The road to the southern village was short, but enough to notice changes in the environment. The path, normally quiet, was more silent than expected. Few travelers, less merchant movement, and even the natural sounds seemed reduced, as if the region was on alert without needing to say it out loud.
We moved forward without hurry, but also without relaxing. It was no longer just a simple routine mission. What we saw at the guild made it clear that this was part of something bigger, even if not yet fully visible.
Liriel was the first to notice.
"There are no recent caravan tracks," she said, looking at the ground as she walked. "This used to be more active."
"They're avoiding the region," Elara replied, scanning the surroundings. "Probably because of the attacks."
"Or they were prevented from passing," Vespera commented.
Scarlett kept her gaze forward. "If the attacks are frequent, no one will risk it."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms, thoughtful. "This is already affecting normal flow. It's not just about combat."
Lyannis shrugged. "Less people on the road… less distraction."
I observed the surrounding scenery for a few more moments. The trees were intact, the terrain showed no clear signs of destruction, but there was absence. And often, absence said more than any trace.
"Stay alert," I said. "If they're organized, they won't attack in an obvious way."
No one questioned it.
As we approached the village, signs began to appear. Small cuts in the vegetation, marks on the ground, broken pieces of wood near the path. Nothing large, nothing chaotic, but enough to indicate constant movement.
"They passed through here several times," Liriel said.
"Patrolling or testing," Vespera completed.
When we finally arrived, the village was standing, but far from peaceful. Some houses showed recent damage, improvised fences had been built around more open areas, and only a few residents moved around. Those outside carried tools or simple weapons.
As soon as they saw us, an older man approached, clearly relieved.
"You came from the guild?"
"Yes," I replied.
He slowly exhaled. "We didn't know how much longer it would take."
"Explain the situation," I asked.
He nodded quickly. "The attacks started a few days ago. At first they were few… small groups. But they come back every night. Always in larger numbers."
"What kind of creatures?" Elara asked.
"Goblins," he replied without hesitation. "But… not like before."
Lyannis tilted her head slightly. "Different how?"
"Organized," the man said. "They don't attack directly. They surround, observe… test."
The silence that followed was brief, but enough.
"Have you lost anyone yet?" Scarlett asked.
The man hesitated for a second. "Two. They were caught outside the village."
Rai'kanna closed her eyes slightly, absorbing the information.
"When was the last attack?" I asked.
"Last night."
"So they'll come back today," Liriel said.
"Yes," the man replied firmly. "They always come back."
I looked around the village once more. There were no signs of uncontrolled panic, but exhaustion was visible. They were holding on, but not for much longer.
"We'll take over the defense tonight," I said.
The man nodded firmly. "Thank you."
"Gather everyone and keep them inside their houses by nightfall," I continued. "No one stays outside."
"Understood."
He quickly moved away, already calling other residents.
Lyannis let out a light sigh. "Organized goblins… this is new."
"It's not natural," Vespera said.
"Someone is commanding them," Elara added.
Scarlett looked around again. "And using small villages as tests."
Rai'kanna nodded. "Makes sense. Little resistance, easy to observe reactions."
Liriel was already further ahead, analyzing entry points.
"We'll need to cover all of this," she said.
"No," I replied. "We'll control it."
She looked at me, waiting for clarification.
"If they're testing, they'll look for gaps," I continued. "So we give them one."
Lyannis smiled slightly. "A trap?"
"Flow control," I replied. "They enter where we want."
Vespera crossed her arms. "And get eliminated before they can react."
"Exactly."
Elara was already observing the village structure with a different perspective. "We have two main weak points. If we reinforce everything else, they'll choose one of them."
"Perfect," I said.
Rai'kanna stepped forward. "I'll take the main line."
"Liriel with you," I replied. "Scarlett and Elara cover the sides. Vespera and Lyannis with me."
No one questioned it.
The rest of the day was spent preparing everything. There was no exaggeration, no unnecessary movement. Only simple adjustments, positioning, and observation. The more natural it looked, the better.
When night began to fall, the village was already silent. The lights inside the houses were dim, and no resident remained outside.
We took position.
Time passed slowly.
Until the first sound appeared.
Light footsteps.
Many.
Liriel was the first to react, adjusting her stance.
"They're here," she said quietly.
I had already sensed it.
Movement along the edges of the village. Fast, coordinated, avoiding open areas.
They were testing.
"Wait," I said.
Shadows began moving between the buildings. Small figures, agile, communicating with short gestures.
Goblins.
But not acting like ordinary goblins.
They avoided reinforced points.
Ignored obvious areas.
And followed exactly where we wanted them to go.
"Now," I said.
The first group entered through the most open point, advancing quickly, confident.
They didn't have time to react.
Rai'kanna was the first to act, intercepting with direct force. Liriel followed immediately, eliminating the first two before any loud sound could be made.
On the other side, Scarlett and Elara closed off the flank, preventing any retreat.
Vespera was already moving through the shadows, cutting off advancement before it could spread.
Lyannis appeared right after, fast, precise.
In a few seconds, the first group fell.
But it wasn't just one group.
More came.
And again, through the same point.
Without hesitation.
Without retreat.
"Confirmed," Elara said. "They're being guided."
I observed the pattern.
Direct entry.
No adaptation.
No change.
"They're not thinking," I murmured. "They're following orders."
The second wave fell even faster.
The third tried to retreat.
Too late.
When silence returned, there was no more movement.
No sound.
No escape.
The village remained intact.
Liriel looked around, still alert. "Is it over?"
"For today," I replied.
Rai'kanna cleaned her blade, looking toward the entry point. "They didn't learn."
"Because they weren't here to learn," Vespera said.
Scarlett frowned slightly. "So this really was a test…"
"Yes," I replied.
Lyannis crossed her arms, looking at the bodies. "And they failed."
"Not completely," I said.
Elara looked at me. "What do you mean?"
I looked toward the darkness beyond the village.
"They already know how we respond."
The silence that followed was heavier than any battle.
Because it confirmed what was already clear.
This wasn't an isolated attack.
It was preparation.
And we… had just responded for the first time.