POV: Yoshiya/Omina
The sun was still low when we left the guild outpost, the morning mist curling around the forest's edge. Lia's instructions had been straightforward: scout the nearby kobold territory and report any signs of coordination. Subtle details, patrol patterns, or markings—anything that suggested they were starting to organize.
"Keep your eyes open," Lia had warned, her tone clipped but serious. "Even small groups can be dangerous if they work together. Don't underestimate them."
Omina nudged her boar forward, the sled rattling gently behind her. "Sounds like fun," she said with a smirk. "I hope the kobolds enjoy our company."
I gave a small chuckle, adjusting the straps on my pack. "Let's just get in, scout the area, and get out in one piece."
The forest was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of birds and the rustle of leaves under hooves. Tracks in the mud showed signs of recent kobold movement—tiny footprints clustered near broken branches and scuffed patches of earth. Omina pointed them out as we went, her eyes sharp. "They've been patrolling here. Look at the spacing. Whoever trained them must have a sense of discipline."
We hadn't gone far when we spotted the first scouting group—three small kobolds, armed with crude daggers and little else. They froze for a moment at the sight of us, then lunged forward with a shrill war cry.
"Attack!" Omina shouted, drawing her short sword. Her boar charged alongside her, tusks glinting.
I braced myself and stepped forward, preparing to intercept. We moved almost as one, our coordination silent but instinctual. A swift sidestep here, a parry there, and two of the kobolds fell before they could react. The third tried to escape, but Omina's blade found its mark, and it collapsed.
Breathing heavily, we quickly scanned the surrounding area. More patrols were evident—two groups of two kobolds each, trying to flank from either side. Each encounter was brief, violent, and efficient. Omina's sword danced through the air with precision, and I covered her, striking only when necessary to neutralize threats.
Between the skirmishes, we gathered loot—bits of copper, small trinkets, scraps of hide. Nothing major, but it was enough to confirm that the kobolds were indeed patrolling in preparation for something larger.
"Every camp has a pattern," Omina said, wiping sweat from her brow. "They might be small, but they're organized. Someone's coordinating this."
I nodded, scanning the forest floor. Broken branches, crude markings etched into trees, and shallow barricades told the story. Whoever commanded these kobolds wasn't just training them—they were strategizing. And that meant a larger camp must be nearby.
After the last small group fell, we paused on a rise, looking down into a valley shaded by dense trees. There it was—a sprawling kobold camp, far larger than any we had expected. Tents and lean-tos made from rough hides, patrols moving in unison, and a central bonfire flickering in the distance.
"They're preparing for something," Omina muttered, her voice low. "We need to report this."
I scanned the perimeter, noting the choke points, the number of sentries, and the layout. "The guild will want these details," I said. "It's not just about the loot. They're organizing, and that's dangerous."
We turned back, heading for the outpost with careful steps, our boars moving steadily along the familiar trail. Though the skirmishes were minor, each encounter had reminded us of how coordinated even small groups could be. Every detail counted. Every mark mattered.
When we finally returned, Lia was waiting. Her expression didn't change, but the sharpness in her eyes softened slightly when she noticed the sled. "You made it back in one piece," she said, gesturing for us to report. "What did you find?"
Omina and I recounted the encounters, emphasizing the organization and number of patrols, and finally, the location of the large camp. Lia listened, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "It seems our suspicions were correct," she said. "They're becoming bolder, more coordinated. This intel will help the guild plan the next strike."
With that, we collected a minor reward, enough to offset travel costs, but more importantly, we had confirmation of what we already suspected. The kobolds were growing in strength, and it was only a matter of time before they posed a significant threat.
As we left the guild hall, heading back into the forest trails, I glanced toward the distant hills. There, hidden among the trees, lay the massive kobold camp. Its fires burned faint in the evening light, a silent warning that the real challenge was yet to come.
The forest had given us its small battles—but now, the looming threat of the larger camp would test everything we had learned.