---
The ground trembled beneath the marching feet of Alistair's army as they advanced through the narrow valley leading to the gold mine. The sun blazed at its zenith, its rays bouncing off the armored soldiers, making their helmets shine like a blazing fire.
Yet despite the awe-inspiring sight, Alistair knew all too well… this was merely the opening act in a play of betrayal.
Riding his massive black horse, his eyes scanned the surrounding terrain carefully.
"The valley is narrow... visibility is limited… this place is perfect for an ambush by the goblins—but we'll need to lure them in."
He muttered to himself. He and Sir Arthur had reviewed numerous battle plans, but all direct engagement tactics would lead to disaster due to several factors:
The vast difference in numbers; the goblins far outnumbered his men.
Rank disparity; each goblin was at least rank F, with some at rank E, and five were confirmed to be rank D.
Meanwhile, Alistair's forces consisted of 100 rank F soldiers, five at rank E, and Alistair himself at rank D.
The only true advantage they held… was their equipment.
Alistair had chosen the battleground carefully — a narrow valley that could fit no more than 50 soldiers side by side. He purchased 50 heavy armors and 20 bows from the system and bought a basic archery skill.
His plan was to lure the goblins into the choke point and fight them in the tight space, employing a Viking-inspired tactic from his previous world:
The heavily armored soldiers would form the frontline, halting the goblins' charge and stabbing between shield gaps with spears.
But Alistair knew this plan alone wasn't enough — the numerical disadvantage remained. So he placed 20 archers on both sides of the valley to rain arrows down on the enemy.
Additionally, he ordered the frontline defenders to occasionally open small gaps in the formation, allowing a limited number of goblins to slip through before quickly closing the ranks again. This maneuver would ease the pressure on the frontliners.
Once inside, those goblins would find themselves trapped in a kill zone — facing Alistair and 30 reserve troops ready to slaughter them.
In doing so, Alistair aimed to minimize casualties, gain experience for himself and his troops, and — thanks to the system's bonus multiplier — it wouldn't take long before they ranked up and crushed the goblins completely.
"But we'll need bait to lure them in," Alistair said aloud.
"Leave that to me, my lord," Arthur replied confidently.
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "You any good at running away?"
Arthur laughed sheepishly. "I used to steal when I was a kid... to feed my little siblings."
Then, sensing a murderous aura from Alistair, he stammered quickly, "But I stopped ages ago! I paid them back too!"
Alistair chuckled. "Very well. Go then."
He paused, then added in a cold tone: "Just don't die... or I'll kill you myself."
Arthur nodded and mounted his horse, galloping toward the mine.
"How will he kill me if I'm dead...? You know what, I'd rather not find out," he muttered, kicking his horse faster.
Five minutes later, a scout came running, shouting:
"My lord! Arthur is back — and he's got hundreds of goblins behind him!"
"Begin the plan," Alistair ordered, unsheathing his sword.
> [🎯 Combat Skill Activated: "Battle Frenzy"] – All soldiers' stats increased by 20%
Alistair roared, "Every unit knows their role! We're not here to survive… we're here to make a name!"
The soldiers moved forward and took their positions.
"Archers!" Alistair shouted.
He waited until Arthur dashed past the formation.
"Fire!"
The battle had begun.
---
Meanwhile, at a distance, Raylen observed through a magical scope. Standing beside him was his rank C officer, Roderick.
"My lord, this boy… he's no ordinary baron. That battle formation—I've never read about anything like it. But from what I can see, he managed to tip the scale in his favor... This is truly impressive," Roderick said, full of admiration.
Raylen chuckled, "Let him fight however he wants… in the end, we'll be the ones to claim the gold."
---
Arrows rained from the sky like a storm of black hail, striking the goblins' frontlines and slowing their charge. Screams of pain shattered the valley's silence, and the wild advance turned into complete chaos.
The goblins slammed into the iron wall of soldiers, a fortress of shields that didn't budge.
One soldier shouted, "Hold! Don't open the gap until the signal!"
Behind the wall, soldiers whispered to themselves… some trembling, others gripping their spears tighter.
Alistair roared from the back,
"Cowards die a thousand times… but heroes? Only once — and they're remembered forever!"
---
"Now! Open the right gap!" Alistair shouted.
Two defenders stepped half a pace aside — enough for a few goblins to slip through.
Seven goblins charged like mad beasts… only to be surrounded in a death trap.
Thirty soldiers were waiting — led by Alistair himself. His aura surged, lightning wrapping around his body and blade like a serpent. He dashed forward, his sword slicing the air like a bolt of light.
> [🗡️ Mastery Activated: "Crescent Moon Slash – Level 1 – Rank D – Damage +15%]
In a blink, he decapitated the first goblin.
> [Congratulations! You killed a Rank F Goblin]
EXP: 500 → Bonus x5 → 2500 EXP
[You leveled up!]
"So this is the lightning effect..." Alistair muttered, feeling the surge in speed and power.
In less than two seconds, he had slaughtered another three goblins.
The last two were torn apart by synchronized attacks from the reserve troops.
> [Congratulations! You killed 3 Rank F Goblins]
EXP: 500 x 3 x 5 = 7500 EXP
[You leveled up!]
[You leveled up again!]
> [Your troops have killed 2 Rank F Goblins]
[Since soldier leveling is not supported by the system, the experience will instead convert into breakthrough progress]
Note: Experience from kills will be split among all troops involved in the attack, even if indirectly.
Suddenly, Alistair looked back and saw Arthur and two other soldiers glowing with energy.
Arthur opened his eyes wide in shock,
"I… I broke through to Rank E!"
Alistair smiled and felt the growing morale of his troops. He turned again and bellowed:
"Let's kill every last one of these monsters!"
And so the cycle continued:
– Goblins charge
– Gap opens
– Trap activates
– Goblins slaughtered one by one
Meanwhile, the system bombarded Alistair with notifications:
> [⚔️ Killed Rank F Goblin – Gained 500 EXP]
[⚔️ Killed Rank E Goblin – Gained 1000 EXP]
[You leveled up!]
[One of your soldiers ranked up from F to E!]
["Crescent Moon Slash" has been upgraded to Level 2!]
Alistair grinned madly, blood splattered across his face:
"Keep going — let's rip their heads off!"
Arthur, too, was slaying goblins left and right.
"Ah… this isn't escaping — this is a calculated victory!" he muttered with a smirk as the first two goblin rows collapsed under their iron discipline.
---
On the other side of the valley, Roderick still watched in awe.
"My lord… they're barely losing any men! His style… it's insanely effective."
Raylen's face remained blank.
"It doesn't matter… as long as his army tires itself out, taking control of him will be easier later."
Then he whispered,
"Send our orders now… in half an hour—no, make it an hour. Let our men move from our side."
---
> [⚠️ Warning – A Rank D Goblin has been detected!]
Alistair froze for a moment, then smirked darkly.
"So they've begun to move."
Raising his voice above the chaos, he roared:
"Stick to the plan! No mercy! The goblins fall today… and tomorrow — we break those who sent them!"
---