Chapter 74 Goblins ambush

David, Suzuka, and Kieran finally arrived at the suspected location of the goblin hideout. However, when they reached the spot, all they found were some discarded chicken bones and a handful of blood-stained feathers scattered on the mud.

Suzuka noticed that the goblins had recently been eating at the spot. It was still raining, maybe that's why the goblins moved on to another location. Goblins left a noticeable trail, leading away from their makeshift dining area.

However, Suzuka was wary and suspected that the trail was a trap laid by them to lure unsuspecting travelers into danger, "This trail goblins left is clearly a trap, they will wait in ambush at some point. We should be a bit careful from here on."

Kieran brushed water off his face and said, "Yeah, it would seem so but don't worry, It's just some goblins. We can handle them easily, it is three of us, and your 2 starts MBPU. Nothing to worry about."

David stood amidst the pelting rain, drenched to the bone. His face was partially hidden behind his raised hand, shielding himself from the downpour. Despite the inhospitable weather, David spoke softly, his voice trembling, "Y-yes, don't worry Helen. I-if the time comes, I'll try my best to protect you."

Suzuka replied to David with a sarcastic tone, rolling her eyes and smirking, "Ohhh, let me just bow down to my hero. So selfless and brave, always looking out for a damsel in distress. Don't worry your little head about me, I'll be just fine on my own." Her tone dripped with disdain, making it clear that she was not impressed by his supposed concern for her well-being.      

Despite the potential risks, the three adventurers decided to follow the trail, prepared for whatever obstacles lay ahead.

With their weapons at the ready, David, Suzuka, and Kieran cautiously followed the trail, determined to finally bring an end to the goblin menace.

 The three adventurers trudged forward through the rainy weather, their boots sinking into the mud with every step. Despite the dreary conditions, they were determined to complete their mission and kill the mischievous goblins who had left a trail for them to follow.

For twenty grueling minutes, the adventurers pressed on, their eyes darting back and forth as they searched their surroundings for any hint of danger. The rain had made it difficult to see far ahead, but they relied on their instincts and their training to keep them alert. Every rustling of leaves, every snap of a twig, and every splashing of a puddle had them on high alert, ready to defend themselves at a moment's notice. 

Suddenly, without a warning, the goblins sprang out of the foliage, ambushing the party from every direction. A sea of goblin warriors, numbering twenty strong, surrounded the adventurers, their crude weapons drawn and ready for battle.

At the front of this menacing horde stood a towering orc, his brutish features twisted into a sneer of fury. His piercing gaze seemed to bore into the very soul of Kieran and David, who felt the weight of the situation press down upon them.

Kieran and David were shocked by the numbers and the sudden appearance of an orc. They stood covered in fear while standing on guard with weapons drawn and ready. David's hands are shaking, his palms are sweaty, his knees are weak, and he's nervous but on the surface, he's calm and ready.

Kieran was looking constantly for an opening to break for the run, but goblins surrounded them well. All he can do now is stand on guard, wait for goblins to make a first move, and see what happens next.

But for Suzuka, this was not a moment of fear, but one of mirth. Despite the overwhelming odds against them, Suzuka laughed in the face of danger, a glint of excitement in her eye.

"Hahaha! Kieran! David! I'm killing the orc, you can have fun with the little guys." Suzuka said as she pointed her sword at the orc, water dripping off the blade. 

Kieran said as he tried to keep his footing in the mud, "Nock yourself out, you can kill all of them if you want." 

David wanted to say his piece too but was shut up by an orc, "Goblins! Kill the men! Leave the woman alive, we will mate her for strong goblins. Now go!"

Goblins one after another surrounded and separated David and Kieran, they have to fight ten goblins each. Goblins ignored Suzuka, they were ordered to get rid of men. She calmly walked toward the orc with her hand on her sword.     

She walked up to the orc, she stood tall, her sword drawn, and pointed directly at the formidable orc. The orc, towering and muscular, sneered down at her, clearly underestimating the young woman before him. But Suzuka was no ordinary woman. With a swift motion, she lowered her sword to the ground and challenged the orc to a fistfight, her piercing gaze never leaving his.

The orc accepted the challenge, his laughter echoing through the forest. But as the fight began, it became clear that he was facing a true monster. Suzuka's lightning-fast movements and incredible strength were unlike anything the orc had ever encountered. Her every punch and kick was imbued with a ferocity that could only be described as inhuman. 

Suzuka was in a fierce battle with the orc, her fists blurring as she unleashed a barrage of relentless punches. The orc was no match for her strength, as she dominated the fight with raw power.

 With each strike, Suzuka pounded the orc with the force of a blacksmith's hammer, her fists cutting through the rain. Every hit she connected sent shockwaves rippling through the orc's body, sending torrents of water flying in all directions. The orc tried to fend her off, but Suzuka was relentless, her fists pounding with relentless fury.

The rain added to the drama of the brawl, as every time Suzuka connected with her opponent, shockwaves of water would splash off their bodies with each hit.

 The orc tried to fight back, but Suzuka was ruthless, showing no mercy to the brute. She pummeled the orc with each strike, landing with a force that shook the very earth. The orc was no match for Suzuka's raw strength.

