Chad led his team forward after taking on another group of Goblins. The next target wouldn’t be as simple.

After killing that group of Goblins, the others had gathered around the Sub-Boss. Many sets of eyes gazed in every direction, searching for the intruders.

There were still four Goblin work squads left, along with the Sub-Boss. Chad peered at the group from the edge of a nearby fissure, trying to decide the safest way to proceed.

“Maverick, how many of the lower Levels do you think you can tank?” Chad asked while looking toward the other man with a buckler.

They had both chosen the Warrior Class, increasing their Strength and Defense. The only difference was that Chad had chosen a defensive self-buff for his Skill while Maverick had chosen an aggro ability.

Maverick looked over Chad’s shoulder at the smaller Goblins. There were very few at Level 25, and a large majority were closer to Level 15.

“Mmm, give me two guys to help clear them, and I can aggro all of them. That’s only if we can separate the Hobgoblins.”

Chad nodded and turned his attentions to the only Mage in the party, “Think you can take care of that?”

“Hell yeah. My Ice spells are purdy good fer single targets. Shouldn’t be too hard to single out the four bigg’uns.”

“Alright,” Chad gave him the thumbs up and pointed at two men in the group. “You guys head on with Maverick. You have the highest DPS, so I hope you’ll dispatch the small Goblins swiftly.”

They shifted over to stand beside the tanker while Chad finished speaking.

“The Sub-Boss hasn’t left its platform for some reason. It seems to be guarding something. Our goal is to finish the other Goblins out of range of its whip and hope that it won’t pursue.”

He motioned for the Mage to get started. The man dive rolled out of the fissure like he was some kind of secret agent and pelted the four Hobgoblins with shards of ice.

Chad had to admit that the man was accurate. Each shard knocked into one of the beast’s chests or shoulders, both drawing their attention and angering them.

The four creatures let their emotions get the better of them, rushing forward and knocking the small Goblins to the side who still hadn’t seen the Mage.

“Maverick, go!” Chad hissed as he ran forward to cover the Mage.

The two jumped from the small ledge they were on and ran to the opposite side of the quarry, four Hobgoblins and five men in pursuit.

Maverick left the fissure and cast his aoe aggro Skill on the remaining small Goblins before they could chase after the others.

The Goblins jeered and rushed up the hill, as anger overtook them and their minds became clouded with rage.

Maverick walked back slowly, keeping his footing in the center of the path and leading th Goblins passed the crevice. As the last Goblin ran by, the two fighters leapt out behind the pack of thirty six Goblins.

The two men brandished their weapons, making quick work of the many Level 15 Goblins who had lagged behind. Heads careened into the air with each swipe from their blades.

Maverick wasn’t standing idly and allowing the Goblins to pound on his shield. He would lash out with counter-attacks to damage and slow the front most beasts.

Chad breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed the Sub-Boss hadn’t moved from its post. He glanced over to Maverick’s squad and found that they had already dispatched half of the enemy Goblins.

He stopped and turned, waiting for the Hobgoblins to reach him. They were far enough now that even if the monsters’ anger subsided, it was too late to help their brethren.

The Mage behind him blasted shards of ice, focusing on a single Hobgoblin and separating him from his group. The last five party members caught up to it quickly, surrounding it and bearing their spears toward it.

Even with the size of its club, the spear wielders had a slim range advantage. They alternated stepping in and stabbing toward it, leaving many superficial wounds.

The wounds continued to stack until they became fatal, the Hobgoblin fell to its knees and swung its club wildly in an effort to keep the tiny Humans away. It was no use.

The Mage fired constantly, keeping one of the beasts pushed back while Chad worked wonders to protect him from the other two. He had no aggro Skill, so he struggled to keep the two creatures from bypassing him.

One of the monsters slammed its club onto his shield, vibrating his arm and putting an immense pressure on his legs. He countered with his short sword, using Slash to make up for his shorter arm length.

The attack hit the beast, distracting it long enough for Chad to stab toward the target attempting to walk around him.

He glanced toward his companions, they were still rushing forward to catch up to the third beast. The Mage wouldn’t be able to assist him until that one was occupied.

“Shit!”

Chad grit his teeth as a club caught his sword arm, shattering his elbow and causing his to weapon to drop to the ground. He dived forward as another club whistled toward his head.

With no other choice, he put some distance between himself and the two beasts, pulling out a health potion and downing it in one gulp. The fluid felt cool falling down his throat, and that same sensation spread to all of his injuries.

The healing effects were instant for his bruises and numbed shield arm. As for his shattered allow, it only managed to relieve some of his pain.

There wasn’t enough time to down another potion with the two beasts now looming over him. He thrust his shield toward one of the monster’s swings.

The creature staggered, caught off guard by the sudden movement. It wasn’t enough to avoid all damage, but he did manage to meet the club before it could build up any momentum.

Chad stumbled backward, gritting his teeth and hoping that those watching from above wouldn’t intervene.