Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points! - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Day Two Of Hellish Training Part Two [Bonus Chapter]
Laris led the charge, his short swords flashing as he cut down goblins with ruthless precision. “Stay close and cover the sides!” he ordered.

The knights moved in synchronized strikes, each covering the other’s blind spots. One goblin leaped from a rooftop, its dagger aimed at a knight’s neck, but a quick thrust from Laris ended its attack mid-air.

“Keep moving!” he urged, his breath labored but his resolve unshaken.

In the plaza, Esten’s Flankers fended off a wave of goblins trying to retake the ground. “Hold your positions!” Esten shouted, his spear thrusting into a goblin’s chest. “They can’t overwhelm us if we keep the formation tight!”

—

Finally, the Vanguard emerged from the western path into a broader street. At the far end, an arched gateway stood tall, marking the exit to the next zone. Laris raised his hand, signaling the all-clear.

“We’ve found it!” Laris called through his communication crystal, his voice carrying hope. “Exit’s ahead!”

Kael’s voice came through, resolute. “Defenders, regroup at the western path! We’re moving out!”

Despite their wounds and exhaustion, the knights rallied, their will unbroken.

Together, they pushed through the final wave of goblins, their blades and shields working as one.

As they passed through the gateway into the next zone, a brief silence fell over the group.

Lionel looked back at the blood-soaked battlefield they had left behind, his sword still trembling in his grip. “We made it,” he whispered, his voice tinged with relief and shock.

Kael placed a hand on the young knight’s shoulder.

“This is only the beginning,” he said, his eyes fierce. “But today, you fought like a true knight. Rest while you can. The next battle may come sooner than you’d expect.”

The sun was directly overhead, casting a warm amber glow over the remnants of a small fishing town.

The knights emerged from the maze-like urban battlefield into a quiet coastal settlement. Wooden docks stretched into the shimmering waters, and fishing boats, weathered but intact, bobbed gently on the waves.

The air smelled of salt and seaweed, starkly different from the metallic tang of blood and smoke they’d grown used to.

Kael raised his hand, signaling a halt. “Hold here,” he ordered, scanning the surroundings. “Stay alert. We don’t know if the danger’s truly behind us.”

The group spread out cautiously, forming a loose perimeter. Lionel, still catching his breath from the earlier battle, took a moment to glance at the water. “It’s… peaceful here,” he murmured, though his grip on his sword remained firm.

Laris approached Kael, his twin short swords sheathed but his stance still guarded. “This place could be a blessing in disguise,” he said. “A fishing town like this would have preserved food stores, and if not, there’s plenty of fish to be caught. We need to eat if we’re going to keep moving.”

Kael nodded thoughtfully but turned to Esten, who stood nearby, spear in hand. “Thoughts?”

Esten frowned, his brow furrowed with caution. “We can’t assume the waters are safe. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that every place we’ve been has its own dangers. Monsters thrive in places like this—especially in water.”

“True,” Kael agreed, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the docks. “But we don’t have much choice. The men are exhausted, and we’re running on the fruits we got from the jungle zone.”

Garik, overhearing the conversation, let out a low grunt. “We’re knights, not fishermen. I say we check the town for supplies first before we start casting lines or venturing into those waters.”

“Agreed,” Laris said. “We’ll split up. I’ll take a team to search the town for preserved goods. Garik can oversee a small group at the docks to see what’s left of the fishing equipment. If the nets and boats are intact, we might not have to risk the water ourselves.”

Kael nodded. “Good plan. Esten, you and your Flankers will secure the perimeter and keep watch for any signs of monsters. If anything attacks, signal immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” Esten replied with a sharp nod. “Flankers, form up! We’ll sweep the outskirts and set up a defensive line.”

—

Laris’ Search Team

Laris led a small team of knights into the heart of the fishing town. The wooden houses, though battered by time and weather, were still standing. The air inside was musty, and dust swirled in the beams of sunlight filtering through cracks in the walls.

“Spread out,” Laris instructed. “Check for anything edible—dried fish, grains, anything that looks like it’ll keep.”

Lionel joined the search, his sword sheathed but his hand still resting on the hilt. He entered a small house and found a wooden barrel tucked in the corner. Lifting the lid, he grimaced at the sight of moldy fish. “Nothing useful here,” he called out.

Another knight, farther down the road, shouted, “Found a storage shed! Looks like barrels of salted fish.”

Laris moved quickly to the shed, inspecting the barrels. He pried one open with his dagger and took a cautious sniff. “Still good,” he confirmed, his tone relieved. “Start moving these back to the main group. We’ll eat tonight.”

—

Garik’s Dock Team

At the docks, Garik oversaw a group of knights as they inspected the fishing equipment. The nets were worn but serviceable, and a few small boats seemed intact. “Could be worse,” Garik muttered, testing the strength of a net. “We might actually make this work.”

One knight knelt by the edge of the dock, staring into the water. “It’s clear,” he said, a note of unease in his voice. “Too clear. I don’t see any fish.”

Garik frowned, his instincts tingling. “Stay back from the edge,” he warned. “If there’s no fish, it’s because something bigger scared them off.”

—

Esten’s Perimeter

Esten and the Flankers patrolled the outskirts of the town, their eyes scanning the treeline and the open waters. The stillness was unnerving, broken only by the distant cry of a seabird.

One of the Flankers, a young knight named Orin, paused, his hand tightening on his spear. “Sir, do you feel that?”

Esten stopped, his eyes narrowing. The air felt heavier, the faintest vibration rippling through the ground. He looked toward the water and saw faint ripples, as though something massive was moving beneath the surface.