Preparing for War
The forest was silent on the return trip, the tension from our mission still lingering in the air. The Shadeborn woman moved beside me like a shadow, her violet eyes scanning the darkness, always watching. The goblin scout kept to the front, leading the way through the familiar trees, while the two goblin warriors flanked us, gripping their weapons as if expecting a fight to break out at any moment. I didn't blame them. We had just stepped into a much bigger world, one ruled by lords and warbands, where power was held not just by those who were strong, but by those who knew how to control the flow of information.
The mission had been a success. We had infiltrated the outpost without being detected, learned that it belonged to Lord Carridan, and confirmed that he had no idea I existed. That wouldn't last. Eventually, he would hear whispers of a growing force in the wild lands, and when he did, he would come to reclaim what he believed was his.
A soft chime echoed in my mind as my system updated.
[Mission Complete: Shadows Before War]
+200 Gold Earned
+Faction Intelligence Unlocked
I opened my system, glancing over my resources.
Current Gold: 1,010
Passive Income: 30 Gold per Minute
A solid amount, but it wouldn't mean anything if I didn't use it wisely. My forces were still small. My settlement, while growing, was nowhere near capable of withstanding an attack from a Territorial Lord. The outpost wasn't heavily defended, but taking it now could draw the wrong kind of attention. The next step wasn't just striking first—it was preparing for when the battle inevitably came.
The moment we stepped back into my territory, I could feel the difference. The air was charged with energy, as if the land itself recognized the shift in power. Goblins moved through the camp, tending to supplies and gathering resources, their presence growing more organized by the day. Near the center of the settlement, my Guardian Unit stood motionless, towering above the rest of my forces. Its C-rank frame, clad in thick armor and gripping its massive greatsword, had been an unmovable wall since the moment I had summoned it. But with the battles ahead, I needed it to be more than just a sentinel.
Gorak was waiting near the fire pit, arms crossed. His sharp yellow eyes flicked between me and the Shadeborn before settling on me. "What did you find?"
I didn't waste time. "The outpost is a checkpoint for trade and information. Lord Carridan controls it, but he doesn't know we exist yet."
Gorak grunted. "Then we take it before he does."
The Shadeborn exhaled quietly. "If you attack now, you will make an enemy before you are ready."
Gorak scowled. "If we wait, they will be stronger."
He wasn't wrong, but neither was she. I needed to balance preparation with action. If I moved too soon, I'd expose my forces before I had the numbers to back it up. If I waited too long, Carridan's reach might tighten, and the opportunity to take the outpost with minimal resistance could be lost.
I opened my upgrade menu, scanning my options.
[Available Upgrades]
Upgrade Guardian Unit (500 Gold) – Enhances its rank and combat abilities.
Recruit Goblin Warriors (450 Gold per unit) – Trained melee fighters.
Expand Territory (600 Gold) – Increases land size and resource output.
Establish Defensive Structures (750 Gold) – Adds fortifications to the settlement.
I had enough to take one major step forward. Expanding my territory would boost my economy, but it wouldn't help against Carridan. Fortifications would make my base more defensible, but since we weren't under direct threat yet, they wouldn't offer immediate returns. I needed a stronger military presence, something that would turn my settlement from a growing camp into a real force.
I selected Upgrade Guardian Unit.
[500 Gold Deducted – Enhancing Guardian Unit…]
The moment I confirmed the upgrade, a pulse of golden energy surged from the system, surrounding my C-rank Guardian. Its body shuddered, its armor shifting as thick, overlapping plates formed over its frame. Its greatsword, already massive, began to glow with a deep etheric energy, runes forming along the blade's surface. The air around it grew heavier, as if the sheer presence of the unit had intensified.
The system pinged.
[Guardian Upgraded to B-Rank]
- Increased Durability
- Enhanced Combat Abilities
- Passive Aura of Authority (Inspires Nearby Allies)
Even Gorak took a step back, his eyes widening slightly. The goblins nearby stopped what they were doing, staring up at the newly enhanced B-rank Guardian. It was no longer just a guardian—it was a force of war.
I turned back to Gorak and the Shadeborn. "We don't attack yet. But we make sure that when we do, we're ready."
Gorak nodded slowly, clearly impressed by what he had just seen. "Then what is next?"
I looked over the goblins in my camp. Some were warriors, but most were still workers, their efforts focused on gathering resources and increasing my passive income. If I wanted an army, I needed to start training them.
"We build," I said. "We train. And when the time comes, we take the outpost on our terms."
The Shadeborn gave me a small nod of approval. "A wise choice. But preparation alone will not keep you hidden forever."
I met her gaze. "I know."
The system chimed again, updating my objectives.
[New Quest Unlocked: Strength Before War]
Objective: Train Forces and Expand Settlement Before Engaging Lord Carridan
Optional: Establish a War Camp (+100 Gold Bonus)
Optional: Recruit an Elite Unit (+200 Gold Bonus)
Gorak grinned, his tusks bared. "Good. Then we grow stronger."
I exhaled, feeling the weight of my next steps settling in. This wasn't just about survival anymore. I had carved out a place in this world, but now I was moving toward something bigger.
Domination.
Lord Carridan didn't know I existed. That was his first mistake.
When the time came, he would learn exactly what kind of force had risen in the wild lands.
And he would regret ever allowing it to happen.