Eryndor and Grimp walked for hours, the dense forest thinning into a clearing. A shabby wooden fence materialized, surrounding a makeshift village.
Two goblins, armed with wooden spears, stood guard at the entrance.
Grimp approached, his eyes pleading. "I need to see the clan chief."
The guards sneered, pushing Grimp away. "The weak have no pact with the Gobrou clan."
Eryndor frowned and stepped forward, hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Flaming sword," he muttered, focusing his thoughts.
His sword erupted in flames, casting flickering shadows.
Grimp gasped, terrified. The guards stumbled back, eyes wide.
Eryndor's authoritative tone cut through the air. "Take me to your Chief."
The guards nodded frantically, like chickens pecking rice.
"Y-yes, sir! F-follow us!"
Eryndor sheathed his flaming sword, its embers dying.
Grimp watched, awestruck. "You're strong lord elf."
Eryndor smiled. "Let's go."
The guards led them through the village, passing crude huts and curious goblin onlookers. EEryndor could see that most of these goblins looked so thin and malnourished.
"The chief takes best, leaves clan with he can't eat." Grimp clarified his thought.
"The chief takes the best of everything? Sounds like the politicians back in my world." Eryndor thought to himself with a smile.
At the center stood a larger, ornate hut.
The guards announced, "The stranger wishes to see the Chief."
A gruff voice responded, "Enter."
Eryndor pushed aside the crude door, entering the hut.
Inside, a burly goblin chief sat, adorned with crude armor.
His gaze narrowed. "Who dares disturb the Gobrou clan?"
Eryndor inspected the clan chief and saw he was about two levels higher than him. The clan chief had a single horn on his head.
"A hobgoblin." Eryndor muttered.
After sizing up the chief, Eryndor finally spoke in a confidence voice. "I am Eryndor. And you are?"
The chief snorted. "Gorgrok, leader of the Gobrou." The chief had also been sizing up the elf in front of him. Unlike most elves who held how and arrows, this one in front of him held a sword. Nevertheless, he knew Eryndor was a forest elf from his dressing.
Eryndor's eyes burned with determination. "I am here to challenge you, Gorgrok, to a duel. If I win, I take over the Gobrou clan!" Eryndor declared.
"What right do you have!" The chief shouted. "A mere forest elf! You are not even a goblin! How dare you envision yourself as a goblin clans chief." Gorgrok the chief shouted.
"Does that mean you are scared of battling this mere forest elf here? For fear of losing?" Eryndor taunted him.
"A chief fears nothing!" Gorgrok's face twisted into a snarl. "You think you can defeat me? I've ruled this clan for years!" He slammed his fist on the armrest, cracking the wood.
"Very well, forest elf. Let's end this." Gorgrok stood, his massive frame towering over Eryndor.
The two stepped outside, the village gathering to witness the battle.
The sun dipped below the treetops, casting a golden glow.
Eryndor drew his flaming sword, its blaze intensifying. Gorgrok roared, wielding a crude battle-axe.
The duel began.
Gorgrok charged, axe swinging in wide arcs. Eryndor dodged, his agility evading the deadly blows. He countered with swift slashes, but Gorgrok's armor deflected the flames. The goblin chief retaliated, axe biting into the earth mere inches from Eryndor's feet. Eryndor leapt, avoiding the blow.
Their clash echoed through the village. Goblins watched, wide-eyed, as the human and their chief exchanged blows.
Gorgrok's axe crashed down, Eryndor parrying with a grunt.
The elf's sword sliced through the air, flames dancing. Gorgrok stumbled back, his armor scorched. Eryndor pressed his advantage. A flurry of strikes rained down, each one aimed at Gorgrok's weak points. The goblin chief stumbled, his axe wavering. Eryndor seized the moment.
A decisive blow struck Gorgrok's chest, flames engulfing his armor. The goblin chief crashed to the ground, defeated.
The village fell silent.
Eryndor stood victorious, his chest heaving.
"Flaming sword, extinguish," he muttered.
The flames died, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing.
