Lv. 10 - Not the Real One

Imagine this; you are playing a game with a visual capacity that almost matches the real world, and you see this:

Their eyes were blank, their bodies were stripped naked and many scratches were visible, and well… perhaps there was no need for further explanation. The worst part was that they were still alive, enduring all the pain either physically or mentally.

Well, they are NPCs. But, they still look like humans don't they? What if real humans witnessed them? That was what the team led by Chiba was currently witnessing.

Just as they managed to enter the building, in an instant they stopped suddenly. Even with the dim lighting of the lanterns, they all could still see it.

Some of them looked nauseous and some fell aback with shocked expressions. Even Zen widened his eyes in surprise, along with mixed feelings.

"Is this really just a game? If that's the case, why did they go this far...? Feels as if someone's life is being toyed with," Zen said quietly, his fists tightening even more.

Trying to control the situation, Chiba tried to get close to one of them. He was grateful that there was still one of the women who were still willing to respond to him.

Chiba tried his best to extract information from the woman, and of course, it paid off.

"Alright, everyone listens to me. I need three people to take care of and help with the evacuation of these women, one more person to follow me in setting up sabotage, and the rest to check the village's underground hideouts."

Without asking much, everyone there immediately took on the roles Chiba had prepared.

....

"Zen, do you think it's the right building?" Gill asked.

Zen confirmed by taking a look around his surroundings first and replied, "According to the information Chiba gave, it should be the correct place. A medium-sized building located in the far Northeast."

"Alright, we're going in!"

"Wait."

Just as Gill was about to walk towards the entrance of the building, Zen quickly pulled him back.

"What?"

"Look up at the wall!"

"A goblin? What's the matter? Come on, even if it's dark, we won't be caught."

Zen couldn't help but sigh at Gill's thoughts, which he felt were too simple.

"Maybe you should visit this game's website more often. And look at the guide section or join the discussion forum."

"Huh? What's that got to do with it?"

"Almost all goblins do have senses that are below the average of humans. But you can't underestimate their smell and sight. Especially sight, because they are said to have pretty good night vision."

"Ohh... I just found out."

"Watch your step and don't make a sound, and make sure to always be close to the wall."

"Understood."

According to Zen's explanation, they slowly walked sideways with their backs always against the walls of the surrounding houses.

Luckily, none of the goblins have sensed their presence. Zen had expected this. He and Gill had previously kept all their equipment made of metal or the like, this is of course to avoid the goblin's sharp smell.

"Finally, we're able to get in... This kind of infiltration task is supposed to be for a Rogue player."

"Oh yeah? Then what about the Ranger players who insist on doing it?"

"Ahh... that... forget it, and you're Zen, don't you have any infiltration skills like invisibility or shadow move?"

"Mmm... I haven't learned it yet?"

"Really? So far I haven't even seen you use any other skills, the only skills you've seen you use are speed-boosting skill. Suspicious..."

"Forget about it, we'd better go deeper."

Still, with a suspicious gaze on Zen, Gill continued to watch his partner. He had some questions, but he decided to just keep them.

Well, he wasn't the type to care too much about one's personal affairs. But somehow he felt very curious about Zen.

Zen and Gill decided to put all their gear back together and began descending a ladder previously covered in wooden planks.

When they made it down to the inside, they saw a very dark passage. Zen himself had no problem with the darkness because without realizing it his night vision turned out to be quite good, perhaps Revenant's influence.

As for Gill, he took out a fire lantern from his inventory for lighting. They walked straight down the hall, and when they touched the end of a large wooden door they saw.

"It's locked," Zen muttered.

Bang!

"Oi, open the door! We have come to save you!" Without thinking Gill immediately banged on the door and shouted.

"Really? We sound like robbers instead."

"Come on, just ignore small details like that."

"You're really-"

Criek...

When a voice was heard from the direction of the door, the two of them instantly kept their distance and saw that the door in front of them slowly opened.

Then a young man appeared before the two of them and shakily asked, "A-are you guys from the city?

"Yes, and we came to help you out," Zen said as gently as possible.

BOOM!

"Again? Are your friends fighting out there?" the young man asked Zen and Gill.

"Looks like it's already started," Zen thought. "Gill, try asking the situation!"

"Oh they sent a message, it's about Chiba's successful sabotage. And they also said to direct the survivors to the outer part of the north gate."

"Alright, then we'll be out soon."

Hearing Zen's words, the residents who were there must have felt very relieved, and it could be seen with smiles and happy tears on their faces.

….

"Oh yeah, chaos happened. And we got a welcome too."

According to the news that Gill received, the chaos was getting worse. The explosion that Chiba created managed to shatter the goblins.

Then now, just as they came out with the residents. In front of the building, there were already several goblins who seemed to have accidentally noticed their presence.

"Hey, what should we do?" asked Gill in a whisper.

"Do? Do what? Invite them to negotiate? Of course, we have to fight with them damn it," Zen replied in a whisper as well.

