You can train behind a guild all day, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment a goblin charges you with a rusted knife, screaming like it's personally offended by your entire existence.
We took a low-tier goblin clearing quest from the guild.
"Easy goblins, they said," I muttered, clutching the quest slip. "Quick copper, they said."
[Quest: Eliminate 5 Goblins | Reward: 20 copper each]
The Shell Slime led the way, letting out a calm "pyo~," while the Slime Duo bounced excitedly on either side.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit flicked sparks whenever it got too hyped, earning scolds from the Sproutling, who was riding the Shell Slime like a tiny general, leaf tail flicking.
The Leaf Slime trailed behind, vines twitching in anticipation.
We found the first goblin near a bush, trying to fish a beetle out of the dirt with its filthy claws.
[Goblin – F Rank]
HP: 40 / 40
It turned, blinking at our ridiculous formation.
The Shell Slime let out a firm "pyo~."
The goblin screeched, raising its knife.
"Shell Slime, Taunt!"
The Shell Slime glowed faintly blue, letting out a low "pyo~."
The goblin's eyes snapped to it, snarling, and it charged, ignoring everyone else.
It slashed its knife down, the blade clanging harmlessly against the Shell Slime's rocky shell.
[Taunt successful.]
"Slime Duo, hit it from the sides! Flame-Tuft, distract!"
"Pyo! Pyo!"
"Fwi~!"
The Slime Duo bounced in, slamming into the goblin's legs with their Gooey Combo, each hit landing with a satisfying splat.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit hopped in front, letting out sparks, forcing the goblin to flinch backward.
The Sproutling jumped off the Shell Slime, landing beside the Leaf Slime, leaf arm glowing faintly.
"Leaf Blade!"
The Sproutling swung, the green glow slicing across the goblin's arm, leaving a thin cut that oozed black blood.
[Goblin HP: 28 / 40]
The goblin shrieked, swinging its knife wildly at the Shell Slime again, doing nothing.
The Slime Duo slammed it from behind, while the Flame-Tuft Rabbit bit its ankle with a small, fiery spark.
The Leaf Slime's vines wrapped around the goblin's other leg, pulling it off-balance.
"Finish it!"
The Sproutling leapt, delivering a downward Leaf Blade strike on the goblin's chest.
Thunk.
The goblin gurgled, eyes wide, before dissolving into sparkles.
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
I let out a breath, checking my Status Screen:
[Level: 3 (65 / 300)]
[Mana: 77 / 90]
The Shell Slime let out a calm "pyo~," unfazed.
The Slime Duo wiggled with pride.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit let out a victorious "fwi~."
The Leaf Slime's leafy ears flicked, while the Sproutling landed beside me, giving me a thumbs-up.
Second Goblin (Double Trouble)
We moved deeper into the forest.
Two goblins this time, arguing over a moldy piece of bread.
[Goblin – F Rank] x2
"Shell Slime, Taunt!"
"Pyo~."
The glow spread, and both goblins turned, snarling, before charging with their tiny knives.
Clang! Clang!
The knives scraped across the Shell Slime's shell, doing nothing.
"Gooey Combo, go!"
The Slime and Leaf Slime slammed one goblin's legs in sequence, while the Flame-Tuft Rabbit let out a "fwi~," sending sparks into the goblin's face.
The Sproutling jumped, landing a Leaf Blade on the second goblin's arm.
One goblin tried to break off to attack the Flame-Tuft Rabbit.
The Shell Slime rolled forward, intercepting it, knocking it back down with a heavy "pyo~."
"Nice block!"
The Leaf Slime's vines tripped the second goblin.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit bit its ear, sparks flickering.
The Sproutling landed beside it, delivering a swift Leaf Blade to its neck.
Poof.
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
The first goblin tried to run.
"Slime, intercept!"
"Pyo! Pyo!"
They slammed into the goblin's knees, dropping it.
The Shell Slime rolled over, pinning it down.
The Sproutling walked up, leaf blade ready, before delivering a precise chop.
Poof.
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
The Shell Slime's Taunt was working perfectly, forcing enemies to attack the tank while the rest of the team handled damage safely.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit's sparks distracted the goblins, giving openings.
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime coordinated perfectly with Gooey Combo.
And the Sproutling's Leaf Blade was now consistent, cutting down goblins with precision.
We were, dare I say it…
A functioning party.
> [Pathetic Summoner's Note: Shell Slime integration successful. Team synergy improved.]
Break Time
After the battle, we sat in a clearing, the Shell Slime letting out a calm "pyo~" as the Slime Duo rested against it.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit nibbled on a leaf, letting out tiny "fwi~" puffs.
The Sproutling was sitting on a stump, practicing small Leaf Blade swings while the Leaf Slime wiggled encouragingly.
I opened my quest slip, marking three goblins off the list.
