The village looked eerily familiar.
This place… it's just like Augustus Village from back then.
Angel's gaze swept across the small settlement. Modest homes built of worn timber, narrow paths veined with dust and footsteps, and villagers with guarded eyes—it was all too familiar. Memories tugged at him, but he remained silent.
"When do they usually attack?" Angel asked, his tone calm but focused.
William Kahn, the village chief, scratched the back of his neck and sighed. His face bore the weight of sleepless nights.
"The goblins usually strike after sundown," William explained. "But recently, it's been unpredictable. They attacked in broad daylight once—silent as shadows. Not a single guard saw them coming. We lost three people that day."
Angel narrowed his eyes. "Are goblins really that organized? This sounds... off. It's like they knew how to bypass a guarded perimeter."
William shook his head. "That's the problem. Goblins aren't supposed to be like this. They're usually just mindless beasts that charge in screaming. But only hobgoblins and goblin shamans are known to display any kind of tactical thinking."
A glimmer of understanding lit Angel's expression. "So we're not dealing with just ordinary goblins."
"You don't need to worry," Angel said, his voice steely. "I'll handle them."
William's eyes widened, disbelief and hope warring in his expression. "Thank you, adventurer. Truly. If you're staying the night, you may rest in my home. It's not much, but the room's clean and warm."
"I appreciate your hospitality," Angel replied.
William personally guided him to a small room at the back of the house. The bed was modest, the walls plain, but it had a peaceful stillness.
Once alone, Angel sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
Chi Manipulation: Expand.
His senses burst outward like a ripple on a pond—he could feel the faint pulse of every breath in the village, hear the nervous murmurs behind closed doors, smell the tang of burning oil, and taste the creeping dread clinging to the air like smoke.
Outside, voices whispered in hushed tones.
"Village chief, are you really putting our lives in the hands of a stranger? He's just one man!" a woman hissed.
I can hear you, Angel thought.
"I know," William said softly. "But he was confident. Sometimes... sometimes that's all we can hope for. If he fails, we'll leave this place behind. But until then, I'll trust him."
The sun fell, and darkness rose with a chilling wind.
Angel's senses flared.
Something's entered the perimeter... no, multiple presences...
His eyes snapped open.
Demonic energy.
The village bell rang loud and sudden, followed by the rising chorus of shouts.
"The goblins! They're here!" someone screamed.
Angel stepped outside. Panic spread like wildfire as villagers fled indoors or armed themselves with shaking hands.
William rushed toward him, panting. "Angel! The goblins—they're attacking!"
"I can see that," Angel said, his tone calm as he faced the onrushing horde. Dozens of goblins poured from the treeline, their green skin slick with sweat, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Fifty... maybe more.
"And I said no monster shall do harm." Angel stepped forward. His voice rang like a bell.
"[Art of the Heavenly War: Spiritual Samurai Summoning]!"
Dozens of golden formations flared to life around him, lighting the ground in ethereal flame. From them emerged spectral warriors clad in ancient samurai armor, each wielding gleaming katanas. Their auras burned with sacred fire.
They stood in perfect formation.
"Engage," Angel commanded.
The spirits surged forward with inhuman discipline, clashing against the goblin horde. Blades met claws, armor met fang. Angel didn't watch long.
His attention was elsewhere.
Those goblins... they're puppets.
Through his chi manipulation, he could see the strings of demonic energy extending from the goblins' bodies—thin, pulsing veins of dark magic.
They led into the forest.
"The samurai will hold the line," Angel muttered. "I need to find the puppeteer."
He dashed into the forest, following the threads of energy. Minutes passed, and eventually, he stood before a shadowy cave nestled beneath a ridge.
This is it.
He stepped inside and followed the passage down into the earth until it widened into a massive subterranean chamber. Cracked pillars lined the room, and in the center sat a shattered throne.
Hundreds of goblins filled the space. Four massive ones towered above the rest. And on the throne, holding a crooked staff adorned with skulls, sat a goblin shaman.
"Let's begin the purge," Angel muttered.
"Tempest Sword Release—[Heavenly Demon Sword Arts: First Form – Sky Slashing Sword]!"
A shockwave exploded from his blade, slicing through rows of goblins with a vertical slash brimming with demonic energy.
"186 left. Now 145. 122..." Angel whispered, his voice calm, almost enjoying himself.
A rain of stone spikes suddenly flew toward him—hurled by the four giant goblins.
"Heh. [Arts Switch: Mountain Arts]. [Mountain Arts: Stone Control]," Angel declared.
The stone spikes halted mid-air, then reversed course like harpoons, smashing into their senders with brutal precision.
"Let's finish this. [Mountain Arts: Stone Pillars]!"
The earth trembled. Dozens of jagged spikes erupted beneath the goblins, impaling them from below. Screams echoed off the ancient walls until only the shaman remained.
Trembling, the goblin clutched his staff.
"The strings... they all lead to you," Angel said, stepping forward. "You controlled them. You caused all this death. Time to pay the price."
One clean slash silenced the shaman forever.
Angel stood alone in the blood-soaked chamber.
Now... where are the women and children?
"Chi Manipulation: Extend!"
He scanned every inch of the cave system... until—
"Who are you!?" a sharp voice barked.
Angel turned. Five robed figures stood near a hidden corridor.
"I should be asking you that. How do you know this place?" Angel asked, eyes narrowing.
"You dare interrupt the will of the goddess?" one of them hissed. "We are the Children of the Night. And those women and children? They are offerings to our Lady."
"Cultists..." Angel growled.
"Don't compare us to those demonic goblins!" the leader shouted. "We serve the true goddess! The Night Mother shall awaken soon, and—"
"Yeah, I've heard enough."
Angel stepped forward, blade humming.
"Kill him!" the cultist leader ordered. "He's weakened! Don't let him interfere!"
Angel smirked.
"Weakened? I've only just begun."
His eyes glowed faintly.
Let's have some fun.