MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: The Hunt
Chapter 12: A Deeper Hunt
The goblins never saw them coming.
Renji moved first, his blade cutting through the first goblin's throat before it could even react. Blood sprayed against the dirt as the creature collapsed, its death gurgled into silence.
Kiera was already on the next, her dual daggers flashing in the dim forest light. She was fast—faster than Renji had expected. Her strikes were precise, her movements fluid as she weaved between the goblins, slicing tendons and arteries before they could retaliate.
The goblins screeched, trying to regroup, but it was already too late.
Renji's Predator's Instinct kicked in, allowing him to read their movements before they even attacked. One goblin tried to flank him—he twisted, slicing through its arm and kicking it away.
Another lunged at Kiera from behind—she flipped her dagger backhanded and drove it into its skull without looking.
In less than a minute, all four goblins were dead.
Kiera flicked blood from her blade. "Well, that was easy."
Renji sheathed his sword. "Too easy."
Kiera's ears twitched. "Yeah… there's gotta be more ahead. These were just scouts."
Renji agreed. And then—
His vision flickered. A familiar blue glow filled his mind.
[Skills Acquired: Shadow Cloak & Dual Strike]
Shadow Cloak: Allows the user to briefly blend into the darkness, reducing visibility for a short period. More effective at night or in low-light areas.
Dual Strike: Grants the ability to strike twice in rapid succession with a single attack. Effective for overwhelming opponents.
Renji clenched his fists as the new abilities sank into his body.
Shadow Cloak. Dual Strike.
The first skill was a stealth ability. Perfect for ambushing or disappearing in a fight.
The second one would let him deliver two consecutive hits instantly—a deadly advantage.
Kiera whistled. "Damn. You just standing there absorbing power or something?"
Renji smirked. "Something like that."
Kiera stretched. "Welp, no sense stopping here. Let's keep moving."
They followed the scent of filth and blood, moving deeper into the hills.
Renji tested Shadow Cloak as they moved—his body flickered, his form blending into the darkness around them. Kiera paused, eyes widening.
"Whoa. That's creepy," she muttered.
Renji deactivated the skill, reappearing. "Good for stealth kills."
Kiera grinned. "Man, you're really starting to be my favorite person."
The goblin den was hidden within a shallow cave, its entrance lined with bones and rotting meat.
Renji and Kiera crouched behind a rock, surveying the scene.
At least ten goblins milled about inside.
Two of them wore crude armor, likely their leaders.
But what caught Renji's eye was deeper inside.
Two figures, barely visible in the torchlight—women, chained to the cave wall.
Renji's grip on his sword tightened. "They have prisoners."
Kiera frowned. "Tch. Figures. These bastards always kidnap people."
Renji exhaled. He couldn't waste time.
"We take out the leaders first," he said. "Then we wipe out the rest."
Kiera's grin widened. "Now we're talking."
The first goblin leader died before it even saw them.
Renji activated Shadow Cloak, vanishing into the cave's dim lighting. Moving like a phantom, he positioned himself right behind the armored goblin.
Then—
Dual Strike activated.
His sword flashed twice in an instant—the first cut severing the goblin's hamstrings, the second slicing through its throat.
It collapsed silently, dead before it could cry out.
The second leader turned too late.
Kiera leaped from above, her daggers sinking into its neck as she landed gracefully behind it.
One second later, both leaders were dead.
The remaining goblins panicked, turning toward the intruders.
Renji didn't let them react.
He rushed forward, slashing through one goblin, then using Dual Strike to immediately cut down another.
Kiera was a whirlwind of death, her daggers tearing through the panicked creatures with frightening precision.
It was a slaughter.
Within moments, every goblin was dead.
The cave was silent.
Renji exhaled, wiping blood from his blade.
Kiera flicked a goblin ear into her bag. "Well, that was fun."
Then her ears twitched. "Oh. The girls."
Renji turned toward the two chained women in the back of the cave.
They were young, barely in their early twenties, their clothes torn and dirty. One had long silver hair, her eyes a striking shade of violet. The other had auburn hair, her face streaked with dried tears.
The moment they saw him, their eyes widened.
Renji stepped forward, pulling his sword. "Hold still."
With a quick slash, he broke their chains.
The silver-haired girl collapsed into him immediately, gripping his cloak. The auburn-haired one followed a second later, clutching onto his arm.
Renji blinked. "Uh…"
Kiera raised an eyebrow. "Well. Looks like you made some new fans."
The silver-haired girl's voice was soft but firm. "Please… don't leave us."
The auburn-haired one nodded vigorously, her body trembling. "We… We don't want to be alone again."
Renji hesitated. He could feel their fingers tightening around him, as if letting go wasn't an option.
"…Alright," he said. "You're coming with us."
Kiera pulled open a crude wooden chest at the back of the cave.
Inside were silver coins, stolen jewelry, and weapons looted from previous victims.
Renji tossed the goblin ears into his Item Box, along with the valuables.
Kiera smirked. "Man, I love getting paid to kill things."
Renji turned to the two women. "Do you have any family? A home?"
The silver-haired girl shook her head. "No… We were travelers. The goblins took us before we reached the city."
The auburn-haired one whispered. "We thought we were going to die."
Renji exhaled. No home. No family.
And judging by the way they were clinging to him, they had already made up their minds.
They weren't leaving his side.
When they walked into the Guild, all eyes turned toward them.
Selise blinked. "Uh… did you just pick up two extra people?"
Renji sighed. "Long story."
Kiera tossed the goblin ears onto the counter. "Quest complete. Pay up."
Selise counted the bounty before handing over 20 silver coins.
Renji split the reward evenly.
Kiera stretched. "Nice. That means drinks are on you, right?"
Renji ignored her, turning to Selise. "What should I do about them?"
Selise looked at the two women still gripping his cloak.
"…Well," she said, smirking. "I think you already know the answer."
Renji sighed.
Looks like he wasn't getting rid of them anytime soon.