**[Lord System V2 Completed]**
**[Lord Market Unlocked]**
**[Mission and Challenge Unlocked]**
Robert felt dizzy. His head was burning, as if hundreds of needles were stabbing his brain repeatedly. He could feel a soft surface beneath him—he was in his room. *But wasn't I just in a meeting with the others about the settlement's future?* The sudden shift was disorienting, leaving him to question whether he had been dreaming.
Footsteps approached in a hurried manner. "My lord, you're awake! We were so worried when you passed out mid-conversation." Sabas's voice trembled with concern. The thought of losing his lord was too much to bear.
Robert blinked a few times, trying to clear his head. The room spun for a moment before settling. "I'm alright, Sabas. Please, get me some water and give me a moment to adjust to what just happened." His voice came out rough, as if he hadn't spoken in days. The intense headache was starting to recede, but a dull throb remained, a reminder of the overwhelming experience he had just endured.
Sabas nodded, quickly fetching a water satchel and placing it beside Robert. "Take your time, my lord. I'll make sure no one disturbs you." He stepped back, watching with a concerned expression as Robert took a long, slow sip of water.
As the cool liquid slid down his throat, Robert felt a bit more grounded. He noticed the notifications from the new system update floating in his vision. With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, he opened the panel.
**[Lord System V2: Allows deeper communication with lords and the God of Heroes. New upgrades include:]**
- **Market**
- **Chat Room**
- **Quest**
- **Events**
Robert stared at the list, his mind racing with possibilities. The implications of these new features were vast. *A market? Does this mean I can trade with other lords directly?* The thought excited him. Resources had been scarce, and the opportunity to trade could be a game-changer.
"Open market," Robert commanded, his voice steadier now.
**[Welcome to the Lords Market. Here, you can trade with fellow lords or sell your items to the system.]**
The interface materialized before him, displaying a wide array of goods being offered by other lords. Wood, stone, food supplies, and more exotic items like magical ingredients and rare artifacts were all listed, with varying prices and conditions.
Robert scrolled through the market until something caught his eye.
**[Lord Goblin Fields: Selling a unit of wood and stone for each unit of goblin body parts. Contact me personally to commence a deal.]**
Intrigued, Robert clicked the private messaging button and initiated the negotiation.
{I'm interested in your deal and would like to discuss trade terms.}
As he waited for a response, Robert reflected on his current situation. The settlement was still in its infancy, vulnerable to both external threats and internal instability. The goblins had been a persistent nuisance, and their presence meant that Robert had access to an abundant resource that could be bartered for other necessary supplies.
Quicker than he anticipated, the Goblin Lord replied.
{There's nothing to discuss. It's a 1-for-1 deal. Take it or leave it.}
{You misunderstand the concept of value. One unit of wood is not equal to goblin body parts.}
Robert's eyes narrowed as he sent the message. *This Goblin Lord must be desperate,* he thought. Goblin body parts were valuable not just for their material use, but for the magical properties they contained—properties that could be harnessed for various purposes, including alchemy and crafting. Wood, while essential, was far more common and easier to come by.
{I won't be bullied by you. My offer stands—1-for-1.}
{Fine, forget the trade then. There's plenty of wood around. I don't need it as much as you need these parts.}
Robert closed the communication channel, a satisfied smirk forming on his lips. He knew he had the upper hand. All he needed to do was wait. The Goblin Lord's desperation would soon force him to reconsider.
With the negotiation temporarily set aside, Robert turned his attention back to the system's new features. His eyes landed on the event function, and curiosity got the better of him.
**[New event has started: King of the Hill. The rookie with the highest-level settlement in the next two weeks will win a prize based on their ranking.]**
"This could be fun. I'm always up for some competition," Robert muttered to himself, the competitive spark in his eyes flaring to life. The prospect of a reward intrigued him, but more than that, the idea of testing his skills against other lords was exhilarating. He was determined to prove that his settlement, despite its humble beginnings, could rise to the top.
