The Shaman Fall
The men followed Robert's lead, their weapons raised as they surged toward the shaman. But the creature was ready. With a flick of its wrist, it sent a wave of dark energy crashing into the group, throwing them back against the cavern walls. Robert grunted in pain as he hit the cold stone, but he quickly pushed himself to his feet, refusing to be defeated.
"We have to take him down now, before he can cast another spell!" Sabas shouted, struggling to stand despite the throbbing pain in his ribs.
Robert nodded, his determination unwavering. He gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles white with the force of his resolve. This was it—the moment that would decide the fate of his people. Everything they had fought for hinged on this battle.
With a roar, Robert charged the shaman, his sword aimed at the creature's heart. The shaman hissed, raising its hands to cast another spell, but Robert was faster. He swung his blade with all his might, the steel slicing through the air as it connected with the shaman's chest. The creature let out a blood-curdling scream as the blade pierced its flesh, its eyes widening in shock and pain.
Robert twisted the blade, driving it deeper into the shaman's body. The creature's screams grew weaker, its body convulsing as it tried to summon the last of its dark magic. But it was too late. With one final thrust, Robert pushed the sword through the shaman's chest, pinning it to the altar that had been the source of so much pain and suffering.
The shaman's body went limp, its eyes rolling back into its head as the last breath escaped its lips. Robert stepped back, panting heavily as he watched the life drain from the creature. It was over. The shaman was dead, and with its death, the dark magic that had plagued the village would die as well.
The men slowly gathered around the fallen shaman, their faces pale with exhaustion and relief. They had won, but at a great cost. Several of their comrades lay injured, their bodies battered and bruised from the shaman's dark magic.
"Let's get out of here," Robert said, his voice hoarse from the strain of battle. "We need to get the injured back to the village."
But before leaving, Robert knelt by the shaman's body. He couldn't afford to leave behind anything valuable, knowing that whatever dark treasures the creature possessed could either empower their village or fall into the wrong hands. The risk of letting it be stolen or lost was too great.
Robert searched the shaman's robes and found several items that gleamed with malevolent energy.
---
**[Loot received: Shaman Robe, Magic Grimoire (Gold Tier), Goblin Shaman Core (Silver Tier), Fertility Potion]**
---
After securing the items, Robert helped Sabas to his feet. The scout groaned, every movement a struggle after the punishing battle. "We did it, Sabas," Robert said, a rare smile breaking through the exhaustion on his face. "We've finally rid ourselves of our biggest threat. Thanks to your plan, our people can flourish in peace."
Sabas nodded, though his face was a mixture of relief and pain. "It's a good day, my lord," he managed to say, his voice thick with fatigue. The other soldiers, though injured, carried themselves with a sense of grim satisfaction as they made their way out of the cave. Every step was a painful reminder of the battle they had just survived.
The journey back was quiet and exhausting. The forest, once alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, now seemed ominously silent. Robert felt a dull ache in his chest with every breath—a sure sign that the shaman's magic had broken a few ribs. He kept his hand on Sabas's shoulder, guiding him through the darkness. Their progress was slow, relying on muscle memory and the faint outlines of trees to navigate the treacherous path.
When they finally emerged from the forest, the village came into view, bathed in the faint light of dawn. The villagers, having spotted the tattered and weary soldiers, rushed to their aid. Cries of relief and concern filled the air as the injured were carefully lifted and carried towards the healing tents. Women with basic knowledge of first aid boiled water and cauterized wounds to stop the bleeding, their hands moving with practiced precision. Sandra Robinson, the carpenter's wife, had already begun brewing herbal medicine from plants she had gathered earlier. The air filled with the scent of crushed herbs and burning wood, a welcome contrast to the metallic tang of blood.
As the injured men were tended to, the villagers brought food—simple yet hearty meals of stew and bread—to nourish the soldiers as they recovered. The warmth of the food was a small comfort, but it reminded them all of what they were fighting for—a life beyond the shadow of fear.
Robert sat near the fire, too exhausted to eat, when the girls they had rescued approached him, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and gratitude. "Thank you so much for helping us," one of the girls said, her voice trembling. "If you hadn't shown up... who knows what they would have done to us."
Robert gave them a tired but kind smile. "I'm just glad we could help those in need," he said softly. "I hope you're all safe now. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
The girl nodded, her eyes still haunted by the memories of their ordeal. "Of course, ask whatever you need."
"Where did you come from, and how did the goblins capture you?" Robert asked, trying to keep his voice gentle despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.
The girl's expression darkened. "We're from Chester Village. It belongs to the Stinkard Kingdom. Our village borders the Forbidden Forest. We were out foraging for food when the goblins ambushed us. They took us while we were trying to gather enough to survive."
Robert's mind raced as he processed the information. *The Stinkard Kingdom... and the Forbidden Forest?* The names were unfamiliar to him, but he knew they could be important. "Thank you for sharing that with me," he said. "You should go to the village hall. Eugene will make sure you have a place to stay."
