[Leav POV]
The battlefield was still, save for the occasional groan of the dying. The once-roaring war cries had faded, replaced by the eerie silence of the aftermath. Leav stood amidst the ruins, his blade dripping with dark goblin blood. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his muscles burned from exertion, but a triumphant weight settled in his chest.
They had won.
Around him, the remnants of his forces gathered. Frot leaned against a fallen pillar, pressing a hand to a gash on his side, while Yorl stretched his arms, his axe still firmly in hand. The bodies of the enemy lay scattered across the stone battlefield, their lifeless eyes staring into the void. The warlord's corpse was among them, a jagged hole in his chest where Leav's sword had struck the final blow.
Then, the familiar sensation hit him. A warmth spread through his body, followed by a sharp pulse in his core.
Ding!
Level Up!
His vision momentarily blurred as his status screen appeared before him.
[Status Window]
Name: LeavRace: Goblin TacticianLevel: 11 → 12Class: Tactician (Primary), Warrior (Secondary)HP: 92/120 → 110/135MP: 34/50 → 40/55Strength: 17 → 18Agility: 22 → 24Endurance: 19 → 20Intelligence: 28 → 29Leadership: 21 → 23
Skills:
Tactical Mind (Passive) – Enhances strategic thinking and battlefield awareness.
Swordsmanship (Lv. 3) – Improved proficiency with bladed weapons.
Sprint (Lv. 2) – Enhances short bursts of speed.
Growth Mutation (Passive) – Grants steady increases to physical attributes over time.
Adaptive Mutation (Passive) – Enhances the body's ability to recover and evolve based on combat experience.
Commanding Presence (Lv. 1) – Slightly increases the effectiveness of commands in battle.
New Skill Unlocked: Tactical Insight (Lv. 1) – Allows the user to predict enemy movements with greater clarity in battle.
Leav clenched his fist as he felt the changes within him. His wounds still hurt, but the surge of new power dulled the pain. His mind, sharper than before, processed the battlefield with newfound clarity. Tactical Insight… the moment he unlocked it, his instincts became more refined. He could almost visualize the movement of his enemies before they acted. This would change everything.
"You alright?" Frot's voice broke him from his thoughts. The rogue limped forward, wiping blood from his mouth.
Leav turned to him. "I'm fine. You?"
Frot grinned, though his face was pale. "Nothing fatal. Just need to rest."
Yorl let out a loud exhale, tossing his axe over his shoulder. "We slaughtered them, but this won't be the last time. If they had a warlord, there's bound to be more where he came from."
Leav knew Yorl was right. This was only a step forward, not the end of their struggles. Their forces had taken control of the battlefield, but holding this position would require more than brute force. They needed a plan.
"Gather everyone," Leav ordered. "We're regrouping and setting up defenses. If reinforcements come, we need to be ready."
Frot gave a nod, heading off to gather the scattered goblins who had fought alongside them. Yorl sat on a nearby rock, rubbing his shoulder.
Leav glanced down at the corpse of the enemy warlord. A larger goblin with intelligence, discipline… and armor crafted from scavenged bones. He was no mindless savage. This warlord had commanded his forces with skill.
Leav bent down, searching the body for anything useful. His fingers brushed against a crude metal emblem strapped to the goblin's belt. He picked it up, examining the strange markings carved into its surface.
"This symbol…" he murmured.
It wasn't something he had seen before. But it looked deliberate—a mark of allegiance.
"We need to move," Yorl grunted. "Before the smell of blood draws something worse."
Leav stood, pocketing the emblem. "Agreed. Let's get back."
Hours Later - Encampment
Their forces had retreated to a more defensible position within the ruins. Makeshift barricades had been set up, and scouts were posted to watch for any signs of movement. The battle had left them exhausted, but they couldn't afford to drop their guard.
Leav sat near the fire, sharpening his blade. The flames flickered, casting long shadows across the crumbling stone walls.
Across from him, Frot poked at the fire with a stick. "That warlord wasn't normal," he muttered.
Leav glanced up. "You noticed too?"
Frot nodded. "He was smart. Too smart for a goblin. And that emblem you found? I don't like it."
Leav pulled it from his belt, turning it over in his fingers. The more he looked at it, the more uneasy he felt. What had they really killed today? A warlord… or a pawn in something bigger?
Yorl walked up, dropping down beside them with a heavy sigh. "Our scouts saw something strange to the west. Smoke rising from the forest. Could be another camp. Could be something worse."
Leav stared at the fire, his mind racing.
This battle was over, but something told him their real problems were just beginning.