As he stepped out of his room, the hall echoed with the shouts of men and Sabas issuing commands. Over forty goblins had breached their territory and were attempting to raid the settlement.
"Damn it! Why can't anything go as planned? It's as if this world hates me," Robert cursed, sprinting outside. With no spare weapons nearby, he grabbed a chair, gripping it tightly as he prepared to join the fray. The situation was dire, and he knew they couldn't afford to lose any ground. "Hold the line! Don't let them get behind us!" Sabas was doing his best to command the men, but the surprise attack in the dead of night had caught them off guard.
---
**30 Minutes Earlier**
Sabas had left the lord's chambers, taking command of the men with a sense of urgency. The day had been exhausting, but there was no rest for those tasked with protecting the settlement. He sent a group to forage for berries and herbs they had spotted on previous trips, knowing that every bit of food and medicine was crucial for their survival.
Along with two scouts, Sabas located a few rabbit nests. They moved quietly, setting traps and waiting patiently. The tension in the air was palpable; every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig had them on edge. But their patience paid off when they successfully trapped six out of the eight rabbits they found. It wasn't much, but it was enough to provide a decent meal.
The men also collected water in calabash-like plants, perfect for storage. The plants, with their tough outer shells, were ideal for carrying water back to the settlement. As they made their way through the forest, they heard movement in the surrounding woods. The group picked up their guard, ready for an ambush, but when a small doe darted past them, they laughed, relieved that it wasn't anything more dangerous. They let their guard down, unaware of the true threat lurking in the shadows.
Upon returning to the settlement, the men prepared a hearty dinner for their lord. After everything that had happened, they felt he deserved it. They set up a makeshift kitchen, using what little supplies they had to cook the rabbits over an open fire. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, lifting their spirits. But just as they were beginning to relax, a battle cry pierced the night, and a flood of goblins launched their assault.
---
Robert swung the chair at the nearest goblin, shattering its skull with a sickening crunch. He quickly picked up the goblin's makeshift club, its rough texture a poor substitute for a proper weapon, but it would have to do. Without hesitation, he joined the line of defenders, channeling his frustration and anger into every blow. The goblins, though numerous, were weak individually, relying on their numbers to overwhelm their opponents.
Sabas and the others were already showing signs of fatigue. 12 men against 40 goblins was a grim scenario, especially in the dead of night. The scouts, perched on the roof, fired arrows into the darkness, their aim true despite the limited visibility. Each arrow that found its mark lessened the burden on the frontline, but the goblins kept coming, their crude weapons flashing in the moonlight.
"Sabas, form a circle! Push any goblins that get too close back into the center!" Robert shouted over the din of battle. Sabas nodded, relaying the command. The men quickly adjusted their formation, their shields interlocking as they created a defensive perimeter. The goblins, undeterred by their fallen comrades, continued to press forward, only to be met with steel and fury.
Though outnumbered, the defenders had the advantage in both physical strength and the quality of their weapons. Robert's men, hardened by their struggles, fought with a determination born of necessity. Every strike was delivered with precision, every shield raised with purpose. The goblins, while fierce, were no match for the disciplined defense.
As more goblins fell, the men's confidence grew. Their initial fear gave way to a fierce resolve, and they began to push forward, reclaiming the ground they had lost. The goblins, realizing that their numbers were dwindling, started to falter. Sensing the shift in momentum, Robert let out a battle cry, urging his men to charge. They did so with a roar, their collective force overwhelming the remaining goblins.
"Why is it always so messy?" Robert grumbled, wiping the green blood from his face. He scanned the battlefield, relieved to see that none of his men had fallen. The attack, while brutal, had been repelled, but it was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in this world. They couldn't afford to let their guard down—not for a moment.
The men began piling the goblin corpses together, ready to see the magic their lord would perform. Robert approached the pile, his mind still buzzing with the recent battle. Despite the exhaustion, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. He activated the looting function of his system, and as he did, the goblin bodies dissolved into shimmering particles, disappearing into his inventory.
