My Magic Has No Upper Limit

The squad encountered no other trouble along the way. The few wild beasts they came across were all sensible enough to flee, not daring to provoke the fully armed Adventurers.

After marching for about two hours, Hill’s figure suddenly appeared ahead of the squad.

"We’re almost there."

Hill tilted his head. "The Mist Cave is at the foot of the mountain ahead, and there are three goblins guarding the entrance."

The squad members immediately focused, entering a state of combat readiness.

They began to move forward as silently as possible, making no loud noises.

After passing through a large barrier of ferns, the scene before them opened up.

In the middle of Gray Wood Forest, a continuous, towering mountain range cut across the land—a magnificent sight.

At the base of the steep cliff directly in front of them, a huge cave entrance gaped open—the Mist Cave.

The Mist Cave was situated in low-lying terrain, like a natural basin, where an underground river flowing from deep within the mountains pooled.

The evaporating river water mixed with the humidity of the surrounding woods, creating a hazy, dreamlike landscape that resembled clouds and mist.

"More fog..." Zelir muttered, waving a hand in front of his face.

The familiar scene gave him a strange sense of déjà vu, and the image of a Fog Demon involuntarily popped into his mind.

Just as Hill had said, three hunched creatures holding crude clubs stood before the Mist Cave.

They were only about a meter tall, a good deal shorter than a normal human.

"Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas"

[Tier One]: Goblin

Individual Threat Rating: [Simple]

Appearance:

Small-statured, humanoid creatures with skin that is typically a dirty green or earthy yellow. They have scrawny limbs and long, pointed ears.

Habits:

Individual goblins are extremely timid and exist at the bottom of the food chain. However, once they gather in sufficient numbers, their cruel and greedy nature is revealed.

They favor occupying dark caves, though settlements resembling small villages can occasionally be found.

Goblins have a strict internal hierarchy. Unlike disorganized wild beasts, they know how to use tools and fight as a group.

Core Weaknesses:

A goblin’s entire body is a weak point; no special targeting is required. A farmer with a hoe can easily kill one.

Association Notes:

The first and most important lesson for new Adventurers: Never let your guard down against any Demon.

Although goblins are extremely weak, every year there is no shortage of Adventurers who die at their hands by underestimating them. Always remain vigilant!

P.S.

Stop adding all those weird goblin variants to the Atlas! That means you, the Yue Ma Town branch!

The group pulled back a bit and began discussing their strategy in low voices.

"Looks like it’s just these three sentries out here."

Marcus scanned his teammates. "The White-haired Goblin, the Beastman Goblin, and the rest of the main goblin force must be inside the cave."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s just charge in and slaughter them all!" Gak said excitedly. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Charging in like that is suicide. Goblin nests are usually a confusing maze inside. One wrong step into a trap, and you’re done for. You want to get your stomach run through with a dung-smeared spear?"

Valles said, "And don’t forget, the Rod Squad died at their hands."

"What about a fire attack? We could block the entrance and blow smoke inside. Once they can’t stand it anymore, they’ll have to come out, and we can pick them off."

Gray patted the pack on his back. "I happened to bring some torches."

"That’s not a great idea. We don’t know if the cave has other exits. What if we alert them and they just escape?"

Marcus shook his head. "As long as the White-haired Goblin is alive, it can quickly assemble another small Goblin Community."

The squad fell silent for a moment, everyone pondering a strategy.

"Let’s lure them out," Zelir said suddenly.

"Lure them how?" Hill asked, looking at Zelir.

"Marcus, you, Gray, and Gak will go over first and get their attention."

Zelir sketched in the dirt with a twig. "The Rod Squad died at their hands not long ago. When they see only three people show up, they’re bound to get cocky and send out their whole force."

"Then, your job is to stall them. Draw the whole lot out, bit by bit, and lead them in our direction. Valles and I will lie in ambush in the bushes. The moment the White-haired Goblin shows itself, we’ll snipe it!"

Marcus considered it for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

"I think that can work. What’s the verdict from everyone else?"

"A decapitation strike is the best way to deal with a community led by a White-haired Goblin. Anything else would be a huge pain," Valles agreed.

Besides, after his promotion to Middle Level Ranger, he was confident he could handle the assassination. No goblin would be able to stop his arrow.

Gray and Gak nodded as well.

"Then while you three draw their attention from the front, I’ll provide support from the perimeter," Hill said. "If something unexpected happens when the White-haired Goblin appears, I can also go for the kill."

"Alright. That’s the plan, then," Marcus declared, setting the strategy.

...

「At the entrance of the Mist Cave.」

A goblin squatted on a mossy boulder, bored out of its mind. It prodded a dung beetle with its finger, forcing the beetle to scurry in different directions.

When it grew tired of the game, it simply snatched up the dung beetle, tossed it into its mouth, and swallowed it with a CRUNCH CRUNCH.

Meanwhile, the other two goblins were chattering in their unique language.

"Greegu..."

A relatively scrawny goblin rubbed its belly and whined feebly, "WAGAGA..."

(I’m so hungry. You have food?)

"WAGA! A-GULUGULU!" the other goblin snapped back impatiently.

(I don’t! Just deal with it!)

"GULULU... GA-A GA-A, JI-I GAWA," the first goblin said, its face falling.

(I miss that big meal from two days ago. Human flesh is so delicious.)

"GAWAWA! GU-AH!"

(Stop complaining and stand your post!)

The goblins assigned to guard the entrance typically held a low rank in the community. They never got any of the good stuff and had to go hungry every day.

Even during the rare feast of human flesh two days ago, they had only managed to get a single piece of meat and a couple of mouthfuls of soup.

A light breeze stirred the drifting mist. Suddenly, the sentry goblin’s eyes flew wide open.

It saw three dark figures appear up ahead, and they were closing in fast!

"GAGU WAKA! GAGU WAKA!"

(Alert! Alert! We have a situation!)

The shout immediately snapped the two goblins beside it to attention.

"Go!" Marcus commanded in a low voice.

The three men broke into a sprint, charging straight for the cave entrance. The three goblins were momentarily stunned with panic.