Three were armed with swords, two bloodied clubs, and another two were dragging a young bound woman with bows strung up on their backs. One of the sword wielding ‘goblins’ seemed to have some tattered animal hide compared to his essentially naked compatriots. ‘Not as disgusting as I thought they would be,’ muttered Andrew, half in shock and half in genuine curiosity.

Even with the bruises on her cheeks and tattered clothes, she still seemed to be a rare beauty. Gorgeous, long flowing auburn hair swayed with every forced step of her long legs. A round face with sharply pointed ears seeming working well together. She possessed a voluptuous body and large hazel eyes that were, unfortunately, moistened with tears, yet she still glared at her captors with an infuriated expression.

Looking over at the interesting sight he calmed his confused mind, thinking, ‘All I have to do is hang out on top of some tree and I doubt they would be able to even see me, let alone attack.’

As he stared at the slightly terrifying little creatures and the beauty in tow, he heard a shout come from her mouth, “Hey you! Save me from these vile creatures!”

Andrew sighed loudly as he tried to lean behind a tree, but he knew he was caught in the midst of it all. Now that she decided to speak up he most likely couldn’t even leave if he wanted to. Even more so than before, he felt like leaving the women behind. But he wasn’t so naive enough to think that he could simply get away from the little demons - without getting an arrow in the back.

In reality, all he had on him was his small dagger, a sweater pulled all the way up draping the hood over his face. Luckily, before he decided to pack away his residence, he had the thought to put on some sneakers, but it clearly wasn’t enough for a man who was faced with armed, vicious looking creatures.

In response to the woman's attempt to involve him he shouted, “what the hell do you think you’re doing?! Clearly this is you mess and now you involve me?” knowing full well it would not change his current situation one bit.

As it was already too late to turn-tail and run, Andrew walked towards the group with the dagger appearing in front of him. The two goblin archers changed positions with the club wielding goblins, grabbing their bows and notching an arrow each. The three swords-goblins already were running at him, but he still stared furiously at the women who caused all of this trouble.

Noticing that the three little bastards were now within about 5 metres, he finally started to move instinctively, first to left to avoid being surrounded while gripped his Novice Dagger tighter. ‘So it’s a knife fight with some green midgets while dodging arrows from afar? This will be interesting,’ muttered Andrew angrily. As soon as the first goblin was within range Andrew stabbed the dagger into the goblin’s sword arm with his reach before the little little green man could be swing his blade. Further punching it in the face with his other hand causing it stumble back and drop its sword. Within seconds, another goblin followed up with a swing of his copper sword aimed towards his throat. Without anytime to dodge it he simply sighed.

However, the goblin abandoned his sword to fall low to the ground, wailing in pain.

Completely perplexed he let down his guard momentarily as he looked over at the situation. “Ha...Ha-ha, hahahaha, oh my God. Who designed this turn of events?! HAHAHA” cried Andrew a rare bout of genuine, tear-filled laughter. The last charging goblin turned away from him to look at his friend with an arrow impaled into his rear.

The one who was hit by the arrow began chittering and snarling loudly at the other goblins who seemed to be laughing uncontrollably. Forming a semi circle around the afflicted goblin and laughed mockingly at the little guys face. Eventually the laughter of its companions, even the one with a stab wound on its arm, and enemy, irritated the goblin enough to start a miniature brawl between itself and the other one who loosed the arrow.

Even with every tiny fist thrown his way the archer simply laughed and moved to the side before smacking the arrow still lodged in the other goblins rump causing the other goblin to grimace in pain before falling to the ground. Struggling to get up the goblin cried pitifully before chittering loudly at anyone who would hear it. Causing the remaining goblins and Andrew to double over in laughter.

Being the first to calm down, Andrew breathed in and out deeply before taking up his dagger which was dropped in his fit of laughter. Calmly walking up to the goblin with the animal pelt who was trying to calm down the situation. Seeing as he was being completely ignored by the little green creatures he laughed to himself, ‘I might actually enjoy this kind of place.’

Tapping on the goblin ‘captain’s’ shoulder he waved his free hand in front of his face before burying his dagger directly in the little guys throat. Surprise painted his face before his body turned limp.

