"Some say goblins were created by the gods to replace humans as the next race," the old mercenary said.

"Hey, hey, hey, old coot!" the barmaid snapped, glaring fiercely—a look that clashed with her pretty face. "Don't you dare speak ill of the gods in my bar! If a beam of light smashes my place to bits, can you afford to pay for it?"

The old mercenary chuckled nervously. "I wouldn't dare speak against the gods either."

"Enough!" the barmaid shouted sternly. "Not another word! Who do you think you are to say such things?"

"Yes, yes," the old mercenary muttered sulkily, shutting his mouth.

The other mercenaries burst into laughter, teasing the old coot. No one paid attention to the rescue anymore, and no one dared discuss anything about the gods.

"Thank you, I'll be going..." Kali said softly, standing up. She had only taken a sip of water.

"Why not rest here?" Tahina asked anxiously, holding her back. "What else do you need to do?"

"It's fine," Kali said, tears welling up. "I must seek help again. We graduated together from the mercenary academy, but now... only I survived..."

Children from ordinary families chose the mercenary academy to make something of themselves, hoping to become powerful mercenaries or even knights for noble lords. But more often than not, they died right after stepping out into the world.

Tahina couldn't bear to see her like this. "Let me help you," she said. "I'm a mage too."

As she spoke, she turned to the barmaid behind the counter with a pleading look, hoping for approval.

The barmaid frowned, then sighed. "Be careful on the road."

"Mm!" Tahina smiled, then gave Lanche a quick smile too, before pulling Kali's hand and heading out.

"Can she handle it alone?" Lanche wondered.

"You don't know this," the old mercenary chuckled, "but Tahina has magical talent—and it's definitely not low."

"I can't protect her forever," the barmaid sighed softly. "Cheated, scammed, robbed—the dangers of this world are something she must learn to face on her own."

Lanche agreed, but since he had never fought himself, he still felt uneasy.

"I hope we can return before dark," Tahina said, glancing at the sky. It was already approaching noon, leaving only half a day.

"Mm, let's hurry then. It's not far," Kali said.

Tahina nodded, holding a simple staff in her hand.

Soon, the two left the city together, heading for a nearby forest. It would take over an hour to walk there.

"Did you also graduate from the mercenary academy?" Kali asked.

"No, I learned magic at home by myself," Tahina smiled.

Kali looked envious. "Your talent level must be quite high, right?"

"It's okay," Tahina said without elaborating.

Normally, a special church ritual was needed to see one's talent level. Ordinary families couldn't afford the church's help, so most people didn't know their exact level—only by feeling. Anyway, once you start learning, you naturally know if you have talent or not.

Kali nodded without pressing further, and in low spirits, began recounting her experiences with her three teammates at the mercenary academy. In truth, she had realized her companions were beyond saving, so she couldn't help but reminisce.

Tahina quietly listened. As a waitress in the tavern, she was good at this.

"We're almost there," Kali said, stopping her rambling. She gripped her dagger tightly, her eyes filled with hatred.

Tahina immediately grew serious. After taking a few silent deep breaths, she calmed herself down.

Soon, they arrived at the site of the attack—a cave.

"The Goblin nest is inside," Kali said. "About a dozen of them. The cave entrance is narrow, so my teammates couldn't maneuver well, and then they were... Ah! Goblins!" she gasped.

From the nearby bushes emerged a few green-skinned Goblins, grinning wickedly. A group also emerged from the dark cave, wielding filthy knives, spears, and clubs.

"Cackle! Cackle!" They all laughed, leering shamelessly at the two girls.

"Why are they out here?" Kali tensed up, not expecting to be surrounded right at the cave entrance.

"Don't worry, I can handle this," Tahina said, gripping her staff tightly. Nervous but calm, she stared at the Goblins.

The Goblins cackled wickedly, smug about their successful ambush. Especially when they recognized Kali, their defeated foe—they didn't take her seriously at all.

"Kraaah!" the Goblins roared, all charging forward.

Kali's pupils contracted. Gasping for breath, she finally let out a furious roar and charged into the cave, slashing wildly. Since she wielded a short dagger and was a speed-type assassin, she could fight effectively in the cave's confines, which allowed her to escape before. Now, in her rage, she stabbed two Goblins.

"Calm down!" Tahina urgently reminded her.

The Goblins behind also charged forward.

"Wind, rise!" she chanted urgently, summoning a strong gust that blew the Goblins back.

"Piercing wind!" Her chanting was fast and practiced. Though she had lacked the courage for real combat, she had practiced this spell hundreds of times. With a wave of her staff, a wind blade shot out, slicing through a Goblin's body.

"Great!" she exclaimed happily.

The other Goblins paused for a moment, then charged forward angrily.

"Wind, rise!" Tahina used the same spell again. Goblins were about the size of ten-year-old children; this strong wind was enough to keep them from advancing.

"Piercing wind!" Tahina repeated the spell, killing another Goblin. Though she lacked area-of-effect spells, as long as she kept this rhythm, she could wipe out all the Goblins.

But then Kali let out a scream of pain. One Goblin, risking injury, took a stab to the abdomen but swung its club, breaking Kali's arm.

Kali dropped her weapon, screaming "Ahhh!" in pain and rage as she stumbled back. Two Goblins remained, grinning lecherously as they approached her, their gazes lewdly scanning the girl's body.

"Kali, let's get out first!" Tahina shouted. She used wind to blow the Goblins at the entrance off balance, then immediately grabbed Kali and rushed out.

They escaped successfully, but as they passed the Goblins, Kali's calf was slashed.

Kali screamed again in pain, unable to hold back her tears. She couldn't understand. At graduation, she had been full of ambition—why couldn't she even defeat a bunch of small Goblins?

"Oh no, you're poisoned! We need an antidote fast!" Tahina panicked, the situation too chaotic. The Goblins in the cave were about to chase out; she quickly cast another gust of wind. But Kali was bleeding and poisoned; Tahina wanted to give her the antidote quickly.

"Don't worry about me," Kali cried, her fighting spirit completely crushed. "I should have died with them in that cave anyway."

"Don't give up!" Tahina urged her. "Quick, let's run a distance away. I'll give you the antidote first!"

But Kali collapsed on the ground, crying, unable to stand up.