The World of Tactics

Chapter Five I: Reaching Destination Under The Cover Of The Dark

"Soul core, a fascinating thing! Contained within the soul cores are the souls of the monsters that died. The soul core, itself, is the neutral state in itself. However, through special methods, the power inside the soul cores would manifest in the world. That will enable the user to gain unimaginable benefits. The usage limit of the soul cores is just at the top of a maker's imagination." An enchanter's apprentice was reading the 'Introduction to Imbuement Basic.'

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Well, the journey could have gone better. Right now, they are in battle. However, John Smith was ready for this because of the ambush the day before yesterday. It was rough thinking that there would be a battle everywhere and tensing his muscles at every moment when there was a potential ambush. They were traveling along the overused dirt road and this did not ease his mind at all. This had caused him quite an amount of stress yesterday and they had encountered a battle just after they started their journey this morning.

The good thing was that this time there was an additional goblin unit that he could deploy into battle as well, which would make it easier. However, things would have become much easier if he could get his hand on the rest of the soul cores that the four had. Sadly, the soul cores seem to be quite valuable too and none of the four is willing to give away their soul core easily. He did try to probe the four of them, but they remain stoic about it and remain silent.

What they encountered right now was just five goblins within a nine-by-nine grid map. It was pretty small in comparison to the previous battle. At this point, he realizes that there is no good placement because, from everywhere, the goblins can be within reach of every other turn. Meaning that he is only safe for the enemy's first turn and would be in the attacking range of the goblins within the second turn. However, if he plays it smart and moves safely. He would be able to avoid getting targeted and attacked.

On the [Select Units], he now saw his pixelated figure on the top section. Meanwhile, below his section was another section that contained the illusionary figure of the goblin. Without a doubt, it was from the soul core of the very first goblin that he defeated. He could select and deselect the goblin at any time, unlike his pixelated figure. The goblin's pixelated figure will lighten and a number indicator shows up as '(1/1)' when selected. Meanwhile, the number indicator shows '(0/1)' and darkens when he deselects the unit. It was a new feature and seemed kind of fun, but he believed that meant that he could only summon one monster to help in the battle in any battle scenario. The limitation is somewhat of a bummer, but having an additional unit is already quite good.

This time, when he took the chance to check the [Inventory] tab. He found out that he could also assign items to the goblin's inventory as well. However, because he does not have an ax-type weapon. The goblin could not equip anything. He moved on to the [Skills] tab and both of them got no skills at all, so he quickly exited to the next tab. On the [Conditions] tab, he got the two same options. He either [routes] all of the goblins or [escapes]. This time, though, he could see that the escape was just one square adjacent behind him glowing in yellow. It was also the square that made up the border of the battle.

Moving on to the [Map] tab, he saw that he was able to view the whole map. This time the map was quite smaller than the previous one. He zoomed into the map and was able to see that his phantom goblin was automatically placed adjacent to the front of his square. However, the map suggested that he could move the starting placement of the phantom goblin. After a few experiments, the phantom goblin can not be placed more than two squares away from his position.

Placed the phantom goblin at the forefront of the soldier's formation. He just realized that with the phantom goblin at the forefront, it creates a pixelated 'V' formation with the four other soldiers. Meanwhile, he was in the center of the 'V' formation. A square away from everything else. This is just fine since he would be somewhat safe until the enemy's second or third turns.

When everything was within the right placement, he moved on to the [Battle Start] tab. He went through the same tedious [Start] option and pressed the [Yes] option afterward. The world that seemed to have paused for so long came back in time again.

[Player's Turn]

This time, however, was a completely new experience for him. He could either move first or through the map. He could control the phantom goblin's actions. He knows for sure that a goblin only has four movements. The nearest front goblin was five squares away or the same as six squares away from his original square. With his phantom goblin blocking the front. He was able to notice some things right away. If something were to obstruct the enemy's movements, the enemy would not be able to go past that obstruction.

