We gathered everyone near the center of camp, clearing space around the scratched-up table we'd been using for a map. The air felt different today, sharper, and more alert. People stood straighter, voices low but steady. Backpacks were heavier with supplies, and a quiet sense of momentum was building. We were thriving now, and I see the false sense of security that the group had.
Nicole stood beside me, arms crossed, with Nadia's note in hand.
"This is what we found," I began. "Each team brought back supplies, intel, and some injuries. But that's not why we're meeting."
I reached into my pocket and laid out the map I'd sketched of the first floor, papers I found in a stationery store stitched together, covered in notes and arrows.
"Today, I scouted the first floor alone. I initially avoided the left side because Marco's team had already gone that way. So I took the middle and killed a few goblins. I marked where they sleep and where I think are good places to gather supplies. But the real problem... is here."
I pointed to a rough circle I'd drawn around the food court.
"That's where they're nesting and where the main force is located. They have patrols around the food court, and the missing women are also kept there. I didn't see it myself, but Jasper did. Before he died."
A hush rippled through the group.
I let it sit a beat, then said, "Marco's team found the den but couldn't push through. There were too many goblins. Jasper said the goblins were eating the men and—" I stopped, jaw tight. "Using the women. Marco saw his daughter in the den. He tried to rescue her but was forced to retreat because of the Dungeon Boss, a goblin shaman. While they were retreating, they ran into a hobgoblin Warlord who killed Marco and the rest. I was able to use Appraisal on the Hobgoblin, and this is its information." I said, pointing to one of the papers which read:
Hobgoblin Warlord (Uncommon)
Level 10
HP: 10000
Threat: High
Skill Detected: War Cry| Cleave | Battle Frenzy
Equipment: Iron Battle-Ax (Uncommon)
"Jasper escaped but was injured. I found him hiding in a closet."
I held up his badge, still stained with blood.
"He asked for Nadia before he died," I added, my voice flat. "And he didn't want to die alone."
Nicole exhaled sharply and raised the note. "Which brings us to this. Nadia sent a message through Logan." Nicole looked at the note for a long moment, her mouth a flat line, then read aloud:
The goblins aren't just monsters. They have a functional society and a hierarchy. That means they're smart and they shouldn't be underestimated. I believe their stronghold is near the food court. We're scouting their patterns and gathering survivors. If you're willing to meet, we can talk terms. We don't have to be enemies.
When she finished, she passed the note to the nearest table. I watched as it moved slowly through the group.
"She's not wrong about the goblins," I said. "But she could be the one who kidnapped Eli's group. Nicole thinks she's manipulative, and there's a chance Nadia has some kind of compulsion ability. And we still don't know who she's working with."
Nicole looked across the camp. "If we're voting on whether or not to meet her, everyone deserves the full truth. Nadia is strong and she doesn't take no for an answer. She was ranked second on the leaderboard, right behind Marcus Veil. If she has a following, then she is using her influence to gain trust."
A few people shifted uncomfortably. Others exchanged wary glances.
I gave everyone a moment before saying, "That's why we're voting, because this affects all of us. But first—reports. Leaders, give me your team levels and whether your floors are clear."
Logan stepped forward first. "Delta team cleared the fourth floor. A few groups of goblins and one sealed hallway we couldn't break yet. Levels: five to seven."
Mitch followed. "Fifth floor's clear. Found one survivor. Everyone's in the same range—five to seven."
Liam, who'd taken over Alpha in my absence, nodded. "Second floor's clean. Goblins cleared out. Team ranges between five and seven, too."
Nicole stepped up last. "Bravo team finished clearing the third floor. Light resistance. We did find two dead survivors in a back office, but no other threats. Levels are consistent—five to seven."
I nodded as Nicole stepped back, then turned to Logan. "What stopped you from breaking through that hallway?"
He ran a hand along the back of his neck. "Metal reinforcement. Looked like someone welded scrap across the entrance from the inside. We didn't have the tools to cut through without making noise."
Nicole frowned. "Welded? This mall had welding equipment?"
Logan shook his head. "Not that I saw. But someone either brought tools with them or scavenged enough battery-powered gear to do it. The welds weren't clean—sloppy, rushed—but they held."
"Which means someone wanted it sealed badly enough to risk time and noise," I said, the wheels already turning. "Could be survivors hiding something?"
Nicole's expression tightened. "Either way, it's not nothing."
"Agreed," I said. "We'll mark it for follow-up."
Before anyone could get too comfortable, I cleared my throat. "One more thing before the vote. Did any team recover more currency? We've been fighting nonstop; there should've been more than just scraps."
Logan was the first to respond. "Delta brought back over thirty bronze coins and a couple of silver coins. We hit at least 20-25 goblins. The sealed hallway had signs of recent movement, so we posted a mark there before retreating."
Mitch nodded. The fifth floor was crowded. We took down 30 goblins, maybe more. Looted close to fifty bronze, two silver, and some gear. One of them had a short sword labeled 'Goblin-Crafted'. It gave a slight attack bonus. I gave it to Hirose to use. The rest I put in a pile so others can use or we can sell."
Liam stepped forward. "The second floor was thinner, but we still ran into 13. Sol took out 5 by himself. We picked up twenty-something bronze and a few odd items: an unmarked potion, some monster hide, and one cracked ring that gave a minor boost to stamina regen. We didn't try it yet."
Nicole added, "Bravo team brought in almost forty bronze and one silver. Most of it came from a locked locker in the electronics storeroom. Looked like someone or a group had stashed their stuff before dying. We also found a rank-one skill book: Combat Fundamentals. It's in the shared pile."
As the numbers rolled in, I saw it, the quiet pride in their voices. We were getting better, sharper… and if we weren't careful, that pride would kill us.