LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Morning Gambit
Miles woke to the sound of guttural voices, their harsh tones echoing faintly through the cave. His eyes snapped open, and for a split second, he forgot where he was. The glowing dice pouch beside him and the faint shimmer of the magical barrier at the cave entrance quickly reminded him: this wasn't a dream.
He pushed himself up, his muscles stiff from sleeping on the stone floor, and carefully approached the barrier. The light from the ward had dimmed but was still visible—a faint blue shimmer covering the entrance. Beyond it, a small horde of goblins had gathered.
Their green, leathery skin glistened in the morning sunlight filtering through the forest. They brandished crude weapons—daggers, clubs, and even a rusty spear or two. Miles counted at least a dozen of them, each one snarling and growling in frustration as they pressed against the invisible ward.
"Seriously?" he whispered, backing away. "Can't a guy catch a break?"
The largest goblin, wearing a crude crown made of bones, stepped forward and slammed his club against the barrier. Sparks of magical energy rippled outward, holding firm. The goblin screeched something in its guttural language, and the others joined in, shouting and beating at the ward with renewed fury.
Miles fumbled for his dice pouch, heart pounding. He didn't know how long the barrier would hold, but the system's familiar chime offered a glimmer of hope.
System Alert: Hostile Forces Detected
Threat Level: Moderate
Luck Factor: Applied
A new prompt appeared:
Roll to Assess Barrier Integrity.
Miles rolled immediately, his hands trembling as the dice clattered to the floor. They landed on a 5 and a 6.
Critical Success: Barrier Reinforced by Passive Luck Bonus. Duration Extended by 2 Hours.
The shimmering ward brightened for a moment, sending a ripple of energy outward that pushed the goblins back a few steps. They hissed and snarled, but their strikes against the barrier became more cautious.
Miles exhaled a shaky breath. "Okay, that buys me some time. But I can't just sit here and wait for them to break through."
The system offered another prompt:
Objective: Escape or Eliminate Threat
Options Available:
Attempt to negotiate. (Roll for Diplomacy.)Ambush the goblins. (Roll for Combat Advantage.)Wait for reinforcements. (Chance of Success: Low.)
"Negotiation? With goblins? Yeah, no thanks." Miles shook his head and selected the second option.
Roll for Combat Advantage.
He tossed the dice again, holding his breath. They rolled and landed on a 4 and a 5.
Success: Ambush Position Established. Bonus to First Strike Damage.
Miles grinned as the system highlighted a series of rocks near the back of the cave. With the barrier holding the goblins at bay, he quickly climbed to the higher vantage point, steadying himself behind a large boulder.
New Skill Unlocked: Rockfall Strike
Description: Use the environment to damage multiple enemies. Requires roll for accuracy.**
He looked up at the jagged rocks hanging precariously above the cave entrance. "That's convenient," he muttered, gripping his dice.
The goblin leader barked orders, and the smaller goblins began probing the barrier again, their blows growing more frenzied. The shimmer of the ward flickered, and Miles knew it wouldn't last forever.
"Showtime," he muttered, rolling the dice.
They landed on a 6 and a 4, and the system responded:
Success: Rockfall Strike Activated. Damage Multiplier Applied.
Miles shoved against the boulder with all his might, and the rocks above the cave entrance groaned ominously. The goblins froze, their red eyes darting upward just as the first stone broke free.
A cascade of jagged rocks tumbled down, slamming into the goblins with devastating force. Screeches and yelps filled the air as half of the group was crushed or pinned beneath the rubble. The goblin leader barely managed to leap back, his crown askew as he roared in fury.
System Update:
Enemies Defeated: 7
EXP Gained: 70
Level Up!
New Stats:
HP: 120/120Luck: +2Strength: +1
Miles felt a surge of energy course through him as the system announced his level-up. But the fight wasn't over. The remaining goblins regrouped, their eyes blazing with renewed anger.
The barrier flickered one last time before vanishing entirely, leaving Miles exposed. The goblin leader screeched and charged, his remaining minions following close behind.
"Time for the big guns," Miles said, rolling the dice once more.
The dice landed on a 6 and a 6.
Critical Success: Cleave Strike Activated. Bonus Effect: Stunning Blow.
Miles leapt from his perch, the Beginner's Blade materializing in his hand, glowing faintly with magical energy. As the goblins closed in, he swung the sword in a wide arc. The blade's glow intensified, sending a shockwave rippling outward.
The goblins froze mid-charge, their weapons falling from their hands as they collapsed, stunned by the force of the attack. The goblin leader staggered but managed to stay upright, snarling defiantly.
Miles rolled again, the dice spinning wildly before landing on a 5 and a 6.
Skill Activated: Precision Strike.
With a burst of speed, Miles lunged at the leader, his blade slicing cleanly through the goblin's defenses. The creature let out a final screech before dissolving into shimmering particles.
System Update:
Enemy Defeated: Goblin Leader
EXP Gained: 50
Rare Loot Obtained: Goblin's Crown (Artifact)
Miles collapsed to his knees, panting as the last of the goblins vanished. The forest fell silent once more, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
"Okay," he said between gasps. "That was way too close."
The system chimed cheerfully:
Quest Complete: Eliminate Threat.
Reward: +100 EXP, +1 Luck.
Miles chuckled weakly, looking at the glowing dice in his hand. For all the chaos they had brought him, he couldn't deny they were his best shot at surviving this strange new world.
He pocketed the Goblin's Crown and stood, his eyes scanning the forest beyond. "Let's hope my luck holds out," he muttered, stepping into the morning light. This was his first attempt to understand this new world he had found himself in.