“Mr Oink can bring you around the forest quickly while I go ahead and scout for the Boar Knights.” the Dagger Goblin informed Ren Wei and Jing Ru before and he immediately disappeared into the shadows of the forests.
“Mister Ren Wei, I will show you a good vantage point so that you can get an overall view of this forest.” The spear goblin beckoned them to follow him while Mr Oink let the Sword Goblin ride on him so that he could rest a little longer as they tagged along behind the spear goblin.
As the entire group ventured through the forest, they eventually came across a small pathway that led up a ginormous tree. It was so narrow that it barely allowed Ren Wei to walk up, let alone the armoured boar knights. Hence, Mr Oink sat down near the pathway with the sword goblin while the spear goblin continued to lead the way for the human duo.
“Careful with your steps. Do not let the scenery and height to distract your footing.” The spear goblin was climbing up the giant tree swiftly and with grace, clearly displaying that he had done it many times before. Climbing the tree held some difficulty for Jing Ru and Ren Wei but they eventually managed to make it to the top to behold the beautiful view of the forest’s canopy.
“This feels so real.” Ren Wei took a deep breath in and the air was avidly fresh as it entered his lungs. To watch this landscape view of the serene top of the forest with Jing Ru had already made this entire dungeon trip worth it. To see her so happy… so relaxed, her emotions unrestrained as compared to the times she tried to behave well and proper when he was at home with her. It in a way comforted Ren Wei’s heart.
“There, I believe you can see that distant castle in the north? That’s the Boarman Castle. While you might not be able to see it clearly, there is-“
“Major movement from the North, marching towards the south. A regiment of roughly 40 odd people, sorry, I meant boars.” The spear goblin was surprised that Ren Wei was able to deduce that immediately…but later realised that he actually had his binoculars out and they had thermal functions.
“Wow, Dad you really are going all out! You even brought your expensive thermal binoculars?” Jing Ru was pleasantly shocked that her Dad brought out his personal set of gear for the dungeons. “Why not? This is in fact still a sort of battlefield that I am participating in. You cannot underestimate your enemy in any way.”
“I know the Dagger Goblin well enough that I know he will purposely mislead them to certain parts of the forest. This will give us ample time to set up any traps we or set up ambush positions.” the Spear Goblin commented as he started to show Ren Wei the layout of the goblin forest.
“If I am not mistaken, the dagger goblin will be leading them to the Venus Animal-traps. If they are still stupid enough to follow him through them and somehow make it through, he will most likely lead them to the poison venting trees. It should reduce their numbers by a fair bit.” The spear goblin remarked and Jing Ru raised her hand as if she was in class.
“Question, venus animal-traps?” The spear goblin laughed and apologised for not explaining.
“They are actually trees that eat live prey, they attract their unknowing prey with a beautiful scent or even an illusion of a female dryad. But usually, the live prey is eaten up because they wandered too close to the meat loving trees.” The Spear Goblin said as he passed a protective charm each to Ren Wei and Jing Ru.
“These charms will stop the meat eating trees from targeting you as well as providing a thin layer of protection against the poison. That does not mean you can stay there for long though.” The spear goblin explained.
“Then the dagger goblin has this with him too?” Jing Ru asked but the goblin surprisingly shook his head.
“We are immune to the forest’s weapons as we protect its secrets. Therefore, we transverse unhindered,” he replied.
“Lastly, right behind this big tree is where the hidden temple is. If what you say is true and we really do have to fall back to that place, I need to say that I have no clue what lies in store for us.” The spear goblin stared at Ren Wei for a moment and he understood clearly from the goblin that he really did not wish to disturb the inner peace of the temple.
“I cannot promise you that we won’t have to take cover in there but I can promise you that if we ever do, I will make sure that no survivors will ever report what they find back to their superiors. I will also promise you that neither of us will take anything from there for personal benefit.” Ren Wei was dead serious with his statements, which comforted and reassured the spear goblin.
“From their speed along with the density of the forest, I presume they will eventually have to get off their riding boars and walk through the danger zones. But let’s say they somehow knew where Mr Oink is hiding because I’m pretty sure we can assume he is hiding. How should we proceed?” Ren Wei said as they started to walk down the tree’s pathway.
“Ehh Dad! You are thinking too much, just bring Mr Oink with us as bait.” Jing Ru answered.
“But don’t you have to make sure your asset is safe rather than putting it in a risky position?”
“Heehee! We are in a dungeon, worst case scenario we can just try again.” Jing Ru laughed and Ren Wei sighed with a smile on his face. “Well at the moment young lady, you are not the one paying.” He gave a light knock on Jing Ru’s head as they reached the forest floor and Jing Ru stuck her tongue out at him.
In the end, the two humans and the two goblins along with one energetic Mr Oink came together as they discussed how to proceed.
“We will take roughly 10 minutes to reach to the Venus Animal-traps so that should give us some time to get some personal traps set up before they get there.” Ren Wei said as he placed his bag and storage ring on the ground alongside Jing Ru’s to have an inventory check.
“We have claymores, landmines, a few bear traps, shock traps and even automated pitfall traps… Oh, some explosive caltrops too!” Jing Ru said it out aloud and Ren Wei looked at her with a curious expression.
“Where did you even get all these kind of traps? I thought we only brought training claymores for dungeon instances.” The father was slightly concerned about his daughter’s choice of weaponry.
“Hahaha! I got it all from Boss Jin’s underground general and weapon store! They were having some minor discount so I took the chance to buy the items that I wanted. Oh, I also got myself a nice looking dress from there too.” Jing Ru smiled innocently but Ren Wei could not imagine the amount of money she had spent. She assured him those traps can only work in the dungeons and were bound by a standard restraining spell similar to the training claymores which could not be used outside of a dungeon instance.
“Ohhhhh I know that look Dad. No, I did not spend any more money than you gave me for the dungeon instances. All these can only be bought with panda medal coins. So in a way, they are all kind of like my rewards for winning Jin’s dungeons. They are not that easy to obtain at all!” Jing Ru had a slightly proud expression on her face, which startled Ren Wei as he looked at her with a devious smile.
“I have my own set of weaponry too and judging from what I have just seen, I know you will like them.” Ren Wei smirked as he took out his extensive gear of weapons.
Jing Ru’s eyes sparkled.
