Chapter -22.
Clang...
The goblin leader, having pushed Lucien back with a loud battle cry, lifted its sword once more for a devastating blow. This time, however, Lucien was ready. He dodged to the side and, as he had envisioned, drove his sword into the goblin leader's vulnerable flank.
The goblin leader emitted a piercing scream as the wound appeared, yet instead of showing any signs of yielding, its eyes flared with a fierce murderous rage. It swung its sword in a wide arc, forcing Lucien to execute a backward roll, the sword narrowly missing the hair on his head.
Swoosh...
The sword sliced through the air where Lucien had just stood, creating a loud whooshing sound that sent chills down his spine.
With the injury on its flank, the goblin leader seemed to enter a near-berserk state, its movements becoming erratic, driven by pain and fury.
"Tch... the wound isn't deep enough," Lucien muttered as he quickly got back on his feet. He realized that this goblin leader had exceptionally thick skin, meaning he would need to apply even more power with each strike to stand a chance against it.
As Lucien contemplated his next move, the goblin leader charged at him again with another broad swing, becoming increasingly agitated as its attacks failed to land. Lucien, like a seasoned thief, deftly evaded most blows while blocking a few.
The skirmish wore on, and within mere minutes, it became evident that both of them were feeling the strain. Still, the goblin leader's strength remained formidable and was not be underestimated; and lucien knowing that continued to be on his guard.
Meanwhile on the other side, gilbert had finally brought the wounded villager to a safe place, and immediately rushed back to the battle as he knew that his absence could make the battlefield a little messier, and just as he had thought that and came back he noticed that the villagers were being pushed back by those small and weak looking goblins from earlier while at the same time many of them villagers had got wounded and looked too much exhausted.
"Guys don't lose you morale, we will definitely eradicate these goblin's bloodline today." with a roar he jumped back in the battlefield, this time completely forgetting that he was planning to aid lucien earlier, who is currently fighting the goblin leader.
With a swift wave of his axe, Gilbert sends a small goblin's head flying in the air, sending a massage full of boosting morale to the fellow villagers of his, at the same time letting know the Goblins that it was not over yet, and he alone was able to make a change to the equation of the battle.
Adam who looked ragged and exhausted after killing only two goblins and having accumulated too many sword marks on his hands; felt the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through his body; though he was exhausted he at the moment felt he could still fight and even if he had to lose his life on the line he would do it, since that way he could ensure his sister safety back in the village.
...
Lucien having exchanged too many blows with the goblin leader already felt that he was accustomed to its every attack pattern; and seeing that the goblin leader getting distracted by Gilbert's sudden roar and declaration of war, he took advantage of it and once again attacked on the venerable flank, this time his attack containing more power.
Soon as the sword made impact with the goblin's thick skin, he knew that the sword has clearly penetrated it and next second a splash of blood spray came out of its new wound.
The goblin roared once again, this time stumbling back on its legs as the goblin too felt that the sword has clearly penetrated it and the human had landed a successful blow on its legs as.
Lucien, seeing the goblin leader stumbling back uncontrollably; doesn't wait much and rush forward to make use of this chance and attack again: however, just as he reached near the goblin leader to deal a blow, the goblin leader in its uncontrolled state charged the sword in lucien direction with a newfound ferocity, which sends a chill down lucien's spine.
Clangg..
Lucien, taken by surprise, somehow managed to draw his sword, blocking the ferocious attack with a deafening clang. The goblin leader's strength was far more outrageous than before, but as it exerted tremendous force, the wound left by Lucien's earlier attack began to widen, and green blood started to ooze out.
Lucien was pushed back a few steps by the earlier attack and noticed the vicious greenish fluid oozing from its wound, making the air acrid. However, the goblin leader pushed aside its discomfort, let out a roar, lifted its sword, and rushed toward Lucien to confront him quickly before it faced any further disadvantages.
However, Lucien, now aware of the goblin leader's attack pattern, leaped to the side instead of taking the heavy blow head-on. He thrust his sword into the goblin leader's armpit, where the armor protection was minimal. As Lucien had anticipated, the tip of the sword easily sank deep into the creature's flesh, forcing the goblin to let out a scream that pierced the air. Instead of letting go, Lucien attempted to drive the sword even further into the goblin's skin, causing the creature to stumble back, its eyes glazing over with shock and pain.
Thud.
The pain, growing heavier than before, forces the goblin leader to collapse onto the ground, attracting the attention of both the goblins and the villagers. Each group watches the scene with eyes full of surprise.
"Kill him..." A sudden voice breaks the silence, prompting Lucien to deliver the final blow to the goblin leader. However, the goblin leader, driven by a desperate instinct to survive, digs his hand deep into the ground and then splashes the earth onto Lucien's face.
Gilbert, who was attempting to discard the goblin skull that was nearly glued to his axe, witnessed the cowardly act of the goblin leader. He shouted, "Lucien, watch out! but it was already too late.
***
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