Without me having to say anything, Phantom kept the goblins on the ground away from me, allowing me to focus on my targets.

I shot one just before it could land on Albion's head. The fighter was cutting through small clusters of goblins at a time with his greatsword. The blade was already covered with blood, and dismembered goblins littered the ground around him in a circle.

Colisair had immediately summoned a protective bubble around himself. The bubble was apparently lightning-based, for any goblin that got too close received a good shock. More lightning shot from the wizards staff, frying pairs of goblins to a crisp.

In this fashion, it didn't take long for the tide of goblins to slow, then stop. "Why were there so many?" Colisair whined, not daring to lower his bubble now that he had faced an actual threat.

Albion answered him. "This is the Green Forest. Green for the trees, and for the goblins that live here." Albion was the only one of us originally from Borhend, and knew the lay of the land. It was clear why Boss had assigned him to the party.

Wiping his blade clean with the tattered shirt from a goblin carcass, Albion continued. "The things breed like rabbits here. Until Borhend was founded, they were the only humanoids to be found in these parts."

Phan snorted, looking around at the mess we'd made. "No small wonder bandits would hide here then. Nobody wants to contend with this all the time." Howevere, Albion shook his head in disagreement. "The Green Forest goblins are usually peaceful, as far as goblins go."

"They're goblins. Who's to say they haven't finished the bandits off by now? Can't we just go back and get our reward?" Colisair asked, already turning back towards the town.

"Don't tell me this is your first mission. We'd need proof either way, so we need to find the hideout either way." I gave Colisair a withering look. "Chances are the bandits barter with the goblins in order to stay here. Bandits are thieves, not fighters. That attack was probably part of the deal."

Albion and Phantom nodded their agreement. Colisair drew himself up as if about to say something, then thought better of it. He stood watch while the rest of us went through the bodies for anything helpful. Coming up empty except for a few coins, we continued down the path through the forest.