Chapter 91 – Ghost in the Hill

Chapter 91

Ghost in the Hill

Date : Day 9 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

They woke the next morning feeling truly rested for the first time since their campaign began. The deep, uninterrupted sleep, protected by the Ward Stone, had washed away the accumulated fatigue of the previous days. The exhaustion that had built up over countless ambushes and night raids finally released its grip. Their bodies were refreshed. Their minds were clear.

Elise woke up first. Her stir also nudged Hyoren. The movement was gentle. But enough to pull him from sleep. He opened his eyes shortly after. The morning light filtered through the tent fabric.

"Morning, Hyoren."

She smiled. Her emerald eyes were bright.

"Good Morning, Elise."

He smiled back at her. Caressing her disheveled silver hair. The strands were soft against his fingers. Messy from sleep.

Both of them then got up. Exited their tent. The morning air was crisp and cool. The scent of stone and distant forest filled their lungs. Then they did their morning routine with practiced efficiency. Washing their faces with water from their skins. Fixing their appearance. Straightening their clothes. Checking their gear. And ending with tying their hair in a practical hairstyle. Tied in the back for Hyoren. And a high ponytail for Elise.

Elise quickly went to the makeshift kitchen to cook breakfast. Her movements were smooth.

Hyoren went to the edge. Laid out their tarp. And sat. Observing the Old Quarry while waiting for Elise. He activated his Aethell Sense. The skill made observation easier as he could see the goblins as blobs of small light dotted the landscape. The magical signatures pulsed faintly in the distance.

Elise came back not long after. Carrying simple stew and bread. The aroma was warm and comforting.

They ate silently afterwards. The stew was thick. Hearty. The bread was fresh. Still soft from their storage bag. The morning was peaceful and quiet.

They put their bowl aside. And started observation again. Their eyes swept the quarry below.

"Elise, did you notice?"

Hyoren's voice was low.

Elise leaned forward over the edge. Trying to see it more clearly. Her silver hair fell over her shoulder. Then she nodded.

"Yeah, Hyoren. The quarry was changing... it became... quiet."

The quarry was quiet. Too quiet. There was no sign of the morning patrol leaving the main gate. No goblins marching in formation. No scouts running along the perimeter. There was no sign of a forager team heading out to gather food. The goblins were huddled inside their defenses. Their movements were minimal and furtive. The settlement looked like a fortress under siege.

"Are the Lord scared? They've become careful. They're not sending anyone out."

She looked at Hyoren. Her quick movement made her silver hair sway.

"Where is the forager? Where is the patrol?"

Her ears twitched.

"They just... huddled in their settlement. This will be hard, Hyoren. We can't ambush them if they won't leave their hole."

Elise was distressed. Their perfect plan of ambushing patrols and foragers to whittle the enemy down couldn't be performed anymore. The strategy was broken. Useless.

Hyoren , however, was smiling. It was a cold, predatory smile that held no humor, only the grim certainty of a plan coming to fruition. 

"No, Elise. This is actually good. This marks the next phase of our plan.”

He gestured over the quarry.

“They're not careful. They're desperate, Elise."

Elise looked at him, confused. Her brow furrowed.

"Good? How???"

She shook her head. Her ponytail swayed with the motion.

"Desperate? How can you tell? They look like they're battening down the hatches."

Hyoren's eyes gleamed with analytical triumph. He pointed down at the silent quarry. His finger traced the outline of the walls.

"Exactly, Elise."

He grinned. Seeing Elise was still confused.

"They are battening down the hatches."

He leaned forward slightly. His voice was confident.

"They're not sending out their foragers because we killed them. All of them. We wiped out their last two foraging teams. The Lord thinks if they send more foragers, they will just get wiped out again. The Lord might scratch their head in frustration. They didn't know what hit them."

He gestured over the quarry.

"So they did what scared animals do when confused. Bunkering down out of fear."

Elise nodded. Her expression was slowly shifting from distress to understanding.

