Chapther 11

Not far from the Trogg Tribe, in the mighty stone fortress of the Blackstone Tribe, an imposing figure stood atop a rocky cliff.

"I have finally reached the peak of the 5th level of Qi Condensation." The voice of Grozark, the leader of the Blackstone hobgoblin tribe, echoed through the room like thunder before a storm. His dark gray skin was marked by scars from ancient battles and his eyes shone with a fierce yellow light, he held a heavy black club adorned with glowing runes.

He turned to a group of warriors lined up in front of him, all of them hobgoblins at the 3rd and 4th levels of Qi Condensation, and said with a cruel smile:

"Our tribe has been stagnant lately. This cannot continue. It is time to dominate the southern side of the outer area of Nulkar Forest! It is time to show who rules this region!"

The hobgoblins roared in response, their deep voices reverberating off the walls of the fortress. Grozark raised his hand, silencing them with a gesture.

"But first… we have to deal with a few obstacles in the way." He picked up a map from the stone table in front of him, pointing to several markings in the southern region. Among them was a newly drawn dot with a hastily scrawled note: "Newly emerging goblin tribe – potential threat."

He snorted. "I heard that a goblin tribe to the south has recently risen. A strange leader named Trogg has managed to subjugate other smaller tribes. Fascinating… for a goblin. But a goblin is no match for a hobgoblin."

Grozark drove his club into the ground hard, cracking the stone beneath his feet.

"Prepare the warriors. First, we will exterminate this weak tribe. Then, we will march on the rest of the southern area. When we are done, no one will dare challenge the Blackstone Tribe."

As the hobgoblins moved to organize their forces, Grozark closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the Qi energy in his body. He smiled as he felt the power flowing within him. "Trogg... I hope you are prepared. Because I certainly am."

The shadow of the Blackstone Tribe was advancing over the southern forest, and the confrontation with Trogg was only a matter of time.

_______

It was nighttime in Trogg's tribe. The moon, a pale, solitary orb in the dark sky, cast its cold light over the twisted trees and uneven ground of the Nulkar Forest. The wind blew between the rustic huts, carrying with it an unsettling silence, as if the forest itself were holding its breath.

Inside the main hut, Trogg cultivated calmly. The feeling of Qi flowing through his body was comforting, but his instincts never fully relaxed. The forest never allowed that. It was then that a hurried, irregular noise outside interrupted his concentration.

The wooden door to the hut was flung open. Keng entered, panting, his face marked by an expression of concern Trogg had never seen before. He looked as if he had run a long distance.

"Supreme Leader!" Keng spoke urgently, bowing respectfully before continuing. "I bring you some… troubling news."

Trogg narrowed his eyes and slowly rose from his cultivation cushion, his figure imposing in the flickering torchlight. "Speak, Keng. What's going on?"

Keng took a deep breath, trying to calm his trembling voice. "One of our scouts returned a little while ago. He found signs of mobilization from the Blackstone Tribe. A large number of hobgoblins are gathering, marching south... toward us."

The room fell silent, as if even the wind had stopped blowing. Trogg frowned, his eyes shining with a cold light. "How many? And what is their leader's cultivation level?"

"The scout estimated that there are at least fifty warriors, most of them at the 3rd and 4th levels of Qi Condensation," Keng replied quickly. "But… their leader, Grozark, is at the 5th Peak. He is known for his brutal strength and cruelty. It is said that his club can crush anything with a single blow." Trogg crossed his arms, considering. The news was not only alarming, but also intriguing. He had known the Blackstone Tribe was powerful, but he had not expected them to make a move so soon. "Are they coming straight for us?" Keng nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "It seems so, Supreme Leader. Grozark wants to dominate the southern side of the forest. And from what we hear, he intends to start with us." Trogg paced the hut, his mind working quickly as his eyes caught the torchlight, filled with determination and something darker—a calculating fury. "Mobilize all warriors at once. I want patrols around the tribe. Prepare defenses and gather the elders to discuss strategy." "Yes, Supreme Leader!" Keng replied, but hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Leader… do you think we can defeat them? The difference in cultivation between you and Grozark…" Trogg turned to face Keng, his expression cold and unwavering. "Do not underestimate my strength, Keng. If they want war, war they will have. And when we are done, the Blackstone Tribe will be just another story of failure in the Nulkar Forest." Keng felt a chill run down his spine. It wasn't just Trogg's speech that had struck him—it was the certainty in his voice, a dark confidence that made it seem as if fate had already been decided. "Now go!" Trogg ordered, his voice firm and commanding. "They may think we are weak, but they will learn the price of underestimating this tribe." As Keng hurried off to organize the orders, Trogg turned his gaze back outside the hut. The forest seemed darker than ever, as if it was preparing to watch the conflict that was to come. He clenched his fists, feeling the Qi flowing intensely in his body.

