Jim was caught off guard as the goblin charged towards him, hammer raised high. He gritted his teeth, muscles screaming, and rolled desperately to dodge the blow. The hammer slammed into the floor where he'd been moments before. With a flick of his wrist, he snatched the green longsword that sailed through the air towards him.
"You little runt! Taste this!" Jim roared back, thrusting the sword into the goblin's abdomen. The blade slid through its flesh.
The searing pain and Jim's taunt sent the goblin into a frenzy, but its injuries hampered its speed. Jim saw his chance. Just like a superhero in a film… even if I'm weaker, strategy can win the day!
His fighting spirit reignited, Jim charged again, only to be sent sprawling by another brutal hammer blow.
Okay, more like an assassin then. Jim decided to play it safe, abandoning frontal assaults for a strategy of attrition. Only when his opponents were weakened would he risk a strike.
...
Moments later, Hagrid's hulking frame filled the doorway. He scanned the chaotic scene and spotted Harry and Malfoy struggling against the goblin onslaught.
"Harry! Over here!" Hagrid bellowed, charging forward and swatting goblins aside with his little pink umbrella.
Hagrid was no master wizard. His giant blood granted him immense strength and magical resistance, far exceeding the goblins. He relied on his little pink umbrella to cast spells.
Seeing Hagrid arrive, Harry and Malfoy visibly sagged with relief.
"These goblins are somethin' else! Goblins are a magical race, and these're all adults. With their self-forged magical weapons, they're nearly as strong as your average wizard."
"Oi! You lot! Shouldn't you be guardin' Gringotts? What are you doin' here?!" Hagrid roared, grabbing a goblin and hurling it out of the inn.
He knew goblin history was checkered with rebellion, but they had been quiet for years. Why this sudden resurgence? And why attack here and not wizarding territory? Their actions were highly suspicious. Why risk life and limb when they could be counting gold?
The goblins ignored Hagrid's questions. Instead, their eyes lit up at the sight of him.
"A giant? A giant!"
"Is that the target?"
"No! Too short! Not a pureblood!"
"Don't capture him!" The goblins' bright eyes now burned with rage. "Kill him!"
"..."
Hearing their words, Hagrid's face darkened. He didn't know what had driven these goblins mad, or why they wanted a "pureblood giant"... but he knew they wouldn't get him easily.
He raised his little pink umbrella and unleashed several Disarming Charms (Expelliarmus), then swung it like a club, sending goblins flying and smashing furniture. Despite his efforts, the goblins swarmed him, and he began to tire.
"Hagrid!"
Harry and Malfoy, having caught their breath, rushed to his aid.
As for Caelan Tepesh, he was beyond useless. The garlic mist still clung heavily, and several strikes from the silver axe left him struggling to remain conscious. He was doing his best not to collapse.
...
Nearby, Jim, having killed one goblin, was visibly exhausted. He longed to sit down, but two more goblins were already advancing on him. He spun around to see two more goblins closing in from behind. Surrounded by four ugly, strong, and short goblins, Jim was numb.
Guess my superhero movie franchise ends here.
Just when all seemed lost, Lockhart arrived to "save the day!" Of course, those two weaklings combined couldn't defeat four armed adult goblins, but they could outmaneuver them. Escaping was possible.
And their flight wouldn't last long, for Cassandra Volle and the others had finally arrived.
The reeking air made Lenore Tepesh visibly uncomfortable; the energetic little bat wilted instantly. Fortunately, Nagini and Cassandra Volle were unbothered, easily overpowering the remaining goblins.
Tom Riddle visibly relaxed, then frowned slightly. He waved his right hand, and the foul stench vanished.
"Aha! I'm back!" Cassandra Volle yelled, grabbing the two goblins that had chased her and hurling them aside. "Ugly, evil, disgusting things! I'll wipe you out this time! I'll wipe you out again! I'll wipe you out completely! I am not a Tepesh!"
Within minutes, all the goblins that had attacked the hotel were subdued.
...
The captured goblins were locked in the hotel's kitchen, a fate they deemed worse than any prison. The vampire chef watched them hungrily, sharpening his knives. More than half the hotel's guests weren't human! They might actually eat goblins!
"No!"
"Don't eat me, eat him! He's younger and tastier!"
"Goblin flesh rots!"
"..."
The vampire chef ignored their pleas, his eyes appraising them like raw ingredients.
Tap, tap, tap…
A sound echoed from the stairs, causing the chef to turn. His expression shifted to obsequious respect as Tom Riddle entered the kitchen.
"Mr. Riddle!"
"The Dark Lord…" The goblins froze, their eyes wide with terror and fear.
Tom Riddle entered and scanned the bound goblins, making no other move. His expression was as impassive as if he watching a recording.
...
These goblins were indeed Lanlock's men. Their status was low, and their knowledge limited. All they knew was that Lanlock had gained influence among the goblins and used promises to recruit loyal followers.
Lanlock's mission for them was… to capture intelligent races from the magical world?
While the goblins did not know what use Lanlock had for his captives, they believed that once they completed the mission, he would lead them to overthrow the wizards' rule!
---
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