“You’re a damn lunatic!” Mark screamed, hovering around Martin’s inn. We were alone here, just us two players and our guides. And the goblin, of course, but he was tied to a chair, a cloth gagging his mouth.

  “Hey, don’t scream, it hurts my ears.” Emma tried slapping Mark.

  I looked at the ground, recalling the last hour. It was brazen to do what I’ve done, that was sure. But I didn’t feel regret. Not even a little bit.

  The exit from that damn ritual site was easier that I expected. The goblin mage walked around the portal several times in complete silence, inspecting the carvings, and then just walked back into his house, which towered over the entirety of the empty space. I lightly punched the goblin, knocking him out, and then rushed to Martin’s inn.

  “Oh shut up, kid.” Mark showed his middle finger to Emma, smirking, and turned to me, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Shrimpie, we need to leave. Now. While they don’t know we’re here.”

  “No, I don’t think so.” I said, and found the words to sing true. Somewhere, deep down, I knew I’d regret it if I listened to Mark. “I know you’re trying to do the best thing Mark. I know you’re being logical. But I can’t leave. I want to save them.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Save who?”

  “The players. All of them.”

  Silence followed, all of the others looking at me like if I finally lost my mind.

  “You can’t be serious.” Martin shook his head. “I wanted to save my friend. Hell, I still do. But all of them? You’d have to convince the goblins, somehow.”

  I nodded, coming to the chair to which the goblin was tied to. It was apparently the only wooden chair in the whole inn, and it was in Martin’s inventory when he came here. I gently dragged the cloth out of his mouth. “Good thing I have a plan.”

  “A plan?! Shrimpie, I’m sorry, but I don’t see us-”

  I stopped him before he could continue further. “I have a plan. I think it’s good, but I’ll need your input, Mark. Just… listen to me. I know you like to think of yourself as a good player of videogames, but you keep forgetting that this isn’t just a videogame sometimes. These goblins aren’t just enemies to kill. They are more than that, the same way the ants were.” Turning back to the goblin, I extended my hand, just to retract it a second later when I realized that he was still tied up. “What’s your name?”

  The goblin looked at me, still fearful, but swallowed his saliva and answered in a quiet voice. “Gummz, duh. Ya said ya need Gummz for something?”

  “Yes, Gummz. My friend is locked in one of the cages, as are the other players. I’ll need you and other goblins to help attack the mages tomorrow.” I met his eyes. “As I said. We’ll make you your own rulers.”

  “Okay, now I’m really interested in hearing this plan of yours.” Mark said, throwing his hands up in the air.

  “It’s simple, really. We force the main mage to open up all the cages and then escape.”

  “Yeah, attacking the mage protected by the strongest player we’ve seen sounds like a really smart idea.” Mark shook his head.

  I smiled. “But that’s why we’d have a distraction.” I looked at Gummz. “I’m sure more goblins would be interested in being their own rulers, right? Or not having to share the bounty and grot. And not having to attack players just because someone ordered them to.”

  I saw the realization come into Gummz’s face, his eyes getting wide. “I’d… like that, duh.”

  “I’m sure you and many others would. I’m surely stronger than anyone here, but I cannot attack because there’s a strength in numbers. The fights I’ve been through have shown me that.”

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  “So that’s the idea?” Martin interrupted, scratching his chin. “Attack the goblins with other goblins?”

  I shook my head, walking to sit on one of the stone slabs. “Not just the goblins. The players too. I’d want to attack the one goblin that can release the other players. Rally them to help us. Fink is max level as well. I think they could help.”

  “A problem there.” Mark said, still a bit reluctant. “Most of the players are low level. They’ll be less useful than the goblins. I wouldn’t count on them helping us.” He looked at the ceiling now, contemplative. “And you’re forgetting about our biggest problem. Xila will be there.”

  “I can take care of Xila.” I said, grinning.

  “As much as I’d like to say yes to that, I wouldn’t bet my money on you in that duel. Evolutions are scary, and she was equipped to boot.”

  I loved me a guide that always knew how and when to support me.

