Goblin King: My Innate Skill Is OP

From what I could see, the badger had clearly taken damage, but instead of slowing down, it only seemed to grow faster—almost manic—as it scrambled up the tree in pursuit of the fox.

The Emberfang Fox, realizing its attack had failed, leapt down in a flash of orange fur to avoid being cornered. It hit the ground with a light thud, staggered slightly, then bolted through the underbrush.

The badger didn't hesitate. It followed relentlessly, single-minded in its pursuit. It didn't care about anything else—just the fox.

It wouldn't stop until one of them was dead. Scary.

The fox's pace slowed, its breathing growing ragged, and this gave the Stonehide badger the chance to close the distance.

Then Ember Fox, in an attempt to escape, activated its skill:

[Blazing Mirage].

And in an instant, a burst of heat shimmered across the trail, and multiple blazing copies of the fox scattered into the woods, darting in different directions, tails ablaze.

But the badger didn't fall for it.

It didn't hesitate. It ignored the illusions completely, eyes locked on the real one.

It had memorized the real one's scent, and could now tell the original from the fakes without hesitation.

The badger quickly caught up to the fox and pounced.

The Emberfang Fox whirled around just in time, unleashing a barrage of blue flame arrows. Each one exploded on impact, engulfing the badger in flashes of searing light and smoke.

But as before, the badger charged through it all, seemingly unfazed. It barreled into the fox, the impact sending both of them tumbling violently across the forest floor.

They crashed to the ground in a flurry of fur and fury, claws raking and tearing into one another.

Blood sprayed as the two beasts snarled and snapped. The Emberfang Fox fought with everything it had, but it was clear it was at a disadvantage. The badger's claws were sharper, its weight heavier, its rage more focused.

Realizing it couldn't win in close quarters, the fox kicked off with its powerful tail, using it like a springboard to hurl itself backward and create distance from the maddened beast.

The Emberfang Fox began unleashing its flame attack once more.

But, as always, it did nothing to slow the badger down.

The creature barreled through the blue fire, undeterred. The fox narrowly avoided the charge, using its tail to pivot and gain some distance.

This time, it didn't run.

It skidded to a stop, panting heavily—its flanks rising and falling in exhaustion.

It seemed like the fox had finally given up on fleeing. It was going to stand its ground and fight.

But if it did… it was certainly going to lose.

Their earlier brawl had drained much of its strength, while the badger still looked full of rage and stamina.

With a guttural snarl, the badger charged again, claws ripping at the earth beneath it.

That was when I used Warp, reappearing at the badger's side. The creature screeched to a halt and leapt away, though not before it managed to swipe a claw in my direction.

As expected, its first instinct was to strike.

But I was faster.

The moment its claw came for my midsection, I warped—vanishing from the badger's line of attack and reappearing a few paces ahead, boots crunching against the forest floor. Steam curled from where I'd just been, a sharp gust left behind from the sheer force of its swipe.

We now stood in a loose triangle—me, the badger, and the fox.

But...both beasts had their eyes locked on each other, not me. I was the third wheel.

The honey badger moved, its claws digging into the dirt as it barreled toward the fox.

In response, the Emberfang Fox let out a sharp yelp and unleashed another stream of shimmering blue fire, aiming to slow the badger's approach.

I stood off to the side, completely ignored.

Not even a glance was spared in my direction. How rude.

I used [Warp] and reappeared beside the badger, just before it could reach the fox. Without wasting a second, I drove my foot into its ribs with all the force I could muster.

The badger grunted—a low, guttural sound—as it was knocked off course and tumbled sideways across the clearing.

I didn't wait. My hand flew to my side, and I drew Gravefang, the blade humming faintly with anticipation. My stance shifted—low, balanced, ready.

The fox, realizing the opportunity, didn't hesitate. It spun around and bolted into the underbrush, its flaming tail flickering like a dying torch as it vanished into the forest.

The honey badger recovered faster than I expected. Its eyes—dark, intelligent, and filled with rage—snapped toward the fleeing fox.

It was going to chase.

But I [Warped] again, blinking directly in front of it, my blade between us.

"No, no… me first."

The beast skidded to a halt, snarling.

"Get lost, Goblin!" it snapped.

I blinked.

It talked.

Of course it did. It was an Elite beast. That was the common trait they had.

Now I was certain.

I kept my smile sharp and easy, eyes locked on its bared fangs.

"This doesn't concern you!" the badger snarled again.

But I repeated.

"No, no… me first."

The badger flashed its teeth in frustration, but I simply grinned back at it.

The fox was still fleeing, its movements clumsy and panicked, but determined. It was gaining distance.

At this rate, the badger would lose its prey.

So with no other option, it turned its fury on me and lunged.

I warped, dodging cleanly to the side.

It snarled, twisted, and struck again, but I blinked away at the last second. And then again. And again. Each failed attempt only fed its frustration, its attacks growing sloppier, more desperate.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Emberfang fox.

Running with everything it had.

It was too bad

The badger pounced again, jaws wide, saliva flying, ready to crack my skull in half.

All that effort was about to go to waste.

Without even glancing at the...