"Tang Ruan, prepare for battle!"
"Okay!"
Zhao Chi saw the nervous look on her face. She clearly lacked confidence.
After all, she was a Human Race female.
And they were facing three Goblin Warriors.
Even though these Goblins were only 1.4 meters tall, they were armed and more dangerous than three wolves.
They were also cruel, bloodthirsty, and lecherous.
They had a particular interest in Human and Elf females.
Ordinary women were indeed afraid of them.
But Tang Ruan was no ordinary woman.
She was a Peach Blossom Human Race female whose Attributes had been enhanced by Zhao Chi. They were quite high.
Plus, she had the Fearless Talent.
'She shouldn't be this nervous, should she?'
'Why?'
'It must have something to do with the Newborn State.'
'She's currently in a weakened Newborn State.'
'Even her Talent is being affected.'
'I need to get them fed quickly so they can recover to their proper State.'
"M... Milord, they seem to be staring at me..."
Tang Ruan was terrified.
She instinctively grabbed Zhao Chi's arm.
"Yes, Goblins have a thing for pretty Human females. They've likely locked onto you as their prey."
"Ah? What do we do then?"
Zhao Chi whispered, "Don't panic. We have to kill them right now. If they escape, they'll bring back more Goblins, and that will be troublesome."
Tang Ruan nodded.
"I understand, Milord. I'll fight with all my might."
Zhao Chi continued, "The Goblin Race's agility is 6 points, which is faster than ours. We can't afford to scare them off. You go attract their attention from the front, and I'll circle around to flank them."
"Ah? You want *me* to attract their attention?"
Tang Ruan was on the verge of tears.
Zhao Chi nodded. "Don't be afraid. Your Attributes are higher than theirs. Use the wooden basin as a Shield and the Fish Spear as a Weapon. You'll be perfectly fine."
"O... okay."
Tang Ruan trembled.
She nervously took a step forward.
"Wait, I'm not finished yet."
"Huh?"
Tang Ruan quickly stepped back.
"In a moment, I need you to start crying. The more scared you sound, the better. They'll think you're weak and be completely drawn in."
Tang Ruan said pitifully, "Milord, if I die, you have to remember me."
Zhao Chi laughed. "Die? Didn't I just say I guarantee you won't even be scratched?"
Tang Ruan nodded.
She bit her lip, seemingly steeling her resolve.
It was obvious she was still extremely nervous.
Zhao Chi said, "Forget it. I'll use one of my Skills on you, but you absolutely have to act terrified."
"Huh?"
Tang Ruan didn't understand.
Zhao Chi didn't explain.
He casually flipped his palm over.
A faint yellow light appeared.
With a push of his hand, the yellow light shot into Tang Ruan's body.
Instantly, her trembling stopped.
In its place was a surging Combat Will, eager for a fight.
Tang Ruan looked at herself in surprise.
Then she looked at Zhao Chi.
Zhao Chi asked, "How do you feel now?"
Tang Ruan said in amazement, "Milord, why do I feel... not scared at all? They're just three short Goblins. The two of us can definitely handle them. I'm going to go spear them to death!"
She was about to charge forward as she spoke.
Zhao Chi quickly grabbed her hand.
"Don't be impulsive. Your job is to be the lure, not to scare them away. Quick, go back to acting scared."
"Oh... right. I know."
Tang Ruan furrowed her brow, her expression turning terrified.
She also started mimicking the trembling, shaking from side to side.
But she had a great figure, and her proud assets jiggled with the movement.
Zhao Chi glanced over and nodded. "Yes, just like that. Don't forget to cry. I'm going to flank them now."
"Okay, Milord."
Tang Ruan was now full of confidence.
Zhao Chi had used his Encouragement Skills on her.
It could directly boost her Morale.
It was similar to Combat Will.
In addition, Zhao Chi's Talent, "Female Scholar," increased the Effect of his Skills on female allies by 20%. For every point of the target's Appearance Attribute, the Effect received an additional +5% Bonus.
Tang Ruan's Appearance Attribute was 7 points, resulting in a total bonus of 55%.
Ultimately, this increased her Morale by 15.5%.
Tang Ruan was no longer afraid at all.
She walked slowly, gripping the Fish Spear and carrying the wooden basin.
She whimpered and cried as she walked.
As expected, the three Goblins were completely drawn to her.
But they were also wary.
They scanned the area carefully but couldn't find any sign of Zhao Chi.
"Boss, that woman is crying."