Using the nearest goblin's position, the nearest goblin was not able to go through his phantom goblin. To test this, he tries touching the enemy on the map during his turn and, as expected. The [Map] tab does not fully show the movement and the attack range of the goblins. The [Map] tab only shows the status of the selected unit on the map. However, in battle, he was able to visually see how far the goblins could move and their attack range by touching their pixelated icon on the map.

His guess was right, he moved his illusionary goblin forward one square and he was completely able to minimize the nearest goblin's movement. This also limited the nearest goblin's possible attack range. Knowing that the nearest goblin was not able to cross his illusionary goblin, he went forward into the square. He knew that he might have missed something when he fell into a panic during the previous battle. It was indeed what he had missed.

When he was just adjacent to the leading soldier, Lawrence, and another soldier, Zack. He knows for sure that he missed out on the [Talk] option. The same also goes for the other soldiers, Dewberry and Tube. Another important thing to note was that as long as he does not end his turn, he can return to his original position and move to a new spot. Right at this moment, he decided that he had to talk to Lawrence. The three options that he could do are:

[Talk]

[Item]

[Wait]

Without any hesitation, he selected the [Talk] option. Just right after, he had two options. It was either Lawrence or Zack that he could talk to. Without a doubt, he selected Lawrence. The moment after, the gridline between the two merged. Lawrence turned towards him with a skeptical look and he had to say something.

He was nervous, but he had to say it anyway, "Can you guys leave the last goblin for me?"

It might be due to his father's order or the weird world that he is currently living in. Lawrence did not say any specifically, but he could see Lawrence's nod of approval after thinking about it for a few moments. It was quite quick, but the gridlines appeared again and the merged rectangle became two squares again. And the last option he had was the [Wait] option. With that, he chose to end his turn and pressed the [Wait] option.

It was the green units' turn now and he had to sit back while watching how things played out. Firstly, as he expected, Lawrence was the first to move. However, unexpectedly, Lawrence shouted an order, "Do not touch the last one!" And, Lawrence ended his turn just like that. He had expected Lawrence to go in for the first attack, seeing that the goblin was within Lawrence's movement and attack range. After Lawrence's turn, he realized that on the map, the other three green soldiers had an exclamation mark on top of their heads.

The next to move was Zack. Zack had pretty well-experienced judgment and moved exactly just two squares forward. Now, it seems that they were able to see the goblins out in the open. They could depend on their visuals and make their own decisions. This might be because he only had an overview map that he could look at and calculate. While this also means that any undiscovered enemies outside of their current vision will be unknown to them. Going back to Zack's movement, Zack was just one square below his phantom goblin, but it was within the attack range of the nearest goblin and along with the second goblin that was behind.

Even if the two goblins were to attack Zack, the maximum attack the group of goblins could attack Zack was just one. The rest of the goblins were out of range. It was quite clever. Dewberry's turn was uneventful as well. Like the one at the topmost, Dewberry went one square forward. While that was not significant. Dewberry is now in the attack range, the third nearest goblin. Tube went exactly three squares forward, which was below Zack. Another excellent move because he was just exposed to only one attack.

When the [Ally Turn] ends, it is [Enemy's Turn]. As expected, the nearest goblin was only able to reach his phantom goblins. What he had not expected was that his soul goblin was the one that was targeted. A clean three damage was inflicted on his goblin. However, his goblin was not able to deal any damage at all because of the equal strength value and the nearest goblin's defense value.

Just like he had expected, the soul core of the goblin that he defeated was a notch weaker than it was. Even the strength value was so different. After the quick battle, he did receive a notification message. However, though, his soul goblin did gain a substantial amount of experience. The message reads:

[Unit N/A receives EXP + 50.]

[Unit N/A levels up to 7!]

[Unit N/A gains 1 unallocated point!]

[Please assign the unallocated points!]

The world paused yet again. It was as if he would not be able to continue if he did not assign the unallocated points. Naturally, he had to make a decision and assign the unallocated points to the defense. That would reduce the amount of damage that his phantom goblin suffers. The points were quite valuable and defense for the moment was the right choice since his phantom goblins were the prime targets for the mindless goblins. The long he had his phantom goblin, the more the phantom goblin could block off deadly attacks on him.

