The encampment drew darker. Neither stars nor moon reached through the tight canopy and no one had been left alive to light the fires.

  Kuro should have been terrified, but Cinti’s breasts were jammed in his face. She was practically right up on him, occasionally moving away to peek around the side of the crates.

  After looking around, she gestured for him to do the same.

  “Three of them. Though, from what I can tell, they have a hostage,” she whispered.

  Kuro squinted around the corner, but couldn’t see a thing.

  Cinti caught his lost expression and hunting eyes and turned his chin with her fingers.

  “Fourth building on the right with the burnt eaves. Second-floor window.”

  Sure enough, he saw a vague flickering of light, but nothing that he could really discern.

  “Are you shitting me? No way you can see all that from here. There’s nothing up there except maybe something shiny,” he said.

  “That’s their reflection in a mirror,” she said, but then mumbled as if caught mid-thought, “I suppose you wouldn’t be able to make it out, huh?”

  “Who are you trying to fool…?” Kuro muttered.

  But she ignored the sceptical remark and drew back out of sight, her bust returning to press against his face.

  “We have to move quickly if we’re going to save the hostage.”

  Kuro jerked back.

  “Are you nuts?! Didn’t you say this was the work of demons? I’m not about to fight three demons.”

  Cinti shook her head.

  “We’re not dealing with demons right now. Those are goblins. They often scavenge after battles looking for loot or a quick meal. Of course, if they can rape a young maiden while they pillage, they won’t hesitate.”

  Occupied by her own thoughts, she didn’t seem to notice just how close she was to Kuro and how her movements were affecting him. Kuro was fighting for his life.

  He struggled to stay focused on the danger while a soft pair of tits rubbed on his face. Sweat was at his temples as blood rushed to his crotch.

  Meanwhile, Cinti kept planning.

  “Stealth isn’t my strong suit, but with help, I should be able to get the drop on them. Their darkvision won’t matter if it’s a total ambush.”

  Kuro shot her a thumbs up.

  “Cool, so I just wait out here, right?”

  She stared at him funny and tilted her head.

  “Actually, this is the perfect opportunity for you to rank up your summoning skills.”

  His face went blank. “Huh?”

  “Kuro,” she said, almost pityingly, “to build your skill you need to capture others to fight on your behalf.”

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  “Oh… How do I do that?”

  “Just start with one of the goblins. It's easy! I’ll take them down, but leave one alive. Once he’s completely weakened, use your orb to trap him.”

  “Right… but, how do I do that?”

  She rose into a starting crouch. “Just remember, no matter what, don’t attempt to take it when its vitality is full.”

  “That. Doesn’t. Explain. Anything.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “I’m gonna die…” Kuro sobbed.

  Suddenly, Cinti looked down at the tent in his pants and back at him questioningly. He blushed.

  But before he could explain, she nodded.

  “Ah, so you get off on the excitement of battle? I’ve heard of warriors like that.”

  Kuro’s eyes flashed wide.

  “What?! No, it’s because of—”

  Cinti took off between the houses, leaving him with his mouth hanging open. Letting out a defeated sigh, he headed over to the hut with the burnt eaves, following behind Cinti and sticking close to the walls.

  When they had advanced to the front entrance, Cinti put up a hand for him to stop. She pointed up. The second floor. Then she leaned in and whispered, “Go up and get started.”

  “Alone?”

  She nodded and put a finger to her lips.

  “I can’t do this without you,” Kuro said. “I don’t know how to fight or use my powers.”

  “Just command the orb,” she hissed through her teeth. “And trust me.”

  She slunk away, disappearing into the shadows around the side of the building.

  “This is not happening,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I’m not doing this. I’m going home. Yeah. Yup.”

  The orb floating beside him seemed to watch him. He must have been losing his mind because he could swear he could sense what it was thinking. Could it think?

  His shoulders slumped.

  “I know, I know. I don’t really have a home to go back to.”

  Sucking in a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and decided to put trust in Cinti. She had looked out for him since he’d arrived in this world. Surely she wouldn’t let him down now.

  As soon as he stepped inside the blackened doorway, a thud echoed from the floorboards above. A muffled scream rang out followed by a gaggle of sadistic laughter. His blood ran cold. Every bone in his body trembled. This whole situation was telling him to turn around and leave.

  He had no experience, had never even seen a real goblin, and now had to face a group of them at night. He didn’t know who this captive girl was either. Why should he risk his life?

  But if he left now, Cinti would end up fighting them by herself.

  He blinked back to his senses and found his legs heading upstairs on their own accord. Each stair was one nauseating step closer to his doom, he could feel it.

  Uncontrolled babble filled his head. ‘This is stupid, this is stupid, this is stupid. I’m gonna get myself killed…’

  Finally, he stared down the landing at the top. His eyes could only make out dark blobs and a dim strip of orange light. That must be the crack under a door.

  Cautiously, he crept down the hallway and stood before the incriminating room with his sword and shield held aloft. He huffed air in rapid-fire to hype himself up—channeling his paladin roleplay.

  Another shrill cry exploded from inside. Adrenaline surged and Kuro kicked in the door.

  His eyes were wild.

  “Unhand her you vile creatures!”

  All heads in the room turned and his stomach dropped. He and Cinti had made not one mistake, but three. The first was in the five pairs of eyes glaring at him. Five enemies, not three.

  The second miscalculation lurked in a corner of the room. A child-sized creature with grey skin looked on from the shadows. Kuro clocked the tiny goatish horns and the spiked tail and felt his stomach lurch again. He didn’t need a bestiary to know that was a demon.

  And to make the whole thing worse, their third mistake only became evident when the goblins stood up, weapons in-hand — a club, a battle ax, a mace, and a pair of knuckle dusters. When they were all on their feet, Kuro swallowed hard.

  Standing eye to eye with him and made of pure muscle, it was clear these were no puny goblins.

  They were hobgoblins.