Chapter 28: The Battle Ends

The Goblin Priest’s heart sank as he saw the smile on Luo Xiu’s face.

He raised his ritual staff high, chanting ancient and mysterious incantations. As if something from the void had answered his call, swirling vortexes appeared in the sky above.

Brilliant crimson light erupted from within the vortexes, and one massive rock after another, wreathed in scorching flames, came crashing down toward Luo Xiu.

[Meteorite]—a skill exclusive to the Priest class.

Seeing that each of the falling rocks was the size of a millstone, Luo Xiu knew he could not simply take the hit. He dodged, sprinting into the distance.

The Goblin Priest, watching Luo Xiu run, assumed he was terrified. He scoffed at the human’s stupidity. A skill with such destructive power as Meteorite required a constant, uninterrupted chant, which was why it couldn't be cast by planting the staff in the ground like the previous vine attack; it had to be held. The only way to break the skill was to charge through the meteor shower and silence the caster, but this ignorant human was foolishly trying to flee. How could his speed possibly outpace a falling star?

Luo Xiu, however, had already realized the problem. These falling rocks were too fast; at his current speed, he couldn't dodge them all. Several times, he was grazed by the flames clinging to the stones, leaving behind large, painful, charred scars.

But... he couldn't just give up on his points, could he?

Risking the barrage, Luo Xiu charged directly toward the low-level goblins. Amidst the deafening roar of explosions, he caught up to the panicking group. He swung his broadsword, and the heads of two Tier 1 goblins were sent flying. With another overhead strike, a third Tier 1 goblin was cleaved clean in two.

He couldn't reach the remaining two Tier 1 goblins in time, as the whistling meteorites were closing in. Luo Xiu was forced to dodge, watching helplessly as four potential points were reduced to ash. He immediately pivoted toward the last two Tier 2 goblins; he hadn't yet claimed points from a Tier 2, and seeing them turned to dust would be a massive loss.

The two Tier 2 goblins saw Luo Xiu rushing toward them and, lacking weapons, could only attempt to block with their bare fists. They clung to a sliver of hope, having survived a single exchange with him earlier, though they had been completely overpowered.

But Luo Xiu’s strength stat had increased by another 11 points since then, and the goblins no longer had their stone hammers.

He swung his sword.

The two goblins remained frozen in their punching posture as a clean, diagonal cut appeared across their bodies, slicing from their upper right to their lower left. They fell into four pieces.

[Host has slain Goblin Warrior x2, points +10]

"Sweet!"

Seeing his available points reach a total of 23, Luo Xiu felt a surge of satisfaction. He immediately spent 13 points, boosting his Strength by 10 and his Agility by 3. His Strength reached a terrifying 88, and his Agility rose to 25.

He turned back to face the raining meteorites and the Goblin Priest standing behind them, staff in hand, and charged straight ahead.

It was time to end this.

The Goblin Priest sneered as he watched Luo Xiu rush toward him. If the human had charged at the beginning to interrupt the chant, he might have had a chance, but now there was a vast distance between them. Trying to cross such a long meteor field was nothing but a pipe dream.

Just as he felt victory was assured, black smoke rose from the ground, instantly shrouding the entire settlement and obscuring his vision.

*Dust Cloud?*

*Does this guy have an accomplice?!*

The Goblin Priest, now in darkness, felt a wave of intense anxiety. He directed the meteorites toward the ground, hoping the impact would disperse the smoke, but it was ineffective; the falling rocks only kicked up more dust. Desperate, he was forced to cease the meteor shower and began chanting a different incantation.

A frigid, howling gale descended from above, instantly blowing away the black smoke. But as the Goblin Priest’s vision cleared, his heart tightened.

The ground before him was empty. There was no sign of Luo Xiu.

*Where did he go?!*

Realizing the truth, he spun around, only to see Luo Xiu high above with his broadsword raised, offering a shy smile.

"Found you."

He brought the blade down with tremendous force. The Goblin Priest could only raise his staff to parry.

*BOOM!!!*

The staff trembled, nearly knocked from the Priest's hands by the sheer impact. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he stared in disbelief at the smiling human.

*This human's strength increased again!!! How is this possible?!!*

There was no time to ponder; Luo Xiu swung again. Another collision followed, and this time the Priest felt it even more acutely, the terrifying force vibrating through his staff and forcing a pained shriek from his throat.

Luo Xiu’s sword speed did not falter—strike after strike, blow after blow! The thunderous sounds of impact rang out in rapid succession. The Goblin Priest felt his arms trembling violently, blood spilling uncontrollably from his mouth. He looked at Luo Xiu with sheer terror. *Is this really a human?!!*

Luo Xiu, however, felt an incomparable thrill with every swing. This collision of raw power was exhilarating.

*Slash! Slash! Slash!*

Luo Xiu’s sword grew faster and faster until a shrill, dying cry of "Gyeh!!!" pierced the air. The Goblin Priest could no longer hold his staff, and it clattered to the ground.

His massive body slumped onto the earth, and as he looked up at Luo Xiu, the fear in his heart reached its peak. *This is no human, this is absolutely no human!!!*

*I have to run, I must run!*

His ugly face was twisted with terror. Like a defeated beast, he pushed himself up with his hands, trying to turn and flee.

Luo Xiu watched his broken opponent, let out a breath, and without a word, swept his blade across the Goblin Priest’s neck.

*Thwack!!*

The massive head rolled to the ground, its expression of horror frozen forever. The battle had finally come to an end.

[Host has slain Goblin Priest, points +20]

Luo Xiu stood in place, a sense of relief washing over him. Ever since he had transmigrated to this dangerous world, he had kept his nerves tightly coiled. After today’s battle, he could finally allow himself to relax a little. At the very least, he had proven he possessed the ability to protect himself.

"Master!!!"

Leila came running from a corner, carrying a large bundle, and rushed happily to Luo Xiu’s side. "Master, you were so cool just now!!!"

Hearing his Leila’s praise, Luo Xiu couldn't help but feel happy. He smiled and ruffled her hair. He looked at the bundle on her back and asked curiously, "Leila, what are you carrying?"

"Master, I saw you were doing fine on your own, so I went and packed up the things from the goblins' home!" Leila looked a bit regretful. "It's just that the magic pocket was too small; even after taking only the valuable things, there was still a huge bundle that wouldn't fit."

"You mean you emptied out their home?" Luo Xiu blinked.

"Mmhmm!!!" Leila lifted her chin, looking at Luo Xiu with anticipation, as if "praise me" were written all over her face.

Luo Xiu, naturally, heaped praise upon his thoughtful Leila. Her eyes curved into crescents of joy. She untied the bundle and laid a few items out before him.

"Master, most of these were just herbs and furs, but I didn't recognize these few things. I found them in the room of the biggest goblin."

Luo Xiu looked at the objects: a necklace made of skulls, a map, a piece of parchment, and a purple crystal.