Gerard sat with Fletch at the inn. He drank from a large flagon of ale while Fletch ate rabbit stew. Occasionally, Sprite would communicate telepathically about her improved movement. One week had passed since Sprite received her new body, and preparations to visit the World Totem proceeded without delay.
"Hey, Trent, how's the jerky coming along?"
"Hmm. Almost ready."
"And will there be enough for at least a month's journey?"
"I think so."
*Really a man of few words.*
Fletch grasped Gerard's shoulder softly.
"You know, Scarlette's husband, Rena's father, he and I grew up together. Believe it or not, I'm two years older than him and taught him how to swing a sword and use a bow."
"Why did you stay in the village, then?"
"When we were eighteen and touched the World Totem together, he was given the warrior class, and I received the hunter class just like my father did before me. The difference in our strength was reversed, and he soon became much stronger than I ever could."
"That must have been tough."
"Nah, it's alright. I've saved this village with my hunting skills over the years, and I was always proud of everything Jerrick accomplished."
*Jerrick? Where else have I heard that name?*
"What was he like?"
"Jerrick? Brave, stupidly brave. He always cared about others, tried to do the right thing, and even sent most of his earnings back to the village so he could support us."
"He sounds like an incredible person."
"He was. Before he died, I heard he was close to being promoted to the paladin class."
"Promoted?"
"Ah, yes, some of the stronger classes have the opportunity to be promoted so long as you accomplish great things and defeat many foes."
"So, from a warrior to a paladin."
"Indeed."
*Too bad monsters don't have classes.*
"I'm sorry you all lost him."
"Me too, my friend."
"We're friends?"
"Of course. You've helped us many times already, what with you hunting the monsters in the woods every night."
"You knew?"
"Small place, this village. It doesn't take long for words to travel."
"Hmm. Rena?"
"Rena." Fletch nodded.
Gerard laughed. Asking a young woman to keep a secret that big was asking for trouble.
"Don't blame her, though. After she started talking, so did Roderick. The town calls you our resident Monster Hunter, you know, because you kill monsters, and you're one of our hunters." Fletch's reddened face glowed from the light of the lanterns.
"Yes, Fletch, I get it."
The two of them continued to drink ale and share stories until dusk. Gerard walked down the hall to his room and lay on his bed.
"I wouldn't mind staying here."
[Eventually, they'll notice you don't age. At that point, you'll either have to hope that they accept you, or you'll have to leave.]
"Yeah. I know. It's probably just a fanciful dream."
Gerard rested his eyes for a moment.
"Goblins! Goblins are here!"
Gerard opened his eyes, grabbed his sword, and rushed out of his room, through the inn, and onto the street.
"I thought I would have killed all of these little bastards." He quickly scanned his surroundings but couldn't see the enemy.
"You're up? Are you okay to fight?" Fletch looked Gerard up and down.
"Yeah, I'm good at handling my liquor."
*I'm finally glad to have that intoxication resistance.*
[Should I test my abilities here?]
*You might frighten some villagers. If any goblins sneak away, you're welcome to kill them.*
[Got it. That's why I said I wanted a cuter body, though.]
*Cute or not. Watching a living pile of metal massacre goblins would terrify anyone.*
[Oh. Maybe we should have used a human after all.]
*Let's focus on the fight.*
[Will do.]
Gerard watched the streets and walked closer to Fletch.
"Do you know how many there are?"
"No clue. Heard the warning, just like you. William must've gotten caught up in it."
Hearing that, Gerard rushed to the front gate.
"Wait!" Fletch called after him, but it was too late.
William sat against the front gate. Riddled with arrows, he coughed up blood.
The tip of one of the arrows embedded in the wall behind him glistened. The same brown-green liquid coated it from when the goblins attacked him in the forest.
*Goblin poison. Shit.*
Gerard knelt and looked at Willam with sincere sadness.
"I'm sorry."
William nodded, unable to get any words out. Gerard grabbed a knife from his belt and sunk it into his chest. William's head fell forward.
Overwhelming anger surged through Gerard's veins. He heard a bowstring pull back and deftly dodged an oncoming arrow.
"If you're from that nest. You all better believe you won't make it out of this alive!"
Gerard sprung forward. He felt the heat of his tears run down his face. A goblin sat in a small hole covered in mud, twigs, and leaves. Gerard looked around to see at least twenty more goblin heads poking out of holes in the ground.
*Sneaky bastards.*
The nearby goblin tried to scamper out of its hole, but Gerard slammed his sword down without looking. He felt the sword carve through its flesh, and that was enough.
He saw Fletch, a couple of guards, and the hunters come through the main gate and heard their saddened remarks.
Gerard concentrated on the holes.
*Stone Spike! Stone Spike! Stone Spike! Stone Spike!*
One after another, Gerard targeted all of the holes, and impaled goblins rose up into the open. The moonlight reflected off their bloody corpses.
[I've found a few goblins who snuck in through the back gate. You know, I think people would be more afraid of you than me.]
*Whatever. I'm going to kill them all. There has to be more.*
[Be careful.]
Gerard dashed into the forest. The sound of footsteps on the forest floor led him straight to them. A small encampment of goblins, three hobgoblins, and a larger goblin-like creature.
*Sprite?*
No response.
*Well, I guess we know the approximate range for our telepathic link. About a kilometre?*
Gerard stepped forward, his hands raised an a murderous gaze focused on his enemies.
*Hellfire!*
Fire engulfed the two hobgoblins, but they weathered the flames. Each hobgoblin wore a singular red ring.
*Magical protection?*
"You must've been the king's commander, and the rest of you would be his elite troops. Whatever. It doesn't matter. You all die here."
---
[You are suffering from mana depletion.]
Gerard limped out of the forest. Covered in the purple blood of the goblins, he looked like a monster himself. The group from the village raced up to him.
"Gerard? You were gone for over an hour. What happened?" Fletch asked.
"Fought goblin general. Hobgoblins with magic rings. Many goblins. I'm so tired..."
He collapsed on the ground as he handed Fletch the two red rings.