Paragon of Mana

The basilisk was as large as its dead companion, though its form narrower, with impenetrable scales draped over its entire body. They were grey scales with a smoother surface, unlike the stark sapphire tones of the other. The pair of eyes, however, were as menacing. Compared to the cold yellow eyes, it had a pair of narrow slits glaring in crimson.

Whereas its opponent, whom Dawn deemed as the goblin chief, was taller for a goblin, rising close to two metres tall, but the gulf in their bulk was too great to make a difference. Its form was robust compared to any of its underlings. It resembled an ogre more than a goblin. Draped in equally hideous bone armour, it held a large spear, blinking in and out of the darkness as it fought against the monstrosity.

A group of shamans assisted from behind. A couple of their leaders seemed far stronger than the ranks of shamans they had seen previously. Unfortunately, even with such high-ranking shamans among them, the goblins had no hope of triumphing against the basilisk, from what he could infer.

"Looks like it managed to advance to Tier 8," Dawn assessed. "But forcibly raising its rank might have left some side effects, which is only why the goblins were able to contend against it so far."

Compared to the basilisk, Ember was more interested in the Goblin Chief. For one thing, its form was robust compared to the diminutive and stocky figures of its counterparts. However, the most interesting aspect was its shadow jump ability. It was so proficient in it that it appeared as if it was teleporting from one spot to another, the highest jump carrying it over twenty metres. Yet, all that barely seemed to be a nuisance to the basilisk, failing to even penetrate its thick scales most of the time. As for the wounds the goblins had inflicted, none seemed grievous enough that the basilisk would chance a retreat.

"How long will this carry on?" Ember asked.

"The goblins will likely flee once their front line fails to hold up," Dawn said. "But they might be able to hold on for an hour or two. Let's wait for them to create an opening. We'll slip past without anyone noticing."

So they watched the war of attrition and the bombardment against the colossal serpent for about half an hour, as a clear gap appeared with the goblins' numbers falling. They wasted no more breath there, charging through the space the goblins left on their rear.

Perhaps the basilisk might have been able to see through Dawn's shadowy veil if it had been idle. But now, pressed by the strongest of the goblin forces, its main focus was elsewhere, making it rather easy for them to slip by.