章 63: Chapter 63: Hobgoblin Barracks
Chapter 63: Hobgoblin Barracks
Odin's muscles began to loosen as the stun effect wore off, his crimson eyes blazing with cold energy. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as the oppressive aura of the Boss monster seemed to thicken around the chamber. Watching Grukthar's glowing wounds knit together, Odin's gaze darkened.
The monster's laugh echoed once more as his health ticked upward.
[Grukthar Heals for 10% of Max HP: Current HP 87,273/125,525.]
"This fight will drag on forever in a Duo format."
His gaze shifted to Malfurion, who was already weaving a spell. "Try to kill one of those miners, Malf. I'll take care of the rest." Odin's tone was calm but firm, cutting through the chaos of the battlefield.
Malfurion glanced at him, his eyes sharp as he finished his chant, golden light swirling around his hands. "Understood, but watch your footing."
Odin nodded, his expression softening slightly at Malfurion's concern. "Don't worry about me. Focus on the miners. Every second we buy keeps that overgrown mole from healing more."
"Guildmaster," he replied quickly, though there was a hint of doubt in his tone. "But… Shouldn't we focus more on the boss?"
Odin's crimson eyes flicked to him, their intensity commanding focus. "No. Let me worry about Grukthar. Those miners are feeding him. Every piece of ore they deliver is undoing our work."
He shifted his sword to a ready stance. "If you hesitate, Malf, we'll be stuck in this loop until we run out of mana or die. Can you handle it?"
Malfurion straightened under the weight of Odin's words, his grip tightening on his staff. "Yes, boss. I'll take care of it."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Odin's lips. "You've come this far, Malf. Prove to me it wasn't a mistake bringing you here."
"Yes, Guildmaster," Malfurion said, his confidence bolstered by the trust Odin placed in him.
Odin shifted his attention back to the battlefield, his voice cutting through again like steel.
"Focus on the closest one by the far vein. I'll clear the rest."
He shifted his weight, ignoring the lingering tremors in his limbs. With a quick motion, he summoned his mana, channeling his focus into the next spellcast he was about to unleash.
"Magic Missile."
A brilliant red projectile streaked through the air, striking one of the goblin miners squarely in the chest. The creature shrieked as its body crumpled to the ground, its death cutting short its frantic clawing at a vein.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.]
[You have slain the Goblin Miner (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 1,450 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, Vein-Shard Fragment (Rare), 18 Silver Coins]
Odin barely had time to register the kill as the ground beneath him trembled violently. Grukthar's guttural roar echoed through the chamber, and the massive hobgoblin lunged forward, its claws slicing through the air.
Odin sidestepped just in time, the strike barely missing him as he anticipated the next move. He was constantly calculating his counters and what possible chances he could take according to the boss's exposed vitals.
The boss plunged into the earth, leaving a trail of disturbed rock and glowing cracks in its wake.
Odin gripped his sword tightly and readied himself. "Come on, show me where you'll pop up."
As the tremors beneath Odin's feet intensified, he steeled himself, his crimson eyes narrowing as he felt the vibrations move in an erratic pattern. Grukthar was burrowing again, the earth shifting and cracking in a wide arc as the boss prepared to ambush him. Odin took a deep breath, his mind racing.
"Come on, Goblin Mole," he remarked, taunting the monster who could clearly hear him from underneath him, adjusting his grip on his sword. "I know you won't stay underground for long."
The air around him began to stir as he called forth his power. Mana surged through his body, intertwining with the natural currents of the wind. A faint green-blue glow emanated from his blade, growing brighter with each passing second.
'Tempest Sword: Cyclone of Blades.'
[User has consumed 850 MP]
The chamber roared to life as a whirlwind exploded around him, spiraling outward. The currents of wind became visible, translucent blades slicing through the air with a high-pitched whistle. Loose rocks and debris were sucked into the vortex, shattering into fragments as they were pulled into the cyclone's fury.
The ground erupted with a deafening crack as Grukthar burst upward, the hobgoblin's monstrous frame emerging from the earth. Its claws slashed wildly as it launched itself toward Odin, but the Cyclone met its ambush head-on.
