Attack the Border Forest Village

The morning sun casts a golden hue over the village, its rays filtering through the dense canopy of the border forest. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and the distant chirping of birds. For Henry, this was just another peaceful day in the life he had carefully built for himself and his family after years of military service. He sat at the wooden table in his modest home, sipping tea and watching his youngest daughter, Neona, bounce with excitement as she prepared to go out and play. Her fiery red hair caught the sunlight, making her look like a little flame darting about the room.

"Dad, I'm going to play. I'll have a lot of fun today," Neona said, her smile wide and carefree.

Henry chuckled, setting his cup down. "Okay. But don't be too naughty."

"Okay!" she replied, already halfway out the door.

Henry called after her, "Where's your older sister?"

"Big sis is helping Mom at work," Neona called back before disappearing into the village.

Henry leaned back in his chair, savouring the quiet moment. His wife, Elara, and their eldest daughter, Ani, were busy with their daily chores, leaving him with a rare moment of solitude. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the tea and the tranquillity of the morning wash over him. But the peace was shattered abruptly.

A cacophony of screams and monstrous roars erupted from the outside. Henry's eyes snapped open, his soldier instincts kicking in immediately. Neona came running back into the house, her face pale with fear.

"Dad!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

Henry held her tightly, his heart pounding. "Nothing happened, my dear. Dad is with you. There's nothing to fear. Calm down. You're my brave daughter, aren't you?"

Neona nodded, her small body trembling. Henry set her down gently and moved to the table. He opened a drawer and pulled out a flintlock pistol, its polished metal gleaming in the light. As a former military officer, it was not unusual for him to possess such a weapon, though it had cost him a small fortune. He checked the ammunition, his hands steady despite the chaos outside.

The door burst open, and Elara and Ani rushed in, their faces etched with panic.

"Henry, monsters are attacking us!" Elara gasped, clutching Ani's hand.

"How could this be? I heard that a large group of soldiers went to exterminate the monsters in the forest." He thought of something. "This is not the time to think about these things."

Henry's jaw tightened. "Ani, take Neona and run. Don't look back. Hurry up! Don't stop! Run!"

Ani hesitated, her eyes wide with fear. "But—"

"Do as I say!" Henry barked, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Ani nodded, scooping Neona into her arms. Henry kissed his daughters' foreheads and pushed them toward the back door. "Go! Now!"

As they disappeared into the forest, Henry turned to Elara. "Stay close to me. We need to protect the others."

Elara nodded, gripping a kitchen knife tightly.

____________________

Meanwhile, Alan stood at the edge of the village, his demonic army at his back. The morning light glinted off the blades of his soldiers, casting long shadows across the ground. He had come a long way, and this village was just another stepping stone in his quest for power. His demons—two archers, two swordsmen, three spearmen, two demonic dogs, and two imp soldiers—stood ready, their eyes glowing with malevolent energy.

They killed several beasts in the forest so he got another 1500 EXP. With which he summoned two Demon dogs and two Imps.

Alan surveyed the village with a cold detachment. It was small, barely more than a cluster of huts and a few fields. But it was a start. He raised his hand, and the demons surged forward, their inhuman cries echoing through the air.

The villagers fought bravely, but they were no match for the demonic onslaught. Homes were reduced to smouldering ruins, and the streets ran red with blood. Alan watched from a distance, his expression unreadable. He felt no remorse, no pity. This was the way of the world—the strong devoured the weak.

A spearman impaled a teenage boy through the chest, hoisting him aloft like a grisly banner. The demonic dogs tore into a fleeing family, their screams cut short by wet crunches.

As the battle raged, Alan's system notifications flashed before his eyes.

Alan watched dispassionately, his system interface flickering in his vision:

[System Notification: Battle Summary]

Casualties:

- Villagers: 87% mortality rate (312/360 souls).

- Demon Army Losses:

- Spearman (1): Killed by a Flintlock shot.

- Swordsman (1): Beheaded by a militia guard's lucky blow.

EXP Gained: 12,300.

[System Notification: Level Up]

Level: 8 → 9.

[New Skill Unlocked: Demon Summoning (Tier 2)]

[System Notification: Daily Summary]

EXP Gained Today: 12,300.

Resources Collected:

Food: Minimal (Villagers' supplies).

Weapons: Flintlock Pistol (Henry's possession).

Materials: None (Priority for crafting).

[System Notification: Storage Update]

Storage Slots: 3/10 (Unlock additional slots for 5,000 EXP).

Items Stored:

Flintlock Pistol (Rare).

Basic Rations (x10).

Soulbrand

Alan's fingers flicked through his system menu, allocating the 12,300 EXP with clinical efficiency.

[Summoning Costs]

- Demon Platoon (80 Soldiers): 10,000 EXP (125 EXP per soldier).

- Breakdown:

- 40 Swordsmen (5,000 EXP).

- 20 Archers (2,500 EXP).

- 10 Hellhounds (2,000 EXP).

- 10 Imps (500 EXP).

- Remaining EXP: 2,300.

The air rippled as shadows coalesced into monstrous forms. Eighty demons materialized in the village square—a horde of clattering armor, snarling hounds, and impish grins. Their arrival choked the sunlight, plunging the ruins into twilight.

"Go and destroy all the villages around. Kill whoever you find in front of you," Alan commanded.

The platoon marched off, their footsteps shaking the ground. Alan turned his attention back to the village. The resistance was nearly crushed, and the survivors were fleeing into the forest. He didn't bother to pursue them. They were no threat to him.

But Alan's thoughts were interrupted by a new mission prompt.

[System Notification: Quest Update]

Mission: Travel west with the villagers toward the Wasteland, and establish a Base in the Wasteland.

Objective: Secure a location, gather resources, and build a sustainable settlement.

Difficulty: High

Rewards:

10,000 EXP.

Unlock Advanced Crafting Options.

Gain the Loyalty of demon villagers (Potential for future recruits).

Penalty for Failure: Death or enslavement by Wasteland factions.]

[System Notification: Long-Term Goal Update]

Goal: Conquer the Wasteland and establish a demonic empire.

Progress: 5% (Initial foothold achieved).

Alan frowned. The wasteland was a desolate, unforgiving place, but it was also a land of opportunity. If he could establish a foothold there, he could build an empire that would rival any kingdom. He turned to his remaining demons.

"We are going to the village," he said, his voice cold and commanding.

The demons fell in line behind him as he strode toward the demon village