<h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 21 - Orb of Avarice</h4>


    The energy of Maya''s incantation envelops Kaito, closing the scratches that spread across his body and face and dissipating the pain that previously afflicted him. The bright aura pulsing around him creates an invigorating feeling in him.


    Maya gets herself next to Kaito, and her gaze reflects her courage. "Are you okay?" She asks Kaito, but looking back at the Shaman Goblin.


    "Yes, thank you for healing me. By the way, are they staying?" Kaito asks a question while pointing to the rest of the group.


    "I was able to heal the ones who were most injured, it''s just that everyone is exhausted. We''re going to have to be as fast as we can." She replies, closing her right hand to grip her staff tightly.


    "This way won''t be easy either..."


    The Shaman Goblin regains herposure after the initial shock and casts a fierce re toward Kaito and Maya. His expression bes a mixture of anger and despair at the obstinacy of the awakened youths. The boss holds the Orb of Avarice, which shatters in his hand, and suddenly lets out a deafening roar.


    "This is our chance! I''m going, so cover me, Maya!" shouts Kaito and starts running towards the Shaman Goblin.


    "You can leave it to me!"


    As Kaito moves quickly toward the Shaman Goblin, his feet touch the ground a dozen times per second and his eleration speed gradually increases. He holds the Southern Dagger tightly in his right hand, making sure that he will not let go of it.


    The boss, blinded by rage, begins to cast spells wildly, throwing lightning bolts and fireballs around the room, but none of these spells have the same intensity as when he used the Orb of Avarice and they don''t evene close to hitting Kaito. He is so fast that he moves deftly, dodging the attacks and ruthlessly advancing toward the enemy.


    Suddenly, a Superior Goblin appears out of nowhere and tries to get in Kaito''s way, but Maya warns him first, shouting she said: "On your left, Kaito!"


    His eyes slide across his field of vision and he spots the enemy. At the same time, a sphere of blue energy isunched by the Shaman Goblin.


    Kaito is forced to make a decision in a split second, between trying to dodge the energy sphere or the superior goblin. However, he chooses neither of these two options, but instead moves towards the superior goblin. This time, something is different, and the top goblin himself can sense it. Kaito''s look has changed, he seems more confident, but that''s not all.


    The top goblin doesn''t even have time to think about running away, because Kaito rushes right through him, giving him no time to react. A momentter, the top goblin''s head flies off and his blood squirts out.


    ''Apparently I did right by investing in Strength all the skill points I had.'' Kaito thinks.


    As he approaches the Shaman Goblin, Kaito deftly dodges another weaker bolt of lightninging his way and leaps into the air to avoid spreading the electricity on the ground.


    However, this is the Shaman Goblin''s exact n, because in the air Kaito cannot dodge.


    The Shaman Goblin then gives a malevolentugh and shouts in his strangenguage:


    "Faarfannaa Aarii, Faarfannaa Aangessuu, Faarfannaa Gibxii, Faarfannaa Gubaa!"


    In front of the Shaman Goblin''s palm, four circles with strange signs appear, emanating an eerie energy. The surrounding air begins to tremble and a burst of red energy suddenly erupts with fury, enveloping the entire chamber. Kaito is instantly thrown backwards with overwhelming force, rolling across the floor, struggling desperately to find some point of support. With a Herculean effort, he stabs his dagger into the ground, steadying himself and avoiding being swept away by the overwhelming wave of impact.


    At the same time, Maya clings to a nearby pir with her fingers white with tension.


    For their part, the goblins and the other awakened people are too far away to be hit by the power of the explosion, but they feel a gale.


    The chamber bes shrouded in a cloud of thick smoke and debris, obscuring the view of what is toe. When the dust finally begins to subside, Kaito, Maya and the others behold a terrifying sight. The Shaman Goblin emerges from the smoke with his imposing and frightening figure evenrger than before. Now he possesses a gigantic size. On his oblique face, veins bulge with avarice and his fangs seem muchrger than before, more intimidating.


    A deafening roar escapes his lips, echoing through the chamber, and a dark, menacing aura envelops him.


    "GROAAAAAAARRR!!!"


    His eyes glow with malevolent intent, heralding the end of what little awareness he had and the increase in his voracity for destruction. His presence is overwhelming, filling the room with a distressing smell.


    Now kneeling, Kaito stares at the colossal creature with a mixture of contemtion and determination. Despite the powerful blow he has suffered, his will is not shaken. The burning me of courage still burns in his heart, fueling his resolve.


    Slowly, Kaito stands up once more, his resolve unshakable.


    However, the Shaman Goblin is not oblivious to the fury that consumes him, even with his erged form. Moving with a heavy stride, he approaches Kaito, causing another deafening crash. With agile reflexes, Kaito leaps backwards, narrowly escaping the monster''s foot.


    "You are the first giant monster I have faced. Could you please be a little faster?" teases Kaito, with a hint of sarcasm.


    The Shaman Goblin, enraged by the insolence of the young warrior, begins to conjure up a new attack. He gathers all the air in his lungs, holding it with both hands while forming a huge fireball.


    "Erut at niw agnah!" roars the boss, channeling his evil power.


    Kaito watches with surprising calm as the fireball takes shape before the Shaman Goblin. The intense heat emanating from the incandescent projectile, radiating toward his face, is like a sun. He can''t help an exasperated sigh.


    "Why do you insist on using these things against me?" Kaito sighs and mutters Kaito as he faces the heat of the impending attack. "I''ve already memorized your pattern."


    Literally at thest instant, Kaito leaps with all the strength he has in his legs, avoiding the sea of fire that suddenly covers much of the area around them.


    Maya protects herself on the same pir where she protected herself from my explosion, while the other awakened people started running as soon as they saw the fireball start.


    In contrast, Kaito resurfaces from the side of the left eye Goblin Shaman after his powerful leap and attacks with the Southern Dagger, causing blood to ssh on his face.