Holding the Line

The scent of blood and smoke still hung thick in the air as my warriors searched the outpost, stripping the dead of weapons, armor, and anything else of value. The goblins moved with ruthless efficiency, dragging bodies into a pile near the outer wall. The human scouts gathered useful supplies—arrows, food, even a small chest of silver coins from the commander's quarters. The Shadeborn stood near the gate, her eyes scanning the darkened forest beyond, already thinking ahead.

We had won, but this wasn't over.

I checked my system.

[Outpost Captured: +500 Gold Earned]

[New Structure Unlocked: Military Staging Ground]

[New Passive Bonus: +10% Unit Training Speed]

I exhaled, scanning my forces. We had lost three goblin warriors in the attack. Not bad for a complete takeover, but it was a reminder that I wasn't invincible. I couldn't afford reckless fights. Every battle had to be measured, calculated, and decisive.

I turned to Gorak, who was watching the goblins sort through the loot. "How long before Carridan notices we've taken this place?"

The orc snorted. "Depends. If no one expected a report from these men for a few days, we have time. But if someone was expecting word from this outpost soon…" He grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "Then we're already out of time."

The Shadeborn nodded. "We should assume the worst. If Carridan values this outpost, he will retaliate. If it was just a minor hold, he may wait to see who moves in before acting. Either way, we must be ready."

I looked toward the gate, the wooden walls surrounding the outpost sturdy but not impenetrable. This wasn't a fortress—it was a checkpoint, meant to control trade and movement, not withstand a siege. If Carridan sent a small force, we could hold. If he sent a real army, we were dead.

I opened my system menu and checked my gold reserves.

Current Gold: 1,580

Passive Income: 42 Gold per Minute

I needed to fortify our defenses, expand our forces, and prepare for retaliation—all at once.

[Available Upgrades]

Reinforce Outpost Defenses (750 Gold) – Strengthens walls, adds reinforced gates, and sets up basic fortifications.

Recruit Advanced Goblin Warriors (450 Gold per unit) – Stronger fighters with better armor and weapons.

Establish War Camp (750 Gold) – Increases military training speed and allows for unit specialization.

Summon Additional Guardian Unit (1,000 Gold) – Adds another Guardian to defend the outpost.

I knew Carridan would come. The question was when. If we had days, I could build up a proper defense. If we had hours, I needed fighters now.

I made my choice.

[750 Gold Deducted – Reinforcing Outpost Defenses…]

A pulse of energy rippled outward as my system activated the upgrade. The wooden walls groaned and thickened, their surfaces reinforced with hardened logs and sharpened spikes. The gate darkened, the hinges strengthening, new iron reinforcements locking it into place. Along the perimeter, watchtowers formed, giving archers clear lines of sight.

[Outpost Defenses Upgraded!]

- Increased Durability

- Added Defensive Watchtowers

- Gate Reinforced Against Direct Assaults

I turned back to Gorak. "We need more fighters. Get me two more Advanced Goblin Warriors."

[900 Gold Deducted – Summoning Advanced Goblin Warriors…]

The ground pulsed with golden light as two more elite goblins emerged, their armor heavy, their weapons brutal. They took their places alongside the others, immediately asserting dominance over the lesser warriors.

[New Units Acquired: 2 Advanced Goblin Warriors]

I now had a fortified outpost, stronger fighters, and an army that was growing more disciplined by the hour.

But I still didn't know how long we had.

A shout rang out from one of the human scouts positioned near the wall. "Movement in the trees!"

My grip tightened on my spear as I strode toward the watchtower. A single rider had emerged from the forest—a scout, wrapped in dark furs, his horse standing still at the edge of our territory. He wasn't approaching, but he wasn't leaving either.

I narrowed my eyes. "Carridan's?"

The Shadeborn nodded. "Almost certainly. He's not here to fight. He's watching."

A message. A warning.

Or a prelude to something worse.

I turned to the scout beside me. "How long until he leaves?"

The human shrugged. "Hard to say. He might ride back now. He might stay and watch all night."

I considered my options. Killing him would only confirm what he already suspected—that we weren't just raiders, that we were staying. Letting him go unharmed meant we were letting Carridan dictate the pace of what came next.

I exhaled slowly. "Let him watch. But the moment he rides away, send someone after him. If he returns to Carridan's main hold, I want to know exactly where it is."

The Shadeborn smirked slightly. "You're learning."

This wasn't just about taking land anymore.

This was a war of information.

As the night deepened, I looked back at my army—at the goblins sharpening their weapons, the humans preparing their arrows, the Guardian standing like an unmoving titan in the center of it all.

This was no longer just a growing faction in the wilds.

This was the beginning of a true force.

And when Carridan finally came for us, he wouldn't find scattered outcasts and goblin rabble.