Zero took in a deep breath as he intently stared at the goblin rushing towards him, saliva flying from its mouth. Zero raised the sword in front of him as he readied himself for the goblin's attack. And attack, the goblin did, as it swung the shortsword towards Zero's face. Zero tried to block the attack by parrying but slightly miscalculated, causing the goblin's shortsword to smash into his own, almost making Zero lose his balance.

This is way harder than I thought. Zero bit his lip as he could already feel sweat beading on his forehead.

The goblin grunted as it swung its shortsword toward Zero again. However, this time Zero was prepared. Zero's blade met the goblin's and using his superior strength, pushed the goblin's shortsword toward the side causing the goblin to lose its balance and stumble. Zero leaped toward the opening and kicked the goblin with all his might, causing the goblin to fly backward with the sword still in its hand. Zero rushed forward and was prepared to end its life, but hesitated after seeing the fear in its eyes.

It's not human, but... Zero clenched his teeth.

But in that brief moment that Zero hesitated, the goblin had already recovered from the blow, lunging at Zero from the ground. Zero's eyes widened as he realized that the blade the goblin was holding was glowing light blue. Zero did not have enough time to block or to parry the blade, so he dodged to the side. The blade narrowly missed him, but still cut the side of his body. Zero hissed in pain as he quickly backed up from the goblin.

[Skill Acquired: Piercing Thrust]

But Zero did not have time to think over what the system had just said, as the goblin had raised its blade again, cackling in glee. The blade hummed and emitted a faint blue light once more, as the goblin thrust its blade toward Zero.

Shit. Zero quickly backed up but didn't realize that there was a dead body behind him. He tripped over the body and fell to the ground as the goblin's sword pierced the place where he was just moments before. The goblin then rushed toward where Zero was and swung the shortsword in a downward arc. Zero quickly raised his own shortsword to try to block the attack. The goblin's blade slammed into Zero's, causing Zero to lose grip on his own weapon. Zero's shortsword clattered to the side, causing the goblin to grin in excitement, thinking it had finally captured its prey. Zero inched back, still facing the goblin.

The goblin slowly walked towards Zero, expecting to see fear in Zero's eyes, but actually, Zero was quite distracted. Distracted talking to the system.

[...and that is how you use a skill.]

Shit, are you sure this will work?

[I suggest you try it before you lose your life to a mere goblin.]

...are you mocking me?

The system didn't reply.

The goblin finally had enough fun and prepared to end Zero's life, but then, Zero lunged for the blade that he had dropped on the ground earlier, grabbed it, and rushed toward the goblin. The goblin, visually flustered, raised its blade as it started emitting a faint blue light once again. However, this time Zero was ready.

[Skill Activated: Piercing Thrust]

The goblin did not have time to react before the shortsword entered through its face, and out through the back of its skull. The weapon slipped from its hand and Zero released his hold on his blade, causing the goblin's body to collapse to the ground along with Zero's shortsword. Zero collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, his legs trembling without realizing it.

Holy fucking shit, Zero thought as he sighed with relief.