The Fireball landed amid the Goblins, and the violent explosion hurled away the Hobgoblins who had barely managed to maintain a shield wall. One Hobgoblin had tucked every part of his body behind cover against the blast and narrowly survived, but the enormous shock wave still flung him backward. He hit the ground with one arm visibly broken. Before he could defend himself, a pack of Kobolds swarmed him, thrusting daggers through gaps in his armor and slitting his throat.
Clang!
The Kobold Draconic Sorcerer held a spear in one hand and a staff in the other. He made a probing thrust with his spear.
"Parry!"
The Hobgoblin Warlord roared as he blocked the blow. He swung his arm, whirling his battle-axe, not only forcing the Kobold Draconic Sorcerer back but tearing through swathes of Kobold flesh with every strike, announcing his arrival in a frenzy of rage!
The Kobold Draconic Sorcerer grew angrier still, staring at the Hobgoblin Warlord in astonishment.
With Draconic Might bolstering him, his strength had already approached the limits of mortal capability. Yet even so, he was still being overpowered!
I can't beat him with strength!
Kobolds were not particularly intelligent, but they were cunning.
The Draconic Sorcerer rolled backward, putting a considerable distance between them. Both his arms ached, and the hand gripping his spear trembled slightly.
After that exchange, the Kobold Draconic Sorcerer abandoned any thought of fighting the Hobgoblin Warlord in melee. Seizing an opening, he chanted an incantation, and five scorching beams formed in his hand.
Upcast: Scorching Ray!
The Kobold Draconic Sorcerer had not chosen the more powerful Fireball because it was an area-of-effect spell. Such spells did not care whether those nearby were friends or enemies. Throw a Fireball into the fray, and everyone got blasted.
That was precisely