"Oh, one, two, three, four... ten. Looks like we're outnumbered, do you have any plans?"

"Yes." With a simple answer, Zen started throwing a few bottles of potion at the goblins. And from the liquid potion, thick white smoke was created that covered the area around them.

"A smoke potion? Where did you-"

Just before Gill finished his speech, Zen cut him off first in an accentuated voice. "What are you waiting for huh? Hurry and get outside with the residents, this smoke will blow up in a few seconds."

"Then how about you?"

"I'll handle this."

Gill was quite surprised to hear Zen's choice. But he also realized that this was the only option they could have. Without wasting any more time, he rushed to direct the residents to the exit.

"Alright Zen, don't die."

"Of course."

[Soul Armament]

[Ghost Step]

So how does Zen feel when he chooses this? Moreover, he is aware that he is not the type who is willing to sacrifice. 

Then there must be some reason, moreover, he seemed to have predicted that something like this would most likely happen.

Slash!

•Goblin•

Normal | ️☆

Lv. 8

HP: 0 | 1.100

» Goblins Killed: 001/???

"Time to mine some Zist coins," said Zen with a grin on his face.

….

Gill manages to bring the rest of the village together with the rest of his team. It was also seen that the village women who had previously been in better condition.

Well, the reconnaissance team consisted of only Rogue players, so the best help they could give to the injured was with potions. And they also can't carelessly give the potions they have. Considering how they are players who fight in medium to close range.

Simultaneously Chiba and one partner also just arrived at the place. He looked a little surprised, why Zen wasn't there. Then he approached Gill.

"Gill! Where's Zen?"

"Umm... you know... when we were just taking out the residents, a horde of goblins came in front of us. Then he did something and-"

"Just to the point."

"He's still in the village facing the goblin horde."

"Huh... the five of you take care of the residents here. And Gill, quickly show me the way to Zen."

....

Chiba and Gill finally decided to return to the village, and of course, it was not an easy thing.

The goblins were indeed still in an uncontrollable state due to the explosion they didn't know the cause of. However, their really large numbers made this mess even more chaotic.

"what the hell has happened."

"Looks like the amount Zen is up against is way more than you mentioned."

"Well, it seems... looking at the number of goblins lying around here, it looks like he managed to kill around a dozen goblins."

Paying attention to their surroundings, Chiba and Gill tried to find clues to Zen's whereabouts, it was quite difficult to see where they were filled with scattered goblin corpses.

"Chiba..."

"What?"

"Didn't you hear it?"

Chiba also tried to focus more on his hearing, and faintly... he heard...

"Sound of fighting?"

"Yeah, it's the sound of metal clashing. Maybe Zen is there."

Following a faint sound, they headed towards the east of the village.

….

•Goblin Fighter•

Normal | ️☆️☆

Lv. 9

HP: 256 | 2.500

"Huh... I thought you'd put up a stronger fight, seeing as you have two stars. But you're such a disappointment."

The situation was very clear with Zen dominating the Goblin Fighter, the goblin who led his army to invade the village.

Zen thought this would be a tough battle, but what appeared to be the figure in front of him was just a muscle brain. His strength was strong, but his fighting style was completely zero.

But wait, of course, this is for Zen standards. It's unknown what if other players face it. Because Zen himself is supported by a strong avatar and a background of someone who practices martial arts as well.

"Zen!"

"Oh, Chiba, and Gill too. Why are you guys here?"

"Why, do you say why? Of course to help you— wow! What the hell is this big guy? You beat him alone?"

"Well, that's how it is. By the way, has the main army arrived yet?"

Simultaneously Chiba also received a message, and when he saw it he said, "They have arrived, and will be attacking at that very moment."

"ATTACK!"

"UWOOOOH!"

"DESTROY THEM!"

"Well, we can hear their voices from here."

"Oi Zen, don't you want to put an end to that creature? It's in really bad condition too."

As Gill said, Zen didn't play around when he fought the Goblin Fighter. Both of his legs had been severed, and the marks of a sword slash also filled his entire body, even missing one of his eyes.

"You're right, I have to end it."

Just as Zen drew his sword, the goblin laughed crazily with a sharp gaze directed at Zen.

"Kwhakhahahakhak!"

Zen, Chiba, and Gill were instantly in a state of readiness, for what was happening in front of them right now were quite strange.

When the goblin's laughter stopped, he picked up the shattered piece of his ax, and...

Stab!

The goblin stabbed himself to death, right in the heart.

"What the hell is that?" Gill couldn't process what had just happened in front of him. Likewise Zen and Chiba didn't say anything. A monster who committed suicide, what is the meaning behind it?

Then Zen suddenly broke the silence, "Umm... guys, did you know that goblins are counted by the system as ordinary goblins."

"So?" said a wondering Gill.

"He's not the boss," Chiba continued.

Then suddenly the attention of the three of them turned towards the battlefield. They feel something bad is going to happen.