A metal canteen and a rectangular package wrapped in paper appeared before me, floating in the air before gently settling into my hands. I understood these were provisions, a courteous gesture from the merchant that made me wonder if these entities followed some pre-established protocol for serving their clients.
I decided not to dwell on such speculations and left the merchant's room with my newly acquired possessions and supplies.
Once outside, I settled on the cold floor next to the door, adopting a meditative position with my legs crossed. I unwrapped the package with cautious curiosity, inspecting its contents.
The nature of the meat the merchant had provided was indecipherable, initially causing some reluctance to consume it. However, after a tentative first bite, I was utterly astonished by its exquisite flavor. Without fully realizing it, I eagerly devoured the rest of the food, savoring each bite with unexpected delight.
After finishing my impromptu feast, I emptied the canteen's contents, feeling the cool liquid revitalize my energy. I stood with renewed determination, ready to face the next challenge, and headed toward the portal with a firm step.
[Will you enter the scenario?]
The message echoed in my consciousness like a distant echo.
—Yes —I responded with resolve.
The portal's bluish light intensified, enveloping me in an ethereal halo as I experienced the dizzying sensation of plummeting into an infinite abyss. During the descent, my perception of the world transformed completely…
The white void clouding my vision gradually dissipated, giving way to a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. The landscape and ambient temperature changed, though the sensation was quite pleasant.
*Ca, ca—!*
*Hwing—!*
The melodious songs of unfamiliar birds echoed in the air as a chilly breeze caressed my face. Without warning, I found myself in the midst of an ancient forest, surrounded by lush vegetation and unsettling shadows that seemed to watch me from the thicket.
An ethereal voice, lacking any discernible physical origin, resonated in the deepest corners of my mind:
[The trial begins now.]
[You are being hunted. Your opponents are the Goblins, a species that dominates this forest.]
[You must take the Goblins' treasure and escape the forest. If they steal it from you, you will die.]
[Survive and protect the treasure. Time: 167:59:57.]
As soon as the message concluded, a necklace materialized in my hands as if it had always been there. I didn't recall holding it before, but its presence was unmistakable. Undoubtedly, this was the treasure mentioned in the instructions, the goblins' prized possession for which they would unleash their fury.
Goblins, though categorized as a species, were considered monsters that operated in tribal structures. Beyond their overwhelming numerical superiority, they represented the most elemental and weakest manifestation within the spectrum of hostile creatures.
They were roughly the size, strength, and intelligence of a human child. Their only tactical advantage lay in their extraordinary ability to perceive in the dark, an evolutionary adaptation from generations inhabiting the forest depths.
They belonged to the category of hunter monsters, specialists in tracking. Evading their pursuit in this dense vegetal labyrinth would undoubtedly pose a considerable challenge. Though individually lacking exceptional physical abilities, they were formidable when acting in groups, a rather concerning circumstance for someone like me, about to face the third floor's challenge with limited resources.
A forest infested with goblins might seem a relatively benign scenario to outside observers, but I understood that the situation reduced my survival odds to nearly zero. I would have no significant territorial advantages or safe places to hide. My fate would depend on my personal abilities and my capacity to make strategic decisions under extreme pressure.
I forced myself to stay calm, avoiding unnecessary haste. I had anticipated being in immediate danger from the first moment or even perishing suddenly before I could properly orient myself, but the initial situation was unexpectedly peaceful. If I didn't seize this opportunity to catch my breath and plan my actions, I wouldn't get another.
With deliberately slow movements, I placed the necklace around my neck. It produced no immediate perceptible effect. It didn't seem to possess extraordinary qualities that justified its categorization as a treasure. Perhaps its special properties would only manifest after successfully completing the trial.
—It would've been better if it were sealed —I murmured to myself—. Sealed objects have notably superior effects compared to ordinary ones.
*Crack, screech!*
A spine-chilling wail tore through the forest's silence, reverberating among the trees like an expanding shockwave. It was the unmistakable cry of an enraged goblin, furious over the disappearance of its prized treasure.
—Sounds pretty angry —I commented with barely concealed sarcasm.
Protect the treasure, escape, and survive. I now understood the trial's fundamental objective with absolute clarity. If that was the case… fleeing was not a viable option. I would face them directly, on their own terms.
I began advancing decisively toward the source of the screams, adopting an offensive stance. I had never been a fan of avoiding confrontations when there was a chance to control the situation through proactive actions.
I sharpened my senses to the maximum, paying special attention to any revealing sound. In the forest's depths, where sunlight barely penetrated the dense canopy, I detected the sound of approaching footsteps. Likely scouts sent to investigate the disappearance.
I drew a dagger from my belt and threw it at the goblin stealthily approaching. The distinctive sound of metal piercing flesh came from the distance. Under the faint twilight filtering through the leaves, I saw the creature collapse heavily backward, its lifeless body hitting the muddy ground with a dull thud.
Seizing the moment, I lunged forward with the speed of a predator and delivered a precise stab to the fallen goblin's heart, ensuring it wouldn't survive to alert its companions of my presence.
With its throat pierced by my dagger, the goblin was unable to emit even an agonized whimper as it expired. My movements, executed with lightning speed, were impossible for its primitive visual organs to follow.
[You have killed a goblin (G)]
I took the time to extract the dagger, now dulled by the goblin's coagulated blood and subcutaneous fat. After examining the corpse, I confirmed my initial suspicion: it was indeed a scout. A scout who would never return to report its findings.
A question spontaneously arose in my mind, interrupting the flow of my thoughts:
If you were a goblin, what would you do?
This question struck me with such intensity that I paused momentarily, diving into deep reflection.
If I were a goblin, what would my strategy be?
—I'd set up an ambush —I uttered softly, feeling the puzzle pieces click into place in my mind.
Correct.
What awaited me in the forest's depths would undoubtedly be an elaborate ambush. However, I was determined to defeat them at their own game, using their tactics against them. At the end of the day, only one consideration prevailed above all else: maximizing my survival odds in this hostile environment.
I ventured into the thicket with silent steps to minimize any revealing sound. Suddenly, a subtle rustle to my right caught my attention.
A lone goblin approached cautiously, its small yellowish eyes gleaming with primitive malice. Before it could react, my dagger sliced through the air and lodged cleanly in its throat, silencing it forever.
—Two down —I murmured as I retrieved my weapon from the lifeless body—. How many more will come?
The answer came sooner than expected. A chorus of shrill screeches echoed around me, followed by the unmistakable sound of dozens of feet running through the vegetation. They had located me.
—Perfect —I smiled beneath my mask—. Let the game begin.
I drew the newly acquired spear and adopted a defensive stance. The first goblin emerged from the bushes with a savage yell, brandishing a rudimentary wooden club. Its attack, though fierce, lacked technique and precision.
—Too predictable —I declared as I easily dodged the blow and countered with a move.
The tip of my spear pierced its chest, penetrating vital organs. The goblin collapsed with a choked gurgle as its companions continued their charge, seemingly indifferent to their comrade's death.
I faced them, one after another, exploiting their lack of coordination and strategy. Every movement I executed was to maximize efficiency and minimize effort. This wasn't a battle; it was a systematic execution.
[You have killed a goblin (G)]
[You have killed a goblin (G)]
[You have killed a goblin (G)]
The messages appeared incessantly before my eyes as I continued eliminating threats. However, I soon realized their numerical advantage was beginning to take its toll. For every goblin I dispatched, two more emerged from the thicket.