Chapter 130 Precise Punch

Larry let out a breath of relief as the beast departed. "Phew!" he exclaimed, wiping the sweat off his brow. "That was intense, wouldn't you say?" He glanced at Suzuka, who nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was a wild ride. Pity the beast managed to escape."

Approaching the only small window adorned with sturdy iron bars, Larry peeked outside. The faint light of the impending sunrise cast eerie shadows, signaling that morning was fast approaching. With a sense of urgency, he gathered everyone together. "Listen up, folks. The sun is rising, and morning will be upon us in less than an hour. That means it's time to move. Here's the plan."

Larry turned his attention to Suzuka, selecting her as the vanguard. "Helen, you'll be in charge of eliminating any threats around us using your magic. Arin and I will back you up. As for Hermit, he's injured and unable to walk, so we'll need to transport him discreetly." Larry looked around the room and pointed at some barrels laying around, "We'll place him in a barrel for now. When we get back we can't risk parading him through town in the open, but leave that part to me. I will take it from there when we get back."

Looking somberly at David, Larry assigned him an important task. "David, your role will be to carry the barrel. You'll walk in the middle of our formation, and we'll protect you, forming a triangle around you. Our priority will be to keep you safe. All you need to focus on is carrying the barrel. That role would have been meant for Drogath, but we lost him. May he rest in peace."

Larry, his tone filled with authority, concluded his speech, his eyes scanning the room. "Well? Any questions? No? Everything's clear?" The silence that followed was met with nods of understanding from Suzuka and Arin. "All clear," they confirmed in unison. David, on the brink of complaining, hesitated as a sense of annoyance washed over him. But realizing the gravity of the situation, he clenched his jaw, restraining his grievances within the confines of his own mind, and reluctantly nodded in agreement. 

With everyone prepared, Suzuka unleashed her magic to crush the barricade in an instant. Black energy swirled around her hand, wisps of smoke emanating from its dark aura. The once-sturdy iron bars became ensnared by the ominous power, transforming into a twisted mass that crumbled to the ground with a bone-chilling crunch, leaving a path for their escape.

David walked over to the barrels, inspecting them one by one. Most of them appeared to be in good condition, clean, and suitable for use. However, one barrel had been repurposed as a makeshift toilet, its contents consisting of remnants of feces and urine, infested with squirming maggots. Seizing the opportunity while nobody was paying attention, David selected the filthy barrel and carried it toward Hermit.

Approaching Hermit, David positioned the barrel nearby and forcefully grabbed the goblin by the back of his head, attempting to push him inside. Hermit, summoning what little strength he had, desperately clung to the edges of the barrel, resisting David's cruel intentions. Realizing how filthy the barrel was, Hermit struggled to hold his ground and called out for help, his voice barely audible, "Larry!" He shouted, his voice barely audible, "Larry, help me. I don't want to eat feces anymore! Help!"

Upon hearing Hermit's plea, an unsettling idea flashed through David's mind. Hastily, he lifted the goblin off the ground and scooped a handful of the disgusting mixture of urine, feces, and wriggling maggots, forcefully shoving it into Hermit's mouth to silence his cries for assistance. Hermit fought against swallowing the vile mixture, but David mercilessly struck the goblin's stomach repeatedly until he finally succumbed and swallowed the foul substance. Removing his arm from Hermit's mouth, David watched as the goblin released a pitiful, barely audible cry, tears welling up in his eyes.

Hermit, reduced to a sobbing figure reminiscent of a helpless child, desperately tried to rid his mouth of the vile taste, using his elongated tongue to scrape away the maggots and his tiny hands to remove the vile creatures from his mouth. Unsettled by the noise Hermit was making, David swiftly reached into the barrel once more, extracting another vile portion of the rotting dung. A twisted satisfaction spread across David's face as he forced the remaining filth down Hermit's throat.

Exhausted and broken from the torment of consuming such repulsive waste, Hermit lacked the strength to resist any longer. Taking advantage of his weakened state, David shoved him forcefully into the filthy barrel and sealed the lid tightly, depriving him of any source of fresh air, and locking him up in the unbearable stench. 