The wind blades struck Grukthar with brutal precision, carving deep gashes into its thick armor. The boss let out a guttural roar of pain, its glowing red eyes blazing with fury as it tried to shield itself from the onslaught. The powerful winds seemed to pull the creature forward, forcing it to stagger closer to Odin.
[You have dealt 6,594 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 6,733 damage to the target.]
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 13,467 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 6,498 damage to the target.]
Odin's eyes narrowed as he saw the bleeding wounds dotting the boss's torso. The Cyclone's relentless assault left jagged marks along Grukthar's body, and the glowing veins of ore embedded in its skin flickered as if dimming under the strain.
The boss swiped mindlessly, its massive claws cutting through the air. Odin ducked under one strike and sidestepped another, the winds of his cyclone masking his precise movements. His presence felt like a phantom in the storm, impossible to pin down.
"Is this all you've got, Mole?" Odin taunted, his voice low but sharp.
Grukthar let out another roar, this time tinged with frustration. Its claws slammed into the ground, creating a shockwave that briefly disrupted the cyclone's outer edges. Seizing the moment, the boss dove back into the earth, its massive form vanishing into the ground like a serpent retreating into its burrow.
The winds of Odin's Cyclone slowed, then stilled entirely as the skill's duration came to an end. The chamber fell silent except for the faint rumbling of Grukthar tunneling below.
Odin adjusted his stance, his sword still glowing faintly with residual energy.
[Grukthar the Tunneler - LV.125](Boss) (53,981/125,525 HP)
'Tsk, I didn't manage to transition to Phase 3. He ran just when the cyclone was about to strike two more times.'
"Running away again?" Odin muttered, his voice calm but laced with annoyance. He tightened his grip on his weapon, readying himself for the next ambush.
He allowed himself a slight smirk. "You can't hide forever. Sooner or later, I'll grab you out from your mole.."
From the corner of his eye, he caught Malfurion launching his spell.
"Wrath of the Wilds!"
The druid called out, and,immediately, a flurry of green energy erupted around another miner. Vines lashed out to ensnare it, and bursts of natural energy pummeled the goblin into submission. The creature shrieked, then fell silent as its life force was snuffed out.
[Your party member 'Malfurion' has slain the Goblin Miner (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 1,450 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, Vein-Shard Fragment (Rare), 18 Silver Coins]
"Well done, Malf," Odin acknowledged quickly, his voice sharp and focused.
The two remaining miners scampered across the rocky terrain, their jagged claws scraping at the ground as they made a beeline for the glowing red veins. Their movements were frantic and almost insect-like, driven by the Boss's command to feed its endless hunger.
Odin's crimson eyes narrowed, his mind calculating every step of the battle. He couldn't afford to let them detonate another ore vein.
'I need an AoE for them since they seem to be synchronized to mine the ore at around the same time.'
With a sharp intake of breath, Odin surged forward, his boots barely brushing the ground as he activated Whirlwind Blade. The mana within him flared, and his sword became an extension of the storm itself.
'Whirlwind Blade'
[User has consumed 200 MP]
He spun with ferocity, the air around him whistling as his blade arced through the air in rapid succession. The first miner barely had time to turn its beady eyes toward him before it was caught in the storm of slashes. Each strike carved deep into its brittle frame, and the goblin screeched as the relentless assault tore it apart.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 12,124 damage to the target.]
[You have dealt 6,160 damage to the target.]
[You have slain the Goblin Miner (Normal) ×2, gaining the following rewards: 2,90 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×3, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×2, Vein-Shard Fragment (Rare), Torn Goblin Satchel (Common) ×1 55 Silver Coins]
The miner's lifeless body crumpled to the ground in a heap, its claws twitching once before falling still. Odin came to a halt, the momentum of his spin dissipating smoothly as he surveyed the battlefield.
But there was no time to celebrate.
The last miner had clawed its way to another vein, dislodging a chunk of ore. The chamber dimmed momentarily before a fiery explosion erupted.
