บท 33: Goblin Fortress (1)

Adam quickly reached the two as he observed them carefully. This mission was intriguing him, questing with NPCs was definitely a first, in past games one could have the assistance of an NPC but it wasn't the same, it would be way different than with players.

But here, he was basically getting carried by NPCs, and although there looked like there would be a problem mater down the quest, it still was a unique experience.

When Adam reached Eddy and Louisa, the former had a welcoming smile on his face while the latter was looking at him up and down clearly judging him. He decided to ignore her and he greeted Eddy.

"So, what's the plan once inside?"

Eddy replied "The fortress used to belong to a powerful warrior and his army, way more powerful than any goblin we will encounter. However that warrior was defeated by an enemy and the fortress was partially destroyed. That's why, the layout of the fortress is not complicated.

There are three layers, with stairs between the different layers. All the goblins in the first layer are the basic goblins fighting with short swords and a few with bows. The first layer isn't really much of a challenge.

The next one is more dangerous though. Apart from the basic goblins, there will be some Elite Shamans who can launch offensive spells or buffs and boons. There are also some Elite fighters the hobgoblins, they are basic goblins who evolved."

Adam asked "This sounds quite risky. How many monsters are there in there?"

Eddy said "It is hard indeed. There are tens of goblins per layer, maybe even above a hundred in each."

Adam nodded, he intended on fighting, and although the number of monsters would make the task hard, he had 6 Level 20 NPCs with him.

Adam suddenly felt a presence sneaking up on them, and his hand suddenly shot up to grab the head of the hidden assassin. Louisa and Eddy were stunned to see Adam suddenly move, but even more so when they saw someone appear in Adam's hand.

However when they saw who it was they facepalmed at the same time. Meanwhile, Adam looked at the assassin whom he was holding by the throat, he knew that face, it was the assassin from the team, who was now desperately struggling out of his grip.

Adam now understood that this assassin may be higher leveled than the assassins after him, he was way less skilled. He had felt him coming from meters ahead and even when he caught him he wasn't able to free himself.

For the assassins sent against him, there was one of them who left a lasting impression on Adam because of what she did. She was the last one sent, a Level 19 Assassin.

She was the hardest one he fought, she was faster than him, but in the end the difference in Martial Arts was way too big and he quickly got her. However, he had to catch her three times in total, as the first two times she had successfully wriggled out of his arms despite being unarmed, and while being weaponless.

In comparison, this Breyn, despite being a Dark Elf Assassin, his first reaction being held in a choke was generic, he wasn't able to extract himself.

Adam let the poor elf go, and as he left his grip Breyn fell to the ground while holding his throat. Louisa sighed and crouched next to the Dark Elf and said "Breyn, I already told you to try to prank people you don't know."

Breyn pointed at Adam and said "You weren't supposed to be this strong! And how did you even notice me!"

Adam shrugged and replied "I've had stronger Assassins than you attacking me, if I couldn't detect someone like you then I would be dead already."

Next to him, Eddy patted his shoulder and said "You are strong, stronger than I thought. Despite being Level 14 you were able to defeat Breyn instantly. Will you fight with us?"

Adam nodded and so Eddy said "Good, we will be going now."

Adam looked at his right and saw that the remaining members of the team were heading this way. There was the twin dwarfs, Vodmir and Vastrik as well as the Orc Knight Baugh.

It was quite the funny sight seeing the tall orc next to the two short dwarfs, but in this world it was a common sight. On the inside though Adam couldn't help but wonder about the players who chose to become Dwarves.

They had nice bonuses, but barely reaching everyone's hip didn't help with pride. However, their short build allowed them to fight in a special way, and the dwarves were way more agile than anyone thought.

As everyone was already there the group finally hit the road. The Goblin Fortress was quite far from the city, and the group would have to go though several maps before reaching the fortress.

On the road, Baugh and Breyn took care of all the monsters they crossed, but because they were walking on the roads instead of deep in the maps they didn't encounter too many monsters.

An hour and a half later, the group of adventurers finally reached the Goblin Fortress. They couldn't help but sigh once their eyes set on the fortress. It had once been a majestic fortress that awed countless men, but it had now fallen to a dire state.

Vines grew across the walls, destroying them even further. At the entrance, two goblins stood guard, but they still hadn't seen them.

The group had stopped across a little hill which allowed them to hide themselves. Eddy turned to the others and said "Unfortunately our only long ranged fighter is gone, so we will have to make without her."

Adam nodded, he had already asked why they didn't have any long ranged fighter, after all this was a huge flaw in a team to only have melee fighters. Their only Ranger however had already gone back to her ancestral lands, Feynwoods, to take her test for Bronze Rank.

However, unlike her, the others wanted to uplift their chances for their promotions.

Unlike the latter promotions, the promotion to Bronze Rank couldn't be said to be hard to pass, anyone could literally pass it. However, the Bronze Rank Promotion was unique in the sense that depending on their results they would get a different class.

So even if someone does their absolute worst, they would still become Bronze Rank, but they would get the worst class and in the future it would become hard to even rank up to Silver.

The worst class someone can get is E Class, and the best was SSS Class. Most people would get a C Class, with the elites of this world getting B Class. From A Class on though, only the best would get them.

An SSS Class was extremely rare, but it wasn't actually the rarest class. Actually, the rarest class was E Class, because of how bad someone needs to be to get the worst E Class. Of course, despite it being rare, it doesn't mean one would get a secret transcendental class for daring to force an E Class, it would really be trash.

Anyway, back to the adventurers, their Ranger was confidant she would at least get a B Class, while the others didn't know whether they would get a C or B rank, and thus wanted to acquire the item in the Goblin Fortress, which was said to be of help for one's promotion.

As for Adam, he had no idea what the trial for his promotion would be, and even after he asked the others they wouldn't tell him. He wondered if that was because they didn't know themselves or the system wanted to hide it to him.

Eddy then explained his plan "For the first two layers, our formation won't be complicated. Vodmir and Vastrik take the lead, I will take the back. Adam and Baugh you take the sides, and Louisa is in the center to heal anyone who needs to be healed. Finally, Breyn you stay within the formation, and wait for the long ranged goblins. In the first layer you can just kill every archer you see, but in the second layer you must be careful, and don't try to take the Shamans by yourself, push them to us or immobilize them while I come to finish them off. For the last layer, we will think about that when we get there."

(Author's Note: If you are wondering, Eddy calling Adam by his name isn't a mistake, but during the trip Adam told them his name, once again he isn't afraid of other people discovering his real world's identity, he wants them to, and it is easier to yell 'Adam' than 'Valiant Heart' if one is in danger)