Chapter 105: A blazing cleave!

Without hesitation, Gopushadow sprang into action!

He darted toward one spider, slashed at its leg, then immediately changed direction and struck another. He never stayed in one place long enough to get pinned down, but he made sure every monster he attacked noticed him.

And, naturally, the spiders took the bait.

One good thing about these monsters was that they didn’t seem particularly intelligent. Or perhaps their killing instincts were simply stronger than whatever reasoning ability they had.

Despite being fast and deadly, they showed no signs of working together or using any kind of strategy. They just rushed toward their prey and attacked, seemingly without a second thought.

Well, I wasn’t about to complain about that!

One after another, the spiders turned toward the irritating little goblin who kept slashing at them. Before long, five Dark Giant Spiders had abandoned their other targets and begun chasing Gopushadow.

Perfect!

Of course, attracting five giant spiders was one thing.

Surviving them was another.

Gopushadow darted between trees, ducked beneath low branches, and changed direction so abruptly that the enormous monsters struggled to keep up.

Their blade-like legs stabbed into empty space, missing him by mere inches. One spider even slammed into a tree while trying to follow his sudden turn, shaking loose a shower of leaves and broken branches!

CRAAACK!!!

The trunk cracked under the impact.

Gopushadow was already gone.

HAHA!

Keep running, Shadow!

He kept leading them around the clearing for a few more seconds, waiting for the right moment.

Then, when the opportunity finally came...

"SHADOW! BRING THEM OVER HERE!"

"ROGER!"

Gopushadow changed direction and led his five pursuers straight toward the center of the clearing!

At almost the same time, Gopuflammy was busy dealing with two more spiders.

The muscular female goblin swung her enormous hammer, striking one monster’s front leg hard enough to make it stagger.

CLANG!!!

The spider shrieked and immediately retaliated.

Gopuflammy ducked beneath the incoming strike, rolled to the side, and swung her hammer into its flank!

BOOOOM!!!

The impact knocked the spider sideways, sending it crashing directly into its companion!

The two monsters stumbled over each other, their legs briefly tangling as they struggled to regain their footing.

Perfect!

Gopuflammy wasn’t trying to kill them outright. Not yet, anyway.

She was doing exactly what I’d asked, controlling their movements and forcing them closer together while Gopushadow lured his pursuers toward the same spot.

And all of this was happening while I coordinated their movements through [Ruler’s Voice].

Seriously, what a useful ability!

I could communicate with all my goblins instantly, warn them about incoming attacks, and adjust our plan without wasting precious seconds shouting over the noise of battle.

One goblin distracted the enemies.

Another redirected them.

And somewhere nearby, a third had already been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

....

"That’s it! Keep them coming!"

Gradually, the spiders began converging on the center of the clearing.

Gopushadow’s five pursuers rushed in from one side, while Gopuflammy continued provoking her two opponents into following her.

Seven spiders in total!

And soon...

BAM!

They collied onto each other, and were now clustered close enough for a devastating area attack!

Just then, Gopuran rushed past Gopuflammy with perfect timing.

The two goblin girls exchanged a quick glance. Without a word, Gopuran handed over the Blazing SkullCleaver.

Gopuflammy accepted the enormous axe, her thick fingers closing around its handle.

I watched the exchange with bated breath.

Gopuran MP had ran out, so it’s up to Gopuflammy now.

"Flammy, it’s your turn to shine!"

"MWAHAHAHAHA! LEAVE IT TO ME!"

Gopuflammy burst into a maniacal laugh, and the moment she gripped the axe with both hands, something changed!

The Blazing SkullCleaver suddenly glowed brighter than before. The orange markings along its handle began to shine, and streams of fire spread from the weapon, wrapping around Gopuflammy’s arms and body.

Her hair blazed with brilliant fiery light, while strange, flame-like markings spread across her skin. Even her eyes glowed blindingly, radiating an intense, almost frightening power.

FWOOSH!!!

Flames surged along the axe’s blade, burning brighter than ever before!

The air around her shimmered from the heat.

Wait...

What’s happening?

Is the weapon reacting differently to her?

I was a little confused, to be honest. The Blazing SkullCleaver hadn’t reacted this way when Gopuro or Gopuran used it.

Was there something special about Gopuflammy? Or was this just some kind of weapon effect I’d never noticed before?

Well, whatever it was, there wasn’t exactly time to investigate.

Gopuflammy lowered her body and charged straight toward the clustered spiders. Then she leaped into the air, raising the axe high above her head as she let out a tremendous roar!

"GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! EAT THIS!!!"

For a split second, the seven spiders seemed to notice the enormous weapon blazing above them.

A few tried to turn around.

One raised its front legs.

Another started scrambling backward.

Too late!

"WHIRLING FLAMEEEE!!!"

BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Gopuflammy brought the axe crashing down!

The moment the blade struck, a tremendous wheel of fire exploded outward, spinning violently toward the clustered monsters.

The ground shook beneath the impact, and the entire clearing flooded with orange light!

KRRRAAAAAASH!!!

The blazing wheel tore through the spiders’ formation, engulfing them in a storm of scorching flames!

Black chitin shattered.

Blade-like legs snapped apart.

Enormous bodies were swept off their feet as the devastating attack carved through their ranks, leaving a blazing trail of destruction in its wake!

KIEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

The monsters’ shrieks echoed through the clearing as fire consumed their bodies.

Some tried to block the attack with their front legs, while others desperately attempted to scramble out of its path.

It didn’t matter.

The wheel of fire swallowed them all!

BOOOOOOM!!!

A final burst of flames erupted across the clearing, sending burning embers and thick black smoke billowing into the air.

For a moment, I could barely see anything.

Then, slowly, the flames began to subside.

The smoke drifted away.

And what remained was...

Seven enormous spider corpses scattered across the clearing, their black exoskeletons charred and broken.