"Honey!"
"Did you find him?"
The moment we stepped into the inn, a woman rushed toward Ben and Leon.
Ben smiled through tears.
"We found him."
"Our new leader saved our son."
"He wiped out an entire Goblin fortress to do it."
The woman covered her mouth in shock before hugging Leon tightly.
"I thought I'd never see you again."
Leon smiled.
"I'm home, Mom."
After giving them a moment, I stepped forward.
"My name is Sam."
"Ben told me you're a Butler."
She nodded respectfully.
"My name is Zora."
"Level 26."
"I manage this inn and help keep everything running."
"I actually leveled up yesterday."
I smiled.
"Then you'll fit in perfectly."
She looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You won't be working here anymore."
"My Base needs a Butler."
Silence filled the room.
"In the forest?"
"Isn't it dangerous out there?"
"It is."
"But as long as you follow my orders..."
"I'll make sure every one of you gets home alive."
She looked toward Ben.
Then Leon.
Finally...
She nodded.
"If my husband trusts you..."
"So will I."
"Please..."
"Take care of my family."
"I give you my word."
"One day..."
"No one will fear that forest."
"It'll become our home."
Ben stood.
"So what's next, Boss?"
"We leave in fifteen minutes."
"Pack everything."
"Meet me at the front gate."
"Yes, sir!"
With the ten silver from Ben's reward, I decided to visit the town's blacksmith.
The shop looked abandoned.
The forge had gone cold.
An enormous Troll sat alone behind the counter.
"ARGH!"
"We're closed!"
"No more customers!"
I looked around.
"What happened?"
The Troll sighed.
"No money."
"Town says Big George no longer useful."
"They close shop."
"They tell George to leave."
The giant looked ready to cry.
I smiled.
"So..."
"How would you like your own forge?"
The Troll blinked.
"My own?"
"Yep."
"You'll forge weapons and armor for my army."
His eyes lit up.
"Deal!"
"George swear!"
"George make best weapons in world!"
DING!
New Follower Recruited!
George the Troll
Master Blacksmith
Blacksmith System Unlocked!
George's deep connection to steel has awakened a new System.
DING!
You now have three Generals.
Calculating Bonus...
...
Reward Granted
Legendary Artifact
Hammer of the Forge
The greatest crafting hammer ever created.
Effects:
Can permanently add up to +100 to every stat on crafted equipment.
Greatly increases crafting quality.
Has a chance to evolve equipment into Epic or Legendary rarity.
I stared at the hammer.
"...Rex."
"This reward is insane."
Rex laughed.
"You've earned it."
I couldn't help but laugh too.
"If Maurice keeps giving me rewards like this..."
"The readers are going to think he's playing favorites."
"Hehehe..."
Rex actually laughed.
That...
Was new.
I looked down at the hammer.
"My army..."
"...is going to become unstoppable."
Fifteen minutes later everyone gathered at the town gate.
George carried an enormous backpack full of tools.
Ben stood at the front beside Leon.
Zora checked everyone's supplies.
Everything already felt... organized.
Just as we prepared to leave, I noticed something strange.
"Rex..."
"Your voice."
"It's getting clearer."
"I can almost see you."
"That is because I am becoming stronger."
"Eventually..."
"I will manifest outside your body."
I froze.
"Wait..."
"You can leave my body?"
"I reside within your soul."
"When you grow stronger..."
"So do I."
"When you die..."
"A part of me dies as well."
I stared into the distance.
"So we're literally connected..."
"Yes."
"The gods created me to become one with my Vessel."
"I was never meant to simply guide you."
"I will fight beside you."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"That's..."
"Actually awesome."
Rex laughed.
"We're going to become terrifying together."
"...Rex?"
"You okay?"
"I am simply excited."
"So am I."
"Everyone!"
"Move out!"
Our group marched into the forest.
Ben led from the front.
Six Goblin Soldiers marched beside him.
Leon patrolled the flanks.
Zora and George protected the supplies.
I walked near the rear while my Goblin Shaman and Chief Lord guarded our backline.
It finally felt like an army.
Hours passed peacefully.
Then—
A group of Goblins charged from the trees.
Before I could even react...
Ben shouted,
"Formation!"
The Goblin Soldiers moved instantly.
The battle lasted...
Two seconds.
Every Goblin was dead.
I blinked.
"...That was fast."
DING!
Your Followers defeated an enemy party.
Victory Time:
2 Seconds
New Party Skill Unlocked
March of Base 101
While fighting together as one party:
+20 Strength
+20 Dexterity
to every allied member.
I stared at the notification.
"REX!"
"What exactly is a Party Skill?"
"And why are you only telling me about this now?"
Rex chuckled.
"I was waiting until you finally became worthy of leading an army."
The System window shimmered again.
As if...
There was still more to come.