"So, Grozark," he muttered to himself, a cold smile crossing his face. "Come. Show me if you are worthy of being remembered."

And so, under the treacherous light of the moon, preparations for an inevitable battle began to take shape. The shadow of the Blackstone Tribe loomed, but Trogg was not one to accept his fate passively—he was shaping it, with blood and strength.

Inside the main hut, lit by torches that cast dancing shadows on the wooden walls, Trogg gathered his top subordinates. Among them, Keng, the tribe's elders, and the most experienced warriors formed a circle around the crude map of the region that had been drawn on the floor with charcoal and stones.

Trogg, his posture firm and his eyes shining with determination, pointed to the southern area, where the Blackstone Tribe was located. "If they march here, they will use the shortest route. This path," he said, touching a line between two hills that ran through a thick patch of forest. "It is narrow, surrounded by trees and uneven terrain. This is where we will make our first stand." Keng leaned forward to get a better look. "Traps, Supreme Leader? We can slow their advance and weaken them before they enter the heart of the territory." Trogg nodded. "Yes, but not just any traps. I want pits camouflaged with iron stakes and poison. Also spread nets made of Qi-reinforced vines to capture or immobilize lesser warriors. Use the terrain advantage to force them to fight where they cannot use numbers to their advantage." One of the elders, looking worried, intervened. "What about Grozark? He will not be so easily stopped." Trogg smiled grimly. "Grozark will be my responsibility. But until he gets to me, I want him to see his warriors fall one by one. We will wear them down before we face off."

Orders began to be issued immediately.

The goblins worked quickly under Keng's command, digging deep holes and lining them with sharpened stakes soaked in poison extracted from local plants. They covered the holes with leaves and branches, making them nearly invisible in the dim light of the forest.

Other teams set up makeshift barricades made of tree trunks, strategically placed to block or divert enemies to less favorable routes. Some of the more agile warriors climbed the trees, arming themselves with spears, rudimentary bows, and sharpened rocks, ready to strike from above.

Trogg watched over everything with a watchful eye, adjusting details as needed. "I want the scouts to keep a constant watch. Any movement by the Black Stone Tribe must be reported immediately. We will not be surprised."

Trogg gathered a select group of his strongest warriors, those at Qi Condensation levels 2 and 3, and drew up ambush plans. "You will attack their flanks and rear, forcing them to scatter. Do not engage in prolonged battles – attack, inflict as much damage as possible, and retreat to the next strategic point."

He also instructed the smaller, less experienced goblins to focus on support. "You will be responsible for resupplying the fighters, carrying the wounded, and keeping the traps in working order. Everyone has a role in this conflict."

The mood in the tribe was tense, but there was determination in every goblin's eyes.

As night fell, with traps set and warriors ready, Trogg stood on a small mound within the tribe to speak to everyone. "Today, the Blackstone Tribe thinks we are easy prey. They believe they can march in here and overwhelm us. But they are wrong!"

His voice echoed in the darkness, filling the hearts of his followers with courage. "They will face the might of a united, intelligent, and ruthless tribe! We are not just goblins—we are the Tribe of Supreme Leader Trogg! And today, the forest of Nulkar will be painted with the blood of our enemies!"

The battle cries rang out through the tribe as every goblin prepared for the coming battle. In that moment, Trogg was not just a leader—he was the heart and strength of the tribe, the symbol of hope and power that inspired everyone to fight with everything they had.

With traps set and strategies defined, the tribe waited in the darkness, ready to receive the onslaught of the Black Stone Tribe.

The full moon illuminated the dense forest of Nulkar, revealing the march of the Black Stone Tribe's army. Grozark led his contingent with an imposing posture, a colossal axe resting on his shoulder. Behind him, about 150 hobgoblins advanced in organized ranks. Each warrior carried sharp weapons and fierce looks, ready to slaughter anyone who stood in their way.

The leader looked to the sky, feeling the heavy air of the forest. "These goblins don't stand a chance. Today, the Black Stone Tribe will consolidate its rule over the southern forest."

As the hobgoblins advanced, the terrain became more treacherous. The dense trees blocked some of the moonlight, plunging everything into an oppressive gloom. It was then that the high-pitched sound of a scream pierced the air.

"AAAARGH!"

One of the warriors fell into a hidden hole in the ground. When his companions approached in horror, they saw his body impaled on poisoned stakes. The poison worked quickly, causing his body to convulse violently before lying still.

"Beware! They've set traps!" Grozark shouted, clenching his fists in frustration. But his warning came too late.