David swiftly shouldered a barrel with Hermit inside, its contents concealed within without any holes for air to come in. David had a deep hate for the goblin and he wasn't going to carry him gently. With each step, David purposely shook and rattled the barrel while carrying it on his back. The poor little goblin was bashing against the dung-cowered walls of the barrel, his skeletal body bounced like a ball, sliding on the droppings, and urine. He was too weak to cry loud enough for help, his whisper of peace stayed unheard. The group began their advance, Suzuka leading the way, Larry and Arin followed closely behind, their steps filled with worry.

As they ascended the stairs, the scene that greeted them was one of grim devastation. The once-secure doors, they had meticulously barricaded, now lay broken and splintered, evidence of the monsters' relentless assault. However, an eerie silence hung in the air, barren of the monstrous presence they expected to encounter.

Caution etched across their faces, they proceeded cautiously, eyes darting in search of any signs of lurking danger. For now, the monsters remained elusive, their intentions hidden within the shadows.

The early morning sun cast its illuminating rays upon the corridors of the castle ruins, exposing the grim atrocities that had unfolded within its walls. Massive claw marks tarnished the surfaces, intertwined with splatters of blood. Broken furniture and scattered objects were strewn about, while grotesque remnants of bones and flesh dripped from the wall cavities, suggesting that the victims had been pulled into their horrifying depths. The sight was sickening, and the stench in the air grew increasingly gross.

After cautiously navigating through the sinister corridors, they finally emerged outside, standing before the castle gate, bathed in the comforting warmth of sunlight. There was no sign of the monstrous creatures within. 

"The monsters must have ventured out into the forest to hunt. Not a sound of them here. We should hurry before they return," Larry remarked.

Suzuka's smirk twisted into a wicked grin as she suggested, "Maybe I should raze this castle to the ground, wipe it off the face of the earth."

However, Larry intervened, his voice filled with caution. "No, leave it be. If there are no monsters inside, it serves no purpose. Besides, if we destroy it, they may simply relocate to a different place. Who knows, they might move closer to the town, attacking innocent people. By leaving the castle intact, at least we will know where to find them and can organize an extermination party."

Suzuka was impressed by Larry's insightful perspective. "Wow, I hadn't even considered that. You're thinking ahead, Larry. Well then, let's make our swift leave from this accursed place."

Leaving the crumbling remains of the main castle behind, they ventured past the imposing gates of the fort. Yet, the monsters that haunted their nightmares refused to let them go. Suzuka's heightened senses detected their ominous presence, lurking in the shadows, concealed within the blindspots of the dense forest.

 She could perceive the faint rustling of branches and bushes, a telltale sign of their movement. The ground and tree bark bore the brutal marks of their deadly claws, their steps muffled but betrayed by the sound made when their claws cut deep into the bark of a tree. 

Suzuka had a burning desire to succeed in this perilous quest. The promise of a substantial amount of gold awaited her, and she desperately needed it. With unwavering grit, she quickened their pace, eager to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the foreboding castle ruins before the monsters grew more aggressive.

The forest they traversed was dense, obscuring any lurking threats from view. In an open field, Suzuka could have easily dispatched the monsters and moved on swiftly. But these creatures were cunning stalkers, experts at concealing themselves, biding their time for the perfect moment to strike when their prey's defenses were down and their guard was least expected.

Her crimson eyes were ablaze, a clear indication that she had tapped into her transformed state. With an intense focus, she scanned the surroundings, her fists enveloped in an eerie black flame-like energy, poised to unleash her devastating magic upon any potential attackers. Though it continuously consumed more of her mana than usual, she couldn't afford to take any chances, knowing full well the monstrous creatures lurking nearby. She needed that split second to prepare her powerful magical assaults.

David's nerves were on edge as he anxiously surveyed their surroundings, his gaze darting in every direction at the slightest sound that reached his ears but even then he didn't forget to shake the barrel violently to hurt the goblin inside. Larry and Arin remained watchful, maintaining a low profile and refraining from making any unnecessary noise. The air was thick with tension, each member of the group acutely aware of the lurking horrors that awaited them.