"I see… That might be true. But it is still bad for us, right? If they bunker down..."

She furrowed her brow.

"We can't kill them. Charging into three hundred goblins is suicide."

He looked at Elise. His expression was intense.

"No, Elise. It's good for us."

He gestured broadly at the quarry.

"Think about it. They're an army of three hundred. That's a lot of mouths to feed. Their food supply was already dwindling, and we just cut off their main supply line…"

He grinned.

"They're starving."

Elise's eyes widened in understanding as Hyoren’s logic clicked into place. She looked at the quarry. At the huddling 300 goblins in the settlement

Hyoren gestured at the quarry.

Elise's eyes widened in understanding. Hyoren's logic clicked into place. The pieces connected. She looked at the quarry. At the huddling three hundred goblins in the settlement. The beast wasn't cornered. It was bleeding out.

Hyoren gestured at the quarry.

"Our work is going to be easier from now on, Elise."

He grinned.

"They're trapped in that quarry. They have no food, and their morale is plummeting with every passing hour. They're getting weaker, not stronger. Soon, they'll start fighting amongst themselves."

He looked back at the settlement.

"The Lord will have to make a choice, starve in his fortress or risk everything on a desperate move to find food."

He leaned back, a look of satisfaction on his face. 

"We don't have to go to them anymore, Elise. We just have to wait. They're going to come to us. And when they do, they'll be hungry, desperate, and sloppy."

His voice dropped. His grin widened.

"It won't be a fight. It will be a slaughter."

Hyoren excitement was infectious. 

Elise stared down at the silent quarry, seeing it not as a frustrating obstacle, but as a dying animal, cornered and bleeding out. He was right. Their attrition strategy had worked better than they could have ever imagined. They hadn't just been killing goblins, they had been systematically dismantling their ability to survive.

Hyoren looked at Elise.

"Today, we relax, Elise."

He leaned back. Looking comfortable.

"We've earned it. We've done enough damage for the last two days. We killed almost a quarter of their number. Let them sit in their quarry and stew in their own fear and hunger."

Then he smiled. Remembering something. A thought crossed his mind.

"And let's eat the fruit we stole from the goblins again."

He chuckled.

"It's only fitting that we enjoy the spoils."

Elise laughed. The sound was light and free. A stark contrast to the grim reality of their siege.

"A feast of stolen fruit to celebrate starving our enemy? I love the way you think."

She smiled warmly.

"And I will never say no to eating Rainlumes. Fufu."

She opened the bag and pulled out one of the large, purple Sun-Melons. It was heavy and smooth. Its skin was cool to the touch. She used her dagger to slice it open. Revealing a vibrant, juicy green flesh that smelled sweet and refreshing. The scent was intoxicating. Fresh. She cut a wedge and handed it to Hyoren.

He took a bite. His eyes closing in pleasure. The melon was incredibly sweet and hydrating. A burst of clean, delicious flavor that was a world away from their usual rations. The juice ran down his chin.

"This is amazing. A sweet taste of victory."

They ate their Sun-Melons, Crimson-Whip berries, and Rainlumes. The sweet juice quenched their thirst. The flavors were vibrant. Alive. It was a moment of peace in the middle of their campaign. They were two lovers on a picnic. Overlooking a valley of death. The contrast was stark but beautiful.

As they ate, Hyoren's gaze drifted back to the quarry. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"I predict tomorrow, or at most, in two more days, their morale will crumble completely."

He chewed slowly. Thinking.

"A goblin's loyalty is tied to its stomach and its fear of its leader. When hunger becomes greater than fear, the Lord will lose control."

He gestured toward the settlement.

"He'll either have a mutiny on his hands, or he'll be forced to lead a desperate, disorganized raid to find food."

He looked at Elise. His eyes gleamed with the confidence of a chess master who had just checkmated his opponent.

"And when they do, we'll be waiting on the ambush. We will systematically remove those skulking green ones one by one."