All the while, the other goblins simply weren’t paying attention to their superior officer’s plight so Andrew pulled out the dagger of the limp goblin and grabbed the short sword that fell to the side into his left hand. Two more corpses marked with a gaping wound in the throat, one bow wielding goblin and one club goblin, were dropped loudly in the semi-circle. The goblins finally caught onto the sudden revelation that their captain and two others were gone. While they were simply humiliating one of their own in his time of weakness.

Two of them were injured so Andrew simply ignored those firstly and ran towards the remaining two goblins in the rear, stabbing one with the dagger before the goblin could even his raise its bow. At the same time the other goblin with a club came towards him swinging at his chest, but Andrew raised his sword. Deflecting the club cause it to smash into the head of the gasping goblin ending his life before he could bleed out. Retracting the dagger he stared at the goblin before shaking his head accusingly. The goblin, obviously distraught because he killed his own companion, curled up in a ball before crying loudly.

Andrew didn’t have the heart to approach the crying goblin so he walked back to the exhausted goblin with an arrow in his behind before sighing and shoving the dagger towards its throat. The last goblin with a lacerated arm run past Andrew before sitting next to the emotional goblin chittering something softly into its ear. The goblin gave one last look of resignation before raising its hand, tossing the sword to the side, and pointed at the women. ‘She’s your problem now,’ it seemed to imply.

“Ah, my hero!” The woman who was confused by the whole ordeal finally called out before running over to him raising her bound hands in the air all the while. “You have my eternal gratitude, to think I, Lisia, would be captured by these ver-”

“Be quiet, obviously you might not realize it, but that guy’s not in a good condition. And also why in the hell did you force me to save you?! I’m pretty sure that’s not something that is considered proper to do. And how the hell did you get captured by these guys, how weak are you?!” Ranted Andrew as he glared at the woman.

Walking past the woman without giving her a second glance he grabbed all the stray weapons on the ground and deposited them in his inventory before giving a parting apology to the emotional wreck, that was the once a vicious goblin, “Sorry bud, but it was you or me ya know? Well, I don’t expect you can forgive me, but it is what it is. You two are free I won’t try to hurt you guys anymore.”

“Hey! Are you not forgetting about som-” Lisia started before being cut off with a raised hand over his back.

First Kill Bonus:

You receive the best quality equipment from the “Goblin Captain” deposited directly into your inventory,

[Leg Guards of the Ambassador]

Required level 2

Defence rating 3

Durability 30/30

Special Effects: Agility +2, increases EXP gain from defeating enemies and quest completion while maintaining a neutral morality.

You have leveled up! You have three stat points to distribute into your primary stats.

As you have survived past the initial stage we are granting you the passive skill [Dual Wielding] for your recent contributions in battle.

“Oh damn, I forgot to check my skills before I left… well, my house?” muttered Andrew as he pulled up the skills screen he quickly allotted his bonus stats from the level up. And strapping on the Leg Guards which only covered from the top of his hips to about his knee caps in an unadorned, plain grey leather.

Andrew Marks

Level 2

Str: 11

Agi: 8(+2)

Per: 11

End: 7 (-2)

Vit: 8

Int: 9

Wis: 8

Chr: 9(-5)

Status:

Withdrawal - decreases END, causes irritable behaviour thus decreasing CHR. Effect will increase as time goes on before slowly dissipating in the future if left untreated.

Skill:

Language Comprehension: (Intermediate) English, (Intermediate) Elvish {Farwynd Dialect} granted to allow for a simpler transition into the environment.

Dual Wielding (Beginner - 1): While wielding two weapons Damage Rating penalty is reduced by 20%. Penalty currently at 30%. Grants easier range of motion and knowledge of advanced techniques are granted at base level up of the skill.

Placing his stat points in strength, agility, and endurance he felt his body shudder for a moment before calming down. If was so inclined he would have noticed his body slim slightly, muscles becoming more defined, and breathing became easier for the ex-smoker. Feeling somewhat fulfilled for the first time in a while he disregarded any small changes and let loose a small smile.Looking around he took a glance at the world around him sparking a small sense of excitement for the future.

