Deep within the cave.
Though called “pitch-black,” it wasn’t truly lightless—just dimmer than elsewhere. A closer look let you barely make out the surroundings.
Of course, eager as she was, Bai Xia wasn’t foolish enough to charge in recklessly. That’d be suicide. After a silent glance with Tianzheng, they both instinctively treaded lightly and crept forward.
In the gloom, the nest at the tunnel’s end loomed like a monstrous maw ready to devour anyone who approached. The silence was so thick Bai Xia could hear her own heartbeat.
They edged closer to the passage’s end and ducked behind a large protruding rock to observe.
“There seem to be quite a few monsters,” Bai Xia murmured.
Beyond doubt, the passage opened into the goblins’ nest—a shockingly vast space. In the dim light, Bai Xia quickly counted over twenty creatures.
Tianzheng didn’t reply. He stared at the blue crystal in his palm, lost in thought.
He’d just pried it from the nearby wall. Unlike the faintly glowing crystals outside, these inner-wall stones were stained ink-black—“black crystals” would’ve been a better name.
[Polluted Blue Crystal]: Once an ordinary blue crystal, contaminated by an unknown aura. Holds no value.
Ordinary blue crystals were low-grade forging materials, but these were labeled polluted and unusable.
The phrase “unknown aura” made Bai Xia raise an eyebrow. She recalled the mutated and berserk goblins they’d faced earlier—both seemed twisted by that same contamination.
So… what *was* this aura?
“This quest just got more interesting than we thought,” Tianzheng whispered, setting the polluted crystal aside.
A cave unnaturally rich in crystals. Mutated goblins. Polluted ore. A nest humming with wrongness…
The situation was growing complex—but Bai Xia felt a thrill of excitement.
Tianzheng’s expression stayed neutral. He gently pulled Bai Xia forward, adjusting their angle for a clearer view.
“Eight Level 7 common goblins. Six goblin guards. Two berserk goblins. Two mutated ones. Four archers. Two mages. And…”
His gaze swept past the swarm and locked onto the frail goblin tightly guarded at the center.
“The Goblin Lord.”
Not an ordinary one.
Following his line of sight, Bai Xia spotted the anomaly instantly.
Seated deep in the nest, the Goblin Lord’s body was an eerie ashen gray, skin crawling with crimson veins. Wisps of ominous black mist coiled around it.
Eyes shut tight, motionless—only occasional pained whimpers broke the silence.
[Goblin Lord (Evolving)]: Level 10 Elite, HP 3800. Originally a common goblin. Consumed unknown substance here, triggering mutation and continuous evolution. Draws goblins near while spreading corrupting aura. Evolution progress: 60%. Upon completion: Level 20 Lord Boss.
Skills: Unknown
Special: Immobilized and non-aggressive during evolution. Guarding goblins remain vigilant until evolution concludes.
Bai Xia: "…"
*What is this?*
The system alert left her stunned. Level 10 Elite? Manageable. Level 20 Lord?!
Her brow furrowed deeply. The nest’s danger level far exceeded their expectations.
Even ignoring the boss—currently just a sitting duck but soon a Level 20 threat—the sheer number of lesser monsters was overwhelming. Just two of them.
How? *Impossible.*
For a heartbeat, retreat flickered in her mind. The village chief’s quest was done. No need to poke this hornet’s nest.
But Tianzheng seemed to read her thoughts. He leaned close to her ear, voice barely a breath: “Don’t rush. We might just have a shot.”
“…How? There are *so many*.”
Bai Xia shifted slightly away. Hyper-realism of the top-tier login device hit her then—the warmth of his breath on her earlobe, startlingly vivid. It tickled. She couldn’t shove him off. Resigned, she forced her focus back to the nest.
“Just testing luck. No guarantees,” he murmured.
Then he moved.
One step closer to the nest’s edge—close enough that another step would expose him and rouse every guardian.
Bai Xia watched, trusting him despite confusion.
Tianzheng halted. Then… pulled out a stone.
A common drop from a slain goblin. Decent range. Negligible damage.
In one fluid motion, he stood and hurled it—*thwack*—square on a goblin’s head.
The struck goblin froze, then roared and charged. Others stirred—but as Tianzheng retreated swiftly down the passage, they hesitated and held position, unwilling to abandon their lord.
The enraged goblin reached the nest’s edge, turned to retreat—
*Thwack.* A second stone, thrown by Tianzheng (who’d pulled Bai Xia back), struck true.
Two lumps swelled on its green skull. Fury boiled over. Aggro locked. Defying instinct, the runt lunged down the passage toward them, rusty cleaver raised.
Tianzheng didn’t flinch. A faint smile touched his lips.
“Got it.”
