he risks associated with such expeditions. This dungeon was notorious for its inhabitants-goblins, small and mischievous creatures with potbellies, elf-like ears, and a penchant for trouble. Normally

Lush vegetation surrounded me, tropical and dense, creating an almost impenetrable jungle under skies tinted with hues of b

on the forest floor. I moved silently, mindful of every step, crunching dry leaves underfoot. It was in these moments of cautious

ng in on the source of the commotion. As I broke through a particularly dense thicket, what greete

yed with every step, adding to their devilish appearance. Their skin, almost obsidian in hue, contrasted sharply with their crimson eyes that seemed

ehension. The presence of kallikantzaros in the Goblin World was unheard of-at least

ikantzaros were notorious for their chaotic behavior-setting fires, souring milk, riding on people's backs, and even braiding horses' t

ce of me. Their crimson eyes locked onto me with an unsettling intens

es erupted in a chorus, a mishmash of

t frantically. "I didn't expect to meet kallikantzaros

me, I could hear the kallikantzaros in pursuit, their agile forms darting through the foliage with uncanny speed. The jungl

OOS

e. I hit the ground hard, rolling to minimize the impact, leaves and twigs clinging to my clothe

y sword stored in my ring. The familiar weight of the weapon reassured me, its

I expected from goblins, these creatures exhibited a strange sense of strategy, perhaps even amusement in the face of their cornered

in its potential, hung poised as I assessed each kallikantzaros' movement. They were playing with me, I realized-the

iming for a decisive strike. To my surprise, the creature side

the nuanced combat skills displayed by these creatures. It was as if they had been trained-taught to a

back as a kallikantzaros exploited my mome

t managing to keep my footing. I refused to let fear paralyze me,

ecision born of desperation. Each clash reverberated through the jungle, the sounds of combat

navigate the uneven terrain while fending off relentless attacks. A near miss from a club sent sp

tzaros, while stronger than ordinary goblins, shouldn't possess the raw strength capable of causing the gro

zaros outside their usual season," I mused aloud, though there was no one to hear. "Secondly, t

re's something or someone controlling them

designated rank-E or below-by the very laws governing rifts and dungeons. To encounter one here, manipulati

low-ranking. Anything higher would risk destabiliz

rvival depended on uncovering its motives, its weaknesses-if any-and exploiting them to my advant

sued relentlessly, their shadows flitting between trees as they closed in on their quarry. Rays of sunlig

lowing my pace and clouding my senses. The kallikantzaros gained ground,

he ground. I gritted my teeth against the agony, my hands instinctively

und, surrounded by the encroaching darkness of the jungle. My body

ough the din, tinged with a hi

urce of the voice. Despite the odds stacked

I muttered defiantly, the glim

by 100, your Mana capacity increased to D, and your skills have

muttered to myself, my voice