The Operator Between Worlds [ONGOING]

Chapter 6: Instincts Unleashed

Then—shuffling. Multiple footsteps. A huddle of goblins.

He pulled a flashbang from his vest and unpinned it.

Masami watched curiously, trying to make sense of the tiny metal object. Her eyes sparkled with interest.

Mason lobbed the grenade around the bend and turned his head. A chorus of yelps rang out before the cave filled with a violent flash of white.

The moment the bang rang out, he pivoted and stormed the corner. In five seconds, the goblins were neutralized—confused, blind, and dead before they could react.

He scanned for more threats.

A shriek.

From behind.

His blood ran cold.

He'd forgotten to check his six.

Mason spun around just in time to see a small, green-skinned creature launching through the air, a jagged dagger aimed straight at his face. It was too late to swing up his carbine—he was already shifting to hand-to-hand, bracing to intercept the blow. But before the goblin could reach him, something flashed into view from the side.

In a blink, Masami struck. With a swift and clean arc, she knocked the goblin to the ground and carved a deep gash across its throat. Mason barely registered the motion—she was that fast. Even with just a dagger, her strike was so precise and vicious that the goblin's head nearly detached from the sheer force.

The creature writhed and gasped, clutching at its gushing neck in vain. It wouldn't last long.

Masami turned toward him, puffing out her chest a little with a proud, eager grin. "Well? What do you think?"

"Uh..." Mason blinked, momentarily speechless. He finally nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. "That was amazing. You moved so fast I could barely follow you."

"Really?" Her expression lit up. She leaned closer to him, tail wagging, ears perked in excitement. Her eyes sparkled with unrestrained joy—as if that one compliment had made her entire day.

It was strangely adorable. A little contradictory, too, considering she'd just slit a goblin's throat without flinching.

"Yes, you're amazing, Masami," Mason said again, more firmly this time. "But let's focus on finishing the job. We can celebrate afterward."

Masami nodded with firm resolve. "Right. I've got your back, Mason—so don't worry."

They resumed their approach.

With every step deeper into the cavern, the air grew denser, almost suffocating with a sense of dread. The evil aura Mason had sensed at the cave's mouth was far stronger now—so thick he could practically taste it. After a few more meters, the narrow tunnel gave way to a broader chamber.

He didn't step in.

Instead, Mason kept to the wall, sweeping his gaze across the space. It opened into a wide hall of jagged rock and crude carvings. At the far end, a grotesque throne of bones sat beneath a natural arch of stone. Perched atop it, a goblin—smaller than the four hulking brutes guarding it—oozed power. There was no mistaking it: this one was the leader.

Even from the shadows, Mason felt its awareness. The goblin lord didn't just sense him—it locked eyes with him. And then, to his disbelief, it smirked.

Cocky little bastard.

Fine.

He reached for the M320 under-barrel launcher and loaded a 40mm grenade with calm precision. No speech. No warning. No fair fight.