[Ore Explosion Triggered]
[You have been stunned for 2 seconds.]
[You have suffered 9,500 damage.]
Odin grimaced, the fiery shockwave stunning him briefly.
The concussive force left his ears ringing, his vision blurring momentarily as he fought to stay upright. His sword felt heavier in his hand, his balance precarious as he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus.
Through the haze of disorientation, Odin saw the miner mere feet away from its target, its claws reaching out toward the vein.
"Not today," Odin growled, his voice low and resolute.
As the stun from the explosion wore off, his instincts sharpened once more.
Odin activated Piercing Thrust.
His sword shot forward like a spear, the tip glowing faintly with residual mana as it struck the miner's chest, driving straight through its frail body with a sickening crunch.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 16,421 damage to the target.]
[You have slain the Goblin Miner (Normal), gaining the following rewards: 1,450 EXP, Goblin's Ear (Common) ×2, Goblin's Leather Scrap (Common) ×1, Vein-Shard Fragment (Rare), 18 Silver Coins]
The miner let out a garbled shriek, its clawed hands faltering mere inches from the vein. Blood bubbled from its mouth as it collapsed into a lifeless heap, its body convulsing once before going still.
Odin pulled his blade free with a swift motion, its metallic sheen catching the dim light of the chamber. He exhaled sharply, his breath misting in the cold air as he straightened.
Wiping the blood from his blade against the fallen miner's ragged tunic, Odin turned his attention back to the fight.
"Time to put an end to this Whack-A-Mole game."
Odin muttered to himself, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he braced for the boss's next move.
Grukthar's gnarled claws erupted from the rocky floor, showering debris as he broke the surface once again. His enraged bellow reverberated through the chamber, but Odin was ready. Sovereign Insight pulsed within him, granting a moment of perfect clarity.
He could feel the subtle shifts in the air, the faint delay in Grukthar's movements.
[You have consumed (5) Red Energy]
Time seemed to slow, every detail around him crystal clear.
A jagged fissure split the ground just ahead, and with an earth-shaking roar, Grukthar erupted into the chamber. The Hobgoblin boss's hulking form was coated in thick layers of stone armor, its claws glinting like blades as it emerged, ready to wreak havoc. Its beady eyes burned with primal rage as it scanned the battlefield for its prey.
But Odin was ready.
'Magic Missile'
A brilliant sphere of arcane energy formed instantly in his outstretched hand, its surface swirling with concentrated mana. The spell shimmered with an intense glow, crackling with raw power. Odin's fingers twitched slightly, guiding the missile with pinpoint precision toward the exact spot where Grukthar's head would be.
The arcane projectile shot forward like a bolt of lightning, carving through the air with a high-pitched whine.
The Hobgoblin barely had time to register its presence before the missile struck its mark. The impact was devastating—an explosion of energy erupted against Grukthar's craggy skull, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 14,350 damage to the target.]
Grukthar howled in pain, his massive body recoiling as the force of the impact left a jagged crack running down his stony armor. The spell's energy rippled through his form, momentarily disrupting his balance.
Odin smirked, his voice cold and unyielding. "Welcome back, rat."
Without hesitation, Odin surged forward, his movements fluid and precise as he prepared to capitalize on the opening. Grukthar snarled, shaking off the remnants of the attack, but the next wave of Odin's assault was already underway.
'Swift Charge'
The blade struck Grukthar's side with an audible crack, sending the monster reeling and stunning him briefly. Without hesitation, Odin transitioned into Blade of Echoes, his sword shimmering with arcane energy.
[You have consumed 500 MP.]
His Guardian Blade pulsed, a crackling arcane force building at its edge. With a swift motion, he swung the blade forward, unleashing a shockwave of arcane energy that rippled outward in a frontal cone.
The strike landed, followed by a shockwave of energy rippling from the impact. Grukthar froze mid-motion. The stun now extended to a full two seconds.
[You have dealt 13,586 damage to the target.]
['Grukthar the Tunneler' has been stunned by 2 seconds.]
"Let's make this count."
