Author’s note: I was surprised. This novel is currently in the Trending Fictions list. Yay. 😊

Chapter 17: Stepping Stones Part II

As I retreated to the rear of the army, I took a Cursed Ruby from my pocket and swallowed it. Just like before, the effect was almost instantaneous. My mana pool was completely replenished, and the fatigue that accompanied mana loss vanished entirely.

I did not want to die, so I have no choice but hold off these guys until the reinforcements from the Anubis Clan arrived. I was about to join the fight once again when an ear-splitting roar reverberated. Upon looking at the source, I saw the Werewolf Lord being surrounded by particles of light. I had no idea what it was trying to do, but my instinct was screaming at me that I should get back and leave this battlefield at once. That air around the Werewolf Lord was starting to form cracks, and a malevolent whizzing sound flowed through the air.

Slowly, I started to take a few steps back. Behind me, the Army composed of Goblin Spearmen and the Chieftain Candidate stood. They were also looking at the direction of the Werewolf Lord.

“A-Attack the Silverfang!” shouted the Chieftain Candidate. There was no mistaking the fear within its eyes. “Don’t let it complete the spell!”

Like an organized army, the Goblins started attacking the Werewolf Lord nonstop. The beast simply withstood the attacks, its body still surrounded by particles of light. The cracks in the air around the Werewolf Lord increased into numerous veins, and the ear-splitting sound turned fiercer – then stopped.

The Grand Magic, Descent of the Blade God, has been activated.

The heavens roared, and thousands of swords started falling down the sky. They pierced the bodies of the Goblins, instantly killing them in the process. Thousands of bodies were being slaughtered before my very eyes. If I had not run out of mana, if I had not retreated to the rear, I would have been dead by now.

Surprisingly, the skill of the Werewolf Lord did not harm its kin. Despite the innumerable blades that perpetually fell down the heavens, none of the Werewolves were hit. For a skill capable of slaughtering thousands of enemies at once, it was terribly precise.

The so called Grand Magic eventually vanished, but what was left after its wake were mutilated corpses of what were once Goblins. Blood had literally covered the ground, giving the foot of the mountain an appearance similar to a swamp.

The Goblins started falling back one after another. Some ran away in terror, while some simply fled back to where the rear army was. The Werewolves used this chance to advance their charge. The Lord roared, and hundreds of werewolves ran towards us.

My body was frozen solid. This was simply impossible. How the fuck were we supposed to stop these monsters?

Under the leadership of the Chieftain Candidate, the Spearmen began activating their trump card – the Piercing Shot. A spear made of pure mana manifested themselves in the Goblin Spearmen’s hands, and they threw it towards the charging Werewolves.

Surprisingly, the spears made visible wounds on the Werewolves’ bodies. Those that received numerous strikes of Piercing Shot stumbled and were unable to advance. Howls of pain were heard as the werewolves received the barrage of attacks from the Spearmen. Still, the absurd regeneration of those canine-like monsters made the wounds close on their own. And eventually, the barrage of Piercing Shots stopped as the Goblins ran out of mana.

The remnants of the vanguard army started engaging the werewolves, only to be slaughtered one after another. The Goblin Leaders also led their respective small armies, leading suicidal charges at the enemies. Probably because of desperation, even the supreme commander of this army, the Chieftain Candidate, began charging towards the werewolves too.

It had turned into a one-sided bloodbath.

From the left wing of the Goblin Army, a detached force of werewolves managed to push through. They ignored those that blocked their path and instead ran towards the direction of the Slaughterhouse. If I remembered correct, these guys were aiming for the life of the Ancestral Goblin Mother. The cavern where that colossal monster lived was near the Slaughterhouse. Without doubt, that detachment force was going towards that place.

The Chieftain Candidate has issued its order!

You are tasked to chase after the Werewolves that managed to slip through the Goblin Army.

Quest Reward: Preservation of the Goblin Race

A quest suddenly popped up in front of me. Near me, numerous Goblins began retreating from the battlefield. The surviving Goblin Leaders issued their commands, and hundreds of Goblins began chasing after the werewolves that managed to penetrate our defense.

I looked at the Werewolf Lord. Right now, it was still on a rampage. Shredded bodies of Goblins kept flying through the air, and blood continued raining down the ground.

Accepting this quest right now was probably the safer choice. If I stayed here, my chances of getting back alive was definitely low. At the very least, I could pretend to chase after the detached Werewolf Army then hide at a safe place.

It was definitely a cowardly tactic, but I did not really hold any attachment to these Goblins. Even if they were all killed, I could not care less.

With a full mana pool, I began chasing after the Werewolves. The body of a Goblin Mage was unbelievably slow, as though I have returned to being a level one Goblin Spawn. Still, this actually worked to my advantage. Being in the rear of this army would grant more safety.

After some time, our army eventually arrived at the cavern where the Ancestral Goblin Mother was located. The Goblins tasked to guard this place were already dead when we arrived. There was no doubt that the Werewolves were already inside.

“I guess this is the end of the Goblin Race,” I bitterly smiled.

I have complex emotions about this. A part of me was relieved that these Goblins would soon all perish, while a part of me was worried of what was going to happen next. If the Ancestral Goblin Mother died, the Goblin Race would vanish along with it. Surely, that was what the Chieftain Candidate said.

