Upon first witnessing the goblins counterattacking the human heroes, the sight before her appeared so absurd that it seemed like a bizarre nightmare.
But no matter how incredulous, the thick scent of blood in the air, the corpses lying not far away, and the crimson spreading on the ground all brutally and undeniably struck the Hero, forcing her to admit: this was reality.
Humanity is both a tenacious and fragile existence.
When prepared and resolved, humans can shine a light of courage brighter and more resolute than any other species in the face of danger.
But without readiness or resolution, when disaster strikes, many portray themselves as utterly helpless.
And in the middle of the night, when assaulted by magic creatures in their sleep, most mortals become no better than livestock, devoid even of the courage to fight back, merely awaiting their fate in panic and dismay.
What unfolded before the Hero was this most pitiful side of humanity.
The Goblin Fighters led their squads, battling against the few militia who still put up a desperate resistance, but more goblins had already begun their frenzied revelry within the village.
They smashed the glass of houses with stones, several worked together to force doors open, wielding rusted weapons from who knows where, they brutally beat resisting men to a bloody pulp, and then, with hideous laughter, they pounced on every female—ripe, petite, or even aged.
The mixing of piteous wails and ecstatic roars turned the Hero's pupils red with intensity.
She wanted to roar with rage, but her vocal cords did not respond to the fury; amidst the chaos, her silent arrival went unnoticed by all.
The war continued on.
[Goblin Fighter LV(Commander+2, Invasion+19)]
D11+19+2=d11(6)+19+2=27
[Goblin Fighter R3 LV27]
Hardening Fist LV2: Fists hard as steel. Armor Break+5
Goblin Fighting Skill LV2: Bullying the weak with chaotic punches. If they possess three attributes higher than the opponent, they can perform preemptive attacks for 2 consecutive turns.
[The ones entangled with it are—]
LV:D15+10=d15(7)+10=17
2.The Church's Priest
3.The Passing Adventurer
10.Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Militia Captain LV17]
Profession: First-tier Warrior
Charging Slash LV1: After charging for one turn, perform a Slashing attack, adding fixed damage of strength * 0.3.
Often used when chopping wood.
Leather Armor: Armor+5
Iron Sword: Armor Break+5
Round Iron Shield: When Block is successful, Armor+15
This long-peaceful village, despite its basic defenses and even stronger ones compared to the Hero's hometown, fell short in patrols and management.
After all, neither the grandpa with Hunting Knowledge nearby nor the village chief grandma, a Pantheon Scholar, would allow any negligence concerning safety.
But for the villagers here, the infiltration and slaughter by Magic Creatures were but a distant memory from three generations ago, long forgotten.
If riding an ordinary Chocobo, the distance from the border would be more than half a month's journey away.
As for the largest nearby city, the last Arcane Surge war took place sixty-five years ago.
For longevity species such as elves, it might be no different from events occurring last month.
But the people of this village, even with historical heritage and knowledge of the horrors of Magic Creatures, no longer saw them as something to be vigilantly guarded against day and night.
It was this carelessness that led to the current tragedy.
[Goblin Fighter's Attack]
[Militia Captain's Block]
D36+d49=d36(19)+d49(18)=37
[Militia Captain takes 36-19-15(Buckler)-9(Armor)=0 points of damage]
[Block: DStrength+DConstitution, successful block provides damage reduction of Strength D value + additional armor, if Block Value is more than twice the opponent's damage, an Exemption from the damage occurs and a Counterattack can be performed]
The Goblin Fighter's iron fist slammed onto the not-so-thick shield, and instead of the flesh against steel, it resembled the sound of a hammer striking an anvil, a heavy noise resounded.
To the Militia Captain, the ringing noise up close sounded more like the tolling of a death knell.
Even though he withstood the blow with his shield, the immense force still transmitted through his arm, causing his cheeks to redden from the rush of blood, his hands barely able to hold the trembling shield.
But he steadily dissipated the tremendous force, yet found no opportunity to counterattack.
When was the last time he held a shield?
After all, shields don't help the villagers chop wood.
But now, only the sturdy shield allowed him to continue standing, and even the longsword with some notches left him no chance to swing.
Another forceful punch left a shallow dent on the iron shield, but it didn't stop it from fulfilling its duty.
The Goblin Fighter spat as he grinned fiercely, throwing punch after punch like hammering a turtle shell, delighting in the pleasure of forcing his opponent to retreat step by step.
The Militia Captain dared not be distracted; he clenched his teeth and blocked the Goblin Fighter's attacks again and again.
He wanted to bellow with rage, but didn't dare open his mouth, fearing that once he lost his breath, he'd crumble under the Goblin Fighter's barrage of blows.