Raising his free hand, he channeled his mana, the air around him humming with latent energy.
'Arcane Explosion'
[User has consumed 800 MP]
In an instant, a surge of crimson energy erupted from him, and then a wave of arcane power engulfed Grukthar in its radius. The energy tore through the hobgoblin, battering his stone-like hide and leaving fissures in the once-impenetrable surface.
[You have dealt 11,317 damage to the target.]
Moments later, the ground shuddered again as the 'Arcane Aftershock' rippled through the chamber.
Although the aftershocks were less visually dramatic than the initial explosion, they were no less devastating, erupting in smaller but still powerful bursts.
[You have dealt 2,155 damage to the target]
[Grukthar the Tunneler - LV.125](Boss) (12,591/125,525 HP)
As Grukthar faltered from the burst of damage that Odin had unleashed, it let out an ear-splitting roar, his body trembling as he entered Phase 3. The ground shook violently, cracks spidering across the chamber floor as his aura flared with newfound power.
[Grukthar the Tunneler has activated Stone Fortification.]
[Grukthar gains 50% increased defense and immunity to crowd control for 15 seconds.]
His rocky form solidified, jagged spines protruding from his shoulders and back. Simultaneously, the monster's eyes glowed with molten fury as he began channeling his ultimate ability.
[Grukthar the Tunneler has activated Earth's Wrath.]
[Players have 5 seconds to leave the 25-meter radius.]
"Continue doing damage, Malfurion! We can take him down without prolonging this fight." Odin commanded in the voice chat, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"My damage got lower than before because of the defense increase!"
"It's fine. One more attack sequence and this rat is done for it."
He leaped backward, his boots skidding across the loose rubble as the oppressive energy of Grukthar's attack built up. The hobgoblin's body shimmered with fiery cracks as his Enraged state took hold, his strikes growing faster and more ferocious.
[Grukthar the Tunneler is Enraged. Attack speed and damage increased by 50%. Threat target: Odin.]
The Boss lunged toward him, claws tearing through the air with deadly precision.
Odin dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a blow that would have cleaved him in two. "Not this time," he growled, already charging his next move.
Grukthar raised his claws to finish the Earth's Wrath channel, but Odin acted swiftly.
'Magic Missile'
Another arcane bolt streaked toward the boss, striking him square in the face and momentarily halting his advance.
[You have dealt 5,638 damage to the target]
'The increase in defense doesn't work on my magic spells. That magic penetration for sure is something broken.'
Odin's crimson eyes narrowed as he analyzed the enemy's every move.
Grukthar's Earth's Wrath loomed dangerously close to completion, an aura of raw, destructive energy building rapidly around him. "We end this now."
Odin's hands tightened on the hilt of his sword, the blade glinting with a faint, icy-blue aura as he prepared to unleash his ultimate skill. Arcane energy pulsed within him, and his focus sharpened to a razor's edge.
'Tempest Sword – Final Wind'
[User has consumed 1000 MP]
The room seemed to hush as mana surged into Odin's weapon, the blade beginning to hum with growing intensity. A gust of wind spiraled outward from him, scattering dust and loose debris in a whirling vortex.
His figure became the eye of a brewing storm, the sheer force of the energy drawing Malfurion's gaze.
"That's… incredible," Malfurion muttered, pausing his spellcasting to admire the display.
Odin raised his sword high, the tempest growing larger with each passing second. The air around him shimmered with concentrated wind, twisting into an enormous cyclone that engulfed his form.
The cavern itself seemed to buckle under the raw power, small rocks dislodging from the ceiling as the storm reached its peak.
Grukthar roared defiantly, his clawed hands slamming into the ground to steady himself against the oncoming fury. Despite his massive size and stone armor, the Hobgoblin staggered under the pressure of the winds tearing at him.
And then Odin struck.
The cyclone coalesced into a single, devastating slash as he brought his blade down in a swift, powerful arc. The unleashed wind magic surged forward like a hurricane's wrath, a massive crescent of shimmering energy slicing through the air with unrelenting force.
The attack connected with Grukthar in a thunderous explosion, the shockwave tearing through his defenses.