The girls nodded, offering him a faint smile before heading towards the hall. Robert watched them go, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that he had made a difference, even if it was just for a few lives.
His thoughts turned back to Sabas, who was passed out near the fire, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion of the battle. Robert checked on him, ensuring that he was comfortable before deciding to call it a day. He left Thabis in charge and made his way to his quarters.
Once inside, Robert retrieved the grimoire he had looted from the shaman. As he held it, a blue panel appeared before him, its ethereal glow casting strange shadows across the room.
---
**[Would you like to bind this grimoire?]**
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Robert hesitated. He could feel the dark energy emanating from the grimoire, a sinister force that threatened to consume him. But he also knew he needed power—power to protect his people, to lead them in the battles that would inevitably come. With a deep breath, he chose to accept this mysterious force.
The moment he made his choice, a crippling pain shot through his chest. Robert's body convulsed, and he fell onto his bed, clutching the edges of the mattress to keep himself from screaming. The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt before—sharp, searing, as if his very soul was being torn apart. He pressed his face into the mattress, trying to muffle his cries, but it was impossible to silence the agony that ripped through him.
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**[Telekinesis Trait Acquired (Gold Tier)]**
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When the pain finally subsided, Robert lay on his bed, drenched in sweat but with a smile on his face. The torment had been worth it. The grimoire had given him a new ability—one that could change the course of future battles.
Too excited to sleep, Robert decided to test his new power. Holding out his hand, he concentrated on the water satchel across the room. To his amazement, the satchel lifted off the ground and floated towards him, hovering in the air as if suspended by invisible strings. Baffled by the ease with which he controlled the object, Robert spent the next half hour experimenting with different items, honing his telekinesis until fatigue finally caught up with him. He collapsed onto his bed, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.
---
Morning came, and with it, the painful reminder of the previous night's battle. Every movement sent waves of pain through Robert's body, but he forced himself to get up. He limped out of his room, taking deep breaths to steady himself. The village was already awake, the air filled with the sounds of men and women at work, and the laughter of children playing without a care in the world.
Robert's heart swelled with pride as he watched the villagers go about their day. Despite everything they had been through, they were rebuilding, creating a community that could thrive in even the harshest conditions.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Robert headed to the summoning altar for his morning routine. The air crackled with energy as he activated the altar, and moments later, twelve heavy infantrymen materialized before him. Unlike the other troops he had summoned in the past, these men seemed more... present, more alive. Robert directed them to Sabas and the others who were still recovering from the battle, ensuring that the village was well-guarded.
As Robert finished his task, a notification appeared before him, reminding him of the quest he had completed.
—
**[Would you like to claim your reward?]**
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"Yes," Robert replied without hesitation.
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**[Silver Hero Summoning Token Received]**
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He wasted no time in equipping the token and throwing it into the altar. A brilliant silver light flashed, nearly blinding him. When the light faded, Robert found himself staring up at a towering figure—an imposing man, easily two and a half meters tall, with muscles bulging beneath his armor and a massive metal axe slung over his shoulder. The man's eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and there was a wildness about him that sent a chill down Robert's spine.
"Say the word, my lord, and I shall slay anyone who stands in your way," the man growled, his voice low and guttural.
Robert was stunned. The soldiers he had summoned before had never shown this much emotion, this much... personality. "I'll take that into consideration," Robert replied, still trying to process the sheer presence of the man before him. He quickly pulled up the hero's details.
---
**Thornton:**
Growing up in the western mountain range, Thornton was forced to embrace the way of the beast. The tribe he belonged to were known for taking on the personalities of the beasts they killed during their coming-of-age ceremonies. Having been left to die as an outcast, Thornton slayed an ice bear, consuming every part of its body. This ritual granted him some of its abilities.
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**Traits:**
**Berserker (Platinum):** The Igho tribe was known for their berserkers. The more damage they received, the more ferocious they became.
**Ice Eater (Bronze):** Thornton can withstand extreme cold and has minor ice-related abilities. He can freeze water on a small scale and form ice darts to throw at enemies.
---
Robert was shocked to see someone else who had traits as powerful as his own. "Follow me, Thornton," Robert ordered, leading the towering warrior towards Sabas, who was awake and feeling better, though still sore.
"Who's the giant?" Sabas asked, his voice filled with a mix of awe and curiosity.
"Thornton. Our very own berserker," Robert replied, unable to hide the smug grin on his face.
Sabas chuckled, though it quickly turned into a wince. "He'll be useful, no doubt. But what's the plan now?"
"We need to go back and loot the goblin base. It would be a waste to just let all those resources rot there," Robert said, his tone serious.
The men around him exchanged grim looks. The thought of walking that distance with their injuries was daunting. Robert saw their hesitation and quickly added, "I know you're all tired, so I'm going to take Thornton and the new recruits. That should be enough to get the job done."
The men let out a collective sigh of relief. Robert's consideration for their well-being only deepened their respect for him. As he prepared to set out with his new companion, Robert couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.