They say an old bird can recognize the map; although it's a place the Hero has never been to, the Chocobo that has also seen the map knows the direction to move towards, allowing the pair to approach their destination relatively smoothly.
However, despite looking roughly right in posture, the Hero is ultimately an inexperienced Rider.
Her less-than-stellar Riding Skill, coupled with the time needed to discern directions, means her pace could only be considered average.
As the sky grew darker, the Hero's heart filled with increasing anxiety.
But having run continuously for over ten hours, even the hardworking Chocobo she rode couldn't maintain a faster speed.
After all, it was just a rented Chocobo; it had not received the Phoenix's blessing, nor did it know the Hero's Identity and was not willing to exhaust itself for her, unlike the coachman's two partners before.
While the Hero did indeed possess Phoenix Power, a Beast Spirit Mage couldn't utilize their Special Skill related to the Beast Spirit Form before acquiring it, and their Beast Spirit Embodiment and Humanoid form were usually unrelated.
Therefore, the Hero was not affected by her own Beast Spirit Embodiment and did not develop a predilection for swallowing food whole like a serpent or eating strange things like the Phoenix.
This was both a limitation and a protection from her Talent to herself.
Otherwise, even if she wasn't the brightest and even with significant conflict in her Magic Power, the Hero with Phoenix Power wouldn't need half a day just to learn a Fireball Technique.
On the flip side, take the example of a Siren's Transformation; despite the long years and the dilution of the Curse in Magic Power, due to the Humanoid Nature, any remaining traces breaching the restrictions still rendered the Hero voiceless.
Though out of professional ethics and some instinctual liking, the panting Chocobo beneath her wouldn't just call it quits, expecting it to push beyond its limits was asking a bit too much of the bird.
Therefore, when the Hero followed the trail markers to arrive at the destination village, the sky was thoroughly shrouded in nightfall.
As she passed a signpost and knew the village was not far ahead, the Hero's sharp Perception captured that unsettling noise.
[Hero activates Skill: Extrasensory Sensation (50 + Perception of the leader excluding Lurkers, Perception +30, Darkness -20)]
D80+30+d50=d80(32)+30+d50(23)=85
[Cumulative burden: 53]
Clashing swords, screams, roars—
Flames flickered in the gap between trees, casting sinister silhouettes of the Magic Creatures from afar.
The Assault had already begun!
The hero's pupils constricted, her jaw clenched involuntarily.
[Number of Goblins (certainly includes one Leader, over 100, bonus if 200+)]
[Average Level of Goblins (Extreme Failure -5, survivors +3)]
[Goblin Aggression (Stealth Attack +30)]
[Village Defense (Prosperity Level 53)]
NOTE: Difference determines the Goblin leader.
When Aggression less than Village Defense, Goblins are decimated, with Big Goblin as fixed leader.
Aggression higher by 10, Goblin Shaman.
Aggression higher by 20, Goblin Fighter♛.
Aggression higher by 30, Goblin Magic Spider Tamer.
Aggression higher by 40, Goblin Lurker.
Aggression higher by 50, ???
[Goblin Fighter Rank 3]
An evolved form of the Big Goblin, with more solid muscle and a larger body, even its robust figure possesses a Charm that Humankind can somewhat appreciate.
But its Goblin Nature doesn't change; it's keen on using its body to pummel and destroy the weak, taking pleasure in abusing vulnerable females, and running away like the slightest goblin when facing a formidable enemy.
The fists of the Goblin Fighter are as hard as steel, albeit aimless in Attack, but a flurry of punches can bring down an Armor-clad novice on the spot.
Fighter yearning to face his father: To be honest, I'm disappointed. This is just a base creature in Humanoid shape; setting aside the techniques of combat, it doesn't even possess a beast's desperate Nature, not at all fitting to be a practice opponent. Who wants to train with someone who'd just turn tail and run at the first hint of losing?
The besieged village was now right before her eyes; the Hero leapt off the Chocobo, leaving it to hide in a nearby grove.
Without even catching her breath from the long ride, she dashed into the village with the Gleaming Scale Serpent.
This village resembled the Hero's hometown, slightly more expansive, and from the buildings alone, it was evident that it was a prosperous settlement.
Just as the village chief grandma had initially predicted, the number of Goblins within the Hero's Perception Range wasn't high.
But at this moment, before the Hero's eyes, played out a scene she'd only encountered in her Nightmares.
"It's the Goblins ahhhh!!"
The village gates had already been breached by the Goblins; under the lead of a Goblin Fighter, nearly a hundred Goblins were rampaging through the village.
The Militia Group clad in Leather Armor and some adult men armed with farm tools were fighting back, but in the ensuing chaos, they failed to mount an effective counter-attack and were gradually being overwhelmed by the Goblins.
The green stench of Goblin blood mingled with the crimson of Humankind, painting a horrific scene.
[Damage to the village (10- for injured people, 10+ then death toll)]
It sounds unbelievable.
In Lake Town's sewers, a group of Goblins, twice the number and stronger, didn't cause much of a stir, didn't even impact the festivities, and were cleanly eradicated.
But now, not even a hundred Goblins have brought such havoc to this prosperous village, their tiny forms like demons, pursuing the crying and fleeing Humankind.