About what you expected.

As you at last reach the top of the final dune, you look down upon the source of the smoke. The view that greets you is the image that came to mind when you heard there were goblins. A couple ramshackle tents about made of hides and sticks, with a few small green beings running about among them.

They seem so small, they almost look harmless like that. It is at this point you see them running over to the other side of the camp, where you can see some other figures present. You can't tell much from here, but they look like elves, probably merchants from how delicate their clothing was for this desert.

With your knowledge of goblins, this situation did not seem good for the elves. Then again, it really isn't your problem. You definitely are happy for the distraction though, and you use it well as you carefully slide down the sand dune towards the camp.

Reaching the edge of the camp, you took cover behind one of the tents in order to avoid detection for as long as possible. In your mind, there was nothing to gain by losing the element of surprise. After all, the best resource you could gain right now was experience, followed by fame. And those sound like things you get from killing goblins, not sitting down for tea with them.

You creep your way forward through the camp, slinking your way from one hiding place to another. As you reach one tent a good way into the camp, you become able to hear the commotion that is going on with the elves.

You hear a feminine voice, "Oh dear, whatever shall I do? I am overcome by these horrendous creatures!"

A second voice lets out a long, defeated sigh, "What the hell did Sam put as her avatar's personality? This thing acts like it's in a porno."

The first voice gasps in response, "My heavens, how dare you say such a vile thing about one right next to you!" You aren't going to lie to yourself, the way this lady talks makes you want to rip out her vocal cords.

Stuffing down that murderous intent for a better time, you take stock of your surroundings. Or at least, you try to, as you turn around only to see a stunned still goblin staring at you. You two stare at each other for a few moments as you both try and figure out the situation.

At last, the goblin inhales to shout, and you charge it. Just as it begins to let out a scream of alarm, you reach it and plunge your claws into its throat. It quickly goes silent as you cause it to **** on its blood. As you prepare yourself to fight the remaining goblins, a message appears.

Level 1 goblin slain: +60 Experience

Well, that is... something. By your math, it would take just over eight goblins to level up once at that rate, so you hope that there are some higher-level ones here. Then again, you don't want anything high enough level to threaten you, so you somewhat retract that hope.

It seems as if the goblin was in fact noticed, however, as the outside of the tent has gone silent. You move carefully, creating minimal noise as you take up a position to the side of the entryway. You prepare yourself for a quick ambush on anything that may enter.

The silence is broken as the elf who first spoke cries out, "What was that? Oh Ceril, what has caused such a horrid sound?"

The second elf once again groans, "When is Sam coming back? I don't know how much longer I can last before I just kill this bitch." You agree, hopefully you would be able to do it to gain some good rewards.

You quickly become aware that while they were speaking, they unintentionally had covered the sound of a few goblins approaching the tent. As their silhouettes begin to appear, you can tell there are too many of them to handle at once, without assuming them all to be level 1 like the weak one you just killed.

You take a deep breath, before giving an internal "fuck it". You attempt to trigger something inside yourself a few times to no avail. It is only when the goblins are right at the tent's opening that you manage to activate the Black Flames by focusing on your right arm.

A torrent of flames that are as black as the night sky stream out of your arm and through the tent, consuming the goblins. You hear slight screams before they are simply disintegrated, along with the part of the tent between you and the outside world.

Moments after you register this, a familiar pain threatens to shatter your right arm. You clutch it in pain, sensing immense heat radiating off of it as you squeeze your bones in an attempt to dull the pain. As you fight to stay on your feet, a new message appears.

Level 1 goblin slain (X3): +180 Experience
Level 2 goblin slain (X4): +280 Experience
Level 3 goblin slain: +80 Experience

You feel a rush and hear a ding, informing you that you have leveled up for the first time in what must be years at this point. And to your knowledge, that level would no longer be going anywhere. You clench your fist as the pain in your arm begins to dull back down, and at last look up again at your surroundings.

The outside of the tent has a long path of sand that had been turned black by your flames. Within them are eight perfectly cleaned goblin skeletons, thought they are charred black as well. Just beyond this area, is a large crowd of goblins around a cart with the two elves.

One of the elves is staring at you in confusion and concern, the other holding their hand to their chest in seemingly fear as their face is overcome by a large blush. To your guess, the blushing one would be the annoying one, as their posture matched their speech pattern, while the other is left to be the remaining voice.

It was at this point looking at them that something came together in your head. The talking about an avatar and someone coming back, these were adventurers. An unknown rage builds in you, at you finally having the chance to get some payback for all the pain you had suffered.

What was a little more pain in exchange for paying back all that you had endured up 'til now? You held up your left hand this time, and tried to do a more controlled attack. Focusing on your left arm more consciously, you hope it will end with less pain.

The elf who wasn't annoying goes wide-eyed as she sees you preparing an attack, and quickly tries to dive out of the way. The goblins attempt to charge, but are unable to close the gap before your attack goes off. Lastly, it seems the remaining elf is the only one to truly not get the memo, as she does not react in the least.

As a wave emanates from your arm, the ground between you and the cart turns white, before a large spike erupts from it, plowing into the goblins and the cart. At the last second you see realization hit the elf, but she is unable to get out of the way before the great wall of true white ice slams into her.

The pain is much worse this time, but you don't think it is because you focused the attack. It feel more like you pushed your limits. You definitely won't be using these abilities so frequently from here on out. That aside, you could not deny their effectiveness, with another hoard of goblins seemingly killed in a single blow.

As you wait for the notifications, you see the other elf staring in awe at the remnants of your attack. She then turns to you, and a chill goes down your spine. The expression on her face is one that makes you shiver.