The sound of shattering stone echoed like a hundred boulders splitting apart, and cracks spiderwebbed across the Hobgoblin's hardened armor.
[Critical Hit!]
[You have dealt 24,890 damage to the target.]
The Hobgoblin collapsed with an earth-shaking crash, his lifeless form sprawling across the chamber floor. The glow of his enraged state dissipated, leaving behind only the faint hum of Odin's sword as the energy around him subsided.
[You have slain 'Grukthar the Tunneler' gaining the following rewards: 1,125,000 EXP, Tunneler's Core (Rare), Burrower's Hide (Uncommon), Fragment of Earthsong (Epic), Grukthar's Engraved Pickaxe (Unique), Magma-Infused Ore (Rare) ×2, Pulsating Red Vein (Uncommon) ×3, Weapon Enhancement Stone ×2, Armor Enhancement Stone ×4, 160 Gold Coins]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
…
[You have leveled up! Congratulations on reaching level 105.]
For a moment, there was only silence, save for the heavy breathing of the two 'Chosen Ones'.
Odin straightened, his crimson eyes still sharp as he surveyed the battlefield. Then, with a faint smile, he turned toward Malfurion and gave him an approving thumbs up.
"Good work, Malf," Odin said, wiping the blood and dust from his blade. "With this rate, we'll be done with this dungeon in one to two hours."
Malfurion gave a tired but genuine smile, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thanks. But you were the one who kept it all together. If I were with Purphoros, Elyse, and the others from the first group, we would have wiped straight from Phase 1."
"I swear, you've got ice in your veins." His voice was a little weak, his mana wholly drained from the battle.
"Eh, it's nothing," Odin said, a modest shrug brushing off the compliment. "I've faced worse, such as Archdemons or Draconians. After one year of playing Satisfy World, you get a grasp of how to manage your resources."
"But you're right— you guys would have wiped out since this boss seems like a DPS check before advancing into the instance."
He glanced up at Odin, then looked at the loot pile left in the aftermath of Grukthar's fall. "Speaking of which, I think we've earned a little break, yeah?"
Odin's eyes flickered to the glowing items that had dropped, but apart from the Unique-rated item, the rest were trash, and at the same time, he couldn't quite make use of the Pickaxe since he didn't have a Miner sub profession.
Malfurion had been through a lot in this battle, and it wasn't the first time Odin had seen him push himself to the brink of exhaustion for the team.
"Yeah, we'll take a breather and recover before setting off," Odin said, crouching down to gather the loot.
He casually tossed the gold coins into his inventory before looking over at Malfurion again. "I'll give you half of these. You earned them."
Malfurion blinked, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Wait, what? No, you don't have to do that. You did most of the work on the boss—"
"Nonsense," Odin interrupted with a light chuckle, shaking his head. "You think I wouldn't? You're my teammate. I can afford to share. Besides, you've more than earned it. I can't carry all this weight alone."
***
[Grukthar's Engraved Pickaxe]
Rating: Unique
Durability: 219/219
Attack Power: 87
* The chances of acquiring advanced minerals will increase by 10%.
* The chances of acquiring the highest grade minerals will increase by 5%.
* The skill 'Intermediate Mining Technique' Lv. 1 will be generated.
* Increases mining speed by 20% and reduces stamina consumption by 15% during prolonged mining sessions.
* When striking particularly dense rock or mineral formations, has a 5% chance to cause a seismic shockwave, breaking nearby rocks, and revealing additional resources within a 10-meter radius.
A mighty pickaxe forged from the hardened bones of Grukthar the Tunneler, a hobgoblin who ruled the subterranean depths.
It's sturdy yet oddly lightweight, allowing its wielder to harness its power to unearth precious resources. Its sharpness can easily cut through layers of rock and dirt, while the enchanted handle provides a firm grip that reduces fatigue during long hours of mining.
With this pickaxe, even a five-year-old child can collect high-quality iron ore.
User Restriction: Level 125 or higher.
