Chapter 12: From Ambush To Retreat - Part 2

—ROAR!— A screeching roar echoed through the cave. In the next instant, the ground trembled, and a dozen rock spikes—large enough to tear a man in half—erupted from the ground around the giant goblin. Arezu and Alex barely managed to dodge the attack, quickly distancing themselves from the towering foe. But the rock spikes weren't the only threat—debris began raining down from the cave ceiling. "That giant goblin flasher is foolishly using Obelisk inside a cave," Lynn muttered, both bewildered and annoyed as she helped Liz and Hannah avoid the falling rubble. Lynn herself could use the intermediate spell Obelisk, an earth-based mystic spell that summoned sharp rock spikes from the ground—or even a massive, towering one. While casting it inside a cave offered the tactical advantage of multi-directional attacks, the tremors it caused could trigger a deadly collapse. That's precisely why Lynn avoided using Obelisk underground—she didn't want to risk putting her party in unnecessary danger. But the giant goblin didn't care. Not about cave-ins, not even about crushing its own kind. —ROAR!— The goblin cast Obelisk again. Another wave of spikes surged from the ground in a rapid sequence, snaking toward Lynn, Liz, and Hannah. "Mr. Arezu!" 'Shatter' Arezu responded without hesitation. He swung his halberd-axe, activating his combat skill and smashing the ground to interrupt the advancing spikes. With Arezu shielding her, Lynn focused her magic. Her Waterjet spell surged forth in a pressurized blast, drawing from the full volume of her water sphere. More spikes rose—not only from the ground but also from the walls and ceiling. Lynn blasted through the obstacles, carving a path straight to the goblin. Her attack landed, but it had weakened just enough to fall short of a lethal blow. Seizing the moment as the goblin reeled from the pain, Alex charged. Dodging and weaving between the remaining spikes, he closed the distance in a flash. He imbued both swords with mana, enhancing them further with wind magic. Then, just as he struck, he activated his combat skill. 'Pierce' Both blades stabbed into the goblin's torso—right where Lynn had landed her hit. It should have been a fatal blow, enough to bore through the monster's chest and pierce its heart. But Alex's sword barely made it through the goblin's dense muscles. "How is this bastard so tough?!" "It's not impossible," Lynn replied, catching everyone's attention, "but I'm surprised too." Arezu glanced at Lynn and noticed her piercing blue eyes fixated on the goblin—like she saw something the rest of them couldn't. Seeing his look, Lynn gave a tense smile and explained. "That giant goblin flasher is using the combat skill Reinforce to harden its hide and muscle." The same skill Liz used to strengthen her shield and physical prowess. It wasn't unheard of for monsters to acquire combat skills after consuming humans—with the effects of the curse of gluttony. But if the goblin had Reinforce, then such a grim encounter had already taken place. Whatever the case, they needed to be on guard for what other abilities the goblin might possess. —ROAR!— The goblin let out another roar. Alex quickly retreated, expecting more rock spikes—but instead, a swarm of flame arrows materialized above the monster. They shot toward him. He dodged the first volley, but the treacherous terrain caused him to stumble. "Shit..." He braced for the incoming flames—until Liz stepped in front of him, her nearly broken shield absorbing the brunt of the attack. Hannah finished just in time, healing Liz's fractured arm and allowing her to return to the fray at a critical moment. "Get ready, everyone! We're taking that giant goblin flasher down!" Lynn declared. The group reformed, with Arezu and Liz switching positions, and the battle resumed. "Waterjet" Lynn cast her spell, and Arezu and Alex charged from opposite flanks. —ROAR!— The goblin cast Obelisk once again, rock spikes erupting from the ground. 'Reinforce' Liz blocked the incoming spikes, shielding Lynn and Hannah. Lynn followed up with another water blast, this time limiting the number of shots to increase pressure and power. Her focused attack shattered the goblin's defenses and inflicted a grave wound. By the time her water sphere ran dry, Arezu and Alex had already reached the enemy. 'Shatter' 'Cleave' They unleashed a flurry of attacks, forcing the goblin onto the defensive. Though its toughened hide resisted most of the damage, the goal was to buy time for Lynn to prepare a stronger spell. Lynn gathered her mana, readying Obelisk—but with careful control, so as not to cause a cave-in. Just as she prepared to cast, the goblin raised its arms—ignoring Arezu and Alex's strikes. Lynn's eyes widened. She saw the mana flow within the goblin and realized what was coming. "Get away from there!" —ROAR!— The goblin slammed both fists into the ground, unleashing a devastating aura. A Shockwave—a stronger version of the combat skill Shatter—ripped through the cave, obliterating everything in its path. Arezu recognized the skill and braced himself. He barely survived with minimal injuries. Alex wasn't as lucky—he was left bloodied, barely alive. Lynn, Liz, and Hannah had managed to withstand the blast thanks to Hannah's divine blessing Barrier. But the effort of countering Shockwave inside a cave drained Hannah completely. "We're retreating, everyone!" Lynn commanded without hesitation. But Alex wouldn't accept it. "You're just a damn goblin... How dare you humiliate me..." Bleeding from his head, he struggled to his feet, glaring at the monster with hatred. "Let's see what you can do... once I take away your magic!" Alex activated his divine gift. Just like his battle with the orc mage, the giant goblin suddenly lost the ability to cast spells or use combat skills. Arezu prepared to follow up, waiting for Alex to attack. But Alex didn't move. He dropped his swords and collapsed to the ground. Then came the scream—one of agony, raw and terrible. Arezu and Lynn froze, stunned. Liz and Hannah rushed to Alex. With the last of her strength, Hannah knelt beside him and attempted to heal him. But before she could, Alex grabbed one of his swords—eyes bloodshot—and stabbed her. "Hannah!"