The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] Chapter 13: Chapter 11: A Sharp Whistle and Orchestrated Chaos

Read chapter 13 of The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] by KennyTheAwkwardDonut on NovelPedia.

Chapter 11 A Sharp Whistle And Orchestrated Chaos The cracks ran deep, from the surface to its long-dead heart. Veins without blood branched through stone, unbidden by what remained of its will. There are many questions left unanswered, but few that must be answered soon. What happens when that, too, is no more? When nothing is left but the memory, yet the memories can no longer reach the stone? What becomes of my once great tower? ~ An excerpt from the notes of the Architect Ascendant * * * Nik was still gasping for air and trying to regain control of his panicked state as he woke Pearl from her slumber. “What is going on? Are you okay?” she asked. Nik replied through gasping breaths, “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Screams. That direction.” Pearl looked to the direction of his gesturing and back to him. “You are not fine. Please, tell me what is happening?” she pleaded. Nik used the mantra that had failed him in his nightmare, and for the first time within earshot of his friend, whispered “Think of the leaves.” He repeated it until his breaths had begun returning to his control. The worry on her face at the state he was in had left him feeling more weak and small than he’d felt since the day he left his home. Unable to face the topic she would want to discuss, he left her with no time to talk. Nik turned his back to her. He picked up a scared and confused Ryan from the ground, and placed him on a shoulder. Nik collected his gear and said, “We need to investigate, other things can wait.” Although the worry that was still present on her features twisted his gut, she’d given him a nod in response. They crept in the direction of the sounds, expecting to hear the destructive din of battle, but there was none of its loudness. It was quieter than it should have been. The screams had become subdued in their intensity. Nik and Pearl had drawn near enough to their source that they could hear the sobbing wails the screams had become. Stakes had been driven into the ground, with clusters of rope anchored to them. Bound by these ropes were two dozen goblins. A whole clan. Old and young, but none in between, were huddled together in terror. Their warriors lay at the feet of adventurers, some dead and some severely wounded. Quest Received! Rescue the goblins Reward: 75 XP and 5 copper coins Nik’s blood boiled in his veins and his hands began to shake. Why would they do this? What could they have to gain by tying up the children and the elderly? His breaths grew shorter and louder as he looked on at the cruelty. Pearl alighted onto his shoulder, pressing a hand to his cheek as she whispered, “Be calm, Nik. We need a plan.” He tried to control his breathing, using his mantra to calm his mind. He couldn’t let himself be rash. His wasn’t the only life in danger here. They needed to be smart about this. The resources they had on hand were minimal, just his gear and their abilities. “How many adventurers do you see?” he asked. “I can see four of them.” “I thought there were too many of them when I counted three. But we have to do something. I don’t know how many of the wounded we can save, but if we don’t try soon, we never will,” Nik said. He took count of how many had fallen; at least seven goblin warriors were either among the dead, or were soon to join them. One of the blades that lay next to a fallen warrior was tinged in crimson. Good, at least one of the adventurers is wounded, he thought. Nik drew a deep breath in and said, “It’s time to test out my new earth ability. I’ll draw them away, you save the prisoners. I’ll meet you back at last night’s shelter. Oh, and take Ryan with you; this will be dangerous. Have one of the goblins carry him, but please watch over him. Help the injured warriors if you can.” He sat the tiny dragon on the ground, and when Pearl started to protest, he held up a hand. “Trust me, Pearl, I have a plan,” he told her with a smile. Nik went from tree to tree, keeping himself hidden as he made his way around from his frien