When life presents you with an opportunity, there are only two choices: take the risk and claim the reward, or step away and let it pass.
Right now, that risk came in the form of twenty or so goblins under the command of a High Born.
And the reward?
The woman.
Or, more accurately, the Countess.
"Help me... please... leave me alone..."
Weeping and begging from the floor was undoubtedly Countess Marcella Mitchfall.
Bran recognized her. She had visited the town several times with her family, so he had seen her on more than one occasion. But seeing her reduced to this state was difficult to comprehend. Someone of her standing should have had an entire convoy of guards protecting her, not been left helpless in the depths of a goblin cave.
Yet Bran knew one thing for certain.
Saving her would earn him far more than the system’s reward.
’Oh, I am one lucky man.’
A grin tugged at his lips as he quickly surveyed the cave.
He remained concealed beneath his stealth skill, and judging by the lack of reaction from the High Born, even that creature had been unable to sense him.
Good.
Still, Bran refused to grow careless. The High Born was clearly stronger than the other goblins, and if he let his guard down, it could detect him before he had the chance to strike.
His gaze swept across the cave.
It stretched roughly thirty meters from one end to the other, and his enhanced night vision allowed him to see clearly despite the dimness.
"Gaaah! What is this?!"
Marcella’s sudden cry drew his attention.
Her clothes had been torn apart, and some foul, muddy substance was being rubbed across her exposed body.
Bran’s eyes narrowed.
’System, can I get any information about that substance?’
[Not poisonous, Host. It is intended to increase arousal and fertility in mammals. The goblins are preparing her.]
"..."
As expected, goblins were strange creatures.
Couldn’t they find someone of their own kind?
Then again, looking at the Countess, he could understand why they were tempted to take her...
’Man, need to gather my thoughts.’
His grip tightened around his knife.
Rather than attacking immediately, he continued his careful advance toward the High Born. The creature’s eyes remained fixed on Marcella, and from the way it watched her, Bran had little doubt that it intended to claim the first share.
That made his decision even easier.
Bran slipped between the goblins, weaving through their scattered positions while barely making a sound. Within seconds, he had closed the distance to the High Born.
"Hmm?"
The goblin suddenly tilted its head and narrowed its eyes.
Bran froze.
For a brief moment, his heart tightened as he wondered whether he had been detected.
But after a few seconds, the goblin simply turned its attention back toward Marcella.
Bran quietly exhaled.
He moved closer.
And closer.
The creature stood at least half a head taller than him, but its exposed neck offered exactly the opening he needed.
One swift stab.
That would be enough.
’Here goes nothing.’
Bran abruptly drew his poisoned knife and lunged.
Before the blade could reach its target, however, a massive arm swung toward him.
BAM!
The blow caught Bran and sent him staggering backward. His body slammed hard against the cave wall.
"Grrr..."
The High Born growled as its eyes finally locked onto him.
Bran clicked his tongue.
So that was it.
The scent of the poison must have given him away.
There was no point maintaining stealth anymore.
Bran released the skill and revealed himself to the entire group.
Every goblin immediately rose to its feet.
Whatever interest they had shown in Marcella vanished in an instant. More than twenty pairs of eyes turned toward Bran, their expressions shifting from surprise to hostility.
Bran tightened his grip around the knife, holding it in a reverse grip as he faced them.
"Come at me."
"Raaah!"
The High Born was the first to charge.
Being the closest, it had reacted before the others could even move. And in its mind, the fact that it had detected Bran in the middle of his ambush had already proven its superiority.
Now, it intended to make that superiority absolute.
Bran snickered and thrust his blade forward.
The goblin saw the attack coming and caught his wrist with enough strength to make him wince.
The creature snickered as it stepped closer.
Its dark green eyes stared down at him with pure amusement. It slowly licked its lips before releasing his wrist and wrapping one hand around his throat.
"Agh..."
Bran groaned as the creature suddenly lifted him from the ground. Despite its unnaturally thin arms, the monster possessed frightening strength.
With Bran’s feet dangling several inches above the ground, the creature brought him closer to its face.
Then, only inches away, it slowly parted its long maw, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it prepared to tear his face apart.
"Ptuh!"
Bran spat directly into its throat.
It was certainly not mere saliva.
"Ghuk!"
The monster released him at once and staggered backward, clutching desperately at its throat. Its eyes widened as the burning sensation spread through its body.
Poison.
It realized it a moment too late.
Bran landed on his feet and wiped the corner of his lips with the back of his hand.
Then he charged.
The monster roared and swung its free arm at him with enough force to crush bone.
This time, however, Bran was ready.
He slipped beneath the attack, letting the massive limb sweep harmlessly past him. Before the goblin could recover, Bran jumped and stabbed his blade right where every existence was vulnerable.
Squelch!
The blade cleaved through the air and buried itself directly in the High Born’s eye.
It penetrated so deeply that only the handle remained visible.
Thud!
The High Born collapsed backward, first landing heavily on its rear before its head struck the cave wall.
Its body went limp.
It did not move again.
Bran turned his attention to the other goblins who were startled but ready to attack him.
Bran grinned and slowly his figure vanished.
What followed was a treat to goblin haters.
A total slaughter.