Chapter 7 – The First Offensive
The fires burned low as night fell over the village. The survivors had worked tirelessly—burying the dead, salvaging weapons, and tending to the wounded. But even as the villagers tried to rest, a sense of unease lingered in the air.
Reinhardt stood atop the half-collapsed watchtower, looking out into the distance. Somewhere beyond the hills, a bandit camp still existed.
A direct threat to their survival.
If they waited, the bandits would return—stronger, angrier, and better prepared. He couldn't allow that.
"We have to strike first."
Preparing for Battle
Reinhardt climbed down from the watchtower and gathered his seven surviving warriors. Their faces were still weary from the battle, but their eyes burned with determination.
Gerrick, the old village leader, crossed his arms. "A night raid, huh? Dangerous. But if we pull it off, we cripple them before they recover."
"We don't have a choice," Reinhardt said. "If they regroup, they'll come back in greater numbers. We need to seize their supplies and eliminate their leader."
One of the warriors, Derrik, a stocky man with a scarred face, grinned. "We ain't much, my lord, but we'll follow you."
Reinhardt nodded. "Then let's make sure you're all ready."
Using the System to Strengthen the Warriors
Reinhardt opened the system and inspected his warriors.
[System Notice: Available Warrior Evolutions]
Derrik – [Militia → Swordsman (10 EXP)]
Edwin – [Militia → Spearman (10 EXP)]
Karl – [Militia → Shield Bearer (10 EXP)]
Others – [Not Enough Combat Experience Yet]
He had 20 EXP remaining. Enough to evolve two of them.
He chose Derrik and Edwin.
[Derrik has evolved into a Swordsman!]
Gains higher sword proficiency and increased endurance.
New Skill: "Heavy Slash" – Can perform a powerful attack that breaks weak defenses.
[Edwin has evolved into a Spearman!]
Gains increased reach and precision with the spear.
New Skill: "Piercing Thrust" – A strike that can penetrate leather armor.
A faint golden glow surrounded both men, and their eyes widened as new strength flooded their bodies.
Derrik grinned, testing the weight of his sword. "Feels… good. Like I've been training for years."
Edwin spun his spear and smirked. "I won't miss this time."
The other warriors watched in awe. Reinhardt knew this would motivate them—seeing their comrades grow stronger.
"This is the power I offer," Reinhardt said. "Fight with me, and we'll carve out a future where no one can threaten us."
The warriors clenched their fists. "Aye, my lord!"
Gerrick laid a rough map on a wooden table. "The bandit camp is about an hour away, at the base of the eastern hills. They have maybe fifteen men left after our battle. We can't fight them head-on."
Reinhardt nodded. "Then we'll hit them fast and hard—a surprise attack at night."
He pointed at Oswald, the newly evolved Scout. "You'll sneak ahead and map their positions. Find the leader. Once we confirm his location, we strike."
Oswald saluted. "Understood, my lord."
"We'll take only the warriors," Reinhardt continued. "The villagers need to stay back and hold the fort."
Gerrick hesitated. "If you fail—"
"We won't."
And with that, the raid was set.
Nightfall – The Bandit Camp
The moon hung high, casting a dim glow over the crude campfires of the bandits. The camp was surrounded by wooden spikes, but the defenses were sloppy—these weren't disciplined soldiers.
Oswald, the scout, moved like a shadow through the trees. From his vantage point, he counted:
12 regular bandits. Armed with clubs and stolen weapons.
3 tougher-looking men. Possibly veterans.
1 leader. A hulking brute with an iron axe.
He crept back to Reinhardt and whispered the information.
Reinhardt smirked. "Perfect. Let's begin."
Oswald took position with his bow. The rest of the warriors spread out in the darkness, waiting.
Reinhardt raised his hand.
"Now."
Oswald fired the first arrow. It pierced the throat of a bandit keeping watch, sending him collapsing without a sound.
Immediately, Derrik and Edwin charged.
Derrik's Heavy Slashcut through a bandit's chest armor, killing him instantly. Edwin's Piercing Thrust impaled another straight through the heart.
Three dead.
The bandits scrambled for their weapons, shouting in panic.
Reinhardt moved through the chaos, his sword flashing. He cut down two more men before they could react.
One of the veteran bandits charged him, swinging a rusty mace.
Reinhardt dodged left, then drove his sword through the man's gut.
Six down.
The remaining bandits finally rallied, forming a defensive line near their leader.
And then, the brute himself stepped forward.
A massive man, nearly seven feet tall, wielding an iron axe with ease. His scarred face twisted in a grin.
"So you're the bastard who killed my men?"
Reinhardt gripped his sword tighter. "That's right."
The bandit leader laughed. "Big mistake, boy. That little skill of yours won't save you."
He rushed forward, axe swinging.
Reinhardt barely managed to block, the force sending him skidding back.
The brute was strong. But Reinhardt was faster.
The bandit swung again—a downward strike. Reinhardt dodged left, then countered with a stab to the side.
The brute roared in pain.
"YOU LITTLE—"
Before he could finish, Derrik and Edwin struck together.
Derrik's Heavy Slash severed the leader's hamstring. Edwin's Piercing Thrustwent through his chest.
The brute staggered, coughing blood.
Reinhardt ended it with a final slash to the throat.
The camp fell silent.
The remaining bandits dropped their weapons. Some tried to flee—Oswald shot them down.
The battle was over.
[System Alert: Battle Won!]
- 100 EXP Gained!
- Bandit Camp Secured!
- Resources Acquired: 50 Gold, 30 Rations, 15 Weapons, 10 Horses
Reinhardt exhaled.
They had done it.
They had won.
And this… was only the beginning.