The orc's confidence shatter as Suzuka's relentless barrage continued. He realized too late that he was no match for her, and soon found himself beaten and battered on the ground. 

The battle was a whirlwind of chaos and destruction, with blows flying at a frenzied pace. David and Kieran were locked in a desperate struggle against a horde of vicious goblins. While their enemies were many, Kieran fought with ferocity, cutting down goblin after goblin. In a mere minute, he had claimed the lives of five of the foul creatures.

 Suzuka, on the other hand, was facing off against a massive orc, and with a flurry of mighty blows, she brought the beast crashing to the ground. 

But for David, the fight is far from easy. He is on the defensive, battling with all his might but struggling to find an opening. The goblins swarm around him, their teeth bared and their claws outstretched. With the rain washing sweat down his face and his breaths coming in ragged gasps, David fights for survival, every muscle straining as he parries and dodges their attacks.

Despite the odds against him, David refuses to give up. He keeps fighting, holding his ground as the seconds tick by. And just when it seems as though all is lost, he finally lands a decisive blow, sending one of the goblins tumbling to the ground. Nine left to go.

Suzuka noticed that David is barely holding his ground, then she took a quick look at Kieran. He was almost done. Suzuka walked closer to Kieran and asked, "Hey! Need a hand?"

Kieran said, "Yeah! That would be nice."

Suzuka gripped her sword and shouted at goblins to attract their attention, but goblins stick to Kieran ignoring her taunts. Suzuka said to Kieran, "Hey! I can't use my box power, you are too close to the goblins. I don't want to hurt you as well."

Kieran said, "Don't worry about me, go help, David!" 

Suzuka answered as she stepped in and killed one of the goblins, "He's fine, I am sure he can handle a few goblins. I will help you and if he is still not done with them, we will assist him with a cheer." 

Kieran answered as he struggled with goblins, "Sure, whatever. The faster we kill them, the faster we go home."

Suzuka took her sweet time killing goblins, she poked one to pull his attention off Kieran and toyed with him, pretending that it was difficult for her to fight the goblin giving him false hope. She still can't forget what goblins did in that castle prison. 

David was in a pitiful state, barely able to stand as he took blow after blow from the relentless goblins. His once proud form was now covered in mud, bruises marring his skin, and exhaustion weighing heavily upon him. 

The rain had drenched him to the very bone, making each movement a struggle as he desperately tried to fend off his attackers. Despite his valiant efforts, David had only managed to take down two of the goblins, with a daunting eight still remaining. The odds were against him and it seemed as if his journey was about to come to a painful end.

Suzuka was getting bored with this goblin, she stepped forward for a massive swing but slipped and lost her balance, for a second. The goblin didn't miss this chance and lunged at her with his dull dagger. He aimed directly at her abdomen.

The goblin landed a hit on Suzuka but in his demise, it yielded no results. He couldn't even penetrate her reinforced leather armor. Suzuka on the other hand was angry, it was time to end this. 

She concentrated her power and summoned a dark, shadow-like mist to envelop her fist. She unleashed a punch at the goblin, crushing him to the ground with a sickening thud. The force of her attack was so powerful that it splattered the goblin like a rotten tomato.

Kieran was down to two goblins, and David was barely standing but he killed three with seven to go. Suzuka walked to the goblins Kieran was facing and crushed them with her box power. There was no need for her to dull or dirty her sword against vile creatures like goblins. 

The remaining seven goblins stopped attacking David and started to run. Suzuka hunted down each and every one of the fleeing creatures. One by one, she dispatched the goblins by using her box power, leaving a trail of fallen bodies in her wake.

After a grueling battle with the goblins, David was left battered and bruised, with various small cuts and abrasions covering his body. He was on one knee, covered in mud, his clothing torn and tattered from the fierce fight. Despite the physical toll the fight had taken on him, he rose to his feet, ready to walk. 

Kieran sit down on the closest rock to catch his breath and took a little rest as the rain washed away the mud and dirt from his cape, "Whooow! What a fight! Damn, goblins! This was a shit quest, the shit reward for a shit fight. The reward money won't even cover the gear repair cost. Thank the Melwyn all mighty, we didn't go on this quest just the two of us, David!"

David limped toward Kieran and sit close by to rest as well. He was breathing heavily, he was covered in mud and blood, "We would have been fine, if not for this damn rain. I blame it on the bad weather, I could have taken them out with ease if not for the rain in my eyes and slippery mud under my feet. I wasn't in good shape today." 

Suzuka took this as an opportunity to collect the kill proof for herself as it looked like David and Kieran lost interest in the quest. 

After a couple of minutes, Kieran said, "Ah! The hell with this quest, I'm going back to the guild to turn in the quest. Are you folks ready to go back? Or do you need more rest?"

David and Suzuka had agreed to return, despite the ongoing storm. With the heavy rain and increasing lightning, Suzuka was in high spirits and didn't feel tired at all. In contrast, David was visibly struggling, his steps slow and dragging.

 It was past the middle of the day and the rain was still coming down in sheets. The lightning was becoming more intense, echoing in the distance and signaling that the storm was not likely to subside any time soon.

Suzuka was content, her raincoat cape doing an excellent job of protecting her from the elements. She was enjoying the sound of the rain and the thrill of the storm, while David was desperately trying to make it back to safety.