Five days passed very quickly in the game, with Zen coordinating internal constructions for a new well. The soldiers toiled without a break in preparation for a huge mission to restock their fortress’ food supplies. Even the women offered to help weave hunting nets and dig trenches for water irrigation.The goblins were rather silent as they prepared for the ritual. According to Zen’s advice, the scout leader made many petty attacks at the side entrance near the forest, leaving deliberate animal carcasses at the fortress’ doorstep for the humans to discover. Zen was nowhere to be seen, and the goblins worked hard to build a floating raft.Eventually, the night of the new moon arrived. As planned, the goblins held their ritual upstream. Gunter sent some of the most talented scouts to confirm the goblin numbers and troop condition. Zen waited by the river with Venedict to intercept the raft while the soldiers went for an all-out night hunting trip to restoc

“Gyaa! It’s the hero again! Retreat!” the goblins screamed and pelted pebbles at the suit of metal as they ran into the dense cover of the forest.Zen watched from a gap in the fortress wall and nodded at the strategy. Venedict fitted the role of a hero more than he did in that suit of armour.Thanks to all the blacksmithing, Zen’s proficiency with armour and weapon repairs increased again. Although he was still a beginner, he was able to repair them significantly quicker using his portable workshop. Ben must be proud of his speed. If Zen ever decided to retire within the game, he could always sign up and work at the grouchy blacksmith’s workshop as an assistant.Who was he kidding? Blacksmithing was tedious, and Zen’s hands would be numb from all that metal pounding if he weren’t in a game. On the bright side, the human army was able to fight better against the goblins despite their inferior numbers. The stones mined from the

“Gobo?”“Gobo! Gobo-bo!”Gathered around a fire in the middle of the goblin’s main camp under the stars, the hobgoblin and his shaman advisers listened to the new scout leader report his information. Whoever this halfling was, he was rather capable. Unfortunately, the hobgoblin hated tainted blood. There was no way they would accept a half-bred loser into their camp of elites.“Gobobo gork!”Raising their weapons, the goblins who heard their leader’s decision cheered. After the frustrating appearance of an elusive hero who always fought in circles, they were finally one step ahead of him!Thrilled that Zen’s plan worked in their favour, the scout leader couldn’t stop grinning. That halfling worked hard to find critical information for them after receiving meagre hunts from the forest. While that starving child was eating scraps, he would be promoted to lead the way for the future.With the new

The sentry guard on duty eyed Zen doubtfully. The letter was indeed written by Commander Gunter with the official stamp from their Baron. However, believing this was the backup the main camp sent was still difficult. Venedict was the only reason the sentry guard gave this kid the benefit of the doubt.“Please wait here. I’ll bring your letter of recommendation to Sir Rowan.”Sir Rowan? Zen looked at Venedict for an explanation. There was nothing mentioned in his special quest notes.Answering the questioning looks, the mercenary bodyguard explained that Sir Rowan was an old retired knight who served three generations of the Baron’s family.“He taught our current Baron swordsmanship during childhood, but it didn’t work out. Ever since the war against the goblins, he volunteered to return to arms and guard our flank with minimal manpower. He might be retired and frail now with slight difficulty seeing and hearing, but Sir Rowan i

Thanks to the fast-forward option in the virtual dungeon, Zen watched the war between Stoneberry Keep and the hobgoblins in the first wave of the goblin invasion within two minutes. Who knew his side quest would turn into a simple game of simulated chess, reflecting an actual battle?Ping![You are victorious and have successfully defended against the Goblin Invasion Wave 1. You have been awarded 20 leadership Points.]Now, that was fast! Compared to the main quest, Zen might be able to complete the side quest quicker. The cut scene showed Sir Rowan using Zen’s tactic to bait ten hobgoblins from their spot to the boundaries of the Keep, where they were ambushed and killed. It was a battle without mercy, as all ten hobgoblin warriors were eliminated. Yet, Zen couldn’t help but wonder how these warriors could take down ten hobgoblins. Venedict fought with one, and they seemed rather tough. It was the reason why Gunter was unable to win the war head-on.