I can't just sit here waiting. I need a plan.
Humans crawling through this forest spell trouble. It's only a matter of time before they see us as a threat. Once that happens, they won't hesitate to wipe us out. We can't let it come to that. We need to evolve, to act, and to defend ourselves before it's too late.
Stepping outside my new house, I called for Scarface and told him to gather everyone.
A mix of imps, lizardmen, goblins, and ogres assembled, their curious eyes fixed on me. Once everyone had gathered, I raised my voice to address them.
"Listen up! This isn't the first time we've seen humans near the forest, and that's bad news. The first few might seem harmless, but once they realize how fast our numbers are growing, they'll send a crusade to destroy us.
"We can't sit around and wait for that to happen. We need to take action, to grow stronger, and to protect ourselves! So, does anyone here know of any strange or unusual places nearby? Anything that might help us?" I asked, scanning their faces for a response.
At first, silence. Then, Scarface finally spoke up.
"Uh, boss… you remember that shiny rock you found in the cave? We found it near an old battleground. Folks say a powerful ogre warrior fought there. We thought the rock might make us stronger, but after years of waiting, nothing happened, so we left it alone. Do you think there might be more there?"
"Battleground? You mean the one with the shrine?" Gorn interjected.
"Shrine?" I repeated, turning to him.
"Yeah. It looks like a shrine, but not quite. The leader of a neighboring goblin pack went inside once with his men, thinking there was food. None of them ever came back out. That's why we've stayed away," Gorn explained, his tone serious.
"Where is it?" I asked, leaning forward.
"South. Past the swamp. There's a path that leads straight to it. But, boss, it's dangerous!" Gorn warned, worry clear on his face.
Dangerous or not, I knew what had to be done. I couldn't let fear hold me back anymore. Not after what happened the last time. Hesitation had cost me before, and I wasn't about to repeat that mistake.
"I'm going. Alone," I declared, my tone firm.
"No!" Scarface and the others cried out, their voices filled with concern. Their usual carefree expressions were replaced with serious, worried looks. For all their antics, they knew when something mattered.
"We don't have a choice. We need to move forward," I said.
"Then take us with you!" Scarface insisted.
"I can't. Scarface, Gorn—you two need to stay here and lead. Protect everyone while I'm gone. This place needs you," I said, locking eyes with them.
I could see the doubt and worry in their expressions, but I didn't give them the chance to argue further. With humans, corrupted monsters, and who knows what else out there, this was a risk I had to take—for all of us.
The rest of the day was spent preparing. Supplies were packed, and I laid out plans for the village's defenses.
Three days. That's all the time we had before the merchant team returned, likely with adventurers in tow.
I didn't believe for a second that the merchant or adventurers we'd met before hadn't reported us. And now? The arrival of an "Adventuring party protecting a merchant" so close to our camp? Yeah, no, that couldn't be a coincidence.
That was a scouting party, sent to gather information about our numbers. The nagging feeling at the back of my head said so and I believe it.
If they decided we were a threat, they'd strike. I had to prepare for every possibility—negotiations, surprise attacks, even a full-blown hunting party. I couldn't leave anything to chance.
Before I left, I called everyone together one last time. Their worried faces stared back at me as I stood before them.
"I'll be back in three days," I said firmly. "By then, I expect you all to have done everything I've asked. Turn this place into a stronghold. Make it a place that can protect you."
"Seriously, stop trying to act cool. You look dumb. But...be careful, runt," Grumpy muttered. It was the first time I'd heard him speak since I came back. Despite all his complaints, I could tell he cared. This brother of mine, seriously, what a tsundere (＾▽＾)
"We don't want to carry your remains back from that place."
"I'll be fine!" I replied with a confident smile, hoping to ease their worry.
"Boss! We promise we'll change by the time you come back!" An Imp said.
I looked back and smiled "You better!"
And with that, I turned and set off, heading south through the forest and past the swamp.
I'll come back, and by then, I'll make this place into something no humans, no mastermind, and definitely no fate, can just attack so easily!
---
What I didn't realize then—what I wouldn't understand until years later—was that the place I was heading to would change everything.
It would be the place where I first encountered one of the pieces that shaped who I am today.