The wind brushed his skin, and then he whipped the axe to remove the blood, painting the ground red. The surroundings were stained with blood and littered with the bodies of green-skinned goblins.
Torot!!!
Roar!!!
The sound of a horn and a roar came from one direction—but what made Aizen tremble was that it was soon followed by more roars from all directions: his back, side, and front. It was deafening and then the roars were mixed with yelps and shrieks.
"Damn, I didn't think the hobgoblins would act this fast!"
The hobgoblins—captains of the goblin clan. Even the presence of a Hobgoblin Champion leading them was likely on the move. They were more agile and stronger. They could also make detailed commands in the battlefield and then issue battle tactics in the battle. A little bit wider and cunning than their lower ranks. It was safe to say that they were captains.
Then, from the forest, the hobgoblins appeared and stepped into the clearing. Their teeth showed in wicked grins as they revealed themselves. They snickered and giggled as they watched their prey, the humans. They thought that they would be a nice practice to warm up in this upcoming battle. Thinking that they were just practice dummy to begin with.
They stood taller and bulkier than regular goblins. Even so, they still bore the same twisted goblin faces. More or less more manly than the stout ones. They were bulkier too and a more refined physique.
Then, inside their formation, one emerged—slightly taller than the rest, with a necklace of bones and a massive wooden club that towered over Rolan. His skin was dark green, marked with tribal tattoos. Red blood in color and it's canine tooth were protruding.
Rolan clicked his tongue, troubled. He didn't know what tactics to use. But then, all were judge in promptu. Rolan believed he could make good judgements even when they were not that strong. Making the right decision in the right time they say was the best commander of all.
It was then, the enemies were taunting them. Wanting to scare them off with their growls.
They were growling—excited for the fight. The Hobgoblin Champion barked orders and the others fell silent. It seemed he wanted a duel.
Rolan clicked his tongue again. He wasn't strong—not yet. His stats weren't high, and he had no powerful skills. Luck was his only comrade.
He only had starting items and wasn't yet accustomed to his weak body. It would be a hassle.
Still, he wouldn't back down.
The enemy dashed.
Rolan sprinted forward, hurling dirt behind him. His axe swung in a deadly dance. He clashed with the Hobgoblin Champion, even performing a weapon-handling spin to boot.
The enemy swung vertically and smashed toward Rolan—
Bang!
Dust exploded into the air. Rolan rotated, slashing its back, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Swoosh! Swish!
The enemy gritted its teeth and roared, not even flinching at the pain. Its tenacity was high—it could endure.
They soon traded coordinated blows, great reflexes saving Rolan from deadly strikes.
A horizontal slash came, and Rolan ducked, rolled, and leapt toward the enemy. He slashed downward, but the Hobgoblin Champion met his attack with a smug grin. A streak of red light sparked as he turned toward Aizen.
Rolan slashed its arm, avoiding the club by attacking from a different direction.
He stepped back slightly and gripped his axe tighter, raising it slanted, leveled with his face.
The enemy charged, drooling saliva.
Rolan sprung forward and dodged in the last moment—
Scrape!
It grazed his cheek.
'Tsk! That was close!'
He spun away and attacked, coordinating his hands with the rhythm of his strikes.
Ting! Ting! Clunk!
The Hobgoblin Champion blocked every strike with his wooden club. Rolan's attacks failed to land. Then, the enemy retaliated, launching a flurry of powerful swings.
"Ngk! His swings are heavy!"
Rolan gritted his teeth, gripping his axe and shield. He tried to attack from behind, but the Champion caught the axe with his club, trapping it.
The club swung—
Rolan let go of the axe and grabbed his sword from his waist.
Shing!
The enemy grabbed the axe and hurled it away. Rolan cursed under his breath. The hobgoblin chuckled with a low, guttural growl—an intimidating sound.
Rolan slashed, but the club blocked it.
Ting!
He flipped mid-air and launched a backslash—again, blocked.
The Champion smashed him.
Rolan was flung backward, his boots skidding on the dirt as he tried to recover his footing. He collided with a tree trunk.
The enemy followed, smashing toward him—
Boom!
The ground trembled.
Rolan rolled to the side, barely evading. He sprung back up and charged.
But the enemy saw him shaking—his muscles trembling. Rolan had difficulty standing. He knelt and inhaled deeply.
Then, Rolan attacked in a frenzy, disregarding his own safety.
The Champion's swings missed by a hair's breadth.
Again, Rolan flickered out of sight and struck the hobgoblin on the left—then appeared on the right.
He slashed the back, then the legs. The Champion faltered, his stance broken. A blunder.
Rolan didn't hesitate.
He hacked and slashed nonstop. The two danced in brutal swordplay.
The hobgoblin's muscles were cut, one after another, each wound slowing him.
Still, he didn't show weakness. Brave to the end.
Rolan looked into his eyes—he saw his reflection. Then, he stabbed the hobgoblin in the chest.
Silence fell.
Then, a roar erupted as the other hobgoblins screamed in fury at the Champion's death.
Rolan was surrounded.
He stood tall—and fought with everything he had.
His men joined the battle, forming a circle formation. They were attacked from all sides.
Rolan swung until his arms burned.
Finally, the enemies' morale broke.
The goblins fled.
Victory!!!
Cheers erupted as Rolan's men raised their weapons and howled in triumph. They cheered in glee and then raised their arms. They immediately roared in joy and then approached their leader Rolan.
He immediately was tossed up in the air several times and they rejoiced.