Navigating the intricate and dark expanse of the dense forest, Alex proceeded with caution, steadily exploring the unknown territory while clutching the makeshift spear made from a sturdy tree branch.

Having ventured quite a distance from his starting point, Alex meticulously surveyed his surroundings, leaving no corner unexamined. The darkness persisted, limiting his visibility to the immediate area where he stood and the surrounding periphery, not extending beyond five meters.

In his exploration, Alex had encountered and successfully hunted four more slimes, securing their cores in his pocket. The number of slimes appeared to be minimal, and their scarcity was accentuated by their apparent solitary nature. Unlike forming groups, the slimes seemed to hide amidst the bushes, only emerging when they sensed Alex's presence. Thus far, he hadn't encountered any groups of these magical creatures, heightening the mystery of this enchanted forest.

As Alex carefully navigated through the dense vegetation, he began rummaging through bushes in search of resources. The four slimes he encountered fell victim to his makeshift spear. Despite his efforts, he hadn't come across any edible plants or fruits, nor had he encountered any animals, large or small. In this unfamiliar environment, caution was paramount for survival, and he refrained from consuming anything without confirming its safety.

Observing some herb-like plants and small bushes bearing berries, Alex hesitated to eat them without assurance of their non-poisonous nature. He scanned the surroundings, hoping to spot small animals that could serve as test subjects to verify the edibility of these plants.

The passage of time remained elusive without any machinery to keep track. However, the slight recurring pain in his legs and the audible growling of his empty stomach hinted at the passing hours. As he continued walking through the dark forest, the realization dawned on him that much time had elapsed. Alex found himself deep within the woods, still without any sight of food or water. The challenges of survival in this magical realm intensified, prompting him to adapt and strategize for the uncertainties ahead.

As Alex contemplated his next steps, his attention was abruptly drawn to a presence in his surroundings. He came to a halt, silently observing the being that remained unaware of his presence. It was a creature that Alex had only encountered within the realms of the games he played and the novels he had read-a goblin.

The goblin, a short, bipedal creature, possessed saggy green skin, and an unattractive face marked by a long, pointy nose and ears. In the lore of fantasy novels and games, goblins were often depicted as the weakest creatures, yet any lapse in caution could lead to peril. Typically living in groups and forming tribes, the goblin, Alex now observed appeared to be alone, an anomaly in its usual social structure. Intrigued by the real-life encounter with a creature he had only known through stories and images, Alex continued to watch as his curiosity piqued.

The goblin stood unaware, its back exposed to Alex as it engaged in consuming something. Oblivious to the impending danger, the goblin remained unguarded. Alex, with measured and silent steps, closed in on the creature, positioning his spear for a strike. Once at the appropriate distance, he swiftly thrust the spear into the back of the goblin's neck, ending its life abruptly. As he withdrew his spear, the lifeless body of the goblin collapsed, its final moments marked by confusion and shock, unaware of the cause of its demise.

The goblin's mouth remained agape, remnants of its last meal still within. Alex gazed at the deceased creature, the 'innocent' victim of his actions. His hands trembled, holding the blood-laced spear, and he found himself soaked in sweat, a mix of emotions and thoughts clouding his mind. The stark reality of survival in this magical realm weighed heavily on Alex as he grappled with the consequences of his actions.

In an effort to calm himself, Alex squatted down, settling on the ground and hugging his spear. Taking deliberate, deep breaths, he focused on controlling his breathing.

"It's normal here. I have to kill them. It's okay, calm down, Alex, calm down. I have to survive and live long to explore this world. I have to live... I will..."

He repeated these reassuring words to himself, fortifying his mental resilience and providing strong motivations to continue living. Gradually, his trembling hands steadied, and his labored breaths transformed into calm, rhythmic motions. The chaotic thoughts in his mind came to a standstill, and a sense of peace enveloped him.

After regaining composure, Alex turned his attention back to the lifeless goblin before him. Upon closer inspection, he noticed remnants of a red berry-like substance inside the creature's mouth. His gaze then shifted to a nearby bush bearing similar berries, leading him to conclude that the goblin had been consuming an edible fruit. With this realization, he continued to observe the goblin's body, searching for any other valuable insights.