As they trudged onward, hours stretched, and the morning sun reached its zenith, casting an unforgiving glare upon their weary forms. The monsters that had been stalking them grew bolder, their twisted figures emerging from the sinister depths of the shadows. With each step, their grotesque forms loomed closer, emitting guttural growls that sent chills down their spines. The air itself became heavy with an eerie malevolence as if the very essence of darkness had taken shape around them.

After hours of grueling travel, the weary group stumbled upon a small cave, offering a momentary respite from their arduous journey. Eagerly, they rushed inside, their bodies aching from walking tirelessly throughout the day, with only fleeting pauses for nourishment and nature's calls. The strain of the trip had taken its toll on each member.

As the day neared its end, Larry, their leader, had to make a crucial decision. He gathered everyone's attention and spoke with a hint of urgency in his voice, "Listen up, everyone. This will be our makeshift shelter for the night. It's too dangerous to continue our journey in the darkness. This small cave is the best stronghold we have. We'll need to guard the narrow entrance, but it's our only chance."

Larry then turned to Suzuka, concern etched on his face, and inquired, "Are you holding up alright? You've been pushing yourself all day, your magic at the ready. It must have drained your mana considerably, even without casting any spells." 

Suzuka mustered a playful wave of her hand and replied, trying to downplay her current state, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Just a few minutes of rest would be nice." She masked her growing weariness and exhaustion, not only depleting her mana with her constant magical readiness but also utilizing her body-enhancing transformation. The strain was beginning to take its toll.

While Larry was talking with Suzuka, David stumbled wearily into the cave, dragging his feet as exhaustion weighed him down. He dropped the barrel he was carrying with a thud and collapsed onto the ground, his body spent. Gasping for breath, he voiced his agreement with Larry, acknowledging that it was the best spot to rest for the night.

With a harsh thud, the barrel was violently toppled, and Hermit was flung out, crashing onto a heap of jagged rocks. The barrel rolled out of the cave from the force. A feeble cry of agony escaped Hermit's lips, "Khyeeee!" as disoriented and fresh air deprived he struggled to crawl toward the closest corner, his body wracked with pain. Whimpers and grunts of anguish punctuated his every move, the fall had taken a cruel toll on him. The pain from the fall pierced through his fragile form. Every inch he dragged his battered body left a faint trail of blood and a mixture of feces, bearing witness to the multitude of injuries inflicted upon him.

 Larry's voice was filled with anger as he scolded David, "Watch what you doing! You had Hermit in that barrel. You've hurt him." The mention of Larry defending the goblin only added to David's displeasure. 

Rising to his feet, he walked towards Hermit, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he preached, "Oh, my apologies, Larry. Let me lend him a hand." With malicious intent, David started kicking the goblin with every word he said, consumed by sadistic pleasure. 

His face contorted into a menacing grin. With cruel intent, he unleashed a barrage of kicks upon the defenseless goblin, each blow punctuated by mocking words dripping with sadistic delight. "Oops, my feet slipped, Hermit," he taunted, "Oops, here it comes again, you better dodge," he taunted again, relishing in the torment he inflicted. "Be careful, Hermit, my boot is coming your way. I'm walking here, oops! I stepped on you."

Hermit, old, hurt, frail, and broken, lay sprawled on the cold and unforgiving ground, unable to defend himself against the onslaught. The dirt clung to his trembling form as David continued his merciless assault, reveling in the goblin's agony. Whimpers of pain and shivers of fear emanated from Hermit, his spirit crushed beneath the weight of David's heavy boots. 

Larry swiftly intervened, pushing David away. His voice carried a stern tone as he shouted, "What's wrong with you, David?" 

Consumed by anger, David lashed out at Larry, his words filled with venom, "What's wrong with you, Larry? Are you defending these freaks now? They're monsters, killers, rapists, kidnappers, and worse! They all deserve to die! And here you are, cozying up to this thing."

Larry's response was hushed but resolute, "There are reasons you won't understand, bigger things at play." 

These words only fueled David's rage further. 

"Reasons? Bigger things?" he shouted, his voice filled with disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? Have you gone crazy? They're monsters! We kill them, plain and simple. I don't care about quests or whatever. I'll kill this freak right here, right now!"

Suzuka, unable to tolerate David's volatile outburst any longer, swiftly approached him and delivered a precise punch to his jaw, knocking him unconscious before he could do anything.