The Edge (part 2)

anxiety and fear pushed them forward.

"NOT GOOD!"

"RENEE...!"

Eugene and Jaden shouted at the same time as they dashed down the slippery stone path that had frozen on top. Jaden was released into the biggest sense of danger so huge that he couldn't recall any other situation where he had had a stronger feeling as it struck his body like ice, numbing his limbs.

As they continued to move forward, the smell of burning wood and the wild stench increased and became thicker.

I don't know what kind of people are waiting at the end, Jaden thought. Since I don't even have a knife on my waist at all, I should plan some strategy before heading forward cautiously.

Eugene's face was even grimmer than his as he quickly dashed forward with tremendous speed.

Suddenly, there was an orange light swaying on the wall in front of them. From the reflection, it seemed that it was a rather large dome inside. Jaden's skin felt a clear prickling sensation at the enemies' presence. There were many of them, a whole lot.

Jaden prayed that Renee was fine as he stepped into the dome space with Eugene.

I have to look around and take the most suitable option as fast as possible, Jaden thought.

The round dome was about 50m in diameter. The ground was covered by a thick layer of ice, but there was a large crack that opened in the middle, showing the bluish-black surface of water.

The orange light came from two clusters of bonfires. In black metal cages,

~*pacha*

~*pacha*

The firewood was burning away.

Also, right around the two clusters of bonfires, there was a group of things that looked humanoid but were obviously neither humans nor wild beasts, and there were more than

30 of them.

Each of them, or it should be said that every single one of them, weren't big. The head of the thing standing was only at Jaden's height, but their bodies with slightly slouched backs were rather ripped, especially the arms that looked weird and the hands that had

sharp claws on the ends that looked like they could rip anything apart. They had bright leather armor on, and their waist had all sorts of fur, bones and little bags jingling there.

Also, even though they were crude, Jaden could feel power from their crafting machetes.

Their skins were dark grayish-green, and they had some light bristles growing on them. All of them were fully bald, without exception, and they were growing furs only on the side of the sharp and pointy ears, like wires

"Uhh, these are...goblins!" Jaden whispered as he pulled Eugene, and hid behind a large icey shard.

"So, all the rumors were true!" Eugene replied.

The following moment, both Eugene and Jaden locked their eyes on a wooden carriage at the farthest corner of the dome. It was standing behind the group of the dark-green goblins.

"Wait, look!" Jaden pointed. "It's Renee! She's tied up!"

Eugene noticed as Renee was wrapped in a tight rope. She laying unconscious on the wooden carriage.

"Huh?!" Eugene stood up and yelled. "RENEE!!"

The goblins immediately turned their heads, and looked at Eugene.

Holly shit!, Jaden thought.

"Oi, look up! Another 2 Light Ium brats came running here!"

At the same time, there were cackles.

~gigi

~gigi

They were coming from all over the dome. From the nearest one, the goblins all raised their machetes and stood up, giving off hungry looks.

"WHAT DO WE DO~? DO WE TAKE THEM AWAY AS WELL!?" a goblin shouted initially. At this moment, the roar could be heard from behind, and all the goblins stopped laughing.

From amidst the monsters, there was a goblin that was twice as large as the other goblins, looking like an officer-class. This guy was equipped with scale mail, and the forehead had a decorative feather that was of primary colors. The goblin leader smirked and bared its yellow untidy teeth before saying in a hoarse voice "We won't earn much from taking male Ium. Too much of a hassle. Let's just kill them and turn them into meat."

Jaden, who still was taking cover behind that shard, tried to reach out to Eugene who was standing still. "Eugene, get down here!" he whispered. "We can't just charge out like that!"

Eugene's body remained frozen in place as he was standing, looking at the goblins. He looked to Jaden as though his limbs were trembling vigrously.

"Eugene! Eugene!"

Jaden tried to snap his friend out of the shock-like state he was in.

"Eugene!"

"Eugene!"

The goblins rose up their weapons, and started to get closer.

"Eugene!!" Jaden kept on yelling.

"Eugene!!"

"Eugene!!"

"EUGENE!!"