The Anti-Hero
Chapter 12: Hobgoblins
"But, wouldn't it be too dangerous if we continued our activities?" rover
"It's dangerous, but it's for the sake of nurturing your experience and also to teach you that the wild is dangerous" [Barrier Master] said
Suddenly, there was the sound of a wooden branch being stepped on as [Barrier Master] and Rover were arguing
The voice made the two of them stop arguing and immediately put up a fighting position
Likewise with Van and the other students of the academy even though the other students of the academy were standing with trembling feet
"A-anoo, there are 1 Hobgoblins and 12 goblins that have surrounded us" said one of the academy students
[Barrier Master] who heard the remark of the student was instantly shocked "Everything, be prepared for a long-term battle. If there's a Hobgoblin, it means there's a goblin nest near us"
From the bushes, 3 goblins appeared with wooden bats in their hands.3 goblins walked up to Van's entourage boldly
However, just as the three goblins were walking a few steps, a lightning bolt struck them until they turned to ashes
[Barrier Master] turned towards Rover and nodded in satisfaction
As a result of the lightning strike, Hobgoblin and the other goblins immediately fled in a hurry
[Barrier Master] heaved a sigh of relief and turned to the students of the academy "Let's switch positions, it looks like the goblins will come back with more numbers"
Van and the others nodded and went packing. They then walked down the river
"By the way, are you guys ready with the [Academy Tournament]?" ask [Barrier Master] to Van and the others
"Yes, of course. [Academy Tournament] will be a stepping stone for me to become the #1 hero" said Rover and [Barrier Master] only shaking his head at the narcissistic Rover
"You have to try hard. [Academy Tournament] which will determine which you will be apprenticed during the 4th to 7th year" said [Barrier Master]
After tracing the river for hours until the afternoon, Van's group accidentally met with another group of academy students
The eyes of [Barrier Master] instantly sparkled upon meeting the leader of another group
"Hey [Blinkers]! How are you?" ask [Barrier Master] to the leader of another group, [Blinkers]
Hero #300 [Blinkers] with Skill [Blink]
[Blink]: Can teleport 10 meters away from the user's crew location
"As usual, I'm fine" [Blinkers] replied
"I advise you to turn around, behind there is a goblin nest and there seems to be a lot of Hobgoblins" said the [Barrier Master]
Not waiting for [Blinker]'s response, one of the academy's students interrupted upon hearing [Barrier Master]'s suggestion. "Hey, is there a strong opponent?! Hey [Blinkers], let's go!"
[Barrier Master] turned to the student who interrupted his conversation and looked back at [Blinkers]
[Blinkers] who were aware of [Barrier Master's] gaze could only shrug his shoulders "As usual, arrogant S rank students"
[Barrier Master] then looked back at the S rank student who had interrupted his conversation. "Son, I know you're strong. However, Hobgoblins are completely different from the goblins you used to fight"
"Heh, no matter" said the student then turned into a flash of light and disappeared from his place
"Jeez, Ace" muttered [Blinkers] in annoyance
"Van, you go after that bad boy. We'll catch up with you" [Barrier Master] ordered
Van nodded and started running towards Ace's flash of light
"Don't let the boy escape, Ace can move at the speed of light" [Blinkers] voice sounded
[Barrier Master] then nodded in response to [Blinkers] question. "Don't forget that he's also hero's son #1"
"What a monster" muttered [Blinkers]
On the other hand, Carl finally caught up with Ace who was currently fighting with dozens of goblins
However, the battle was easy as it looked that Ace was currently smiling in the face of dozens of goblins
Ace also notices Van's arrival and turns into a flash of light, and appears next to Van
"Where is Hobgoblin? Fighting against a croco like a goblin is just wasting my time" Ace told Van
But Van didn't answer Ace's question. Van grabbed a goblin that jumped towards them with his palm
Van activated [Decay] and the goblin that felt in Van's palm instantly shattered into dust
Ace who was at the side was immediately attracted to Van after seeing the action. Ace then extended his hand to Van. "Include me Ace, the [Light Speed] skill that can move as fast as light"
However, Van did not return Ace's greeting and only focused on killing the goblins that approached them
Ace who saw the action of Van who ignored him instantly became a little annoyed. "Oh come on"
Ace then turned into a flash of light and appeared in front of Van with swinging legs
Van took a step back and managed to avoid Ace's kick
Ace once again turned into a flash of light and appeared above Van
Ace raised his leg up and swung it down. But managed to be held by Van by crossing both arms above the head
Ace turned into a flash of light and retreated as far as a dozen meters
But just as Ace had just landed, Ace suddenly felt a crisis in his heart. Ace then looked back and saw a 3-meter-tall hobgoblin standing behind him
The hobgoblin swung its weapon in the form of a very large wooden bat. Ace instantly turned into a flash of light and appeared right next to Van. "What the fuck?! Since when did he appear?!"
"Not just one hobgoblin, there are still 4 others and hundreds of goblins have surrounded us" Van said next to Ace
Ace who heard Van's words immediately smiled widely and stared at the very dark surroundings as it had been a night with burning eyes. "This is the fight I want"
Ace then turned into a flash of light and appeared next to the hobgoblin that had wanted to attack him. "Hey, have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?" ask Ace
Ace then kicked the hobgoblin's left waist and threw him tens of meters away
Ace once again turned into a flash of light and attacked the surrounding goblins that surrounded him
On the other hand, the 3 hobgoblins approached the Van and swung their weapons together
As the attack neared Van, Van reached out his hand and the three weapons were instantly smashed into dust
3 hobgoblins were stunned for a moment and Van took advantage of the opportunity. Van ran to one of the hobgoblins and touched the hobgoblin's back with his palm
When Van touches it, the hobgoblin turns to dust. Van's action causes the hobgoblins to become frightened and try to escape
However, Van only touches the ground and the area around Van as the grass, animals, and goblins around disintegrate into dust
Van's attack is getting closer to both hobgoblins. Upon reaching the two of them, the two hobgoblins instantly shattered into dust
Van then towards Ace. Van sees that Ace has defeated the other hobgoblins and the remains of the goblins
Finally, the [Barrier Master], [Blinkers], and the other academy students finally arrived. They were shocked when they saw the destruction around Van and the mountain of corpses near Ace