[Leav POV]
The dawn mist clung to the edges of our camp, shrouding the half-built fortifications in a ghostly haze. The scent of freshly cut wood mixed with the distant aroma of roasting meat, a reminder that despite the hardships, life here continued. Our people—my people—were working tirelessly, strengthening our defenses, refining our weapons, and preparing for the next phase of our rise.
But I knew we weren't ready yet. Not truly.
Our numbers had grown, but our cohesion as an army was still developing. Supplies were stable, but we needed more reliable sources. And most importantly, while I had grown stronger, I was still far from the power I sought. Evolution was not something I could rush, nor was the foundation of an empire built overnight.
Today's focus was clear—structure, training, and preparation. If we were to carve our place in this world, we had to move forward with strategy, not brute force.
I stepped into the training grounds, where Yorl led a group of warriors through a brutal endurance drill. The former berserker had grown into a disciplined force of destruction, his wild strength now guided by reason. His strikes no longer wasted movement, and his ability to take punishment was terrifying.
He barked at the trainees, his deep voice booming. "Again! If you can't hold your own in training, you'll be nothing but corpses on the battlefield!"
Nearby, Frot was working with a smaller, more agile unit—our scouts and assassins. His movements were fluid, his dagger flashing as he demonstrated precise strikes to an eager group of goblins. These warriors weren't built for open combat but for disruption—eliminating key threats before a battle even began.
Bout, on the other hand, was in the smithing area, overseeing weapon production. He had taken charge of refining scavenged gear, ensuring that our troops were properly equipped. "A dull blade is a dead blade," he muttered, inspecting a short sword before handing it to a waiting soldier.
Our army was shaping up, but there was still much to be done.
The ruins that once served as our hideout were slowly transforming into a stronghold. The collapsed walls had been rebuilt, reinforced with wood and stone. Watchtowers had been erected at key points, allowing for better surveillance. The main gate—once nothing more than a broken archway—had been fortified with a massive wooden barrier, lined with sharpened stakes.
Trek stood atop the newly reinforced ramparts, speaking with a group of our engineers. He noticed me approaching and nodded. "We're making progress, but we need more permanent defenses. This will hold against small raids, but if we're attacked by a proper force, we'll be overwhelmed."
I folded my arms, thinking. "Then we'll start gathering materials for stone walls. The ruins already provide a foundation—we just need to expand and reinforce."
Trek smiled. "Exactly. And we'll need a central command hub. A place where you can lead from, where our people can rally."
A proper war room. A headquarters. Yes, this was something we needed.
"Mark the central courtyard," I ordered. "That will be our base of command."
Beyond mere physical strength, we needed knowledge. The ruins had proven valuable, holding old texts, symbols, and signs of past civilizations. Trek had been studying them closely, and when I found him later that evening in the makeshift library, he was buried in research.
"These texts… they reference something called the 'Binding Oath.' It speaks of an ancient method to unite disparate forces into one," he said, running a hand through his hair. "It's vague, but the implication is that this could be a way to strengthen our army beyond mere numbers."
I frowned. "A ritual?"
Trek nodded. "Perhaps. Or a vow. Either way, if we can understand it, we might be able to use it to unify our people even further."
This was something to consider. Strength was important, but unity was the key to lasting power. If we could create something greater than just an army—if we could forge true loyalty—we would be unstoppable.
Before retiring for the night, I called upon my status, reviewing my growth.
[Leav - Goblin Tactician]Level: 13HP: 125/145MP: 50/60Stamina: 130/190Strength: 24Agility: 25Endurance: 22Intelligence: 31Perception: 20Leadership: 25
Skills:
Tactical Insight (Lv. 1)
Swordsmanship (Lv. 3)
Sprint (Lv. 2)
Adaptive Mutation (Passive)
Growth Mutation (Passive)
Commanding Presence (Lv. 1)
Evasive Footwork (Lv. 2)
Formation Mastery (Lv. 1) [New]
Evolution Progress: 13/25
I had grown, but the path to my next evolution was still long. I felt stronger, more capable, but I knew the real trials were yet to come.
Tomorrow, we would push further. Our training would intensify, our walls would rise higher, and our knowledge would deepen. The foundation of our future was being laid, piece by piece.
And when the time was right, we would rise—not as mere survivors, but as conquerors.