  “Are you talking about the white lady, duh?” Gummz suddenly interrupted, looking at me. “She has friends that are not here now. She came from the portal, but doesn’t come to rituals often, duh.”

  “Often isn’t good enough.” Mark sighed, holding his head. He did that way too often these days. “Listen, Shrimpie. Attacking the goblin mage was always planned. Attacking the strongest one with Xila being his bodyguard is too dangerous. We’re risking everything just for something that’s likely to get us killed. Are you positive that you want to do this?”

  I only thought for a moment. Just leaving seemed like a nice option. But I wouldn’t do it. I refused to take the easy path here. “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Okay.” Mark nodded, and sat down on the floor. “Let’s get to planning then.”

  And so we did. I’ve rarely talked for such a long time, but I was really doing my best to listen to everything that was said. Martin was mostly silent, only sometimes offering to add some of his own knowledge, but he seemed mostly pleased with the final plan.

  What we ended up with was simple. I’d try to sneak to the podium of the highest mage before the ritual started, using the distraction of the goblin force on our side attacking the other two mages. Then I’d force him to release all the players from the cages, let them bolster our ranks, and either finish the fight if we were winning, or retreat from the cave if we weren’t.

  “Okay, but how do we get the goblins to come to our side?” Ema mused, looking at Gummz.

  “Oh, I think I know just the person to convince them.” I looked at Martin, who was looking at the ground, thinking. The silence made him look up, confused, and so I repeated my statement. He smiled, nodding. “Sounds like fun. I’m sure some free grot will make them more willing, too.”

  “Of course you bribe them with alcohol. What do you all even see in that stuff?” Emma rolled her eyes, before stopping and looking at me, raising both her hands in front of her. “I’m not saying you are wrong for getting drunk yesterday, Shrimpie! I’m just… uhh…”

  “It’s okay. I know what you meant.” I smiled, unsure what to think of the girl. I liked being told or shown that I’m handsome, but this was getting weird. Changing the topic, I looked back at the goblin. “ Gummz, how many goblins do you think would be willing to join us?”

  He looked into my eyes, then back at the ground, and remained silent for a moment. Counting, huh? If he knew so many of his fellow goblins, getting the count was surely bound to be useful.

  His deep voice finally ended the anticipative silence. “Umm, more than ten, duh.”

  Mark sighed. “Of course he can’t count.”

  “Can’t blame him. Hated maths in school.” Emma added, smiling.

  “Let’s just hope it’s actually a good number of them then.” I stood up from the stone slab, walking to Mark. “So, Fink and Gummz will go rally the goblins. What do I do?”

  Mark didn’t even think about the answer for a second. “Nothing. I’d say craft more potions, but we won’t be able to craft any advanced ones until tomorrow. Go over your skills, contact the team. We’re gonna play the waiting game now.”

  I wanted to complain, but I was a bit curious about how the defense building was going. And at least I avoided crafting this time.

  Martin got to untying Gummz. The goblin stretched his short arms, and they were off. I sat back down on one of the stones and texted Crudia directly, trying to avoid Bryga’s questions about Fink.

  Shrimpie: Hey, Crudia. How are the preparations going?

  Crudia: Oh, hey Shrimpie! They’re going great! We’ve surrounded half of the city in traps now, several types of course, as Mark instructed! We’ve deactivated them for now and went to spar with Bryga! She’s really strong!

  Shrimpie: Oh, really? Did she win?

  Crudia: She won against Dusk three of five times, but I won four of five! She’s strong, but a bit slow! Couldn’t keep up with me, you know? Anyway, how is rescuing Fink going? Are you returning soon?

  Shrimpie: Hopefully tomorrow, yes. We’ve got a plan to rescue him, though it’s not going to be easy.

  Crudia: Oh really? What is it? Are you in danger?

  Shrimpie: I’m not in danger. I am the danger. Though Xila is here too.

  Crudia: Xila???? The evil lady?? That doesn’t sound good! Are you sure you don’t want us to come?

  Shrimpie: No time for you to get here. Let me tell you everything about the plan…