccoon, egged on by this sudden surge of enthusiasm, caught the contagious spirit of the moment and started posing as if he were basking in the adoration of an imaginary audience.

Suzuka, fully immersed in the scene, cupped her hands together and blew into them, mimicking the echoes of a roaring crowd, intensifying the atmosphere. The air crackled with anticipation as the wrestling raccoon, fueled by the simulated fanfare, strode towards the sprawled goblin with an air of disgust.

As the Wrestling Raccoon approached the sprawled and defeated goblin, a twisted sense of arrogance took hold. With disdain, he gazed upon the fallen goblin, his eyes filled with disgust. Slowly, the raccoon positioned his foot, deliberately stepping on Hermit's ear, a symbol of disrespect and humiliation for such a weak opponent challenging him.

Hermit, feeling utterly helpless and terrified, whimpered as the raccoon's paw pressed down on his ear, the pressure causing him to gasp in pain.

 "P-Please... M-Mr. R-Raccoon... not the ears! I-I didn't m-mean any harm... I-I'm just a s-small g-goblin... I-I didn't want to fight you..."

The raccoon, reveling in his perceived dominance, proceeded to wipe his feet on Hermit's ear, as if wiping away any remnants of the goblin's pride. Each motion carried a sense of cruelty, further disgracing the defeated goblin.

Hermit, despite being downcast and humiliated, refused to succumb to the raccoon's display of dominance. As the raccoon continued to trample on his ear, Hermit's body trembled.

Summoning his last reserves of courage, Hermit's feeble frame quivered. He mustered the strength to wriggle free from the raccoon's grip. With a clumsy movement, he rolled away from under the raccoon's paw, his ears fluttering in defiance.

Suzuka, caught off guard by Hermit's resilience, watched with wide-eyed astonishment as the goblin rose from the ground, his body displaying a newfound resolve. Her heart swelled with a mix of pride and admiration for his pointless struggle.

With a bold gesture, Hermit extended his tiny arms outward, his voice echoing through the alley.

 "No more!" he proclaimed, his tone filled with newfound strength. 

"I will not let a vile creature like you step on my precious ears!"

The Wrestling Raccoon chuckled at Hermit's defiance.

The goblin launched himself at the raccoon and tackled him with all his might. Hermit's attempt to tackle the raccoon proved feeble and laughable. The raccoon effortlessly stopped his pitiful effort, seizing the opportunity to strike back with vengeance. He delivered a powerful double-handed hammer blow to Hermit's back, smashing him down to the ground with a resounding gasp.

The impact sent shockwaves of pain coursing through Hermit's scrawny body. He lay sprawled on the ground, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as agony engulfed him. The raccoon wasted no time, seizing the advantage and pouncing on the fallen goblin.

Locking Hermit's feet in a Boston crab position, the raccoon twisted and bent Hermit's body, subjecting him to excruciating torment. His feeble legs felt as if they were being torn apart, and he emitted piercing screeches of pain, his voice filled with anguish and desperation. 

"Wreeee! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry for everything! Greeee! Please, let me go! Wreeeee! " he cried, his voice filled with desperation as his legs were mercilessly tested.