"Guuu."
"Waa!"
"Waa, waa."
"…!"
Faint sounds echoed from the jungle's depths.
Adam's eyes flickered. He stopped, ears straining as the muffled noises grew clearer.
Something was approaching, and in numbers!
Squinting, he scanned the surroundings, locking onto a sturdier tree. He moved lightly, pressing against its trunk, waiting silently.
Time ticked by.
The familiar "waa waa" Cries sparked recognition.
He'd dealt with goblins plenty; these were their calls!
As expected, he was nearing the ogre's territory.
Still pressed against the tree, Adam leaned slightly, peering toward the sound.
Soon, a group of thirteen goblins entered his view.
They wore tattered, ill-fitting clothes, some with pant legs hacked off and worn as hats.
Their attire screamed refugees.
But Adam's gaze sharpened. These were the first goblins he'd seen all clothed, however raggedly.
Previous goblins were near-naked.
Most surprising, the two leading goblins wielded iron weapons, crude forks.
Following their lead, Adam's expression shifted noticeably.
Several goblins struggled to carry bloodied corpses behind them.
Humans!
Adam's face grew somber.
Five corpses, three men, two women, judging by their shapes and clothing. Their dark, rough arms dragged on the ground.
These were likely farmers from nearby villages.
Though in the Great Forest of Tob, Adam was still on its outskirts. North lay the forest's interior; south led to open wilds.
Further south, a dirt road stretched from E-Rantel.
This region housed several villages.
Unlike Carne Village in the Wise King of the Forest's safe territory, villages near the ogre's or Demon Snake's domains were far less secure.
Hence, E-Rantel's Adventurers' Guild constantly issued quests to cull monsters and goblins.
"Waa, waa."
The lead goblin, impatient, barked at the rear, its jutting fangs exuding irritability.
The corpse-carrying goblins, startled, showed panic on their green faces, struggling to keep pace.
Throughout, the goblins didn't notice Adam hidden behind the tree.
Expressionless, he watched them pass.
He lightly turned his sword's hilt, stepping softly to trail them, keeping a safe distance.
Thirteen goblins weren't a threat.
In the New World, common farmers averaged level 1, possibly reaching 2 with training.
Ordinary goblins matched that level but held a slight edge as demi-humans.
Dealing with them would be easy.
However, their behavior suggested they were returning to their tribe.
Realizing this, Adam saw no need to strike immediately.
Following the goblins deeper into the forest, he felt the trees and undergrowth grow denser.
The forest's atmosphere shifted. Light dimmed significantly, an invisible oppression permeating the air.
Flipping his hand, Adam pulled a pocket watch from his Item Box. It was only 3 p.m., yet the light felt like dusk.
"It shouldn't be too deep."
Glancing at the corpse-carrying goblins, his eyes flickered. He lightly scored two marks on a nearby tree with his sword.
In this vast primeval forest, losing one's way was dangerous.
Adam was prepared.
Beyond marking trees, his Item Box held a large bag of purchased lime powder.
Still in the outskirts, he could track his bearings, so the powder wasn't needed yet.
Continuing, he trailed the goblins for about ten minutes, certain they were nearing their tribe.
The air grew thick with rot and a vile stench, like rancid socks mixed with rotten eggs.
Soon, an open clearing appeared amidst the towering trees and dense jungle.
Roughly one-and-a-half basketball courts in size, it was clearly maintained, free of large trees.
The goblins grew lively upon entering, especially the corpse-carriers, who seemed invigorated.
Adam's gaze swept the area.
He spotted numerous animal bones, mixed with human limbs, discarded carelessly.
Near the center, thick hides, sourced from unknown creatures, lay on the ground.
One pile of dried grass held rotting meat, swarming with insects.
The pervasive stench emanated from there.
What caught Adam's attention most was a central hut, crudely built from grass and branches.
He studied it, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
The hut was oversized for goblins' small frames. Its solitary presence in the clearing felt odd.
Moreover, the goblin population was abnormal.
Not too many, too few!
This was clearly a small tribe. Beyond the thirteen returning goblins, only five guarded the camp.
Whether more hid in the hut was unclear, but the guarding goblins were too few, all visibly young and able-bodied.
In other words, this tiny goblin tribe lacked elders or young.
***
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