Miraculously the wood of the cart was intact after the flames ended. The unnamed goblin could see previously invisible arcane sigils flared along the underside of the wooden axis, glowing with mana. The phantom cat was now a seared corpse on the roof of the cage. He could smell that it had been cooked to perfection with a charred imprint from the iron grill below it.

The goblin swallowed his drool to return his focus to the dangerous opponent in front of him. The second attuned veteran seemed to be more adept in fighting shorter enemies. His weight was lowered into a crouch as he squatted in an attempt to match the goblin’s height.

He must be a defensive type fighter. He’ll wait until he sees an opening before taking the opportunity to attack. His agility will be inhibited by this strategy, but his defense will be much tighter. They’re always the most annoying to deal with. My best bet is to blitz him and create an opening.

The man watched the goblin with the patience of a stone. His eyes were serene as he waited for the goblin to make the first move. The goblin began to trot toward him, picking up momentum. The man adjusted his grip in anticipation.

The goblin was now charging at a sprint with the bastard sword raised in a two-handed grip. At the last moment, he suddenly dropped to his knees to slide across the sand while swinging his blade at man’s shins. The man was prepared. He reversed the grip of his sword point down to block the strike.

Wise. He’s not concerned with his head being open by reversing his grip. I’m too short to ordinarily reach that high. I’ll just have to change that.

He thought to himself as he continued to slide. He used the momentum to regain his feet and alter direction. Striking toward the man’s armored back. The man spun and intercepted the blade while patiently maintaining his defense. The goblin once again slashed low with two-hands. The man saw his opening and chopped downward. The goblin had been waiting for exactly that. He shifted his body into a side-on position as he reversed his sword to drive the end of his hilt into the man’s armored codpiece.

The man was caught off-guard by the dirty tactic and didn’t react in time as the unnamed goblin rammed his shoulder into his midsection, knocking him off balance. The man hurriedly resumed his reverse grip defense to block an upward feint toward his armpit. The goblin retracted his strike and stepped onto the man’s blade, using it as a ramp as he charged up the length. He pointed the sword in front of his torso like a lance, driving it through the man’s mouth.

Teeth and brain matter flew through the air as the point of the goblin’s bastard sword erupted from the back of the man’s skull. The man collapsed backward into the sand in a puff of dust. Blood seeped from his open mouth as the goblin extracted his sword.

Have attuned truly become this arrogant after all of these centuries? To let me attack is to wait for death. I may be unable to tap into my mana reserves, but I’m still the fucking Sword Saint.

The goblin spat on the sand in contempt. The crowd was pressed against the magic dome as they watched the battle in disbelief. Noone could have anticipated that the unarmed goblin would be able to completely overwhelm a journeyman mage from the Arcane Academy protected by two veteran attuned. All it took was a small stone. The goblin didn’t see who it was, but after the first cheer went up. The crowd of spectators erupted in applause and whistles. He became distracted for a second, basking in his own glory and the adoration of the crowd.

“Goblin’s glory! Long live the champion! He’s invincible across the lands, undefeated in the arena!” someone anonymously shouted.

“Long live the champion!” The cheer was mirrored by the crowd.

It doesn’t matter what body I have. I will always be undefeated. Now I guess it’s time that I claim my spoils, hehehe.

The puffed out his chest with pride as he grinned evilly. He began to walk toward the elven maiden encased in the crystalline barrier. His manhood had already reacted in anticipation. The flowery scent of her virgin body was driving him mad with lust. The unconscious maiden stirred. She sat up and rubbed the bloody bump in the center of her brow. She was completely oblivious to the black goblin approaching her with ill-intent.

It’s been too long since I’ve tasted anything other than goblin flesh. Not since before those hags cursed me centuries ago. I will have my revenge, but that can wait. Right now, I want to enjoy myself. I don’t care if I have an audience, elven women are intoxicating naked. I will give them a show to remember.

The crowd seemed to unanimously understand his intent at the same time. Cries of objection and protest replaced their cheering. A small minority was spurred on by the idea, becoming more vocal in their support. A few eager men whistled in appreciation when the elven maiden’s cloak slipped to the side to reveal her lithe figure underneath. She was wearing form-hugging leather lace-up armor and leggings with knee-high laced boots with a slight raised heel. Her athletic body was in perfect proportion to her height.

One leg was out flat while the other was bent to cradle her head against her knee. When she straightened her back after noticing the malicious goblin champion standing outside the crystalline barrier with his phallus bulging against his loincloth. He was enjoying the display of her well-endowed breasts overflowing from her tight leather bodice. He grinned lustfully as the elven maiden scrambled away until her back pressed against the crystalline barrier.

“Don’t be timid, my sweet. I’ll be gentle, I promise. Hehehe,” the goblin cooed.

“Get the fuck away from me!” Lady Estra screamed.

“There’s no need to be like that. I am the arena champion, afterall,” the goblin champion complained in a hurt tone. “Once upon a time, knife-ear’s of higher caste than you would be lining up outside my door. I’ve even had a golden earring high-noblewoman enjoy a night of passion-filled lovemaking. Her husband wasn’t too pleased about that, but only because the horny bastard couldn’t join in. He fancied me himself…”

He deflated from the rejection as he began to mutter to himself under his breath. Lady Estra’s ears twitched as she clearly heard what the nameless goblin said, her face became filled with confusion. The enormous arena doors burst open.