Chapter 30: Finding the Nearby Mine

With the giant lizard defeated, Gobusuke sheathed his katana and turned to his team. "Good job, everyone. We took them down without a scratch."

Turning to Gobryx and Goburus, Gobusuke instructed them to scout the surrounding area for any other lizard men that might be lurking. "We need to be sure that this territory is secure before we move on," he said, his eyes observing the area for any hints of danger.

"Now, while you two scout the surrounding area, the rest of us will search for any nearby mines."

"Remember, if you encounter any enemies, eliminate them if you can. But if the situation becomes unfavorable, prioritize your safety and retreat to a safe location. Wait for our arrival," Gobusuke explained.

"Got it, Captain!" Gobryx and Goburus replied at the same time.

Gobusuke nodded approvingly. "Good. Let's move out, everyone. Stay vigilant and be ready for anything," he commanded.

Goburus quickly led the way as he and Gobryx ventured further into the lizard men's territory. The two goblins moved with stealth and precision, their senses alert to any potential threats that may lie in wait.

Meanwhile, Gobusuke and the rest of the goblins exited the forest, dispersing into the open terrain. Each goblin had their designated role, ready to fulfill their tasks with efficiency. Gobusuke's instructions echoed in their minds as they maintained a heightened state of readiness.

As they made their way through the forest, Gobusuke instructed Gobmir, the Miner Goblin, to use his unique skill, "Ore Sense." With a focused expression, Gobmir activated his ability, allowing him to detect the presence of any nearby mineral deposits.

Time passed, and the goblins continued their steady advance through the dense vegetation. Suddenly, Gobmir's senses tingled, signaling a noteworthy discovery. A glimmer of excitement crossed his eyes as he sensed something intriguing nearby.

As Gobmir's eyes widened with anticipation, he turned to Gobusuke, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Captain, I sense the presence of a mine nearby. The vibrations in the earth and the subtle changes in the air tell me that we are close."

Gobusuke's gaze sharpened, "Excellent work, Gobmir. Lead the way.

With a nod of agreement, Gobmir took point, his keen senses guiding the group towards their destination. The goblins moved swiftly but silently, their weapons at the ready, fully aware that danger could be lurking just beyond the trees.

The tension grew as they ventured deeper into the territory, following Gobmir's guidance. The sounds of their footsteps were masked by the rustling leaves and the occasional calls of forest creatures.

As Gobmir led the way, his senses honed in on the subtle vibrations in the earth, guiding the group with precision.

After a brief yet intense search, he turned to Gobusuke with a mixture of excitement and confirmation in his voice. "Captain, there are not just one, but two mines nearby. Our lord's guess was correct. We've stumbled upon an iron steel mine and a coal mine!"

Gobusuke's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, "Well done, Gobmir."

As the goblins approached the location of the iron steel mine, they noticed a peculiar arrangement of dried leaves strewn haphazardly across the entrance. It was a deliberate camouflage, meticulously arranged by the lizard men to conceal the mine from prying eyes. Gobusuke's sharp gaze caught the anomaly, and his instincts warned him of potential traps or ambushes.

"Careful, everyone," Gobusuke cautioned, his voice low yet authoritative. "The lizard men have taken measures to hide this mine. Stay alert for any traps or hidden adversaries."

With caution, Gobusuke and his team cautiously cleared away the dried leaves, revealing the concealed entrance to the iron steel mine. It was a small, unassuming opening in the ground, barely noticeable amidst the surrounding foliage. The air around the entrance felt dense and suffused with a metallic scent.

Gobmir, with his keen senses, detected a faint aura of warmth emanating from the mine, as if the earth itself was brimming with the potential of valuable resources. His eyes expanded, and he shared his findings with Gobusuke.

"Captain, this mine is rich in iron steel," Gobmir revealed, his voice filled with anticipation. "We've hit the jackpot!"

Gobusuke nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. "Good work, Gobmir. Let's clear the area first before we proceed further. Keep an eye out for any traps or lurking enemies. The lizard men won't give up their territory without a fight."

With caution and vigilance, the goblins formed a defensive perimeter around the entrance of the iron steel mine. Gobusuke silently signaled for Gobbie, the Scout Goblin, to inspect the area for any hidden traps while the others maintained their guard.

Gobun, the Barrier Master Goblin, stepped forward at Gobusuke's command. With a wave of his hands and a few whispered incantations, Gobun summoned a protective barrier around Gobbie, enveloping him in a transparent shield of magical energy.

Feeling the comforting hum of the sphere barrier, Gobbie's confidence soared as he set out to fulfill his scouting duties. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of hidden traps or lurking adversaries. It didn't take long for his well-honed senses to detect a series of tripwires cleverly concealed among the underbrush nearby.

Gobbie's goblin instincts kicked in, and a mischievous grin formed on his face. With nimble fingers, he carefully disarmed the tripwires one by one. After a few seconds all of the potential threats nearby were now removed, thanks to Gobbie.

As Gobbie reported back to Gobusuke, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Captain, the area is clear of traps. Those lizard men won't catch us off guard today!"

Gobusuke nodded, "Excellent work, Gobbie. Now, let's proceed cautiously into the mine. We've taken the necessary precautions, but remain on high alert. The lizard men may have more surprises waiting for us."

Gobusuke led the goblins into the iron steel mine, their footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit tunnels. The walls were rough and rocky, and a faint metallic scent filled the air. As they ventured deeper, their senses sharpened, ever watchful for any signs of danger.

To their relief, the mine appeared to be free of traps. The goblins continued walking, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any glimmers of iron steel. After a few moments, their diligent exploration led them to their first significant discovery—a vein of glistening iron steel.

Gobmir's eyes lit up with excitement as he caught sight of the precious ore. Unable to contain his enthusiasm, he let out a gleeful exclamation, "Finally! It's my time to shine!" With his trusty pickaxe in hand, Gobmir eagerly stepped forward, his gaze fixed upon the iron steel vein.

The other goblins gathered around, their eyes are wide as Gobmir prepared to extract the valuable resource. With a mighty swing, his pickaxe struck the rock, sending sparks flying and the distinctive sound of metal meeting stone reverberating through the chamber.

Chunk by chunk, Gobmir skillfully chipped away at the surrounding rock, revealing the gleaming iron steel beneath. The goblins watched in awe as the vein grew larger, uncovering a treasure trove of potential weapons, armor, and tools.

Meanwhile, at the lizard men's territory, Goburus and Gobryx continued their diligent search for any signs of life. They carefully combed through the area, their eyes scanning for any movement or hidden enemies. To their surprise, the territory appeared deserted, devoid of any living beings.

As they explored further, the goblins stumbled upon a series of abandoned tents. Inside, they discovered crates filled with coals and iron steel ore, evidence of the lizard men's mining activities. It became clear that the lizard men had been exploiting the resources of the land, perhaps for their own nefarious purposes.

After thoroughly investigating the area and finding no further traces of lizard men or potential threats, Goburus and Gobryx decided it was time to regroup with the rest of their team. They made their way back to the entrance of the lizard men's territory, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

However, as they reached the entrance, a sense of anticipation filled the air instead of fear. A massive, imposing figure stood before them, blocking their path. The creature towered over the goblins, exuding an aura of power and strength that was hard to ignore.

The monster resembled a bear, but its size and ferocious appearance surpassed anything they had encountered before. Thick, matted brown fur covered its hulking frame, and jagged spikes protruded from its back, glinting ominously in the dim light. Its snarling mouth revealed rows of sharp, glistening teeth, ready to unleash a fearsome attack.