As soon as Leon killed the first HobGoblin, he turned sharply to the left, his eyes locking onto another target stalking the treeline.
“Well… here goes nothing,” he muttered with a smirk, confidence radiating from every inch of his posture. He stepped forward with calm precision, the snow crunching beneath his feet.
The HobGoblin ahead twitched nervously, it’s eyes wide. It planted its feet and raised its weapon, preparing to lunge the moment Leon came within reach.
As Leon walked forward… He noticed that the Hobgoblin’s sword was twitching in his hand.
’Ah… He is about to use his sword as soon as I get in his attacking range. Well… This should be fun.’ Leon thought with a smile as he activated his skill.
“Blind Spot,”
In the blink of an eye, his form disappeared from the HobGoblin’s vision.
“Kekek…?!” The creature spun on its heels, swinging its shield in a wide arc, expecting an ambush from behind as he has seen with his friend.
But it was already too late,
*Stab*
Nyxter’s blade erupted cleanly through its chest and as soon as he felt his heart getting punctured by it… His eyes widened in fear.
*Chop*
Before he could’ve turned back… Another dagger decapitated him clean in one blow.
*Thud*
Leon stood behind him, calm and composed, tightening his grip on the Nyxter’s handle. With a single, efficient motion, he twisted the blade and yanked it free from it’s body.
Blood sprayed into the cold night air as the HobGoblin’s lifeless body collapsed to the snow.
Leon shook both blades, flicking crimson droplets to the ground. “You know what…? I should try something else,” he said casually.
He released the two blades that he was holding in his hands and all five blades floated above him, spinning silently in formation.
The remaining HobGoblins exchanged hesitant glances. Their discipline cracked as fear slithered into their ranks. Seven of them remained, but none dared stepped forward.
As they were being confused wether to fight or run, one of them roared loudly using his skill.
[Rage Buff]
[All Ally attack damage has been increased by 30%.]
“Keeeekekekekek…!”
It charged forward, his shield raised high in order to protect from any straight forward attacks.
“Now you’re charging head-on ? Bold move, but you see… Even after being so intelligent, you still have the mind of a goblin when in fear.
You think your partners will charge alongside with you but they aren’t.” Leon said with a chuckle as he raised his hand, palm open.
Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish!
The blades shot forward with incredible speed. One skewered the HobGoblin’s foot, pinning it to the forest ground. Another struck its shoulder. Two more pierced its chest and skull. The final one shattered its kneecap.
“Kekeke.!!!! Kekekekekekeke !!!!! Ke-” He shouted in pain and misery as if calling his partners to help but none of them dared to step forward.
Stab-Stab-Stab-Stab-Stab!
Thud.
[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]
The monster died before it could even complete his last scream. Its blood steamed in the snow.
Leon tilted his head, inspecting the result with analytical calm. “Still imprecise… I wanted only the foot pinned, rest of the blades were aimed to strike at the chest. They’re responsive, but I need better control.
I am just relieved that all of them hitted the same target.”
Rees’s hollow voice cut in. “Mr. Leon… I believe they’re retreating.”
Leon looked up. The HobGoblins were inching back into the shadows.
’Knowledge is really a curse huh ? When they were goblins, I am pretty sure they would’ve charged at me at the same time because they were dumb.
But after becoming intelligent… All they have learned is how to save themselves first. Some creatures are better left dumb. But that’s just to my advantage.’ Leon thought for a second as he looked at the HobGoblins.
“They are not retreating Rees… They are running. I wanted to kill all of them but looks like I can only kill one more.” he said, disappointed.
With a snap of his fingers, the floating blades converged toward another target.
*Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish—Swish!*
The running HobGoblin lifted its shield—but it couldn’t block everything. Leon struck from every open angle and the HobGoblin’s shield couldn’t block them all.
*Stab-Stab-Stab-Stab-Stab!*
Another one dropped down, it’s blood spilling over the ground.
*Thud
Seeing another comrade butchered with surgical ease, the remaining Hobgoblins finally panicked and fled into the dense forest.
Leon recalled the blades, spun them once midair to shake off the blood, then reassembled them into Nyxter and slid the weapon back into its sheath.
