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nThere are dungeons in this game? Eldrian was not expecting such a message from the system. He had thought it would say that he had a quest update, not that he had entered a dungeon. Looking at Andreas struggling, it seemed like they were stuck inside of this dungeon.

nAndreas was desperately beating against the barrier, yellow ripples spreading through the air with each hit.

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"Dammit! Dammit dammit dammit dammit!

" Andreas curses as he gave up and slouched against the barrier. His hands torn and bleeding.

nSeeing his state the others started realizing that they were truly trapped here. This was made even worse when they had no idea what had trapped them. Naturally, their thoughts went to the worst scenario, devils.

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"Noooo!

" Terlas shouted, copying Andreas and trying to exit the area. After a few seconds of hammering against the barrier, he too slouched against it.

nEldrian looked at the others, and seeing that they were at least not going to snap he spoke,

"Can someone explain their reactions to me?

" The others were glad to hear a question, even if it did not totally bring them from thinking of things. It did allow them to shift their thoughts a little.

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"Do you know what devils are?

" Sabrea asked, feeling that this was most likely what had trapped them. She had no idea what other things would be in this land and be able to create such a barrier.

nThis was not something just anyone could do. In fact, the only places where such barriers were supposed to exist were empires and capitals of Tier 1 kingdoms. This realization terrified Sabrea, but she still managed to keep her cool. Making sure to not bring this bit of information to light.

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"No...

" Eldrian replied, he really had no idea what devils were. Vivian had given him a short description, but it did not explain why those two had snapped.

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"They love to inflict pain on others, they feed off it. It is also said that the worse someone's life was close to death, the better they would taste.

" Sabrea shivered as she thought that this was what was awaiting them.

nHearing this Eldrian thought of the suicide option, glad that he would have a way to avoid being tortured. He almost started blaming himself for bringing the others here, but he remembered how Sabrea said that they had more than one task. This helped him quickly recover.

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"Why has nothing come out to kill us?

" Eldrian asked, looking at the barrier which was only barely visible now that no one was hitting it. They were trapped, yet that seemed to be all it was.

nCertainly, if it were devils who did this they would directly charge at them. Eldrian thought this, yet the answer he received quickly told him he was wrong.

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"They might just be toying with us. Fear of the unknown can be a delicacy for them, so they might be enjoying seeing us squirm.

" Andreas offered, the rest finding this reasonable.

nAfter a bit more depressing silence and awkward conversations, Evapius actually came up with a plan. Or at least something they could hope might work.

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"Maybe most of them are busy keeping the barrier up, thus they did not come out directly. If we can just find where they summoned this from...

"

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"What? You just said that they would be there, keeping it stable. Do you think we would be able to kill them? That is like jumping into a fire.

" Sabrea countered, feeling that this option was simply suicidal.

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"What else are we going to do! Wait until they finish all their preparation?

"

nHearing Evapius shout this brought most back into it. Yes they might die trying, but at least they would be trying.

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"May-maybe this isn't a devil lair...

" Floyd offered quite late into the conversation. No one took him seriously. What else would go through the effort to trap them here?

nEven so, this thought stuck into everyone's minds. If by change Floyd was right, then it would make everything far less scary.

nWhile they were still trying to decide if they should risk entering the forest or wait, a rumbling started. Looking up everyone saw the hordes and hordes of goblins streaming out of the mountains which surround the forest. The goblins were too many, uncountable.

nThreat appeared, survive

nEldrian wanted to curse at the system's unhelpful notification. What did that even help, of course a horde of goblins were going to kill him. And he did not want to die, was he just going to stand still?

nWhile they had not yet made a decision to enter the forest, everyone felt doing something would be better than to end up captured by goblins. It would not be too bad for the males, heck it would be far better than landing in the hands of devils.

nFor the females, it would certainly be comparable. It might even be worse, seeing as this goblin horde was massive and certain to have many shamans.

nRealizing that their best chance would be in the forest, everyone started running. Unfortunately, the goblins were far closer to the forest than them, and they seemed to also know this. Quickly swarming to close the path to the forest.

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"We aren't going to make it!

" Terlas shouted as he saw the goblins trying to completely block their only path.

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"Screw it, carry me!

" Evapius shouted, stopping and starting to chant as soon as he did. Not missing a beat Terlas and Sabrea rushed up and carried him.

nEldrian was totally confused at what was going on. Luckily he was fast enough to not be the slowest. As such he did not have to worry about being left behind, he could even spare some time to look at Evapius who was trying to cast a spell while being carried.

nHe also saw Andreas ahead of the group, killing any goblins who tried to come into their path. But he would only be able to do this while they were few. Once they reached the real horde, then they would be stuck.

nEldrian could not understand why the others were not more worried about just this. He knew that he could not waste the energy to talk and as such he chose to simply believe in them.

nAs they reached close enough to the forest, only a last few hundred meters. The goblins finally filled the entire path, but as they did Evapius also finished casting his spell. Sending a massive yet of flames into them.

nThe entire area turned into an inferno, Eldrian's instincts screamed at him to stop. He did not, seeing the others heading straight for the inferno. He followed.

nEldrian felt his skin starting to burn, even when they were 50 meters from it, he could feel that it was hot. Deadly hot.

nBreathing already became more difficult, as they reached 10 meters from the flames, Eldrian was about to fall from lack of breath. Luckily Evapius finished his second chant, this spell allowing everyone to breathe normally and ignore the heat.

nEldrian was grateful, but he could still feel the burning air inside of him. He was certain that these flames were easily over a thousand degrees.

nAfter rushing through the flames the group managed to make it into the forest. Eldrian was amazed at how they had made it through, but looking at his arms he quickly found that all his hairs had been scorched off.

nRushing his hands to his head Eldrian felt defeated when he could feel he had also lost all his hair. Yet those around him had not. Realizing this Eldrian wanted to ask just what was going on, feeling that they had neglected to properly protect him.

nAs he turned to face them he instead saw all the goblins waiting right at the edge of the forest. Not daring to enter.

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"Thank Gaia. They won't enter.

" Sabrea sighed, falling onto her back and causing Evapius to curse as he was dropped.

"Don't be a baby, you were done casting.

" She shouted as he tried to curse some more at her.

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"You didn't have to drop me like that!

"

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"Whatever!

" Sabrea replied as she lied onto the green grass. This is so nice, I almost forgot what grass feels like.

nEveryone had similar feelings, not just because of the grass. The air also felt fresher, refreshing them. There was even a spring nearby which they could hear.

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"Is this really a devil lair?

" Eldrian questioned, finding this place to be far too nice. It seemed more like the homeland of elves or something.

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"Even if it isn't, our odds won't increase by much,

" Andreas replied to Eldrian.

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"Why?

"

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"Because those goblins fear what is inside so much, that they dared not set one foot on the grass. Heck, they dared not enter the shadow of the trees.

"

nEveryone got goosebumps after Andreas indicated this out to them.

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"Goblins are dump and fearless... W-what can cause them to fear and respect?

" Floyd struggled to get this out.

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"Mythical beasts,

" Evapius answered, leaving everyone silent.

nAfter a few seconds, the others recovered from this shock,

"Still this is better than being at the mercy of devils.

" Floyd offered, the rest quickly agreeing and the entire mood growing better.

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"We might even be able to talk to them, Mythical beasts are normally intelligent and capable of speech.

" Cadriel offered, clearly hoping for the best.

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"And what are we going to say, sorry for running into your turf. We just came looking for a human girl?

" Andreas countered.

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"Yes, why don't we say exactly that?

" Eldrian said, causing Andreas's eyes to twitch in irritation.

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