Our army started entering the cavern. Just like we’ve thought, the Werewolves were already inside. With vehement fervor, they were all attacking the colossal monster that occupied more than half the cave. For a moment, it felt futile, considering the absurd size of the creature they were trying to kill, but soon, the attacks began showing their effect. Wounds started appearing at the body of the Ancestral Goblin Mother, and blood started dripping down.

The gigantic creature would not even move, and it simply took all of the attacks.

The Goblins that came with me fearlessly charged towards the werewolves. It was really amazing how loyal these weaklings were. They probably all knew that they were going to die, but they still charged ahead regardless.

As for me, I did not join the suicide attack. I simply crouched near the entrance, hiding my fragile body behind rocks. I simply watched as the Goblins that came with me were slaughtered by the werewolves. Within me, I knew that there was no point in fighting these enemies. They were simply too strong for us right now.

After taking care of the Goblins, the werewolves began attacking the Ancestral Goblin Mother once again. The football field-sized creature started groaning in pain. Hey, if you’re that big, you should be able to smash the bodies of those werewolves, right? Why don’t you move? Damn it.

It was vexing watching this. Still, I refused to come out of my hiding.

The wounds on the body of the Ancestral Goblin Mother kept multiplying as the werewolves rampaged to their heart’s content. Now that I thought of it, that monster was also the one that gave birth to me. It was literally the origin of all the Goblins here. And judging by the fact that I was unable to see its level, it must be some sort of a very strong monster. But for some reason, it did not even bother fighting back. Or rather, I have this feeling that it could not even move.

A groan filled with anguish and pain reverberated in the cavern. For a moment, I thought that the Ancestral Goblin Mother was crying. The werewolves were visibly pleased by this. Their attacks became fiercer, and the cry of the Ancestral Goblin Mother crescendo.

The Ancestral Goblin Mother Cries for Help

Due to restrictions, she is unable to move and repel the attacks.

She wishes to form a pact with the nearest Goblin available.

The Ancestral Goblin Mother wishes to form a Pact with you.

Do you accept?

I realized that I was the only Goblin left alive in this place. Therefore, I was the nearest Goblin available. And right now, the Ancestral Goblin Mother, the so-called Origin of all Goblins, wishes to form a Pact with me. I was sure that it was to protect itself and prevent its imminent death.

Should I do it? The offer sounded so enticing, but at the corner of my mind, something was telling me that there was the possibility that I would simply get killed afterwards by the werewolves.

I stormed my mind and pondered on what to do. After some time, the system asked again.

The Ancestral Goblin Mother wishes to form a Pact with you.

Do you accept?

I could see the innumerable wounds on the body of the Ancestral Goblin Mother. It was probably desperate right now to form a pact with the nearest Goblin available. I decided to follow my instinct.

“Damn it,” I mumbled. “Do it.”

You have formed a Pact with the Ancestral Goblin Mother!

An invisible force sucked my body towards the Ancestral Goblin Mother. Seeing this, the werewolves stopped their attacks. They stared at me, all the while numerous particles of light floated near my body. Currently, I was face to face with the Ancestral Goblin Mother. It’s face, which reminded me of an old man, started opening its eyes. What I saw afterwards was disgusting. Thousands of eyes appeared in front of me, and a deep, husky voice reverberated in my ears.

“You are unworthy, but you are the only Goblin available right now. I cannot move because of the Seal of the Gods. I shall grant you a portion of my power, in exchange, I want you to exterminate these pests that dared invade my land.”

Contrary to the name, “Ancestral Mother,” the voice of this monster sounded like that of a man. Furthermore, it was filled with rage, with fury capable of shaking my very soul. I could not even imagine how strong this monster would have been if it was not sealed. As expected of the so-called Origin of all Goblins.

“Now, go and slaughter these damn bastards.”

The particles of light started entering my body, and an indescribable strength began rushing through my very core. Slowly, my body landed on the ground.

You have gained a new skill!

Pact of the Ancestral Goblin Mother

The Origin of the Goblin Race has been sealed by the Gods. Due to the restrictions, it is impossible for the Ancestral Goblin Mother to move on its own. As the holder of the pact, you have been granted a portion of the Ancestral Goblin Mother's power.

It is now possible to temporarily evolve to the highest form of a Goblin.

Duration: 3 minutes

Do you wish to use the Pact of the Ancestral Goblin Mother?

The werewolves were glaring at my direction.

“Yes.”

As soon as I said my confirmation, my body began assuming a different shape. My thin limbs gained a bit of muscle, and my height increased further. My ears became more pointed, like those of elves, and my eyes became sunken. My nails grew longer and sharper, and a peculiar sensation of invincibility course through my entire body.

You have evolved to a Goblus Demigod!

+ 79500 HP

+ 35000 Mana

+ 99 Strength

+ 99 Agility

+ 99 Vitality

+ 99 Intelligence

+ 99 Dexterity

+ 10 Luck

[Skill] End of Time

[Skill] Eternal Hellfire

[Skill] Call of Gaia

[Skill] Ice Age

Time remaining before the [Pact] Ends: 2 Minutes 59 Seconds

I was stunned speechless of what just happened. If the highest form of a Goblin was this overpowered, then three Minutes would be more than plenty enough.

After seeing my sudden evolution, the werewolves roared. They began charging towards my direction.