The Lord’s Raids

Cliff's POV

"Your desires are orders!!"

When I heard Rakahn say these words, a satisfied smile spread across my face. He's so reliable.

I turned my gaze away and saw a swarm of creatures rushing toward us. These strange beings were humanoid in shape, their green skin and protruding canines giving them an appearance reminiscent of oversized chimpanzees, despite their small stature.

They wielded primitive weapons—spears fashioned from sharpened stones affixed to heavy wooden rods.

"It's what we call a club, I think."

With my weapon drawn, I waited until the creatures were closer to strike. Their eerie howls disrupted my concentration. Being sensitive to noise and vibrations due to my "echolocation" ability often left me feeling a bit disoriented, especially when I kept it active for too long.

I quickly funneled my mana into my body, activating my strengthening skill as I charged into the horde, my saber poised for attack.

[You killed a monster: a Green Goblin]

[You received an Essence Stone]

The announcement echoed in my mind, but I ignored it, focusing instead on directing my katana toward another goblin's chest to impale it, then kicking it away to free my weapon.

[You killed…]

[You received an Essence Stone…]

I sliced through the mass of creatures, my weapon sharp enough to sever limbs and heads with ease.

Anyone unfortunate enough to cross my path ended up mutilated, their severed body parts scattering across the ground.

I dashed toward the center of the swarm, my target in sight. I was after the one responsible for the roar I had heard earlier—the leader of this legion of goblins.

This creature resembled the others but was significantly larger and stronger. If the goblins were like chimpanzees, this hulking figure was akin to a gorilla.

As soon as the abomination noticed me, it unleashed another ferocious roar and lunged in my direction, raising its weapon overhead.

"So, you want to fight me too?" I shouted, sprinting back to dodge its attack.

The creature's club smashed into the ground, sending cracks spidering across the earth. Seizing the moment while it was distracted, I struck.

In mere seconds, the whistle of my saber carved a deep gash across its back.

The abomination howled in fury, its crimson eyes burning with rage.

"Does it hurt?" I taunted. "Let me shorten your suffering—come on… just a little bit more."

With those words, I channeled my mana into my legs, depleting nearly half my energy as I activated my strengthening skill.

As I sprinted forward, I focused on my saber and the exact spot I intended to cut. Tightening my grip on my katana, I closed the distance between us with precision.

The hideous creature swung its weapon wildly, its inability to strategize putting it at a significant disadvantage against a fighter like me. "It's like fighting a five-year-old child," I thought as I ducked to evade a sweeping blow from the creature's club.

Despite the primate's ferocious swings, I found my opening.

Taking a swift step back, I lunged above it, spinning my body as I cut downward toward the beast.

In a fraction of a second, the whistle of my saber rang out, severing the creature's head cleanly from its body.

The announcement whispered in my ear:

[You killed a variant monster: a Green Hobgoblin]

[You received a Variant Essence Stone]

I opened the abomination's torso, retrieving my spoils.

"I'll have to work on my techniques," I mused, glancing at my katana.

With a flick of my wrist, I shook off the blue blood of the abominable creature, preparing for the next wave of enemies.