Part-276

  Thirty-two goblins was an absurd number, but James carved through them methodically. Each step forward brought him closer to victory, closer to the final challehat awaited him at the heart of the dungeon.

  The st goblin fell, disiing into smoke. James stood in the ter of the chamber, breathing heavily but triumphant.

  But he k wasn’t over.

  ---

  Just like in the Level 1 Final, the moment all the goblins were defeated, the room began to shift. A low rumbling sound echoed through the chamber as the defeated goblins’ bodies began te. Their forms twisted and torted, melting into one another in a grotesque dispy of dark magic. The result was a hulking figure, standing over teall.

  A Foolish Hobgoblin.

  James frowned as he watched the creature take shape. His system’s Know Your Enemy and Ally skill activated, feeding him vital information about the boss. The hobgoblin was a massive brute, its stats totaling 480, with a broken club in its hand that added +20 to its strength. That brought its total stats to a monstrous 500.

  Despite its intimidating appearance, James wasn’t overly ed. He had faced tough oppos before, and the name Foolish Hobgoblin suggested that while it might have overwhelming strength, it was likely g in strategy. Perhaps it was all brute force with no finesse.

  James grinned. Strength alone wouldn’t be enough to stop him.

  The hobgobli out a deafening roar, raising its broken club high above its head. Its yellow eyes gleamed with savage i as it lumbered toward James, each step shaking the grouh its feet.

  James crouched low, gathering his energy. He was fident. Too fident, perhaps. He had taken down bosses before, and this one didn’t seem all that different. Size and strength weren’t everything. With his skills and speed, he could outmahe beast.

  He unched himself into the air, sword raised high, ready to deliver ah Divider that would end the battle in one decisive strike.

  But before he could bring his sword down, the hobgoblin’s massive hand swung out with shog speed. James barely had time to react before the creature’s hand ected with his body, swatting him out of the air like a fly. The impact sent him crashing into the ground with botling force.

  For a moment, everythi dark.

  James groaned as he struggled to push himself to his feet. The blow had khe wind out of him, and paihrough his body. Before he could fully recover, the hobgoblin was on him again. Its broken club swung down in a devastating arc, smashing into his chest and sending him flying across the chamber.

  He hit the ground hard, pain exploding through his body. His vision blurred as darkness began to creep in at the edges of his sight.

  And then, nothing.

  ---

  When James came to, he found himself back at the entrao the Level 2: Final Se. His heart pounded in his chest as the memories of the battle flooded back. He had been so fident, so sure of his victory. But the hobgoblin had swatted him aside like he was nothing.

  He ched his fists in frustration.