Grimp approached, eyes shining. "The new chief! All hail the new chief, Eryndor!"
The villagers began to chant. "Eryndor! Eryndor! Our new chief!"
Eryndor sheathed his sword, a sense of pride and purpose swelling within.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on becoming the chief of the Gobrou clan. Host has been awarded 500 chaos points."
"Ding! Host's reputation has increased. Host is now recognized as a formidable leader."
Eryndor smiled, his gaze sweeping the village.
"One small step for me." Eryndor thought as he smiled.
Eryndor's authority solidified, he turned his attention to the looming orc threat.
"Grimp, assemble the goblins who've participated in hunts!" he ordered.
Grimp nodded, gathering the seasoned goblins. Eryndor addressed them, "We know the orcs won't hesitate to attack. I need your expertise to prepare an ambush."
The goblins nodded, eager for battle.
Eryndor outlined his plan. "We'll strike before they reach our village. Choose the best locations for traps and ambushes."
The goblins dispersed, tasked with preparing the terrain.
Eryndor inspected the village's defenses, bolstering weak points.
"Ding! Host's tactical skills have increased. Host's ability to command and strategize has improved."
Eryndor inspected the huts of the chief, it was crude but bigger than that of the rest.
"Building and infrastructure comes later, right now, we have to survive the orc attack."
As night fell, Eryndor gathered the clan.
"Tomorrow, we hunt orcs. Prepare for battle!"
The goblins cheered, their faces set with determination.
Grimp approached Eryndor. "Chief, we've identified ideal ambush locations. The orcs will walk into our trap."
Eryndor smiled grimly. "Let's show them the Gobrou clan's strength."
The goblins spent the night preparing, setting traps and hiding in wait. They dug holes, laid wooden spears in them and covered them with shrubs. Though they was all hastily made, but they will serve their purpose.
At dawn, Eryndor led the ambush party, Grimp by his side.
They hid in the designated location, awaiting the orcs.
The forest was quiet, tension building.
Suddenly, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs echoed through the forest.
The orcs had arrived.
Eryndor's eyes narrowed. "Get ready..."
Eryndor's eyes locked onto the approaching orcs. "Now!"
The goblins sprang into action, unleashing a hail of arrows and spears.
The orcs stumbled, caught off guard.
Eryndor charged, sword flashing in the morning light.
"Flaming sword!" he shouted, the blade erupting in flames.
The orcs scrambled, terrified by the inferno.
Grimp led a group of goblins, striking from the flanks.
Their crude blades bit deep into orcish flesh.
Eryndor carved a path through the enemy, his sword slicing through armor.
A massive orc swung a battle-axe, aiming for Eryndor's chest.
He dodged, countering with a precise slash.
The orc's axe arm severed, its scream echoing.
The battle raged, goblins and orcs clashing.
Eryndor faced a snarling orc, its tusked mouth frothing.
Their blades clashed, sparks flying.
Eryndor parried, riposting with a deadly thrust.
The orc crumpled, joining its fallen comrades.
As the fight intensified, the forest came alive.
Trees creaked, branches snapping.
The sound of rushing water grew louder.
The orcs, cornered, retreated toward the nearby river.
Eryndor pursued, determined.
"Drive them into the water!" he shouted.
The goblins complied, pushing the orcs toward the river's edge.
The orcs tumbled in, screaming.
Eryndor stood at the riverbank, sword raised.
"Finish them!" he bellowed.
The goblins unleashed a final barrage.
The orcs sank, their bodies swept away by the current.
The battle ended, the forest silent once more.
Eryndor surveyed the carnage.
"Ding! Host has earned 800 chaos points. Host's reputation has increased."
Grimp approached, grinning. "Chief, we did it!"
Eryndor nodded, pride swelling. "We protected our home."
As the goblins cheered, Eryndor's gaze fell on the river.
The water ran red, a testament to their victory.
But Eryndor knew this wasn't the end. The orcs would return.
"And I would be ready, with an even bigger army." Eryndor smiled as he anticipated the future.