“Let’s go forward,” he said flatly.
Rees hesitated. “Mr. Leon… the superior monster leading these HobGoblins will be deeper inside. If we keep up with this path, a confrontation is very likely to happen.”
Leon paused. ’Those HobGoblins were too easy… but what if the next enemy isn’t?’ he thought with a serious expression.
Rees pointed off-trail. “If we head this way, we can circle the forest’s perimeter. We’ll avoid the deeper zones—for now. What do you say ?”
Leon considered it.. ’He’s right. I shouldn’t underestimate whatever’s ahead. Even dusk says that the deeper zones of this forest aren’t very safe and I won’t let my arrogance fuck me up… let’s just stay out for now.’
“Fine,” he said, turning to the right.
“A truly wise decision, Mr. Leon.” Rees replied in a happy tone.
As he walked, he glanced down at his bloodstained hand. The sticky crimson blood reminded him of how difficult every battle truly was when he fought the hoblins. He wiped it off on a leaf and moved forward.
…
Meanwhile, in the Weaver mansion’s grand library, tension strangled the air. Justin and Althea sat in heavy silence across the table.
“This… this isn’t good,” Althea muttered as she stood up and started walking around the room.
“What happened today will destroy our reputation. Your father entrusted this house to me while he’s gone—and this… this disgrace. He’ll never forgive me.” she spoke with a worried expression as she sat down on the couch.
’Hmm… She is right. The reputation of the house will certainly go down if this news made it out.’ Justin thought but didn’t give it much time.
She stood up, pacing once again. “Should I kill all the servants? Silence them? Or… do I kill that shameless whore Emilia instead? What do I do, Justin? Help me you are the smartest kid I have.”
Justin’s expression remained unreadable. ’You’re asking me for a solution? You, who ignored me all my life ? What a fucking joke.’
But outwardly, he simply nodded. ’I should say what Mr. Leon told me to say.’
“Mother, I’ve already sent word to Brother Jamie. He’s returning home.” Justin spoke without any hesitation as he looked at Althea.
“You WHAT?!” Althea spun toward him, stunned.
“I said—”
*SLAP!*
Justin’s head jerked to the side as Althea slapped him really hard.
“Ouch… Fuck,” he cursed, straightening up and looking at Althea with a confused expression.
“You fool! You think he’ll listen to any of us ? Don’t you remember what he did when you stole his toy as a child?!” Althea asked with an angry expression.
Justin’s eyes narrowed. Cold fury boiled to the surface immediately.
“I remember what he did… As clear as day. He stabbed me—with a fucking dagger. Through my fucking hand, Mother.” He spoke with a serious expression.
Althea’s face froze.
“And you?” Justin said, his voice low. “You did nothing. You never even checked on me. Just kept pampering him and saving him from father.
Isn’t that what you did, Mother ?”
Althea tried to pull away, but Justin caught her wrist in a vice-like grip.
“Let go! You’re hurting me! Justin I said let go… I am your my mother.” Althea shouted as she looked at him.
“I also remember when he killed a maid ten years ago. You helped him cover it up. Burned her body, slaughtered her family. I wonder who gave that order, Mother ?
I hope father forgave you for that incident.” Justin spoke with a serious expression.
Althea’s face turned pale.
“You… How do you—?”
“I saw her burn. She was the only one who treated me like a son. Her ashes are still in my room, Mother.”
Justin’s tone dropped, deadly calm. “They stay there until I take this house from father. And now… I have the perfect opportunity to become the successor since my dear brother is coming home.”
“You… you did this on purpose?” Althea asked, horrified.
“What?” Justin tilted his head.
“Emilia and Jim. You planned it—to make your brothers kill each other! Didn’t you ?” She asked.
Justin smirked. “I didn’t plan it. But I’ll use it the opportunity to it’s fullest.”
“You sick bastard. I’ll see to it you never become head of this house!”
Althea stormed out, her footsteps echoing in the marble hall.
Justin sank onto the couch, breathing hard. “Fuck… that took everything out of me. Why the hell did Mr. Leon want me to say all that? What’s his plan?”