Observing the goblin's remains, Alex noted the creature's minimal attire—a ragged fabric covering its lower area. Next to the body lay a spear, seemingly more professionally crafted than the one Alex had made. Intrigued, Alex picked up the goblin's spear, finding it sturdy with a sharper point.

Deciding to dual-wield both spears, he equipped the newfound weapon alongside his own. Turning towards the berry-laden bushes, Alex hesitated briefly before plucking one of the berries. After squeezing it to extract a drop of juice, he cautiously tasted it. The flavor was a pleasant mix of sweetness and a slight sour undertone. As he waited for any adverse effects, none manifested.

With this confirmation, Alex realized he had discovered an edible and tasty resource. He indulged in consuming as many berries as he could and gathered some more, stashing them in his pocket. The berries' flesh and juice provided a welcomed respite for his growling stomach and dry throat. After appeasing his immediate cravings, he prepared to resume his exploration, a sudden thought crossing his mind.

'Maybe there is a group of goblins near here or a tribe. This goblin may be here for food for his tribe. I have to be vigilant as there may be more lurking near here'

As that thought crept into his mind two more goblins came into view. They also noticed him and ran toward him holding their spears. Alex let go of the spear from the goblin and made his stance to welcome those guests. 

Quick and agile, Alex adeptly avoided the lunging goblin's spear attack, smoothly ducking to the side. Seizing the opportunity, he retaliated by targeting the goblin's legs, causing it to stagger and fall. Unfazed by the downed adversary, Alex swiftly parried the spear thrust of the second goblin, simultaneously delivering a well-placed kick to hinder its advance.

The fallen goblin struggled to regain its footing, providing Alex with a momentary advantage. With the two adversaries momentarily incapacitated, he assessed the situation and readied himself for the next moves these creatures might make. The encounter with these goblins heightened Alex's awareness of potential threats in this unfamiliar environment, prompting him to stay vigilant as he continued his exploration.

After that, he stabbed the fallen goblin with his spear ending its life. Then started walking towards the other goblin. That goblin was disoriented. It was slowly picking itself up but before that Alex came near and hit his head with his spear, then stabbed its head, the pointy end of the spear lodged inside the head of that goblin ending its life.

A bit clumsily and with a grim determination, he did kill both of those goblins. He was slowly getting used to the idea of hunting. He was not still at ease but at least he had accepted the reality fast. He swiftly collected all of the spears. He found a weapon that looked like a slingshot from one of the goblins. The body of the Slingshot was made with a branch of a tree but the elastic part wasn't rubber. It seemed like a flexible rubber but it was green be also from a creeper plant. It would be useful to shoot from long range.

Equipped with the newfound slingshot and a heightened sense of vigilance, Alex continued his exploration of the mysterious forest. The encounters with these goblins further emphasized the necessity of adapting to the challenges of this unfamiliar world, pushing him to hone his survival skills. The forest, still full of secrets and potential dangers, awaited his next move.

After all the looting, he was just going to keep walking but a sudden thought jolted his mind.

'Yes, Core...Monster core. What about its monster core? Where is it? Do I have to mutilate its body for the core'

Having these thoughts he turned around to again look at all those bodies. Steeling his heart he picked up one of the sharp spears and staggered towards the nearest body.

Approaching the goblin's lifeless body, Alex hesitated for a moment, grappling with the grisly task that lay ahead. The concept of extracting a monster core was not only a practical necessity but also a reminder of the stark differences between this world and the virtual or fictional realms he was accustomed to.

Taking a deep breath, Alex steeled himself and carefully examined the goblin's body. His eyes focused on a faint glow emanating from the creature's chest. It wasn't visible at first glance, but upon closer inspection, he noticed a subtle luminescence pulsating within the goblin's torso.

With the sharp end of the spear, Alex carefully made an incision in the goblin's chest. As the skin parted, the glow became more pronounced, revealing the source of the creature's vitality-the monster core. It was a small, radiant orb, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.

Taking a moment to contemplate the significance of this discovery, Alex carefully extracted the monster core. The glow persisted in his hand as he pocketed the small, mystical sphere. This core, a tangible representation of the creature's essence, held the potential for various applications in this magical world.

As he continued his journey through the dense forest, Alex pondered the mysteries surrounding these monster cores and how they might contribute to his survival and exploration in this unfamiliar realm.