I kept denouncing myself in my own head for going inside of this cave. I could very easily die at any moment. All my nerves are on edge and my senses are being pushed to their limits.
"C-c-calm down. You have to just… keep… calm. Fear is your enemy. You can do this." I whispered to myself. My legs feel like they're made of jelly and my heart is pounding. I need to stay calm so I can handle this situation.
Okay, let's think. What have I learned so far?
First: The perpetrators are goblins. They must have dragged Tael off while I was trying to sleep. Why didn't they also drag me off? Also why did Tael not make any noise? Are there goblin a.s.sa.s.sins?
Second: That group of goblins we fought earlier must have been a scouting party. If they were hunters then they would have had some type of ranged weapon. The goblins we fought earlier had swords and a spear. The spear and swords were definitely meant for combat with other creatures, not hunting.
Third: Judging by the fact that there was only one goblin at the cave entrance, there are either very few goblins in this cave or there are many entrances. Either way, my chances of grabbing Tael and escaping are not 0.
Most importantly, Fourth: Goblins are probably light sensitive. The goblins we fought earlier were only out when the sun was going down and the goblin I killed out front had to block the torchlight with its hand. This explains why Tael was taken and I wasn't. I was directly next to the fire so they couldn't see me. Ideally, I can use this to my advantage to be able to blind the goblins.
With this information, I can feel a bit of confidence returning to me. I've always done things like this since I was young. My logic is that if I can rationalize relevant details then I can plot out an optimal course.
As I was descending further into the cave, I came across a small opening and, much to my dismay, there are two armed goblins inside. Both are carrying shortswords like the goblins from earlier had.
"Graggah!"
"Geerad!"
They both shouted as they began to charge at me. As a response to this, I lifted my torch highly and also prepared to defend myself with my sword.
"Gugh!" x2
They both ceased their charge as they blocked the torchlight with their hands. It seems my theory is correct. Not one to lose an opportunity, I quickly ran towards the goblins while they were stunned and attacked.
My first sword swing hit the goblin to my right. The goblin fell to the ground limply, like a puppet whose strings had been cut. The second goblin, however, managed to dodge my strike and attempted to counter attack. I jumped backwards as he swiped his sword at me, but I wasn't able to entirely avoid it. His sword just barely grazed my right leg as I felt the heat of my blood begin to excrete out.
I don't know how to fight with swords much at all yet. All I currently know is how to stab and how to slash like the characters in the games I played in. Despite my lack of skill, I decided that my best course of action would be to steady myself and prepare to counter attack this goblin. I held my sword in front of me as if to say "bring it on" to the goblin.
Like a bull to a red flag, the goblin charged at me with its sword tip forward. Thanks to my preparations, I side stepped the goblin and stabbed it in the back before it was able to recover. After it went limp, I pulled my sword out of it. I then went over to the first goblin and proceeded to stab it where I determined its heart would be just to ensure that it was dead.
"Huff… Huff… Huff…" I am breathing heavily. The anxiety and nerves of that fight had brought me to my limit.
I kneeled on the ground as I began to catch my breath. Every fiber of my being is telling me to leave this place. I need to calm down. My leg hurts. I hope I don't get teta.n.u.s. What if I get an infection from this? Oh G.o.d.
After a momentary panic, I took a deep breath and steeled myself once again. I've already gotten this far, turning back now just wouldn't make sense.
As I got back up, I heard the sound of a woman's scream come from deeper inside of the cave.