The second goblin behind targeted Zack, but due to limited attack range. The difference between the two was so far away. That was why the goblin did not target his phantom goblin and Zack was the second prime target. Tubby was also out of the movement and attack range. Zack took one damage in return for dealing six damages to the goblin. It was a good exchange. Afterward, he could see an 'EXP +1' going up above Zack's head.

Just like his phantom goblin, after the small battle exchange. Experiences would be gained right afterward. It looks like life and death battles earn individuals quite the amount of experience. No wonder, compared to a hard-earned effort that took roughly one hour before getting a point of experience. A single fight within a battle has already netted at least one point of experience. Even so, he still has some questions regarding the experience earned.

Looks like the difference in levels between the two combatants might be the case. For now, he had to observe the changes. Watches the third goblin going for his phantom goblin. There is no mistaking, his phantom goblin was a tank that could taunt enemies. The fight was quick. One was the attacker while the other could counterattack. His phantom goblin got two damage while dealing no damage to the other goblin. However, the good part comes next:

[Unit N/A received EXP + 45.]

The experience was less than he had thought, but it was considered a huge bonus. That was equal to forty-five hours just walking straight. The difference between the current amount and the previous amount was five experience points. It seemed that his thinking was right. Levels do make a difference because the first goblin to attack and the third goblin that attacked were also at the same levels. The only one that had a change in levels was his phantom goblin. It was no wonder why Zack only got one experience. Zack was level sixteen. Meanwhile, the goblin that attacked Zack was level seven. The difference is quite far, so at least a point of experience would be gained even if the difference exceeded the usual amount. This must be tested first before he can conclude it.

The fourth goblin, which was behind the third goblin, was situated two squares in front of Dewberry and is now adjacent to the third goblin, which was facing his phantom goblin. The fifth goblin moves closer to the fourth goblin and stacks an adjacent square behind the fourth goblin. After the final goblin ended its turn, it finally showed the [Player's Turn].

This time, however, he carefully searches through the goblin's status. He is going to find out which goblin has a defense of two or lower. Right now, his phantom goblin has only had an attack might of three. If his guess is right, his phantom goblin should be able to deal at least some damage or so.

With a trying thought, he moved his phantom goblin one square behind and moved the phantom goblin to the left side. When the phantom goblin got there, he ordered his phantom goblin to attack the fourth goblin. As expected, his phantom goblin was able to inflict one damage on the fourth goblin while suffering two damage. He was shocked this time because the expected experience result was way off of his calculation. The notification message he received reads:

[Unit N/A received EXP + 90.]

[Unit N/A levels up to 8! ]

[Unit N/A gains 1 unallocated point!]

[Please assign the unallocated points!]

It was double the amount of experience from before. He could not put in his mind why the amount would double. Then again, his thoughts finally clicked. The only difference this time was that his phantom goblin was able to deal damage compared to before. If this is true, then when the damage is zero, the experience gain would be half compared to when dealing damage.

This also means that this would have applied to Zack's gain of one experience when Zack dealt six damages. If Zack were to deal no damage, then how does half a point of experience value be considered? He only had two answers to this, which were either a zero or one experience point. For now, more observations are needed.

With that, it was his turn to move. He had also found something interesting. He accidentally moved into Lawrence's current position, but what he found interesting was that he could phase through Lawrence. But, he could not wait in the square that Lawrence was in though. So, he did a few experiments trying to phase through all of the units within the map. However, he did discover something odd. Allies and his units, he could phase through them. It would not work for enemies. This might have been a common thing or logic that he did not know of.

Moreover, it was quite good to know that he could phase through allies and his unit alike. Maybe the enemies are considered an obstruction, which is why they were not able to go through his phantom goblin. He almost broke into a cold sweat when he realized what would happen if the goblin were able to phase through Lawrence and the others. They would be able to come directly after him after dealing with his phantom goblin.