The dawn after the first clash brought a heavy stillness over Korazu. The scent of scorched foliage and sweat lingered in the air, mingling with the tang of fresh steel. While the defenders mended wounds and reset their barricades on the Ridge Wall, a palpable tension simmered. All eyes remained fixed on the foreboding shape in the distance—the boss goblin, looming in the blue-tinged mist at the edge of the treeline, as if it were a dark sentinel orchestrating the next wave.
Reivo's mind whirled with the memories of the earlier skirmish: the relentless surge of goblins, the clamor of clashing steel, and the brief respite as the enemy force seemed to pause for breath. That moment of pause had shown everyone that the battleground was not yet decided. The boss, towering and cunning, had not yet struck, his eyes gleaming with a calculated malice as he studied the defenders. And within that silence, Reivo's mind began to race with an idea that would change the course of the battle.
He repositioned himself behind a thick wooden crate near the forefront of the Ridge Wall, where the enemy's presence was still most keenly felt. His pulse pounded like a steady drumbeat against the anxious quiet of the surrounding soldiers. He couldn't shake the image of the boss's twisted grin, as if it relished the prospect of a renewed onslaught that might overwhelm the village with fresh reinforcements.
"Reivo!" Tomas shouted from a distance as the guard pointed to the creeping mass of goblins—one after another trickling back from the distant wood. "They're regrouping. The boss isn't making his move, but the lesser ones are coming in waves."
Reivo's eyes never left the boss. In his gaze burned an idea—a gamble that sounded as wild as it was desperate. Rising to his feet, he called out, voice carrying over the low hum of worry among the villagers. "I have a plan, but I need someone to back me up on the ridge."
A murmur rippled through the defense. His father caught his eye and nodded slowly, while Tomas and two other seasoned hunters edged forward. "What are you thinking?" Tomas demanded.
Reivo took a brief moment, catching his breath and steadying the rapid beating of his heart, then answered firmly, "We've been on the defensive for too long. The boss is biding time. It's using our hesitation—refilling its ranks, regaining strength. What if… we don't let it have that luxury?"
He paused so every ear could catch his words. "Instead of waiting for another wave, let's bait it. Let's make a show that enrages it. Force it to act impulsively, to rush forward before it can bring all its strength. If we can provoke it into attacking our defenses now, when we're at our strongest, we might catch it off guard—without letting it refill its numbers."
The idea struck like lightning in the silence. Some looked at him with hopeful eyes; others with uncertainty. But none could deny that the status quo was a slow march toward ruin.
His father was the first to speak. "And how do you propose we do that?"
Reivo's mind raced through the particulars as he spoke. "We create a deliberate breach—nothing too costly to our side, but enough to signal vulnerability. We let a small contingent, maybe even me, appear to lure the boss closer while the rest hold the line. When it charges, we unleash a counter-assault that doesn't wait for the rest of its kin. It'll be an all-out, reckless rush that we can exploit. The boss will attack, and in its anger, it may overextend itself."
Silence reigned as the plan swirled in everyone's thoughts. Finally, Tomas nodded sharply. "I'll coordinate with the archers on the west side. We can create controlled chaos—a phony breach that draws the boss's attention. And you, Reivo, you lead the bait. But be careful."
Reivo swallowed hard. The risk was enormous: capture or death would collapse the trap, allowing the boss to counterattack and overwhelm them. Yet the alternative was even worse—a prolonged siege with endless reinforcements. He squared his shoulders, meeting his father's steady gaze.
"Alright," his father said, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, "do it—but remember, you're not alone. We're with you every step."
Reivo nodded to him, ready to put in motion his plan.