He stretched his arms high. The morning sun caught his features.

"For now... let's just wait. We deserve the rest. And while at it, I will train my magic. I can do it while we rest."

Elise nodded and smiled. She then snuggled close to Hyoren. Enjoying the moment of peace. Her warmth pressed against his side.

They spent the rest of the day in a state of relaxed readiness. Hyoren continued to train his Magic Manipulation. He wanted to get Magic Blade before the campaign ended. Pouring Aethell into his Mithril-alloy Yari. In and out. In and out. The energy flowed through him. The practice was meditative.

Elise sat beside him. Watching the quarry. Watching her lover train hard. Sometimes she took another Rainlume from her bag. Enjoying it. Savoring the sweetness. She went to their makeshift kitchen a few times. Brewing tea for them to enjoy. The comforting aroma of herbs filled the air.

They simply trained, rested, and ate their stolen fruit. It was the most effective and enjoyable day of the entire campaign. The suns moved across the sky. The shadows lengthened. The quarry remained silent.

They spent the morning and noon in a state of blissful indolence. A luxury they had earned through blood and cunning.

They still monitored the quarry from time to time. But it was a perfunctory task. The settlement remained a sullen, quiet fortress. Its inhabitants seemingly content to starve in their hole.

***

Hyoren's prediction had been a confident one, but even he hadn't expected it to come true so quickly. It happened in the late afternoon, as the dual suns began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in fiery shades of orange and silver. The clouds caught the light and burned with color. The world below was anything but peaceful.

He was taking his turn observing the quarry, casually scanning the quarry's main gate. The stone walls stood silent. The guards were motionless. Then he saw a sudden commotion, a small scuffle near the entrance. Shoving. Shouting. Chaos.

He focused his eyes, powered with Aethell Sense. His interest was piqued. The magical signatures flickered erratically.

A group of goblins, around twenty of them, had broken away from the main gate. They weren't marching—they were running. They weren't organized—they were a chaotic and panicked mob. They carried a mix of weapons, crude clubs, sticks, and some were even unarmed. They were fleeing the settlement as if it were on fire

Hyoren looked back at Elise who was resting on their tarp. Her eyes were closed. Her breathing was even.

"Elise, get over here. Quick."

She sat up immediately. Alert. Then she went to his side in an instant. Her emerald eyes were sharp. Focused.

"What is it, Hyoren?"

Hyoren pointed at the main gate. The skulking green creatures started their run towards the forest via the usual path. Their movements were clumsy and disorganized.

"Look, Elise. I predict there will be a mutiny. But damn, I didn't expect it to be this early.”

He grinned widely. His lips curled into a predatory smile. His prediction was off, but it was welcoming. They didn't need to wait for too long

“Their morale is lower than I thought. Some goblins are starting to lose control. They're deserting. The Goblin Lord's grasp is much weaker than I expected."

Elise watched the fleeing group with an amused expression. She leaned forward. Her eyes tracked the movement below.

"They're starving. They'd rather take their chances in the wilds than face another day without food."

She looked at Hyoren. A matching predatory smile spread across her face.

"Yes, Hyoren. The Lord has lost his grip."

Hyoren could feel the primal thrill of the chase. The excitement of the predator sensing its prey's weakness. His heart rate increased. His muscles tensed.

He gripped his spear which lay on his side. The familiar Yew-wood shaft was smooth.

"They're loose, disorganized, and terrified. They're running right into our arms."

He stood and offered his hand to help Elise rise.

"The hunt has started. Elise, let's go."

Elise stood. She prepared her bow and quiver with practiced efficiency. Checking the arrow count. Checking the tension of her string. Then she nodded. She was ready.

Both of them looked at the quarry again. The fleeing goblins had made it a few hundred meters from the quarry. Their progress was slow and clumsy because of starvation and desperation. They stumbled. They fell. They helped each other up only to fall again.

