"My Lord..."
The Goblin Shaman bowed.
"Allow me to deal with the Chief."
"You've earned the right to watch."
I leaned against the doorway and smiled.
"Alright."
"Show me what you've got."
The Goblin Shaman raised both hands.
Lightning gathered around his staff.
"Lightning Ball!"
BOOM!!
The Chief's massive wooden door exploded into splinters.
Smoke filled the room.
A furious roar shook the fortress.
"AKIN!"
"How dare you betray your own kind!"
The Goblin Chief stepped through the smoke, gripping an enormous iron sword.
The Shaman stood proudly.
"I am no longer Akin."
"I belong to my Lord now."
The Chief's face twisted with rage.
"Then you die first!"
He disappeared.
His speed shocked even me.
The giant sword crashed toward the Shaman's head.
CLANG!
A glowing mana barrier appeared.
The blade stopped inches away.
The Shaman laughed.
"A dull sword cannot break my master's servant."
"You've hurt my feelings."
He pointed his staff forward.
"Fire Ball."
The spell that formed wasn't anything like mine.
It was enormous.
Nearly ten times larger than my Fire Punch.
"..."
"...I'm definitely jealous."
The blazing sphere slammed into the Chief.
The explosion shook the entire fortress.
When the flames disappeared...
Nothing remained except scorched bones.
I immediately shouted—
"Arise!"
Dark blue energy surrounded the remains.
The scattered bones lifted into the air.
One by one...
They reassembled themselves.
Muscle.
Armor.
Shadow.
A brand-new body formed before my eyes.
Even after seeing it twice...
It was still creepy.
The Chief opened glowing blue eyes before kneeling.
"My Lord."
"I am your sword..."
"And your shield."
"I shall protect you until my soul fades."
I scratched the back of my head.
"You can stop yelling now."
The Chief lowered his voice.
"As you command."
Goblin Chief Raised Successfully
Chief Lord
Level: 45
Strength: 2500
Dexterity: 1500
Constitution: 5000
Intelligence: 1000
Wisdom: 1000
Charisma: 0
I laughed.
"I guess undead really don't need charisma."
Rex answered.
"They exist only to serve."
I looked at my two undead.
The Goblin Shaman.
The Chief Lord.
"My first generals..."
I couldn't hide my excitement.
"Rex."
"Do they count toward my army mission?"
"Yes."
"All souls bound to you count as followers."
I blinked.
"My class is even more broken than I thought."
We hurried into the dungeon beneath the fortress.
The smell of blood hit me immediately.
Chains covered the walls.
Torture devices filled the room.
Then...
I found him.
A young man hung from iron chains.
Bruised.
Starving.
Barely conscious.
"Leon..."
I rushed over and broke the chains.
His breathing was weak.
"Rex."
"Can I finally access the Skill Shop?"
"Yes."
"Current Points: 50,000."
A menu appeared before me.
One skill immediately caught my attention.
Legendary Heal
Cost: 2,000 Points
"...That's it?"
I looked at Rex.
"Why is a Legendary skill so cheap?"
Rex laughed.
"My gift."
"You conquered your first Base far sooner than expected."
"Consider it a reward."
I smiled.
"Thanks, Rex."
"Purchase it."
Purchase Confirmed
Legendary Skill Acquired
Heal
Restores health and removes most injuries.
Can heal up to ten targets simultaneously.
At the same moment—
REX LEVEL UP
New System Skill
Adapt
Allows Rex to rapidly analyze and adapt to unfamiliar situations.
I laughed.
"Look at you getting stronger."
Rex chuckled.
"I learned that phrase from you."
"Woot woot."
"...You're seriously copying my slang?"
"It appears I am."
I placed my hand on Leon's chest.
"Heal."
A warm golden light surrounded his body.
Every wound disappeared.
His pale face regained color.
His breathing steadied.
Then—
LEVEL UP!
Leon slowly opened his eyes.
"W-Where..."
"...am I?"
"My name is Sam."
"Your father and I came to rescue you."
"My..."
"My father?"
Before I could answer—
A familiar voice echoed through the hallway.
"Leon!"
Ben rushed forward and pulled his son into a tight embrace.
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm sorry..."
"I'm so sorry I couldn't save you sooner."
Leon smiled weakly.
"It's okay, Dad."
"I knew you'd come."
"I never gave up."
"I knew you were looking for me."
Ben couldn't hold back anymore.
He cried openly.
For the first time...
The veteran who had stood fearlessly against dozens of Goblins looked completely vulnerable.
I quietly turned away.
Some moments belong to family.
After several minutes, Ben stood before me.
He knelt.
"My Lord..."
"You gave me my son back."
"I can never repay that debt."
"From this day forward..."
"My family belongs to you."
Leon stepped forward and knelt beside his father.
"I swear the same."
"My blade..."
"My life..."
"My future..."
"They are yours, Uncle Sam."
I smiled.
"Then let's build something worth protecting."
MISSION COMPLETE
Save Ben's Son
Rewards Received:
10 Silver
Bag of Dimensions
Ben's Loyalty
Leon's Loyalty
Bag of Dimensions Acquired
A magical storage bag capable of holding far more than its size suggests.
Ben lowered his head once more.
"My Lord..."
"Please..."
"Allow me and my family to serve you."
I looked at my first true followers.
This wasn't just a party anymore.
It was the beginning of an army.