Only two more, and we'd get our reward.
I checked the loot:
✅ 6 copper coins
✅ 2 rusty knives
✅ 1 moldy bread piece (Flame-Tuft Rabbit took it proudly)
I looked at my team, smiling.
"We're getting there, huh?"
The Sproutling looked back, giving me a confident thumbs-up, leaf tail wagging.
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime let out a unified "pyo!"
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit flicked a spark.
The Shell Slime just let out its calm "pyo~."
And for the first time, I didn't feel like the most pathetic summoner in the world.
Just… a slightly pathetic one, with a party that was slowly making me better.
We needed two more goblins to finish the quest.
What we found instead was a crowned nightmare with jagged teeth, a stolen iron crown, and a tree branch scepter.
The Shell Slime led our cautious advance, vines brushing against my sleeves as I parted the bushes.
[Goblin King – D Rank]
HP: 150 / 150
It was massive for a goblin, almost as tall as me, surrounded by three smaller goblins holding sticks like bodyguards.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit flicked sparks nervously.
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime let out low, determined "pyo…" sounds, feeling the tension.
The Sproutling's leaf tail twitched, eyes narrowing.
"This isn't just a brute…" I whispered.
The system chimed:
[Congratulations. You found a Goblin King while looking for weaklings. Enjoy the potential death.]
The First Clash
"Shell Slime, Taunt the King!"
"Pyo~."
The Shell Slime glowed faintly, and the Goblin King's eyes snapped toward it with a roar.
The three smaller goblins shrieked, charging with sticks.
"Gooey Combo, intercept the minions!"
"Pyo! Pyo!"
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime charged, slamming the first goblin's knees in sequence.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit hopped in, biting the second goblin's arm with a spark, forcing it to drop its stick.
The Sproutling leapt, landing a swift Leaf Blade on the third goblin's chest.
Poof!
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
The Goblin King swung its branch scepter, slamming it onto the Shell Slime with a heavy thud.
[Shell Slime HP: 32 / 45]
It didn't break the Shell Slime's shell, but the force cracked the dirt beneath it.
"Flame-Tuft, distract it with sparks!"
"Fwi~!"
Tiny sparks flew, forcing the Goblin King to flinch and swat the air.
The Sproutling landed beside the Shell Slime, leaf glowing green.
"Leaf Blade, go!"
Slash!
The Goblin King snarled, swiping with its clawed hand, barely missing the Sproutling as it rolled back.
[Goblin King HP: 135 / 150]
Tactics Under Pressure
The Slime Duo and Leaf Slime finished off the two remaining minions with a Gooey Combo chain, their bodies slamming repeatedly.
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
[Goblin defeated. +14 EXP]
Quest complete, but we couldn't run now.
[Level: 3 (107 / 300)]
"Shell Slime, keep taunting it!"
"Pyo~!"
The Shell Slime glowed again, taking another scepter slam.
[Shell Slime HP: 20 / 45]
Cracks spread across the Shell Slime's rocky back, but it stayed firm.
"Leaf Slime, vines, bind its legs!"
"Pyo!"
Green vines shot out, wrapping around the Goblin King's ankles.
It roared, struggling, but the vines held just long enough.
"Now, team!"
The Slime Duo slammed into the Goblin King's legs.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit leapt, biting its wrist, sparks sizzling.
The Sproutling jumped high, delivering a Leaf Blade to the Goblin King's neck.
Slash!
[Goblin King HP: 95 / 150]
It roared, breaking free, swinging its scepter in a wild arc.
WHAM!
The Slime was flung aside.
[Slime: Wounded, but reforming]
The Sproutling landed with a grunt, leaf tail drooping.
"Everyone, one last push!"
The Shell Slime rolled forward, slamming into the Goblin King's knee.
The Goblin King staggered.
The Leaf Slime's vines shot out again, pulling at its ankles.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit let out a final "fwi~!" spark, blinding the Goblin King.
The Sproutling leapt, leaf blade glowing brighter than ever.
Slash!
The Goblin King let out a final roar before falling forward, dissolving into golden sparkles.
[Goblin King defeated. +50 EXP]
[Rare Loot Acquired: Goblin Crown Fragment]
[Level: 3 (157 / 300)]
The clearing fell silent, the wind brushing through the trees.
The Slime reformed, wobbly but letting out a proud "pyo!"
The Shell Slime let out a low, tired "pyo~," standing firm.
The Flame-Tuft Rabbit collapsed in a satisfied flop, sparks flickering softly.
The Leaf Slime flicked its leafy ears proudly.
The Sproutling, breathing heavily, raised its tiny fist in victory.
I let out a shaky laugh, clutching the Goblin Crown Fragment.
"We did it."
The system popped up:
[You survived. Shocking.]
And for a moment, in that quiet forest, I didn't feel pathetic at all.