The dim candlelight flickered as Dain sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers clenched into fists. The words before his eyes hadn't faded.
[System Warning: Disturbance Detected]
[Enemy Movement Detected Near Eldrin's Hollow]
Threat Level: Unknown.
He could feel his pulse in his throat.
This wasn't like the goblins or kobolds. The system had never issued a warning before.
Something was coming.
Something big.
He stood quickly, strapping his bronze sword to his waist before stepping outside. The village was quiet, the streets empty under the glow of the moon. A few torches flickered on wooden posts, but no one else was awake.
Dain exhaled, scanning the horizon.
Nothing seemed different.
But the system wouldn't have warned him for no reason.
He moved toward the village entrance.
If something was approaching, he needed to see it first.
A Warning from the System
As he reached the outskirts of Eldrin's Hollow, another notification appeared.
[New Quest Unlocked: Defend Eldrin's Hollow]
Objective: Identify the threat and prepare the village.
Reward: ???
Dain's grip tightened.
Another quest.
Whatever was coming, the system was preparing him for it.
He stepped forward, his boots crunching softly against the dirt path. The main road stretched ahead, leading into the darkness beyond the safety of the village.
Then—
A rustle in the distance.
Dain froze.
The trees along the road swayed unnaturally.
His fingers instinctively went to his sword.
Then—a shape moved at the edge of the torchlight.
Dain's breath caught.
It wasn't a goblin.
It wasn't a kobold.
It was something bigger.
A tall, humanoid figure, wrapped in a tattered cloak, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
A hobgoblin.
Hobgoblins were stronger, faster, and smarter than regular goblins.
They were organized.
And if one was scouting the village…
That meant more were coming.
Dain slowly drew his sword.
The hobgoblin's glowing eyes locked onto him.
Then—it grinned.
A notification appeared.
[Enemy Identified: Hobgoblin Scout (Lv.6)]
• Health: 45/45
• Threat Level: High
Dain's pulse pounded in his ears.
Level 6.
Stronger than the ghoul. Stronger than the kobolds.
And it was alone.
That meant one thing—
It was testing him.
The hobgoblin let out a low growl, slowly unsheathing a rusty longsword.
Dain exhaled.
He had no choice.
He had to fight.
The hobgoblin moved first.
It was fast—faster than anything Dain had faced before.
Its sword swung in a brutal arc, aiming for his head.
Dain dodged, barely avoiding the strike. The wind from the blade whistled past his ear.
His body reacted instantly, twisting into a counterattack.
His sword flashed—but the hobgoblin blocked effortlessly.
A second swing came from the side—Dain parried, the impact sending vibrations up his arm.
Too strong.
He had to be faster.
His footwork shifted, his stance lowering. His Basic Swordsmanship skill kicked in, his movements more fluid than before.
The hobgoblin lunged again.
This time, Dain saw the opening.
His sword slashed across its ribs, drawing first blood.
The creature hissed, staggering back.
[Critical Hit! 18 Damage Dealt]
It wasn't enough.
The hobgoblin recovered quickly, its movements now more aggressive.
Dain barely dodged the next attack—but the creature was adapting, just like him.
It wouldn't be like the goblins.
It wouldn't fall for the same tricks.
It was learning.
So he had to end it.
Dain feinted left—then spun right, driving his sword deep into the hobgoblin's stomach.
The creature choked, its eyes widening.
He twisted the blade and ripped it free.
The hobgoblin collapsed.
Silence.
Then—
[Enemy Defeated: Hobgoblin Scout]
+40 Experience Gained
[Level Up!]
Level: 5 → 6
+3 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Vitality
Dain exhaled sharply.
He had won.
But the system's next message killed his victory.
[Warning: Hobgoblin Warband Detected]
Time Until Arrival: 24 Hours
Dain stiffened.
A warband.
This wasn't just a scout.
This was a scouting party.
And the real force was coming tomorrow.
The weight of the message hit him like a hammer.
Eldrin's Hollow wasn't ready for this.
The guards were few in number. The villagers were untrained.
If they weren't warned—if they weren't prepared—
The village would fall.
Dain ran.
He sprinted toward the village, his legs burning, his breath coming in sharp gasps.
He had 24 hours.
One day to turn the tide.
One day to save everyone.
By the time he reached the village square, his lungs were on fire.
He didn't care.
He had to warn them.
"Wake up!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the streets. "Everyone, wake up! We're under threat!"
Doors creaked open. Sleepy faces emerged. Confused murmurs filled the air.
Then, Edric stepped forward, already armed.
"What's happening?" the warrior demanded.
Dain didn't hesitate.
"A hobgoblin warband is coming," he said, loud and clear. "They'll be here by nightfall tomorrow."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Are you sure?" someone asked.
Dain nodded.
"I fought one of their scouts. It was testing our defenses." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "They're coming. We don't have much time."
Edric exhaled, rubbing his chin.
Then, he turned to the crowd.
"You heard him!" he shouted. "Get the militia ready! Barricade the entrances! We need every able-bodied person armed and ready!"
The villagers snapped into action.
Dain watched, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
He had done his part.
But the real fight was still coming.
And when night fell tomorrow…
The war for Eldrin's Hollow would begin.