"Eek!"
"Wh-what is that…?!"
As the first goblin emerged, a second one soon followed. They both slowly approached us and stopped a dozen meters away.
It seemed there were only two… we're fortunate that it's only two.
The goblins stared at us and lifted their heads, sniffing the air. They smiled even wider than they already were as they looked at me and at Valerie, both of their penises becoming erect.
At that moment, I could feel all my fear drain away, only to be replaced by utter disgust and anger.
Goblins. Always depicted as monsters who rape women and girls. It looks like these two want to have a go.
"Valerie. Henry. Gabriel. Julian. Get behind me, and stay behind me."
At my commanding tone, the kids just nodded and backed up.
Even if they're Cat Furlians and decently fast, I'm not confident I can protect them while running away. That further goblin is holding a bow, after all.
I'd rather these kids not get hit by a dirty arrowhead.
Which means, the first target is the archer.
"Valerie. Give me your mace." I gesture with my free hand behind my back and soon feel the smooth wooden handle of Valerie's practice weapon.
I don't know how strong a goblin in this world is, but they are humanoid. Their weaknesses should be the same as a human's. Major arteries should be in the same places.
Unfortunately, my sword is made of wood and not sharp at all.
As I was thinking of a way to start the fight, the archer goblin notched his arrow and pointed it at me.
My mana began circulating through my veins; I could feel more power coursing through my body.
This is physical enhancement? I feel as strong as I was when I was William. Maybe stronger.
The arrow flew, but I was ready.
I swung my sword and deflected the arrow with ease. I might've been unable to do that as a human, but with my catgirl senses, it was as easy as catching a baseball.
Without wasting a second, I threw the mace as hard as I could at the archer, hitting the goblin square on the head.
It probably wasn't dead.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Geeejijiji!"
The goblin holding the sword made a weird sound and charged at me with its rusty sword held high.
I dash forward to distance myself from the kids behind me and perform a faint. The goblin swung down and hit the dirt as I passed by him and to the goblin archer still recovering on the ground.
With one downward strike, I brought down my wooden sword and hit the bastard across both eyes, feeling and hearing the satisfying crunch of its skull.
*cra-ack!*
I hit the monster so hard that my sword splintered right in half from the sheer force.
"Grahjijijijaaaah!!"
The other goblin roared as I felt him coming from behind. I quickly grabbed a loose arrow from the downed goblin archer's quiver and stabbed the goblin in the armpit of his sword arm.
The disgusting creature was just a bit taller than me, but I grabbed its head and slammed my knee into its hook nose.
I didn't let it fall, instead, I grabbed its sword, disarming it. With a clean diagonal slash, I slit its neck open, causing blood to gush out violently.
"Ugh… gross." Some of the blood hit my face. Even its blood stinks like shit.
"Guuhg…gleehk—"
The other goblin, the archer. It gurgled and twitched. Looks like it's still alive. I walk over and look at it as if I'm staring at dirt. No, dirt is more valuable than a goblin.
I press the tip of the rusty blade on its neck and thrust it down, effectively decapitating it, and leaving the sword there.
My attention turned to the kids, who were huddled up together, their tails all puffed up as they witnessed my little massacre.
"You guys okay?"
For a few seconds, they just stared at me silently.
Valerie stood up straighter, her whole body shaking…
"Th-that…! That was amazing!! Those bad guys were goblin monsters, right?! I read about them before! You killed them like an adventurer!"
At Valerie's excitement, the other kids began relaxing and the twins became just as awed as Valerie.
"You were so cool!" Gabriel shouted.
"Yeah! But now you kinda stink…" Julian laughed while pinching his nose.
"…" Henry remained silent as he glanced at the twins.
"I'm glad you think I'm cool and all, but…"
I balled my fists and brought them down ok Gabriel and Julian's heads.
"Ow!"
"Ouch!"
"That's for running into the forest without a care in the world!! What were you thinking?! Do you even know what could've happened if I wasn't here?! Or if I didn't find you in time?!" I shouted.
The kids all looked at me anxiously, their ears folding back as I continued yelling.
"W-we just wanted to—" Valerie tried to reason with me, but I wasn't hearing it.
"Valerie! I expected you to be smarter! I spar with you all the time, you should know how dangerous not knowing about something is! Do you know this forest?!"
Valerie flinched and cowered further, her ears flattened against her head as she looked at the ground.
"N-no…"
"Exactly! And Henry! You should have known better! Why didn't you stop Gabriel when he pulled you along?!"
Henry flinched, his body trembling. "… I— I have no excuse, L-Luxanna…"
I glare at the children but exhale in relief a moment later. "Haaah…"
Valerie giggled a bit and I looked at her with an annoyed expression.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Hehe~ You're like our Mom, Luxa."
With that little joke, the others relaxed a bit and even laughed under their breaths, the mood lifting slightly.
"Ugh… let's just leave…"
Before I could take a step, a shadowy figure landed in front of us. I instinctively react, taking a standard CQB stance.
"Are you kids alright?!"
I relax as the familiar scent hits me. It was the Village Hunter, Henry's father.
"Dad!"
Henry ran up and hugged his father, who looked at the two dead goblins, then at me. I still had its blood on my face.
"Did you do that, Luxanna?"
"Yeah! She saved us! She was really cool!" Valerie answered.
A flicker of surprise painted the Hunter's face for a moment before sighing in relief. "Come now, children. We must exit the forest immediately. I must report this to the Village Chief…"
He ushered us all together and he guided us out of the forest.