“Heeeeey ~~~, Anyone there~?”

Andrew’s smile disappeared as he retorted, “How in the hell did you get rid of those bindings? Also, more importantly, get out of my face.”

“Hmmpt, if you were actually paying attention to this damsel in distress you would have noticed.” To which she received a pointed glare from the man who simply couldn’t deal with her antics, “Fine, I’ll say it, just don’t look at me like that! While you were zoning out to whatever the hell is so interesting in front of you I, uh, borrowed one of your blades to cut through the ropes. Now that that is all finished, escort me home now before some more of those ver- *ahem* goblins come back!”

“Can I ask you a question first, milady?” He replied caustically.

She didn’t even seem to register the man's sarcasm and spoke energetically, “Yes, of course! I live roughly ten miles west of here! We should get going so that we can make it back before nightfall!”

“Okay, now, now, don’t get too ahead of yourself. My question, remember?”

“Yes! Go ahead!”

“Why?”

“....” she stared blankly at him for a moment, not understanding in the least.

“Why. Should. I. Help. You?” Andrew spoke in a slow and concise manner to get it through her head. “You endangered my life, you realize? If I hadn’t been so lucky as to see the goblin’s stupidity firsthand I would likely be dead. And seriously, how the hell did you not manage to turn themselves unto one another to buy time for you to escape? It shouldn’t have been that hard. But no, you had to threaten my life - my new life, might I add - all to have a slim chance at me somehow or another being able to free you. And if I were planning on saving you with the element of surprise, you damn well would have ruined it.” before sighing and shaking his head at her audacity. While he wasn’t interested in helping the seemingly naive and entitled woman, he still didn’t want to leave her defenseless.

Taking a quick look at his inventory he pulled out two of the short swords taken from the goblins. One he used to replace his dagger so he could an extra 10 centimetres or so length on the blade for a weapon that was essentially the same his dagger before.

[Copper Short Sword

Damage Rating 1-3

Durability 7/10

Taken from a goblin so the quality is sub par, as well as having the grip being slightly too small for the average human. Liable to shatter if used on heavy armor.]

The other he handed to Lisia before starting to walk towards the ruins of the town curious as to what could be inside now, well, besides scattered office papers and dilapidated computer equipment.

Lisia who completely distraught, saw the retreating figure and became sullen. With a pout she started heading home, only to realize then, that it was in the same direction as the mysterious, temperamental figure. Rejoicing quickly to herself she quietly followed Andrew thinking: ‘Oh, he’s trying to act so tough, he can’t help but to feel some desire to protect me from the evil monsters~.’

As he kept walking almost aimlessly towards the bigger buildings he noticed his little stalker, admittedly far enough away to keep him from getting angry at her, but still close enough to cause him to be annoyed. “Which direction am I going anyways…?” muttered Andrew under his breath.

“West! You taking me home, are you not? Oh, ho-ho-ho trying to be a tough guy and all that~”

“Hey, do you know where the closest goblin camp is by chance?”

“A little bit south-east from this location!” She replied enthusiastically.

“Okay!” he replied unceremoniously before changing directions entirely towards the closest band of goblins. Thinking it would scare her off after her run-in with them before, yet she still seemed oblivious to the implications.

"Oh! He wants to slay all the evil goblins to take revenge for me~ What a true gentlemen!" she whispered to herself smiling broadly all the while.

Compared to her, he was completely baffled, ‘Why would she want to go back there, is she just an idiot? Or do she think something else completely… Whatever, I can’t be bothered trying to figure out a female’s mind right now. Might as well get stronger, or else I won’t be able to afford to have any peace and quiet when time comes to settle down in some town,’ thought Andrew before trying to clear his head of all those unnecessary thoughts.

With the sun high above his head he started to feel the sweat stick to his body. It had only been a few miles, but to someone accustomed to the ‘old world’ it was simply too far to go when looking to get into a fight with some stray creatures. It took another ten minutes but he finally found what he was looking for behind the trees in the distance.

