Yorl roared, slamming his club against the ground, taking a defensive stance.
The Red Python moved like a shadow given form—its shimmering scales reflecting the dim forest light. Then, with terrifying speed, it struck.
Its jaws parted wide, fangs glistening, aiming straight for Yorl's head.
The brute barely had time to react. He twisted, but not fast enough. The serpent's fangs grazed his shoulder, slicing through flesh.
Thin crimson lines bloomed on his green skin.
Yorl bellowed in pain, his muscles tightening with rage. He swung his club wildly, the heavy wood smashing against the python's side. The impact rippled through the massive creature, forcing it back.
But the python recovered instantly.
It lashed out, its coils snapping around Yorl's legs, pulling him off balance. A predator's trap.
Yorl struggled, thrashing, but the python tightened its grip, muscles flexing like iron chains. The goblin's breath came in ragged gasps, his face turning red.
He was being crushed.
Weal froze. His mind screamed at him to run, but his body refused to move.
He watched as the python's golden eyes narrowed—a deadly glint flickering in its gaze just before it struck.
That was it.
"The eyes!" Weal croaked, voice barely a whisper. "Aim for the eyes!"
Leav, dodging between shifting coils, snapped his focus to the python.
Weal was right. The eyes were the key.
"Frot!" Leav shouted, his mind already racing. "Distract it!"
Frot hesitated for a second before his usual grin returned. He darted forward, scooping up a handful of dirt and hurling it at the python's head.
The pebbles and dust struck its snout and eyes.
The python hissed, its head rearing back as it flinched, momentarily blinded.
Now.
Leav's muscles coiled. He activated Sprint.
Everything blurred as he surged forward. His makeshift dagger gleamed.
With a snarl, he plunged the blade into the python's vulnerable underbelly, just behind the head.
The dagger sank deep.
The python shrieked, its body convulsing wildly, but its coils only tightened around Yorl.
Leav felt the brute's bones creak under the pressure.
Damn it!
Bout moved.
Leav barely saw it—a swift, precise motion.
From his belt pouch, Bout pulled a shard of obsidian, its dark edge gleaming like death.
With a single, fluid motion, he threw it.
The shard whistled through the air—
—and struck the python directly in the eye.
The serpent convulsed violently, its agonized screech rattling the trees.
Its coils loosened, and Yorl collapsed, gasping for breath, clutching his chest.
Leav ripped his dagger free, covered in blood. The python was still alive, but barely.
"Finish it, Yorl!"
Yorl's bloodshot eyes locked onto the beast. His muscles twitched with an uncontrolled fury.
He let out a primal roar and charged, raising his club.
CRACK.
The wood smashed into the python's skull.
The beast shuddered, its massive body twitching one last time before it fell still.
[USER has gained 25 EXP][Yorl has gained 30 EXP][Weal has gained 10 EXP][Frot has gained 15 EXP][Bout has gained 20 EXP]
Silence descended upon the forest.
Their heavy panting was the only sound.
Leav turned to his companions. His mind cataloged everything.
Weal, despite his fear, had seen the snake's weakness.
Frot, mischievous but quick, had bought them time.
Yorl, slow but powerful, had ended the fight.
Bout… Leav's gaze lingered on him. Deadly. Precise. Dangerous.
A sudden notification filled his vision.
[Yorl has gained a new skill: Berserk]
Leav turned to the goblin brute.
Yorl's chest heaved, his muscles quivering unnaturally. His eyes were bloodshot, his entire body pulsing with raw power. He looked… different. Wilder. More dangerous.
Then another notification flashed.
[USER has gained a new skill: Tactics][Tactics: Passive - Increases the effectiveness of strategy-based actions]
Leav's lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile.
They were evolving.
"We did well," Leav said, his voice steady. "But this is just the beginning. More challenges will come. We must be ready."
He turned to Bout. "Show us what else you can do."
The silent goblin met his gaze. Expressionless. Unreadable.
Leav knew he had a long way to go.
But he wasn't just surviving anymore. He was leading.
And he wasn't about to share his secret.
Not yet.