Chapter 106: Guardian Class

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Guardian Class

From the wooden watchtowers and defensive barricades, dozens of goblin archers drew their bows and released another volley. Arrows filled the air, descending toward the approaching adventurers like a dark rain. The goblins had a considerable numerical advantage, and their elevated positions allowed them to attack without exposing themselves to immediate retaliation.

Unfortunately for them, the Mad Wolves were prepared for this kind of situation.

"Guardian line, forward!" Kyle ordered.

Three adventurers immediately stepped out from the formation’s front line. All three belonged to the Guardian class, and each carried a sturdy shield designed to withstand powerful attacks. They planted their feet firmly on the ground, raised their shields, and began activating their defensive skills.

"Guardian’s Barrier!"

"Shield Formation!"

"Defensive Domain!"

Three different lights emerged from their shields, spreading outward and intertwining with one another. In the next instant, a translucent barrier enveloped the entire group, forming a protective dome around the Mad Wolves and the five rescued adventurers.

The first wave of arrows struck the barrier.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Instead of penetrating the shield, the arrows bounced away or shattered upon impact. More arrows followed almost immediately, but the barrier remained firm, protecting everyone inside from the continuous barrage.

One of the rescued adventurers stared at the spectacle with widened eyes.

"They can actually protect the entire group with their shield skills?"

His companion swallowed nervously. "Those three must be experienced Guardians. Most Guardians I’ve met can only protect themselves or a few people standing directly behind them. Covering an entire group like this requires considerably more skill and mana."

"That’s the difference between us and an established adventurer team," their leader muttered. He watched the Mad Wolves advance behind the barrier, his expression complicated. "We barely managed to survive the goblins’ arrows, but they’re moving forward as though this were nothing more than a routine expedition."

Inside the protective barrier, the Mad Wolves continued their advance without slowing down.

Every member of the group possessed at least two skills, while two of them had already acquired three. Although most of their abilities were not particularly powerful individually, their combination made the team far more versatile than an ordinary group of adventurers at the same level.

With the Guardians protecting the group, the goblin archers were no longer a serious threat.

At least, that was what they initially believed.

Suddenly, a goblin standing atop one of the watchtowers raised its hands. A flickering red light gathered between its palms, rapidly growing brighter as the surrounding mana converged into a blazing sphere.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed.

"A spellcaster!"

Before anyone could respond, the goblin released the fireball.

BOOM!

The blazing projectile slammed into the protective barrier, erupting in a violent explosion. Flames spread across its surface, and the entire shield trembled under the impact. Cracks appeared in the translucent dome, spreading outward like a spiderweb.

The three Guardians grunted as they struggled to maintain their skills.

"What kind of fireball is that?" one of them exclaimed. "It nearly broke through all three barriers at once!"

Before the Mad Wolves could reorganize, the goblin spellcaster began gathering mana again.

A second fireball formed above its hands, larger and brighter than the first. The intense heat distorted the air around it, and even from a distance, the adventurers could feel the temperature rising.

The Guardian in the center of the formation gritted his teeth as he examined the cracked barrier.

"We won’t withstand another direct hit like that! If it strikes the same spot, the entire barrier might collapse!"

The second fireball shot toward the Mad Wolves, its blazing surface illuminating the surrounding cavern. The goblin archers continued firing from their positions, hoping the combined assault would overwhelm the adventurers before they could reach the village.

However, Kyle had already made his move.

"Get behind me!"

He stepped forward, gripping his greatsword with both hands. His Berserker aura surged as he brought the enormous weapon around, swinging it directly toward the incoming fireball. The blade cut through the air with tremendous force, striking the blazing sphere before it could reach the damaged barrier.

BOOM!

The fireball exploded upon contact with the greatsword, sending flames scattering in every direction. The impact stirred a powerful gust of wind, but Kyle remained firmly in place, his armor glowing faintly from the heat. He had destroyed the spell before it could strike his companions, just as he had intended.

"Captain, are you alright?" one of the Guardians called out.

"I’m fine. Keep the barrier up until we reach the gate!" Kyle replied.

The Mad Wolves resumed their advance. With their defensive formation protecting them from the arrows, the ranged fighters began retaliating against the goblins on the watchtowers. Arrows and magical projectiles streaked across the chamber, forcing several goblin archers to abandon their positions.

Meanwhile, Kyle moved toward the front, his greatsword ready to strike down any goblin foolish enough to block his path.

As they approached the village’s outer defenses, the adventurers finally obtained a clear view of the creature responsible for the fireballs.

Standing behind the wooden gate was a goblin wearing dark ceremonial robes adorned with crude ornaments and bones. A wooden staff rested in its hand, and faint magical energy flickered around its body. Unlike the ordinary goblins surrounding it, this creature possessed a considerably stronger aura, and the magic gathering around its staff was powerful enough to threaten the combined defensive skills of the three Guardians.

Beside the shaman stood two enormous goblins.

Both were far taller and more muscular than the ordinary goblin warriors. Their bodies were covered in crude armor, and each carried a heavy weapon capable of crushing an adventurer with a single direct hit. Their expressions were fierce as they stood on either side of the shaman, guarding it from anyone attempting to approach.

Kyle immediately recognized what he was looking at.

"It’s the boss!"

One of the Mad Wolves glanced toward him. "The Goblin Shaman?"

"Yes. The reports we’ve received all mentioned that this village has a Goblin Shaman as its boss. Those two beside it should be the Hobgoblin Warriors guarding it."