The cheers inside the Training Grounds slowly faded.
The Goblin Chief stood silently beside Sam.
The Goblin Mage lowered its staff.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Then—
DING!
A sharp System notification echoed across Base 101.
Every Commander...
Every soldier...
Every citizen...
Looked toward the sky.
The golden screen returned.
---
WORLD MISSION UPDATE
Day 2 of Humanity's First Trial
Corruption Activity Increasing...
Regional Threat Detected
---
The peaceful atmosphere vanished.
Ben's expression hardened.
"So it begins..."
---
A lookout sprinted across the western wall.
"Commander!"
"Movement!"
"Large movement!"
Without hesitation, Sam climbed the watchtower.
His officers followed close behind.
Leon was already there, peering through a spyglass.
His normally calm face had become serious.
"It's bad."
Sam took the spyglass.
Far beyond the forests...
A dark tide moved across the land.
Hundreds of Corruption Beasts poured from the trees.
Behind them...
Larger monsters slowly emerged.
Their bodies were covered in black crystal.
Purple mist flowed from their mouths.
The earth itself withered beneath their feet.
George swallowed.
"...That's a lot."
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
This is not a random attack.
Sam's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
The World Mission is adapting.
Your Base has been identified as a high-value target.
Sam remained silent.
He had expected the Trial to become more difficult.
He hadn't expected it this quickly.
---
Another notification appeared.
Only Sam could see it.
---
Emergency Trial Objective
Defend Base 101
Time Until Enemy Arrival: 2 Hours
Estimated Enemy Force
Corruption Beasts ×420
Corrupted Wolves ×80
Corrupted Ogres ×12
Unknown Elite ×1
Reward: ???
Failure Is Not Recommended.
---
An Elite...
Sam frowned.
That was new.
---
Ben rested his shield on his shoulder.
"Orders, Commander?"
Sam turned toward every officer.
His voice remained calm.
"Battle stations."
The fortress immediately sprang to life.
---
"Infantry!"
Ben's roar echoed through the fortress.
"To the western wall!"
Eighty Human Infantry ran into formation.
Beside them...
Fifty Goblin Warriors tightened their grips on their weapons.
---
"Scouts!"
Leon called.
"Take the towers!"
Twenty Scouts disappeared onto the walls with practiced speed.
---
"Mages!"
Zora raised her staff.
"Mana potions now!"
Fifteen Apprentice Mages assembled behind the defenses.
Blue mana circles lit beneath their feet.
---
"Healers!"
Mira's calm voice carried across the courtyard.
"No one dies today."
Ten Healers hurried toward the medical station.
Bandages.
Potions.
Stretchers.
Everything was prepared.
---
George and Doran stood inside the forge.
Weapons were handed out one after another.
Every blade was sharpened.
Every shield repaired.
George grinned.
"Let's see if our work survives today."
Doran simply handed another sword to a waiting soldier.
"It will."
---
Kael gathered the spear companies.
"Hold formation."
"If they reach the walls..."
"They stop here."
The soldiers answered with one voice.
"YES, CAPTAIN!"
---
Sam looked toward his own Legion.
The Goblin Mage stood perfectly still.
The Goblin Chief rested its massive axe on one shoulder.
Neither showed fear.
Neither questioned the coming battle.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
This battle will determine the future of your Legion.
Sam nodded.
"I know."
He slowly drew his sword.
The blade reflected the approaching darkness.
His eyes swept across the walls.
Every soldier...
Every officer...
Every citizen...
Waited for his command.
Sam raised his sword toward the horizon.
"Today..."
"We show System World why Base 101 stands among the strongest."
A deafening roar answered him.
"FOR BASE 101!"
Even the Goblin Chief slammed its axe against the stone walls.
BOOM!
The sound echoed across the valley.
Far away...
The Corruption Horde answered with monstrous howls.
The first true battle of Humanity's First Trial...
Was about to begin.