Weight: 45
***
Having enough time to recharge their HP and MP, and some of their lost Stamina Energy, the Duo resumed their raiding, more to the Druid's distress because he felt overwhelmed doing a dungeon with only Odin.
Still slowly advancing past the Grukthar's chamber, the dimly lit tunnels gradually gave way to a broader, more structured chamber as Odin and Malfurion emerged from the Outer Tunnels.
The entrance to the Hobgoblin Barracks loomed before them, its heavy wooden doors reinforced with iron bands. Faint noises of activity filtered through—gruff voices, the clang of metal, and guttural laughter that hinted at the organized chaos within.
Odin motioned for Malfurion to pause, raising a hand as he scanned the entrance. His crimson eyes flickered with a sharp glow as he activated Sovereign Insight, gaining a clearer sense of what lay ahead.
"Wait," he said, his voice low but firm. "I'm scouting ahead."
Malfurion nodded, gripping his staff tightly. "No arguments here. Those doors scream 'ambush' to me."
'It doesn't cost me much to activate Magic Detection.'
He closed his eyes and began to channel another spell, his mana surging like an electric current through his veins.
'Magic Detection'
[User has consumed 3,000 MP]
The moment Odin began to channel the spell, the arcane symbols around him flared, illuminating the immediate area.
Within seconds, Odin's mana expanded outward in a wave, like a ripple in a still pond, flooding the surrounding area with his energy.
The spell reached far, beginning to return information.
Odin stood motionless, his mind flooded with feedback as the spell worked its magic. Each pulse returned detailed information—locations, movements, even hints of strength. His brow furrowed as the sheer number of entities revealed themselves.
The goblins and hobgoblins weren't just loitering; they were stationed in defensive formations. Hobgoblin warriors stood at the forefront, armed with shields and axes, while archers and smaller goblins hid behind crates and barricades, waiting for their chance to strike.
Odin's jaw tightened as he sensed the oppressive organization of the enemy forces.
"Damn," he muttered, opening his eyes.
Malfurion raised an eyebrow, his tone cautious. "What's the verdict, Boss?"
Odin exhaled sharply. "Good news first?"
Malfurion forced a smile, though his grip on his staff tightened. "Always."
Odin's lips curled into a dry smirk. "Good news is, we don't have any boss monsters waiting for us in there."
Malfurion perked up slightly. "No boss? That's a relief. So, what's the—"
Odin cut him off, his tone darkening. "But," he continued, "the bad news is… this room is packed. Dozens of goblins and hobgoblins. Archers, warriors, and probably even a few shamans. It's a small army."
Malfurion blinked, the color draining from his face. "Define 'packed.'"
"Wall-to-wall," Odin replied grimly.
Malfurion groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. And the other bad news?"
Odin's voice softened, though it carried a weight of seriousness. "This fight could get messy. You or I might die if we take too many hits. You especially, given how squishy you are."
Malfurion scowled. "Squishy? I prefer 'highly specialized.'"
"Semantics," Odin shot back, his smirk returning briefly. "Point is, I'll be the one drawing aggro. You hang back—focus on healing, buffs, and staying alive. Dodge what you can. I'll handle nuking the goblins and hobgoblins."
Malfurion gave a theatrical sigh. "You know, for once, I'd like to be the one charging headlong into danger while you play backup."
Odin chuckled. "Yeah, no offense, Malf, but you're not exactly built for that. Just stick to the plan, and we'll make it through this."
Malfurion tilted his head. "You sound confident. How sure are you this plan will work?"
Odin glanced at the glowing arcane symbols still hovering faintly around him, his crimson eyes glinting with determination. "About 70%. Maybe 80% if you don't trip over your own feet."
Malfurion snorted. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll try to stay upright."
"Do that," Odin replied, stepping toward the doors. He placed both hands on the reinforced wood, his gauntlets creaking against the iron bands.
Malfurion adjusted his stance, murmuring an incantation to summon a protective shield around himself. "Ready when you are."
Odin grinned, his voice low and steady. "Let's crash their little party."
With a mighty push, the heavy doors groaned open, and chaos awaited.
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