White-Haired Goblin

"Die, green-skinned bastards!" Gray stepped forward and thrust! The longsword in his hand turned into a swift, piercing gleam of silver, driving straight through the heart of the foremost goblin—killing it in a single strike! "Roar!" Gak launched his attack as well. He raised his broadaxe and brought it down in a thunderous vertical cleave! *Squelch!* The goblin before Gak had no hope of withstanding such a blow; it was split straight in two from head to toe. Foul blood splattered outward, and entrails spilled across the ground. "Waaahhh!" Terrified out of its wits, the last remaining goblin fled headlong into the cave, screeching the alarm. Soon, waves of commotion echoed from within the cave. The ground trembled faintly; a horde of enemies was surging out! "Gaa-wa-kaka! Gaa-wa-kaka!" *(Enemies! Enemies have appeared!)* The first wave of goblins rushed out of the cave—at least a dozen by the look of it. Brandishing rusted weapons stolen or scavenged from the human world, they snarled menacingly at Marcus and his companions, their strange shrieks rising in an incessant din. "Gaa-gaa!" "Jigurua!" "Wa-kaka!" *(Foolish humans! How dare you come knocking!)* *(Kill them!)* *(Fresh human flesh to feast on again!)* *Thud... thud...* Aside from these diminutive goblins, heavier footsteps echoed from inside the cavern. Two unusually towering goblins stepped out alongside them! *Adventurers' Association General Monster Compendium* [Sequence 9]: Orc Goblin Individual Threat Rating: [Hard] Physical Characteristics: Significantly larger than ordinary goblins, Orc Goblins typically stand around two meters tall and possess a much more feral appearance. Behavioral Habits: Similar to ordinary goblins, though Orc Goblins are usually the overlords of their tribe, holding a paramount status. Special Abilities: Possessing dense, powerful musculature, they far surpass ordinary goblins in both speed and strength. Core Weaknesses: No particular weaknesses documented. Orc Goblins are ordinary creatures of flesh and blood and can be slain through conventional means. Association Notes: A challenging opponent. Remember to wear your best armor when fighting one; brute force is an Orc Goblin's greatest threat. Both Orc Goblins were taller than Marcus, though still not as massive as Gak. One of them wore a haphazard assortment of iron pauldrons and a breastplate, clenching a club studded with iron nails—evidently scavenged spoils stripped from fallen adventurers. The other Orc Goblin wielded a two-handed greataxe, presenting an intimidating presence. In a one-on-one duel, neither Marcus nor Gak would have been overly afraid. Right now, however, they were surrounded by more than a dozen ordinary goblins. With these green-skinned vermin harassing them from all sides, the situation was completely different. An unexpected slash out of nowhere or stones hurled at their heads could be dangerously distracting. "Wuu-waaah!!" One of the Orc Goblins roared toward the sky. *(Slaughter these humans!!)* A green tide immediately swarmed in, encircling Marcus, Gak, and Gray. Marcus steadied his breathing and raised his shield before him, taking his customary position at the forefront of the trio. "Remember our tactic!" "Understood!" The greataxe-wielding Orc Goblin charged forward and brought its weapon down in a violent chop! Marcus raised his shield to block. *Thump!* The axe blade bit several centimeters into the face of the shield, jolting Marcus's left arm numb. The Orc Goblin tried to wrench the greataxe back, but the blade was wedged into the shield, refusing to budge for a moment. So it kicked hard against the shield, using the leverage to rip the axe free. The kick sent Marcus staggering back several steps before he managed to regain his footing. On the other side, Gak clashed head-on with the other Orc Goblin. The heavy broadaxe whistled through the air in his grip. With a sweeping spinning slash, he carved a deep gouge into the Orc Goblin's breastplate, nearly lopping its head clean off. Yet Gak had no opening to press his advantage, as several lesser goblins were already lurking nearby, preparing to ambush him. To play it safe, Gak had no choice but to pull back. Gray was tasked with clearing out the ordinary goblins around them to protect the team's rear. In the shadows of the bushes, Vallis and Zelier kept their breathing light, intently watching the battle unfold. Though Marcus, Gak, and Gray fought in seamless coordination, the tide inevitably tilted in the goblins' favor. The monsters held the advantage in numbers, and the trio had to stay constantly alert against sneak attacks. Restricted on all sides, Marcus and his companions couldn't fight at full capacity. Danger pressed in on them, and several times they were nearly struck. Even so, the three retreated step by step according to their prearranged plan, drawing the goblins toward the bushes where Vallis and Zelier lay in wait. "Steady... steady..." Vallis placed a hand on Zelier's shoulder. "The target hasn't appeared yet. Don't startle them." Zelier nodded silently, calculating in his mind. *Where's the White-Haired Goblin?* *Come on, you old bastard...* *It should be coming out any second now, right...?* As if answering Zelier's expectations, several more figures emerged from the shadows of the cave entrance! The commission briefing stated that this goblin tribe possessed three Orc Goblins. Now, the third had finally shown itself! Its equipment was the finest of all; its armor and weapons were pristine, unlike the rusted gear of the other goblins. Furthermore, it was the most muscular of the lot! Beside this final Orc Goblin stood another goblin. It was as small and gaunt as an ordinary goblin, its back hunched, yet its eyes were brimming with cunning and shrewdness. Atop its head grew a distinctive tuft of long white hair. The White-Haired Goblin! *Adventurers' Association General Monster Compendium* [Sequence 10]: White-Haired Goblin Individual Threat Rating: [Hard] Physical Characteristics: A rare mutant among goblins, distinguished most prominently by the tuft of white hair atop its head. Behavioral Habits: Similar to ordinary goblins, but holding an even higher status within the tribe than Orc Goblins; typically serving as the chieftain. Special Abilities: White-Haired Goblins possess the ability to cast magic. Each White-Haired Goblin commands different spells, which makes them particularly troublesome. However, according to currently recorded data, a White-Haired Goblin has never cast a spell exceeding a third-tier single-layer spell structure. Core Weaknesses: Though White-Haired Goblins can wield magic, their physical constitution is no different from that of an ordinary goblin, allowing them to be easily cut down. Association Notes: When dealing with a tribe led by a White-Haired Goblin, the most crucial objective is a swift kill! Concentrate the party's superior combat power to eliminate the White-Haired Goblin as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the team will suffer constant magical harassment, and goblin morale will remain sky-high.