Chapter 40:Realization
Mikael continued his relentless assault, evading the mage's attacks and cutting down goblins one by one. The two hobgoblins, however, remained motionless near the shaman, seemingly guarding it. As the fight dragged on, Mikael sustained minor injuries from the mage's spells and occasional strikes from the goblins. None were life-threatening, but they slowly wore him down.
'These goblins are weak, but they're still annoying,' he thought as he dispatched the last of them.
Inwardly, Mikael reflected on the mage and hobgoblins' lack of strategy. 'The hobgoblin and the goblin mage are unbelievably dumb. If they had attacked me alongside their minions, things would have been much harder. Even weak goblins can't be ignored entirely, but they just stood there watching. Idiots!'
"Gobito! Gobiro! Attack strong human! Delicious food!" the goblin mage bellowed, signaling the two hobgoblins to charge while launching magical attacks to cover them.
The two hobgoblins attacked simultaneously, but Mikael's superior swordsmanship allowed him to hold his ground. However, the mage's interference made it difficult for him to gain the upper hand.
'I need to take out the mage, or this fight will drag on forever!' Mikael thought, rushing toward the goblin mage.
Gobito, one of the hobgoblins, intercepted him, forcing Mikael to halt. He swung his sword at the hobgoblin, but Gobito managed to parry the blow. Mikael retaliated with a powerful kick to the hobgoblin's ribs, sending it skidding several meters away from the impact.
As Gobito was pushed back, Mikael noticed a wind slash from the mage speeding toward him. With no time to dodge, he activated his aura cloak at maximum strength, bracing himself.
The magical attack tore through the aura cloak, slashing Mikael's chest and leaving a deep, bleeding gash. "Urgh!" he grunted in pain but had no time to dwell on the injury. Gobiro, the other hobgoblin, was already swinging its sword at his head, aiming to decapitate him.
Mikael raised his sword just in time to block the attack and simultaneously controlled his flying sword with an aura thread. The second sword shot toward Gobiro from behind, piercing its heart.
"Gobiro!" Gobito roared in anguish.