Chapter 4: Shackled and Marked
The elves sighed in relief when they saw Kaito kill the goblin cub.
Hearing the voice of the world, Kaito remained indifferent. His cold eyes fixed on the last surviving goblin cub.
Click!
The old wooden door creaked open, letting a sliver of light spill into the dim room. The faint glow revealed the grim scene — a room turned morgue, blood pooling across the floor, goblin bodies strewn everywhere.
"What's going on?"
Two adult goblins entered, followed by a goblin wielding a staff.
The foul stench of blood filled the air. The goblins froze at the sight before them.
The goblin shaman's eyes swept over the trembling, pale women cowering in the corner. It immediately dismissed the idea that they were responsible. They were too weak — crippled by exhaustion, pain, and the curse the shaman had placed on them.
"Crack!"
A sharp cry drew their attention. In a shadowed corner, two goblin cubs remained — one standing, stone in hand, poised to strike the other.
"Stop!" the goblin shaman shouted.
The adult goblins moved fast, one rushing toward Kaito.
Kaito knew he had no time. He raised the stone and swung down —
But the adult goblin's hand slapped his wrist, knocking the stone free.
Another goblin lunged for his legs. Kaito jumped back, narrowly dodging the grab. In the same motion, he kicked the falling stone mid-air.
Swish!
The stone shot across the room —
Bang!
"Crack!!!"
The stone drove straight into the goblin cub's left eye. It screamed and writhed in pain, clutching its ruined face.
"Crack, crack!"
The adult goblin who tried to grab Kaito froze, stunned by the precision of the strike.
Is this really a newborn cub? It felt like facing a battle-hardened veteran.
While the goblin hesitated, Kaito advanced toward the injured goblin cub.
The other adult goblin snapped out of its daze, lunging to intercept.
Swish!
Kaito flung a handful of sand into the goblin's face.
Bang!
A second stone struck the goblin's eye. It staggered back, howling in agony.
Kaito reached the injured goblin cub, stone in hand, ready to end it.
"Bold!"
The goblin shaman finally acted. With a flick of its staff, a green light spread across the floor.
Bang!
Vines shot up from the ground, binding Kaito mid-air. He struggled, but the vines held tight.
"What... is this?" Kaito muttered, eyes narrowing at the unnatural vines wrapping around him. His gaze shifted to the goblin shaman, still gripping its glowing staff.
"Good job!" one of the adult goblins sneered. "Thought you were tough, huh?"
It raised a wooden club, grinning maliciously as it moved closer.
"Heh, arrogant brat... I'll make you pay for what you did to my eye."
The club swung down —
"No, don't!"
The elf woman suddenly rushed forward, shielding Kaito with her body. Her arms wrapped around him tightly as she closed her eyes, bracing for the blow.
Kaito froze. The warmth of her embrace washed over him, a comfort he hadn't felt in so long. Instinctively, his muscles relaxed.
"Stop!" a voice barked.
The club halted inches above the elf's head. The goblin holding it scowled and turned to glare at the shaman.
"Why'd you stop me?!" the goblin growled. "That brat killed our cubs!"
"I've informed the general," the shaman replied coolly. "This matter is no longer ours to handle."
The shaman ignored the goblin's protests and focused on the injured cub. Its magic began mending the damaged eye socket.
"This goblin cub's fate will be decided by the general," the shaman added.
The angry goblin gritted its teeth, trembling with frustration. It wanted nothing more than to crush Kaito's skull. But the general's authority was absolute. Defiance meant death.
"Tch..." The goblin cursed under its breath and stomped away.
But before leaving, its eyes lingered on the elf holding Kaito.
A twisted grin crept across its face. "Heh... I'll deal with you soon enough."