[Leav POV]
The battlefield roared with the clash of steel, the cries of the dying, and the relentless march of war. The enemy still fought viciously, but the cracks in their formation were growing. Leav's forces had pushed forward, carving through the opposition with calculated precision. Yet, the battle was far from over.
His eyes locked onto his true target—the enemy warlord. The goblin warlord stood atop a ruined stone platform, barking commands to his forces. Unlike the lesser goblins, this one was larger, his armor thick with bone plates, and his eyes burned with intelligence rather than blind fury.
"Take him down, and this battle is ours," Leav muttered.
Frot, who crouched beside him, nodded. "His guards will be a problem. They're not the usual rabble."
Leav observed them. Five elite goblins flanked the warlord, each clad in mismatched but well-crafted armor, their weapons gleaming. Unlike the other enemy soldiers, these warriors moved with discipline, their eyes scanning for threats.
"We need a distraction," Frot said.
Leav smirked. "We already have one."
A deafening roar echoed through the battlefield. Yorl had engaged the monstrous troll, and their brutal duel was drawing all eyes. The beast swung wildly, but Yorl dodged with uncanny speed, his axes carving into the thick hide, leaving deep wounds.
"Now," Leav said.
He and Frot darted forward, moving through the shadows of the crumbling ruins. Their approach was swift and silent, bypassing the main battlefield to strike directly at the warlord.
As they closed in, one of the guards turned, sensing movement. Before he could react, Frot sprang into action. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a poisoned dagger flying. The blade sank into the guard's throat, and the goblin choked on his own blood, collapsing instantly.
The warlord's remaining guards tensed, forming a defensive wall around their leader. The warlord himself sneered, drawing a jagged sword from his belt.
"So, you're the one causing all this trouble," the warlord snarled. "I was wondering when you'd show yourself."
Leav didn't waste time with words. He lunged forward, his blade slicing toward the warlord's throat. The enemy leader reacted swiftly, parrying the strike with a brutal counter. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal.
Frot engaged the remaining guards, weaving between their attacks, his daggers a blur. He downed another before the others closed in on him.
Leav focused on his opponent. The warlord was strong—stronger than any goblin Leav had faced before. But Leav was faster.
The warlord swung his massive blade in a sweeping arc. Leav ducked low, rolling beneath the strike and slashing at the warlord's leg. His blade cut deep, and the warlord roared in pain.
But he didn't fall.
Instead, the warlord grabbed Leav by the arm and hurled him backward with terrifying strength. Leav crashed against a stone pillar, the impact rattling his bones.
Frot barely managed to fend off his attackers, his movements slowing. He wouldn't last much longer.
Leav gritted his teeth and forced himself up. He had to end this now.
Summoning every ounce of his strength, he charged again. This time, he feinted left before pivoting and striking from the right. The warlord fell for the bait, raising his blade to block the wrong side.
Leav's sword sank into the warlord's exposed chest.
The warlord gasped, eyes wide with shock.
Leav twisted the blade.
With a final, gurgling breath, the warlord collapsed.
The moment he fell, the remaining enemy forces faltered. Some dropped their weapons and fled, while others fought with desperate but disorganized attacks. The battle was turning in their favor.
Leav barely had time to catch his breath before a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Level Up!
A surge of energy coursed through his body as his status screen flickered to life.
Leav - Goblin TacticianLevel: 10 → 11Strength: 15 → 17Agility: 20 → 22Intelligence: 25 → 28Leadership: 18 → 21New Skill Unlocked: Tactical Insight
A new skill? Leav's mind buzzed as knowledge flooded his thoughts. Tactical Insight… the ability to predict enemy movements with greater clarity. This would change everything.
Frot collapsed beside him, panting. "Did we… win?"
Leav looked around. The battlefield was still littered with bodies, but their forces now stood victorious.
He exhaled. "Yes. We won."
The war was far from over, but this battle had secured their foothold. And with his newfound power, Leav knew—this was only the beginning.