The goblin leader Glack tore open the tent flap and rushed out.
Behind him, the Old Shaman followed quickly despite appearing to stagger with a cane.
Outside the tent, the camp was in utter chaos, thick black smoke mixed with dust churned upward, and blood and dismembered goblin corpses were strewn across the clearing.
Did some unknown creature attack the camp?
The death of many tribesmen caused panic to spread like a plague among the goblins.
"Enemy attack! It’s an enemy attack!!" The elite goblins who realized the situation, screamed at the top of their lungs, trying to organize the chaotic tribe.
Before Glack could see clearly to command,
a second terrifying explosion followed closely.
"Boom!!!"
This explosion was closer to the camp interior.
It seemed to be in an area where sundries and combustible items were stored.
Augmented by the ignitable materials, a huge fireball soared into the sky! The scorching airwaves, carrying the terrifying shockwave, lifted and tore apart the tents like toys. Ordinary goblins who couldn’t dodge were thrown like broken dolls, with limbs and visceral fragments splattering everywhere.
Rocks shook loose from above and fell under gravity, crushing many goblins to death on impact.
A strong burnt smell permeated the camp.
"Wah wah wah!!"
"Yalu lu!"
The power of igniting combustibles in an enclosed space was truly terrifying.
A dreadful catastrophe suddenly descended upon the goblins without warning.
Two explosions caused many goblins to die on the spot.
Even some elite goblins were unfortunately killed.
"Everyone stop!"
The goblin leader Glack roared, and beside him, the Old Shaman waved his staff, a wave of light swept over all the goblins.
An amazing thing happened.
The goblins who survived were screaming and fleeing in terror with heads in hands, quickly calmed down as if force-injected with sedatives, stood still upon his command.
Glack finally saw the current state of the camp.
His gaze passed over the ordinary goblins lying down or shattered without much pause.
Only seeing some bulkier elite goblins did his face show a pained expression.
These were the main force of their expedition team.
Ordinary goblins can always be rallied anew; as long as the elite goblins are skilled enough, they can use strong whips and fists to manage the not-so-smart tribesmen.
However, the loss of elite goblins is difficult to replenish in a short period.
A night raid a few days ago already cost the team many elite soldiers. Now, this wave of explosions made the already impoverished team even worse.
Even Glack couldn’t help but feel dizzy for a moment, then a surge of anger welled up from inside his chest.
Having taken on a mission from the Black Tooth Tribe, he came with supplies and a purpose. Failing to fulfill orders from above, such a loss was unacceptable.
"Glack, Glack." The Old Shaman’s hoarse voice carried unprecedented urgency, awakening the head stunned by anger and loss.
"The camp’s exit was bombed and collapsed! Rubble blocks the passage!"
The Old Shaman’s staff pointed to the camp’s exterior, obscured by thick smoke and dust; the natural fissure pathway which normally allowed access to the valley was now completely sealed by fallen stones and explosions.
Since they didn’t know how much enemy firepower there was or where it hid, they could only move quickly to a more open area.
Otherwise, this once hidden and safe hiding place would become their grave.
Glack instantly woke up, letting reason overtake his anger.
"Kaga!" Glack suddenly turned, blood-red eyes fixed on the Bat Knight just climbing off the ground. "You useless! Now is the time for you to redeem yourself! Can your bat still fly?"
Kaga froze for a moment, then hastily nodded. Although its mount was startled by the explosion and its wings had some scratches, it was still able to fly and had already returned to its side.
"Fly out from the vent above immediately!" Glack aimed at a fissure at the valley top used for smoke evacuation and shouted.
"Go and see how many enemies are outside! Where they are hiding. Use your spear to harass them, attract their attention and buy us time."
This was currently the only means to gather external intel and counterattack.
The Bat Knight Kaga’s aerial capability and mobility were crucial at this moment.
"But... but, leader, outside might be that guy." Kaga’s instincts screamed fear recalling Gauss’s terror.
Since fleeing last time, it seemed to have lost all courage to face Gauss.
"No go, die here now!" Glack roared, his enormous palm grasped Kaga’s head. "Now is the time for you to be useful."
Kaga jolted, dared not say another word, and scrambled toward his bat mount.
Glack then swiftly turned toward the still startled elite goblins, roaring, "Why still hesitate, order those little whelps, pick up tools and weapons, ready to dig the passage out!"
Under the nearly controlling calm spell of the Old Shaman, surviving goblins quickly gathered, picked up shovels and picks, and began digging the piled rubble at the exit.
The entire valley interior instantly resounded with urgent digging and clashing sounds.