In a small clearing four goblins stood huddled together. Looking closely, there seemed to be a small canine being feasted upon by the four goblins. Even to the small goblins it could only be considered a snack considering the size of the critter, but they attacked it with abandon tearing flesh from its bones before swallowing it whole.

Seeing the motionless man squatting in the bushes in front of her, Lisia’s curiosity got the better off her and snuck over by his side whispering, “What are you… ah - AH -AHHHHHH!” Scowling at the girl who ruined his opportunity he whispered back, “Run.”

She took off, flailing and crying out hysterically attracting all but one of the goblins attention. As they started running after the woman, Andrew waited patiently in the bushes short swords at the ready. It took only three seconds or so before the first goblin made its way into the undergrowth about 7-8 metres away from the meal, as it passed a slightly shaking hedge it felt a blade slip into his chest. Shocked, the goblin didn’t even utter a cry before the second goblin made its way through the thick bushes.

Much like the first goblin, the second didn’t even understand what happened as a blade was thrust into its throat. Finally, as the third goblin entered, a small cry was heard from the first goblin who had just now stopped moving, but it was too late. With an overhead slash that seemed impossible for the small statured goblin to block, Andrew slashed through the goblin’s shoulder before embedding his second blade into the goblins heart.

Even now, both Lisia and the other goblin were either oblivious to what was happening or simply didn’t care enough to notice the figure in the tree line just outside of their vision. Once again pulling all the weapons into his bag slot he sighed, ‘I wonder if she realises she was turned into bait. Oh well, too late to think about it now. This is probably a very, very bad idea but lets try it anyways.’ As he was putting the three new weapons from the goblins into his inventory he noticed the bow and decided to try his hand at archery. Grabbing the bow, which clearly was designed as a long bow for an individual half his height, he placed one of his short swords in his belt loop before stowing away the other.

Even though he was a complete novice in the ways of the bow, he was less than ten metres away. After notching an arrow, he pulled back the drawstring and corrected his aim at the little green creature - feeling the poor bow shudder the entire time. Loosing the arrow he saw the arrow fly towards the goblin. With a soft *thud* the arrow lodged itself into flesh and enraged the goblin.

Slowly standing up and leaving the foliage he hide himself in prior. Scratching his head in embarrassment, Andrew awkwardly apologized to the fuming goblin, “Ha-ha, ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to hit your little dog/coyote/fox thing. One more try?”

He lifted the bow up nonchalantly and aimed at goblin once again. Seeing his posture, the goblin sprang into action, grabbing his club just on the ground beside him, and sprinted after the man. As the goblin neared the man an arrow was released hitting the goblin square in the stomach. With pitiable yelp the goblin fell flat on its face before moaning loudly. ‘Damn, I feel like I’m bullying these guys. Okay whatever, I’m done doing this. It makes me feel guilty for some reason.’

He was still upset over the goblins essentially ambushing as soon as he got involved in this strange world, but after seeing the pitiful nature that these goblins expressed when they were defeated he soon got over it rather quickly. With a quick stab with the sword, which he tucked away previously, he put the goblin out of its misery.

And with a sour feeling in the pit of his stomach heard the systems prompt.

You have leveled up! You have three stat points to distribute into your primary stats.

Andrew Marks

Level 3

Str: 11

Agi: 9 (+2)

Per: 11

End: 9 (-2)

Vit: 8

Int: 9

Wis: 8

Chr: 9(-5)

Similar to before, he added two points into endurance, and one in agility simply so that he could move around more comfortably. He didn't have have any magic so there was truthfully no reason to add anything to it if he could benefit from it immediately. Or, at the very least in the near future.

Once again stripping the club off the dead goblin, he walked back in the direction of Lisia whose pitiful screams could still be heard a short distance away. Advertisement Support "Ephemeral Cycle" PayPal Patreon Previous

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Chapter RSS About the author 3 Fictions 65 Posts 2 Threads Ambush Follow Author Saturday, December 19, 2015 4:41:15 PM Tuesday, January 5, 2016 4:17:39 AM Canada Shy Penguin

Bio: Chronic Inability to Finish Stories; CIFS for short. A major affliction that has gripped me in its steely maw for weeks, months, and (shivers) shows no sign of stopping.

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