Chapter 10

The forest thinned out and the trees lost in height. Even though the trees lost in height the trunk became much thicker. The trees in the forest of the south were around 90 meters high and 2 to 3 meters thick. But these trees here in the north were around 40 meters high and 7 meters thick. Ragen was fascinated by these trees. He had never seen such trees before. Not in his previous life and not in this life. He climbed on such a tree and observed his surroundings. According to his memories the southern parts were around 10 miles to the south. He looked back and could faintly see the other trees from the southern part. They looked like a green wall to him. On his right site he saw vast plains with green grass and small hills. On his left site were this special landscape with grass and these trees. But when he looked in front of him, he saw a problem. There was a small mountain range and as far as he knew behind that mountain range did the island end. Those mountains must be the Dolrhia mountains. He didn’t know much about them. Just the name and that it was dangerous to go there. He went down from the tree and picked up a stick. He let the stick decide where to go. In the end the stick fell to the left.

So, he turned left and started to walk. The wind blew in his face and he felt the breeze of the sea. When he arrived on top of a hill he saw what he searched for. A few hundred meters away from him was a small goblin village. But this time the village had defences. It had a small wooden wall and one small wooden tower. What surprised him was the equipment of these goblins. They had daggers or bows do defend themselves and not some primitive clubs or axes. He hid behind a rock and observed the village. Then he used appraisal to get more knowledge about them.

Goblin village: Ildreg

Inhabitants: 56/100

Village Chief: Tulma the ugly

It was surprising that [Appraisal] could even appraise a village. But it was convenient for him. He appraised the other goblins and found out that they were around level 15. The level was higher that the other villages. He had to be careful. While he was observing the village, he noticed that the gates opened, and a small group of goblins came out. They headed towards the forest with the thick trees. He knew that this was a big opportunity and followed them. The goblins had bows equipped and it looked like they were chattering among them. He sneakily followed them through the high grass and came even close enough to overhear their conversation. Goblin A: “Today is hunting day. Tulma wants food!” He heard how the other grumbled something and then another voice: “Why do we have to follow this goddamn asshole.” This voice must have mentioned the village chief who he had seen on his appraisal skill. “Shut up you two and let’s just concentrate on the mission. The boss wants some fresh meat than we bring him that fresh meat. Perhaps we even find a little bonus on our way.” The group was silent again and continued its journey. He took out both of his knifes and followed them. When they entered the forest of the thick trees Ragen activated his [Shadow Knife] skill and started the combat.

He attacked the leading figure first. With some fast steps he had already reached the leader and before anyone could react, he cut the throat of the goblin in front of him open. A gurgling sound and a falling corpse followed. The other goblins finally reacted and shouted: “Shit an ambush, group together and attack”. Ragen started to inhale how his master had showed him and then rushed forward. With his improved skill [Shadow Knife] he could finally use it on another level. The name shadow in the skill had a meaning. Now he could use the shadows of his opponents to stab them from behind. It was without sound and the opponent mostly notice too late from where the attacks come.

The group of goblins who stood now together wouldn’t notice an attack from behind. He used the skill and heard a miserable cry. “Who’s the bastard which stabbed me from behind. AAAAH” Then a goblin fell to the ground. The two remaining goblins wanted to run but Ragen took out his bow and shot the first one. When he aimed at the second one, he shouted “Stop or I shoot you”. The goblin froze and turned around. “How can you speak my language human?” “That nothing which you should concern yourself with. I want to make you an offer, are you interested?”-Ragen. “What do you want?”. “I want you to take me as a prisoner to get into your village. In the village you personally must bring me to your village chief. If you agree to this deal, then I will let you life.”-Ragen. The goblin hesitated but finally gave up. “Human you win. I will take you as a fake prisoner and guide you to Tulma. But swear with magic that you will spare me!” “I swear it.”-Ragen.

While the goblin was waiting Ragen started his preparations for the attack. It was the first time in his life that he used the skill [Necromancy]. He activated the skill and used it on the three dead goblins. At first nothing happened but then the goblins started to awaken. The bodies stood up and took their weapon with them. Even though they looked alive at the first sight one saw in their eyes nothing other than emptiness. The remaining living goblin shivered. He felt relieved to accept the deal with the human.

Out of curiosity Ragen looked at his necromancy skill in detail.

Skill [Necromancy]

Undead capacity:

Lesser undead: 3/20

Average undead: 0/5

High undead: 0/0

Now he could summon up to 25 undead creatures. An idea popped up in his mind. Why should he attack alone if he could create some small kind of force? He went to the goblin and said: “I have used a special magic on you. I have created a magic dome around your heart. If you ran away or betray me the magic dome will crush your heart and you will be dead. I have some short business to do until then you wait here ok?” The goblin was confused. “What about the prisoner thing? I thought you wanted me to guide you back into the village?” “We will do that later. For now, I need to prepare something. So, wait here.”

Without another word he left the goblin back. The undead goblins followed him into the forest. Back in the forest with the thick trees he started to scan the area for prey. He needed more soldiers. He hunted different kind of animals and even encountered another small group of goblins. They became all soldiers in his small army. When he wanted to go back, he noticed an unnatural movement. When he looked at on of the trees, he saw something truly scary. It was a snake. A giant snake which was winding itself around the tree. Before he could react, the snake attacked them. It instantly ate one of the goblins and started to look at Ragen. He started to sweat but calmed down. Slowly he took his bow out and prepared a magic arrow with a mix from ice and fire. The snake aimed at Ragen but in the last second, he jumped away and shot his arrow. The ice was very effective, and the snake started to slow down, but when the fire from the arrow activated its movements became lively again. At this point he knew, he had to use ice. The snake was enraged due to the pain of the fire and the arrow and turned around. Its eyes send murderous stares at Ragen, then it started another attack. This time from above. That was his chance. While the snake opened its mouth to swallow Ragen, he shot his arrow at her. It hit, and the snake crashed on the grand. It was still not dead but fatally wounded and the ice made her slowly. He didn’t dare to kill her himself, because of her aggressive defence and so he ordered his new underlings to do the job. Suddenly a ding sound.

Congratulations you have levelled up. Player is now level 8.

When the snake finally died, he had lost three more underlings, but he gained another level and a new undead. The snake was now under his control. Together with the rest of the goblins and animals he hunted a few more to fill up his ranks and then went back.

The goblin was still waiting there even though a few hours had passed. Ragen looked him in the eyes and said: “Preparations are complete. Let’s go to your village.” The goblin nodded and guided him back to the village. Not far away but not in sight followed a small army, ready to attack anybody who dared to mess with their master.