Lord of the Foresaken

The Goblin's Hollow was no longer a den of weaklings.

Reed sat atop his stone throne, watching as his goblins evolved through slaughter. The cave floor was slick with blood. The human prisoners—former nobles who once mocked him—were nothing but broken bodies.

And his goblins?

They had changed.

[Current Forces]

• Goblins (F-Rank): 48

• Evolved Goblins (E-Rank): 21

• Goblin Berserkers (D-Rank): 3

• Shia (Hero – Rank F, Nearing Evolution)

Reed smirked. It was working. His forces were adapting. Unlike other lords who relied on the system's mercy, he was forcing his goblins to grow.

Now it was time to take the next step.

He turned to Shia. "How long before the nearby lords realize we exist?"

Shia, ever calm, answered without hesitation. "A week, at most. Word will spread about what we did in the Summoning Hall. They'll come for revenge."

Reed exhaled. Good.

Let them come.

They'd bring armies. Soldiers. Resources. Everything he needed to keep growing.

But waiting wasn't his style.

Reed leaned forward. "Where's the nearest weak lord?"

Shia's lips curled into a small smile. "Lord Delman. A minor noble with a village under his rule. His forces are mostly peasants with basic weapons. His Hero is a Rank E Swordsman."

Reed grinned. "Perfect."

It was time for his first real war.

🔹🔹🔹

That Night – The Fall of Lord Delman

The village never saw them coming.

Under the cover of darkness, Reed's goblins swarmed the farmlands. Peasants barely had time to grab their pitchforks before green bodies ripped through their homes.

Screams rang through the night.

Lord Delman stumbled out of his manor, half-dressed, sword in hand. His summoned Hero stood beside him—a young man clad in light armor, blade drawn.

"What in the hell—" Delman paled as he took in the sight of dozens of goblins surrounding his home. His soldiers, still half-asleep, were already being butchered in the streets.

Then he saw Reed.

The Goblin Lord stood in the center of the massacre, watching.

"You—" Delman choked. "You're the murderer from the Summoning Hall! The criminal!"

Reed smirked. "Lord Reed, actually."

Delman's face twisted in rage. "Kill him!" he roared. "Cut him down!"

His Hero charged. Fast. Faster than any goblin. His blade flashed in the moonlight—

And met Shia's daggers.

Steel clashed as she blocked, dodged, countered. The Swordsman's strikes were precise, but Shia was faster. More ruthless.

One opening was all she needed.

She twisted behind him—and her daggers pierced his ribs.

The Hero coughed blood. Eyes wide. Then collapsed.

Lord Delman staggered back in horror.

"No… no, wait, I surrender—"

Reed didn't let him finish.

Shia's dagger slit his throat.

Blood sprayed the dirt. The noble collapsed, twitching, choking.

The village was his.

A system message flickered.

[You Have Conquered Lord Delman's Territory]

[Resources Gained: Farmland, Gold, Human Prisoners]

[Goblin Horde Has Increased!]

Reed grinned.

His first real war. His first true conquest.

And it wouldn't be his last.

The Goblin Lord was rising.

And the world was running out of time.