Thank God for Danger Sense.
Not only did it warn me when I was in trouble, but it also granted me lightning-fast reflexes to react to deadly attacks.
As the massive tree came hurtling toward me, my body moved almost on its own. I activated [Warp], swapping places with the burning troll just in the nick of time.
The blazing troll took the full brunt of the swing instead, its flaming body launched through the air like a meteor.
The second troll which I figured was a female troll due to her slender figure—my new attacker—froze in confusion.
Her expression twisted, trying to process what had just happened.
One second, she was swinging at a goblin.
The next, her burning partner had magically replaced me and was now sprawled on the ground, smoldering and battered. Yeah, that’s gotta be confusing.
But her confusion quickly turned to panic and she dropped the uprooted tree with a loud THUD and bolted toward her fallen mate.
A guttural, mournful roar escaped her lips as she knelt beside the troll’s motionless body. She shook him gently at first, then more frantically, her cries echoing in the clearing.
For a brief moment, I stood there, catching my breath and watching the female troll and her mate.
The flames on the burning troll’s body had dimmed, leaving behind a charred, lifeless husk.
But the fire had done its job.
[You have killed Troll Level 3]
[You have levelled up]
[You have levelled up]
A wave of elation swept over me as the notification flashed in my mind.
But as I looked back at the surviving troll, my excitement faltered.
The scene was kinda sad.
The towering beast knelt beside her partner’s lifeless body, her mournful cries sending a chill through the air. For a fleeting moment, I felt a twinge of guilt at the raw grief before me.
Then, her cries ceased.
She lifted her head slowly, her gaze locking onto mine.
Her eyes, filled with sorrow moments ago, now burned with unbridled fury.
And the genre flipped to horror in an instant.
With a deafening ROAR, she unleashed her rage at me, shaking the very ground beneath us.
Yep, she was definitely pissed I killed her husband.
So without hesitation, I activated [Wrap], vanishing from my spot just as she charged.
In a flash, I reappeared next to Flogga.
The old hag didn’t even flinch at my sudden appearance. Seriously this goblin scares me.
Without wasting a second, I stretched out my hand like a prodigal son demanding his inheritance.
"I need another bottle of fuel!" I said, urgency dripping from my voice.
Flogga shook her head, her expression unbothered.
"I had only the one I gave to you."
I clicked my teeth in frustration, panic welling up as I turned to see the enraged troll stomping toward us.
Each step it took made the ground tremble beneath my feet.
Shit... we’re in deep.
My mind raced for solutions, but nothing came up. Like my brain every time I was about to write an exam.
Narg’s flames weren’t strong enough to bring down a whole troll, not without fuel to amplify them, and the troll’s thick was to tough to be pierced.
I frowned, feeling the tension in the air tighten like a noose around my neck.
My mind raced through options, but none of them were promising.
That might work—if we were faster than an angry troll.
But let’s face it, we weren’t. And I doubted the troll would simply let us escape without turning us into goblin pancakes.
Gripping my blade tightly, I exhaled. If I couldn’t kill it, I could at least blind it.
That would buy my clan enough time to flee.
"Alright," I said, raising my voice so they could hear me over the troll’s guttural growls. "Zzok, Zarah—you two lead the clan. Get everyone out of here while I hold off the troll."
Zzok’s reaction was instant.
He shook his head, stepping forward with a resolute expression.
"I cannot run and leave Chief alone. If you die, I’m dying as well!"
His voice was firm, despite the tremble in his hands.
The other goblins hesitated for a moment but quickly rallied behind Zzok, their faces pale but filled with determination.
Their bodies trembled, weapons shaking in their grips, but their resolve was unshakable They were scared—terrified, even—but they weren’t running.
I blinked in surprise. Wow, I’m honored.
But you guys are useless.
I knew their staying would only make things harder.
A group of trembling goblins against a raging troll? Yeah, not exactly an inspiring battle plan.
I turned toward Zarah, the one goblin I could always count on. The one with 100% loyalty. If anyone could see reason, it was her. Or not.
"Zarah?" I called out, my tone carrying a silent plea.
Come on, you’re smart. I hope. You know this is the only way.
She looked at me, her gaze steady but filled with defiance.
"No... I’m not leaving either."
I froze for a moment.
Bae... you do love me.
I couldn’t even be mad at her loyalty—it was genuinely heartwarming. But seriously, this wasn’t the time for sentiment.
"Flogga?" I turned toward the old hag, my voice tense with hope.
And she didn’t even hesitate which hurt me a little bit.
"No need to ask me twice," she said, already turning on her heel and dragging Thok with her.
Serioiusly woman Thok is mine.
I forced a smile. She was cruel but practical.
Then, with a no-nonsense tone, she shouted to the rest of the goblins who were still huddled behind Zzok before running off. "If the chief says he’ll hold the troll back, then he’ll hold the troll back! Stop being idiots and move!"
Her words hit like a whip.
The hesitation in the air evaporated, and even Zzok and Zarah seemed to deflate, their resolve cracking just enough to prompt action.
Slowly, the regular goblins began to shuffle after her, their steps uncertain but obedient.
I stood there, blinking in disbelief.
Just like that, the goblins had obeyed the old hag.