The aftermath of the battle hung in the air like a thick fog. Ashenhold stood victorious, its defenses holding strong against Wrex's surprise attack. Bodies were scattered across the battlefield—some of Wrex's, and some of their own—yet Hikaru stood tall, surveying the results. The initial victory felt hollow, as if it were simply a prelude to something far more dangerous.
Blake approached from behind, his sword now clean but his expression somber. "That was a close one. Wrex won't take kindly to this."
Hikaru nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "We can't afford to relax. Other players are out there, and sooner or later, they'll come for us."
"We need more power," Blake said. "More soldiers, more resources."
"Exactly," Hikaru replied. "We need to be stronger than we are now. And we need to start pushing outward. We can't stay stagnant or be content with just defending ourselves."
Hikaru opened his Command Grid, and the screen flickered to life with a new set of options.
Ashenhold: Status Report
Population Capacity: 50/50
Resources Available:
Wood: 120
Stone: 80
Food: 50
Gold: 30
Current Structures:
Village Core (Level 2)
Barracks
Blacksmith
Watchtower
Available Upgrades:
Farm (30 Wood, 20 Stone, 10 Gold)
Market (40 Wood, 30 Stone, 20 Gold)
Training Grounds (50 Wood, 50 Stone, 30 Gold)
Recruitment Options:
Swordsman (25 Wood, 10 Stone)
Archer (30 Wood, 20 Stone)
Spearman (20 Wood, 15 Stone)
Hikaru studied the available upgrades. The Farm would increase food production, crucial for the growing population. The Market would help trade resources, offering some flexibility. However, the Training Grounds stood out. It would allow for the training of advanced troops, giving Ashenhold the ability to create more specialized units.
"Blake, we need to build the Training Grounds," Hikaru said, determination in his voice.
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It's a huge investment. We barely have enough resources to maintain what we have."
Hikaru nodded, unfazed. "I'm sure. If we don't push forward, we'll fall behind. We need advanced units to defend against stronger players."
"Alright, then," Blake agreed reluctantly. "I'll start gathering resources."
Hikaru turned toward the Barracks, where the new recruits had already started their training. He could see the new Swordsmen practicing their stances, their swords flashing in the afternoon sun. The Archers were firing practice arrows, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony. The Spearmen practiced their thrusting techniques, ready for whatever the world threw at them.
As they trained, Hikaru's mind raced. There was so much to do—gather more resources, expand the village, recruit more soldiers—but none of it would matter if they didn't secure their future. Wrex's attack had been a wake-up call, a reminder that Ashenhold was just a small part of a much larger world, full of dangers and rival players.
"We need to take control of more territory," Hikaru muttered to himself. "The land around us is rich with resources. If we can claim it, we can grow faster."
Blake returned shortly, a large cart piled with wood and stone. "We've got the resources for the Training Grounds. We can start building immediately."
"Good," Hikaru said. "Let's get to it."
The Training Grounds took several hours to construct, its tall wooden walls rising quickly from the forest's edge. Hikaru watched as the villagers worked, hammering nails and securing the beams. The construction process was grueling, but the progress was undeniable.
By nightfall, the Training Grounds was complete.
Training Grounds Built!
Unlocks Advanced Unit Training
Elite Swordsman (50 Wood, 30 Stone, 20 Gold)
Crossbowman (40 Wood, 30 Stone, 20 Gold)
Pikeman (40 Wood, 25 Stone, 15 Gold)
The new units unlocked were far stronger than the basic Swordsmen, Archers, and Spearmen they had been using. Elite Swordsmen could outmatch the regular troops, while Crossbowmen offered superior ranged support, and Pikemen were ideal for countering cavalry or any fast-moving enemy.
Hikaru felt a surge of excitement. This was exactly what they needed to ensure survival.
"Blake, gather a team of Elite Swordsmen and Crossbowmen," Hikaru ordered. "We're going to scout the nearby territories and see if we can take control of any resource-rich areas."
Blake gave a firm nod. "I'll assemble the troops right away."
As the soldiers prepared for their first mission outside of Ashenhold, Hikaru felt a growing sense of urgency. The world was full of unknowns, and every moment spent waiting was another moment where they could be overtaken by stronger players.
They moved out in the early morning, the Elite Swordsmen in the lead, their armor gleaming in the pale light of dawn. The Crossbowmen followed behind, their weapons ready, and the Spearmen brought up the rear, forming a defensive line in case of any surprises.
The map showed several nearby areas that could be worth exploring. There was a Stone Quarry to the north, a Forest of Shadows to the south, and an Abandoned Fortress to the east, its towering walls seemingly untouched by time.
Hikaru led the group, following the path toward the Stone Quarry. The air was thick with anticipation. It was only a matter of time before they encountered other players, or worse—hostile NPC factions that could tear through their ranks.
As they approached the quarry, Hikaru felt a twinge of unease. The area was quiet—too quiet. The air felt stagnant, and the trees around them swayed ominously, despite the lack of wind.
Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence. From the shadows of the trees, several figures emerged. They were clad in dark armor, their faces hidden behind menacing masks. Their presence alone sent a chill down Hikaru's spine.
Enemy Player Detected:
Codename: Raven
Troops: 6 Shadow Knights, 2 Archers
Raven.
Hikaru's mind raced. Raven was known for being a cunning strategist, a player who relied on stealth and deception. This wouldn't be an easy fight.