They moved down from their ledge, their movements fluid and silent. They became ghosts in the hills again. They were no longer just observers—they were hunters. They tracked the goblins by the noise they made. Their clumsy footsteps, their panicked breathing, their loud and frightened whispers. The sounds carried on the wind. Easy to follow.

They quickly found ambush points a few kilometers from the Old Quarry. Their quick pace versus the goblins' clumsy and starved stride made sure the goblins hadn't arrived yet. They had time. They had position.

Elise found a perch on the ridge above, her bow a silent instrument of death. She nocked an arrow.

Meanwhile, Hyoren moved through the bush, his spear a deadly promise. He crouched low. His footsteps were silent. His breathing was controlled.

Not long after, they heard the chattering goblins. They walked slowly. Exhausted. Starved. Their beady eyes were hollow. Most of them didn't even carry weapons. They were too weak to even walk, let alone fight. Their voices were thin and desperate.

The goblins didn't stand a chance.

It was not a battle—it was a culling. It was not an ambush—it was an execution. The arrows flew first. Then the spear struck. The goblins fell one after another. Too weak to run. Too slow to react. Too starved to fight back.

In the span of a few heartbeats, it was over. The deserters had thought they were fleeing to freedom. They had only run from one fate into another, far more final one. The forest floor was stained. The air smelled of iron and waste.

Hyoren stood amidst the sea of blood and green corpses. His spear dripped. His breathing was steady. He surveyed the carnage.

"25 goblin deserters. And they were too weak to even lift their weapons."

He wiped his spear on a corpse's rags.

"I even started feeling sorry for the last one. It just sat there, its eyes hollow, like asking for a swift death."

Elise dropped from the ridge. Her movements were graceful and silent. She landed beside him.

"That's right. It's like taking candy from a child."

She touched his shoulder. Reminding him.

"Don't feel sorry for them though. They would do the same to other creatures, even human children. Goblins are merciless."

Hyoren nodded. His expression sobered.

"I know, Elise. I know..."

They swiftly harvested the magic stones and returned to their base. The work was methodical, quick and practiced.

But as he finished harvesting everything, a notification chimed in his head. The Voice of Aethell came to announce his growth. The sound was pleasant and welcomed.

“Aethell Sense - Leveled up to 2.”

“Magic Blade - Skill Acquired.”

He raised his spear high, feeling triumphant. His growth had been so fast since they started this campaign. The progress was undeniable.

Elise looked at him. Tilting her head. She was curious about Hyoren gesture.

"What happened, Hyoren?"

Hyoren lowered his spear. Smiled at Elise. But he didn't answer. He decided to show it instead.

He focused. Then spoke the keyword.

"Magic Blade."

His spear was instantly enveloped by energy. By Aethell. It glowed bright blue. Just like when Elise used her Magic Arrow skill. The light hummed with power.

He swung his spear at a nearby tree. It effortlessly sliced the trunk. It was a small tree, only about ten centimeters in diameter, but without the skill, he definitely couldn't slice it this easily. The wood parted like water.

Elise widened her eyes. Then realization dawned. She smiled at him.

"Congratulations, Hyoren. You finally got the skill. Fufu."

She moved closer to him and touched his arm. Her warmth was grounding.

"You're one step closer to your dream of acquiring elemental magic. Our growth is definitely fast now."

He nodded. Feel thankful.

"Yeah, Elise. And not only did I acquire Magic Blade. My Aethell Sense also leveled up."

He looked at Elise. His determined eyes met her.

"I will keep training hard. Magic Manipulation level three. That was the goal."

He then deactivated the skill. The process became easier and almost automatic now that he had the skill. The glow faded. The power settled.

"Let's go back, Elise."

Elise nodded. Then both of them quickly returned to their base. The suns continued their descent.

Both of them sat again on the ledge. The dual suns of Kresneger already dipped below the horizons. Replaced by three moons. Combination of red, blue and dark lights bathed the hills. The autumn night was cool and quiet

He looked towards the distant quarry. The grim realization enveloped him, replacing the euphoria of the new skills. The silence was deceptively dangerous.