Other warriors fell into similar traps. Each fall was accompanied by desperate screams, the sound of flesh being pierced, and the metallic smell of blood that soon permeated the air.

As the army tried to swerve to an alternative path, stones and spears began to rain down from above. Nimble goblins, hidden in the branches of the trees, attacked with deadly precision.

A hobgoblin was struck in the throat by a spear, blood gushing in a fountain as he fell to his knees, desperately trying to breathe. Another received a huge rock to the head, the sound of the skull breaking echoing in the forest.

Grozark roared in rage. "Damn insects! Attack the trees! Kill these cowards!"

The hobgoblins began to climb the trees, but the goblins had the upper hand. Some jumped from branch to branch, eluding their pursuers, while others used their vine nets to capture and immobilize the warriors who dared to climb.

As confusion reigned, Trogg's elite group, led by Keng, attacked the left flank of the enemy army. Armed with simple weapons but enhanced by Qi, they struck with ferocity.

Keng was the first to advance, cutting off a hobgoblin's leg with his serrated blade. The warrior fell, screaming in pain, as Keng delivered a final blow to his neck.

Another goblin stepped forward and pierced a hobgoblin's chest with a spear, blood staining the forest floor. The hobgoblins tried to fight back, but the surprise attack threw them off balance.

The battle turned into a nightmare scene. The screams of the wounded mingled with the sound of blades cutting through flesh and the roar of Grozark, who watched helplessly as his soldiers died in alarming numbers.

"This isn't a war, it's a damn trap!" he shouted, smashing the trunk of a nearby tree with a furious swing of his axe.

By the end of the ambush, some 45 hobgoblins were dead or seriously wounded. The bloodied bodies formed grotesque piles, and the ground was soaked in blood.

As the rest of his army momentarily retreated to regroup, Grozark pounded his fists on the ground in anger. His pride was wounded and his patience was drained. "How can these wretched goblins be fighting me like this?!"

His second-in-command, a level 4 hobgoblin, approached cautiously. "Leader, they know the terrain. They're forcing us to fight their way."

Grozark glared at his subordinate with eyes full of fury. "I don't care about the terrain or your pathetic strategies. When I find the one leading these vermin, I'll crush his skull with my bare hands!"

With the rest of his soldiers reorganized, Grozark roared, "Keep moving! Let's show these vermin the true power of the Blackstone Tribe!"

And so, with his nerves on edge and frustration gnawing at his mind, Grozark led the remnants of his army into the heart of Trogg territory.

Grozark advanced, leading the remnants of his army with heavy footsteps that shook the ground. The metallic smell of blood still clung to the air, a reminder of the slaughter his hobgoblins had suffered. Rage consumed the leader of the Blackstone Tribe, his eyes shining with the promise of revenge as he crunched branches and leaves beneath his feet, cutting his way through the treacherous forest.

"We're almost there, Leader," his second-in-command muttered, his voice tinged with weariness and apprehension.

Grozark responded with a grunt, adjusting the axe in his hands. His mind was fixed on one thing: destroying the goblins who had challenged his supremacy. Despite the massive losses, his confidence had not wavered. He was a Peak level 5 Qi Condensation warrior, and no puny goblin could match his power.

*

As the army continued on, the forest seemed to conspire against them. Long shadows danced in the moonlight, and every sound of snapping branches or rustling leaves seemed like an imminent threat. The distant call of crows added a dark weight to the atmosphere, echoing like an omen of death.

A few hobgoblins, still traumatized by the previous attacks, glanced nervously around. One warrior muttered to another, "This isn't right. They're watching us. I can feel it."

"Silence!" Grozark growled, interrupting the conversation. "If they're watching us, let them see! Let them know we're coming to crush them!"

After hours of marching, the army emerged from a particularly dense patch of forest and reached a wide clearing. Ahead, illuminated by the moon's spectral light, stood the remains of Trogg's army.

Trogg had formed a defensive line, his goblin warriors wielding improvised but lethal weapons. The goblins' glowing eyes were filled with determination, but what caught Grozark's attention most was Trogg himself.

The goblin leader was mounted on his war beast, now even larger and more intimidating. The crimson glow in the panther's eyes seemed to pierce the soul of anyone who looked at it. Trogg, standing in the saddle, stared at Grozark with a cold smile, almost as if daring him to make the first move.

"So you are the worm who dares to defy my tribe," Grozark roared, stepping forward and pointing his axe at Trogg.

Trogg didn't respond immediately. He simply raised a hand, signaling his warriors to hold formation. The silence between the two leaders was heavy, a clash of wills before any blades had even crossed.

Grozark braced himself, his muscles tensed and his eyes fixed on Trogg. He could feel the final confrontation about to erupt.