"Hooar... TCHK!"
With a rumble from its throat, the Hobgoblin fell on its back. Blood was oozing from its throat, and no matter how much it struggled, it wasn't able to produce any noise.
Yes, I threw the sword at the monster. It was not able to kill it since I do not possess skill, but with my surplus in strength and natural accuracy, I can throw quite the hard shot.
The critical boost from hitting a surprised enemy helps as well.
"Hrah!"
Though I hit one enemy, the other Hobgoblin was not just going to sit there and take my attacks.
'Here comes the hard part.'
"Rah, rah, rah.... RAAA---!"
Fwoomph!
It seemed like it was charging up its yell, so I immediately ran to the rest of my weapons and threw them as well. That previous air-breaking sound was from the first weapon I laid down: The short spear.
'With this, I should be able to strike much better and accurate.'
Previously, I will admit that the reason I was able to hit the Hobgoblin was because of the surprise factor, as well as a bit of natural luck. Swords are not aerodynamic enough to go far or hit hard.
Thankfully, I am living the fantasy life currently.
With a step forward, I twisted my core and readied myself.
'I have to use this chance to strike while it is still grabbing its bearings.'
Priming my muscles in my right arm, I clenched the spear with all the force in my hand, until I could practically hear the wood splintering.
Fwoosh!
As if I was betting everything on this shot like it was the Olympic Games, I launched the spear with every strand of muscle I possessed.
But like many competitors in the games, it fell short...
...and missed.
I was too slow, and the Hobgoblin was able to react in just enough time and jump back from the spear's landing point. With the avoidance, it seemed like it was getting ready to yell out in alert.
This quest could already be considered failed.
If it was someone else other than me who obtained it.
Although my strength was my best stat, my agility coming in second place was no slouch either. I was traveling forward and closer with each weapon toss.
In two strides, I arrived in front of the Hobgoblin.
In my left hand, a shield was equipped. Shield's are normally used as the primary absorbent of damage.
But who said they could not cause damage, either?
"Hraa--"
BAM!
With a simple user-inputted shield bash to the face, the Hobgoblin was pushed back, teeth knocked out. But its ugly look were not going to keep me from continuing its punishment.
With a fierce glint in its eyes, the monster was not going to take the beating lying down. With a snarl, it raised its sword...
And yet, no matter where it looked, all it saw was the front of my shield.
I was using a blinding technique. With the shield covering all of its vision, the Hobgoblin had no where to aim and attack. And me? I could take whichever chance that was open Looking into my inventory, I grabbed the most appropriate weapon and bided my time.
"Grrr!" Seeing that no where was open, all it could resort to was attacking my shield and trying push it back. And to its surprise, it worked. With one strike, the monster knocked the shield, and itself, forward.
Right onto my sword.
Shlit!
With an upward motion, I brought my sword up and split the Hobgoblin in two.
Blood laid out on the field, and I myself was not impervious to the mess, as splatters of the liquid laid on my equipment. My stomach couldn't help but churn for a bit.
'Although I have killed many of these monsters before, I do not think I have finished off one of them in such a... barbaric manner.... ugh.'
Say what you want. A woman still needs to keep up her appearances, no matter how strong she thinks of herself.
Finally, the quest completion window popped up in my eyes.
Besides the basic rewards of experience and money, no other rewards were given. Just written instructions for the next part of the Quest Chain.
"Proceed into the gates of Hobgoblin grounds and wait for your Trainer... So I am to go into this den of ugly lions and wait for Godspeed, huh..." I finally said out loud. It has been much too long without me speaking audibly.
"Well, I do not have any other choice, so I might as well venture forth." My heart and nerves restless, I set foot into my inevitable doom.
Just to risk it all.
______________________
Hugging the walls, I did my best to remain obscure while waiting for Godspeed in this forsaken place. Step by step I went, trying my best to conceal any sound I produced.
"Hmmm---!" I quickly paused and turned around. There was some wood laid behind me, stacked to about my height. I quickly crouched and took cover behind, as heavy footsteps slowly arrived at the opening I was previously at.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
'...High Hobgoblin Warrior. They're... much bigger than I thought.'
The High Hobgoblin Warrior was a level 145 monster that was 7 feet tall in stature. It was carrying muscle in each of its step, and instead of a sword or club, it would carry a worn spear. Do not let the appearance of the weapon fool you though, because due to its horrid appearance, the weapon can splinter off when it strikes its target and cause the 'Bleeding' status effect.
The High Warriors only lived inside of the Hobgoblin grounds, and the only reason information was known about them is because those ecologists in the game wanted to figure out the truth of these creatures made of 0s and 1s.
'The High Warriors run the settlement of the Hobgoblins, as they seem to take all the management tasks, similar to how it is where I work. Their size works to their advantage as they have a vantage point above all in the area, so they are good at detecting presences.
But, they do not like to go out, and prefer to stay in the settlement and focus on their enjoyable life there, which is why they choose not to be set up as guards, and leave that to those of a lower position.
They're almost like politicians.'
As I finished the mental recap of the Hobgoblin High Warriors, the monster walked by the alley I was in. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I prepared to take a peek out--
Poomf!
As a loud sound seemed to alert everything in its vicinity.
And that loud sound, occurred right behind me.