[Leav POV]Morning arrived with a crisp breeze that carried the scent of damp earth and wood smoke. Our settlement, once a scattered collection of makeshift barricades and salvaged ruins, was now buzzing with activity. The steady rhythm of hammers on metal, shouts of orders, and the thud of training drills filled the air. Every sound was a reminder of how far we had come—and how much farther we still had to go.
Today, we moved forward.
I paced the rampart as I watched goblins of every sort laboring on our defenses. There were those who sharpened weapons and repaired broken walls; others, like Frot, slipped through the camp coordinating scout reports and ensuring that our perimeter remained secure. Yorl was already in the training grounds, his powerful form methodically leading a unit of frontline fighters through disciplined maneuvers. Even Bout, silent as ever, oversaw the supply caches, making sure that every piece of salvaged metal and stone was accounted for.
It wasn't enough to simply hold our ground anymore. The enemy had been cautious—sending small, organized patrols that moved with eerie precision—but their intentions were clear. They were testing us, waiting for us to falter. And if we did, they would strike.
I took a deep breath and activated my status screen to reaffirm my progress:
[Status – Leav]Name: LeavRace: Goblin TacticianLevel: 14HP: 135/155MP: 55/65Stamina: 140/200Strength: 26Agility: 27Endurance: 24Intelligence: 34Perception: 22Leadership: 27
Skills:
Tactical Insight (Lv. 2)
Swordsmanship (Lv. 3)
Sprint (Lv. 2)
Adaptive Mutation (Passive)
Growth Mutation (Passive)
Commanding Presence (Lv. 2)
Evasive Footwork (Lv. 3)
Formation Mastery (Lv. 1)
Evolution Progress: 14/25
I noted every digit with satisfaction. We were growing stronger, our numbers and abilities steadily improving. But these figures were only markers—they represented battles fought, lessons learned, and sacrifices made. Our ultimate goal was far away, and every step of progress built the foundation for a future where our united strength could defy any enemy.
I climbed down from the rampart to join the council at the central courtyard. Frot, standing with arms crossed, looked at me with a mix of admiration and calculation. "Leav, the scouts confirm that enemy patrols are even more organized now. They're operating in larger groups along the eastern ridge," he said, his tone measured.
I nodded. "They're testing us, gauging our strength. We must not give them a chance to learn our weaknesses."
Yorl, emerging from the training grounds, grunted. "I've been drilling the front line. They're starting to move as a unit—slowly, but with purpose. I think that's our best asset now."
"Good," I replied. "But we must also refine our tactics. Our formations need to be flawless if we're to repel a full-scale assault."
I gathered the commanders and ordered a series of drills. The training ground, once a chaotic arena of wild, unsynchronized combat, now resonated with the sound of precise, coordinated maneuvers. Yorl demonstrated the proper phalanx formation—every warrior locked into a seamless unit, their shields overlapping and their weapons poised for a counterattack.
Frot then led his scouts in a series of stealth exercises. Their goal was to learn the enemy's patterns and report any unusual movements. "We strike not just with brute force," Frot reminded everyone, "but with intelligence and precision. Every piece of information counts."
I watched with satisfaction as our forces began to operate like a cohesive unit. There was progress—even if it was slow. The raw chaos of our past was being replaced by discipline and coordination.
Later, I met with Trek in our makeshift library built from salvaged scrolls and weathered stone tablets. He was poring over the ancient symbols carved into the walls of the ruins, the same ones that had hinted at the lost magic of our ancestors.
"Leav," Trek said, his voice low and thoughtful, "these inscriptions speak of a unity that transcends physical strength—a binding of wills and hearts that creates a force more powerful than any army."
I frowned, leaning closer to examine the faded carvings. "The Binding Oath. If we can decipher its meaning, we may find a way to truly unite our people—not just in battle, but in purpose."
Trek nodded slowly. "It is not magic as the wizards of old wielded, but something different—a ritual of promise, a vow that ties the strength of many to the resolve of one. We have a long way to go before we can attempt such a thing, but understanding it may give us an edge."
The idea resonated with me deeply. Unity was our greatest strength, and if we could forge that unity into something tangible, it might become the foundation upon which our future was built.
By mid-afternoon, our work continued. The builders, led by Bout, were busy reinforcing the stronghold. Stone blocks from a nearby quarry had been salvaged, and a plan was underway to replace our temporary wooden palisades with more durable stone walls. Bout moved methodically, his expression as unyielding as the iron he worked with. "A strong wall is the first step to a lasting kingdom," he muttered, hammering a chisel into place.
I walked among the workers, offering guidance where needed. Every improvement, no matter how small, was a step toward a future we could call our own.
As dusk fell, the camp gathered for a final briefing. I stood before my commanders, the firelight flickering over determined faces. I raised my voice.
"Today, we have taken our first steps toward building a force that is more than just a collection of survivors. We have forged a united front. Our training has improved our formations; our fortifications are growing stronger; and we are learning from the secrets of the past."
Frot spoke up, "Our scouts report that enemy patrols along the eastern ridge are growing bolder. They may soon test our new defenses."
I looked around at the assembled goblins, their eyes reflecting both weariness and hope. "That test will come, and when it does, we will be ready. But our progress must continue—every day we build, every battle we learn from, brings us closer to the strength we need."
Yorl bellowed, "I want to see our enemies tremble when they face us!"
I smiled at his fervor. "We will earn that respect with discipline and unity. Remember, raw power is nothing without control."
Trek added quietly, "And with knowledge, we can harness even the ancient magic hinted at by these ruins. It may be the key to binding our people together in ways we have never imagined."
As the meeting wound down, I retreated to my quarters, reflecting on the day's achievements. I reviewed my status once more—a reminder of our steady progress.
[Status – Leav]Name: LeavRace: Goblin TacticianLevel: 14HP: 135/155MP: 55/65Stamina: 140/200Strength: 26Agility: 27Endurance: 24Intelligence: 34Perception: 22Leadership: 27
Skills:
Tactical Insight (Lv. 2)
Swordsmanship (Lv. 3)
Sprint (Lv. 2)
Adaptive Mutation (Passive)
Growth Mutation (Passive)
Commanding Presence (Lv. 2)
Evasive Footwork (Lv. 3)
Formation Mastery (Lv. 1)
Evolution Progress: 14/25
Every number confirmed our progress, yet I knew that the journey was only beginning. We would continue to train, to fortify, and to learn from the ancient secrets hidden in these ruins. Our unity would be our strength, and as we built our defenses and honed our skills, a future of true power lay on the horizon—a future built stone by stone, battle by battle.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the quiet hum of the camp and the soft crackle of the fire soothe my weary mind. There was a long road ahead, but I felt confident that with each step, we were forging our destiny.
"We will rise," I whispered to myself. "Not by chance, but by design."
As the camp settled into the quiet of the night, I made a silent vow: tomorrow, we would push forward with renewed vigor, strengthen our bonds, and build the foundation for a future where our united strength would be unbreakable.