"Elise, the deserters coming early might be good for us. But our work is going to be harder from now on."

Elise tilted her head. Her silver hair cascaded over one shoulder.

"Why, Hyoren? I thought our work was going to be easier?"

Hyoren shook his head.

"Think about it, Elise. The deserters will come out more and more. But if we fail to kill one group of deserters, they will run away from here."

He looked at the quarry again. The walls stood silent and unaware.

"We need to make sure every deserter is dealt with. Or they will become a menace to surrounding villages. Like Lakeview..."

Elise widened her eyes. Realization dawned upon her. The implications settled.

"Right. You're right."

She nodded slowly.

"We need to make sure we kill every deserter then."

They spent the rest of the night taking turns watching. Their rest was broken by the frequent discovery of fleeing groups. They became a well-oiled machine, a two-person extermination squad. By the time the first hints of dawn painted the eastern sky, they had dealt with another five separate groups of deserters. The night was long and bloody.

They returned to their base as the morning suns rose. Their bodies were tired but their spirits were soaring. They collapsed onto their sleeping bags, exhaustion warring with exhilaration. The fatigue was heavy and deep. But the satisfaction was greater.

"140 goblin deserters total... in one night, Elise."

Hyoren whispered. His voice carried disbelief.

"I even received a level up. I'm now level eight... one level in one day."

He took his guild card. Thanks to the deserters, today had been full of growth. The numbers glowed.

Level : 8

Experience to next level up : 607/1,296

Status :

Strength : 11

Vitality : 8

Dexterity : 8

Agility : 11

Magic : 8

Skills :

Forest Walking Lvl 1

Spear Mastery Lvl 3

Throwing Lvl 2

Magic Manipulation Lvl 2

Instinct Lvl 1

Dissection Lvl 1

Aethell Sense Lvl 2

Magic Blade Lvl 1

Unique Skill : Berserker

Blessing : Divine Protection of Twin Goddesses

He nodded. Satisfied. New level. Higher stats. New skill. The progress was real and tangible.

He looked at the experience requirement for the next level, which was 1.5x again. It was very consistent. And looking at the number, he really would level up to level nine by the time they finished this campaign. The mathematics was clear.

He put down his card.

Elise's eyes were full of warmth. She whispered to him.

"Level eight, Hyoren. Almost one full level in a single day."

She smiled proudly.

Hyoren smiled back. Feeling grateful.

"Thanks, Elise."

He looked up at the fabric of their tent. Etched by Runic Arrays of temperature control. The magic kept them comfortable and warm.

"And Elise, for the total number we already killed today... 85 goblins from our first two days... we have already successfully dismantled a total of 250 goblins."

Elise widened her eyes. Her body shifted on the sleeping bag.

"That's more than half of our predicted numbers. We successfully reduced the goblin settlement to half their original number!"

Hyoren looked at Elise on his side. Her head lolled on his shoulder.

"I don't know if there will be more deserters after this. But I hope there's not. I'm too tired already."

Elise looked up. She exhaled a deep breath. Her breath felt ticklish on Hyoren's neck.

"Yeah, Hyoren... let's just sleep. I doubt there will be more deserters. Our last two deserter groups only had less than ten goblins. And the frequency was sparse. Most deserters ran away during the evening."

Hyoren nodded. Combing Elise's silver hair with his fingers. The strands were soft and silky.

"Okay then. I hope so."

He looked at Elise.

"Let's sleep, Elise. Good night."

Elise snuggled close to him. Then kissed his lips— quick, but anchoring.

"Night, Hyoren."

They were tired. Their bodies ached from the long night of hunting. But they felt an incredible sense of excitement. They had gone on the offensive, and they had decimated the enemy's numbers. More than half of the predicted goblin population was already dead, and they hadn't even had to risk a frontal assault on the quarry. The strategy was working perfectly.