Awakening Of The Forgotten World

The remains of the Shade Stalker had faded into nothing, leaving behind only the lingering stench of dark mist in the cold night air.

Dain stood over the spot where the creature had fallen, his grip still tight on Silverlight. The sword hummed faintly, its holy aura dimming now that the fight was over.

Rowan and Gareth were shaken.

Edric remained silent, his eyes locked on the dark forest.

No one spoke.

Because they all understood the same, terrifying truth.

That was just a scout.

And whatever it had been scouting for…

It would be coming soon.

A system notification appeared.

[Quest Updated: The First Protector - 50%]

• The Shade Stalker was not alone.

• Something bigger is approaching. Prepare for its arrival.

Dain's jaw tightened.

They had no time to waste.

The group moved quickly back to the village, arriving just as the first hints of dawn touched the horizon.

But despite the early hour, the village was awake.

People had seen them return—wounded, covered in sweat, and carrying the weight of something they couldn't yet comprehend.

By the time they reached the village square, a small crowd had gathered.

Torren, the blacksmith, stepped forward. "What happened?"

Edric glanced at Dain.

The villagers were waiting for an answer.

For leadership.

Dain inhaled deeply. "We were attacked," he said, keeping his voice steady.

A murmur ran through the crowd.

"More goblins?" someone asked.

Dain shook his head. "No. Something worse. A creature we've never seen before. It was hunting us."

Silence.

Then Maelin, the village healer, spoke. "Did you kill it?"

Dain nodded. "Yes. But there could be more."

A heavy pause.

Then—Torren cursed under his breath. "So we're still not safe."

Dain met his gaze. "Not yet."

But we will be, he promised himself.

Because this time, they would be ready.

Back in the meeting hall, Dain stood before the village elders once more.

Edric, Torren, and Maelin were present, along with a few others.

"The Shade Stalker was a scout," Dain explained. "Which means something sent it."

Garrik, the eldest in the room, frowned. "And what exactly do you think that 'something' is?"

Dain hesitated.

He wasn't sure yet.

The system had warned him, but it hadn't given him enough information.

"It could be another warband," he admitted. "Or it could be something worse."

The room was silent.

Then Edric spoke. "We can't just wait for it to come to us."

Dain nodded. "Agreed. We have to prepare for battle."

Torren leaned forward. "What do you need?"

Dain didn't hesitate.

"Weapons. Armor. Fortifications."

If they were going to survive, they had to be more than just farmers with pitchforks.

Over the next few hours, the village sprang into action.

• Torren and his apprentices began reforging old weapons, sharpening rusted swords, and crafting new spears.

• Hunters were sent to gather materials for traps and fortifications.

• The militia trained harder, sparring in shifts.

Dain moved between them all, overseeing their progress, offering guidance when needed.

And all the while, the system tracked his progress.

[Quest Progress: The First Protector - 60%]

It wasn't enough yet.

But they were getting there.

As the preparations continued, Dain took a moment to check in with Maelin, the healer.

She was organizing supplies outside her small cottage—herbs, potions, and bandages stacked neatly on a wooden table.

She glanced up as he approached. "You need something?"

Dain hesitated.

Then—he asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Do you think the system is really coming back?"

Maelin's hands stilled over the herbs.

For a long moment, she didn't speak.

Then—she sighed.

"I don't know," she admitted. "But I do know this—the world is changing."

She met his gaze, her eyes filled with something that looked like both fear and hope.

"And you," she continued, "are right in the middle of it."

Dain exhaled slowly.

He had felt it too.

The system wasn't just helping him.

It was guiding him.

And whatever was coming next—it had chosen him to face it.

By nightfall, Eldrin's Hollow had been transformed.

• Barricades reinforced the outer roads.

• Spiked pits had been dug at strategic points.

• Watchtowers were manned, bows at the ready.

The villagers had changed too.

There was still fear—but now, it was mixed with determination.

And Dain felt it too.

Because this time, they wouldn't be caught off guard.

A final system notification appeared.

[Quest Progress: The First Protector - 80%]

• The village is prepared.

• All that remains is to face the coming threat.

Dain looked up at the darkened sky.

Whatever was coming…

He would meet it head-on.

And this time, he would do more than just survive.

He would win.