"I see her. Where did the man go?"
"I don't know. I was staring at the woman the whole time and forgot about the man."
"Humans are treacherous and cunning. Look for him."
"Right, look for him."
The three Goblins searched everywhere but found nothing.
Zhao Chi had already circled around to the tall grass behind them and was lying low.
He had studied the habits of Goblins.
While he couldn't say he was an expert...
...he could still roughly predict the behavior of these Ordinary Goblins in the wild.
The Goblins searched for a while.
They finally convinced themselves that Tang Ruan was the only one left.
"The man must have run away. That's why the woman is so sad."
"Smart! Just what I was thinking."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
"We're all smart!"
"Let's hurry up and capture her. Time to enjoy a Human woman."
"Enjoy her, then eat her."
"The Clan Leader will take her."
"Then let's enjoy her right here."
"Hehehe, right!"
The three Goblins held their Wooden Spears with both hands, hunched their green necks, and moved to surround Tang Ruan.
Zhao Chi quietly got to his feet, cautiously and quickly closing in on them.
Seeing Zhao Chi stand up, Tang Ruan deliberately cried louder to cover his footsteps.
The three Goblins' eyes lit up. Thinking Tang Ruan was crying out of fear of them, they rushed toward her with even less caution.
Zhao Chi seized the opportunity and shot forward.
He aimed for the neck of the Goblin on the left and swung his Firewood Knife down hard.
WHOOSH—
CRACK!
SPLAT—
He cut it clean in two.
Blood flew.
The head was severed from the body.
The Goblin's head fell to the ground, its small eyes staring in shock, unable to make a sound.
Its body took two more steps from inertia.
The next moment, it collapsed.
Blood stained the grass.
"Huh?" The middle Goblin heard the noise and turned its head instinctively.
It saw Zhao Chi descending with his knife raised high.
Like a hawk pouncing on a rabbit.
"Gah! The man! Attack!"
The Goblin thrust its Wooden Spear.
"Attack my ass!"
Zhao Chi twisted his body at the last second, and his Firewood Knife came down.
THWACK!
The Goblin's skull split open.
Red and white fluids flowed out.
"Waaah! Ambush!"
The last Goblin was stunned.
It threw its Wooden Spear, then turned to run.
"Don't run!"
Zhao Chi dodged the Wooden Spear and immediately gave chase.
But the Goblin's agility was high, making it hard for Zhao Chi to catch up.
Tang Ruan aimed at the Goblin and forcefully threw her Fish Spear.
Just moments ago she was crying, but now she acted decisively.
SWOOSH—
The Fish Spear flew through the air.
THUNK!
The distance wasn't far; it was a direct hit.
Right in the lower back.
"AAAAAH~"
The last Goblin fell to the ground.
Zhao Chi leaped over and pinned it firmly to the ground.
"Agh-wa-human-ya-wa." The terrified Goblin shrieked incoherently.
"Shut up! Where is your tribe? How far is it? How many of you are there?"
"Aaaah, treacherous Human, aaaaah."
The Goblin struggled violently.
But it was injured and pinned tightly under Zhao Chi's foot, completely unable to break free.
Tang Ruan had also run over.
"Tang Ruan, pull out the Fish Spear and stab its foot!"
"Yes, Milord."
PLUCK!
Tang Ruan pulled out the Fish Spear without hesitation.
A spray of fresh blood gushed out.
Then she stabbed it again!
"AAAAAAAAAAH!"
The Goblin's screams grew louder.
Zhao Chi said, "If you don't talk, the next one goes in your crotch."
"Aaaah, no, no!"
"Talk! How many of you are there? Where's the tribe?"
"Treacherous!"
"Tang Ruan, stab its crotch!"
"Yes!"
Tang Ruan was very decisive now.
She cleanly pulled out the Fish Spear, ready to stab again.
But the Goblin kicked its legs wildly.
It was hard to aim for its groin.
"Don't stab, I'll talk! We have 35 strong warriors."
"'Strong warriors,' my ass. Where is your tribe?"
"That way. It's far, a 30-minute walk."
A 30-minute walk was only about three kilometers. Not far at all.
'This Goblin has no more value.'
"I see. I'll give you a quick end."
Hearing this, the Goblin actually revealed a surprised smile.
"A quick end? You mean you'll really let me have a 'quick end' with that woman?"
"...In your dreams. Die." Zhao Chi was speechless.
The Firewood Knife fell.
The Goblin died.