**[Looting Goblin Corpses...]**
**[Received: 50 units of goblin parts, 10 makeshift clubs, Sleeping Poison Recipe Book, 5 Bronze-Tier Goblin Cores.]**
Robert's eyes widened at the last item. *Bronze-tier goblin cores?* These were rare and highly valuable, essential for crafting advanced equipment or powering magical constructs. The other items were useful as well, but the cores were a prize he hadn't expected.
The men around him watched in awe as the bodies vanished, leaving behind only the faintest traces of green mist. They were accustomed to the strange powers their lord wielded, but the sight never ceased to amaze them.
"Let's call it a night, everyone. You've all earned some rest," Robert said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. The men, exhausted but satisfied, nodded in agreement. They were too tired to ask questions or ponder the strange magic they had witnessed. All they wanted was a hot meal and a chance to sleep.
That night, the men enjoyed a hearty rabbit stew with fruits as dessert, a rare treat in these harsh times. The meal was quiet, everyone too tired to talk, but the sense of camaraderie was palpable. They had faced death together and survived, and that bond was stronger than any words.
As the meal ended and the men retired to their quarters, Robert lingered by the fire, deep in thought. His mind replayed the events of the day, from the system upgrade to the goblin raid. There was so much to process, so many new possibilities to consider. He knew that he couldn't afford to rest on his laurels. The world they were in was unforgiving, and every victory had to be built upon immediately.
Before he could retreat to his room, a notification flashed across his vision.
**[New Message from Goblin Lord] **
Robert opened the message, half-expecting the desperate plea that awaited him.
{I'm ready to negotiate further.}
{So, you've come to your senses, huh? I'll let you know now that my original price has risen.}
{I don't care. I need the parts now!}
Robert smiled, knowing he had the Goblin Lord exactly where he wanted him. The negotiation was no longer about just trading resources; it was about establishing dominance, about showing the other lords that he was not to be trifled with.
{Four units of wood for a single unit of parts.}
{Deal. Let's commence the trade.}
With a mental command, Robert transferred the goblin parts from his storage, and in return, 200 units of wood materialized in his inventory. The trade was complete, but Robert wasn't done yet.
{I have five bronze goblin cores if you're interested.}
There was a pause before the Goblin Lord replied, likely weighing the importance of these rare items.
{What do you want for them?}
{Anything you deem of equal value.}
{I have an extra watchtower blueprint and a village wall blueprint.}
Robert's grin widened. These were exactly the kinds of items he needed to fortify his settlement and prepare for the challenges ahead.
{That will do. Pleasure doing business with you.}
With the blueprints and wood secured, Robert exited the conversation, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. He had played his cards perfectly, and now his settlement was in a far stronger position than it had been just hours ago.
---
Back in his room, Robert spread out the blueprints on the table, studying them carefully. The watchtower would provide a much-needed vantage point, allowing them to spot approaching threats from a distance. The village wall, on the other hand, would offer crucial protection against future raids. He could already envision how these additions would transform the settlement, turning it from a vulnerable outpost into a fortified stronghold.
But there was more to consider than just defenses. The King of the Hill event loomed over his thoughts. If he wanted to win, he needed to focus on expanding and improving his settlement rapidly. The wood he had just acquired would be vital for construction, and the blueprints were the first step toward that goal.
Robert's mind raced with plans. He needed to delegate tasks to his men, make sure they were ready to build at first light. The settlement's future was bright, but only if they worked together and pushed forward with relentless determination.
As he finally lay down to sleep, Robert couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The system's upgrades, the looming challenges, and the ever-present threats of this world meant that they were constantly teetering on the edge of disaster. But Robert thrived on the pressure. He had always been a strategist, someone who excelled when the stakes were high.
And now, with the tools and resources at his disposal, he was ready to take his settlement to the next level.
*Tomorrow, we start building. Tomorrow, we begin our ascent to the top. *
With that final thought, Robert closed his eyes, letting sleep take him as the fires outside burned down to embers.