Bruce and Amelia had completed their classes; now, all that remained was finding their paths. At least, that's what they discussed as they made their way back to Thaddeus's desk.

As they walked, they checked the first quest they had received upon arriving. Sharing her progress, Amelia let Bruce know what item she had earned.

Quest Complete: Starting on the Right Path

Goal: Complete all goals provided by the training leader.

Reward:

Gold x 24

Experience x 15,300

New Item:

Town Ledger (Uncommon)

New Item: Town Ledger (Uncommon)

Description: This enchanted ledger is a must-have for any administrator or record keeper. Bound in durable leather with silver filigree, the Town Ledger automatically tracks resource inventories, trade records, and population statistics for a designated settlement. The pages fill themselves with precise details, saving the owner valuable time and ensuring no data is overlooked.

Effects:

Automatically updates daily resource usage and availability for the designated settlement.

Grants a 10% boost to efficiency when managing trade and resource allocation.

Unlocks the ability to project a summary overview of the settlement's status as a visual display.

Bruce's rewards were identical, except for a different item being given as a reward.

New Item: Emberstone Lantern (Uncommon)

Description: The Emberstone Lantern is a sturdy, hand-forged artifact designed to bring warmth and safety to any community. Its enchanted ember core provides light and heat, dispelling darkness and fostering a sense of security. When placed within a settlement, the lantern enhances productivity and morale, making it an essential tool for any Hearth Guardian.

Effects:

Light of the Hearth:

Creates a 30-foot radius of warm light that boosts morale and reduces fear effects for all allies within its range.

Kindled Unity:

Allies working within the lantern's light gain a 10% efficiency boost to resource gathering and crafting tasks.

Stabilizing Aura:

While active, reduces the likelihood of accidents or structural failures in nearby buildings by 15%.

Bruce and Amelia exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mild exasperation as they reviewed the items they had earned. Though undeniably practical, the items felt a little utilitarian—useful, but lacking flair. Bruce shrugged. Oh well. Not everything can be exciting, he thought as they finally reached Thaddeus's desk.

It was early morning, though it felt like days had passed since they arrived. Yet Thaddeus was still seated at his desk, scribbling away in his notebook as if he hadn't moved all night.

"Do they ever let you sleep?" Bruce asked with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

Thaddeus laughed, glancing up from his notes. "Sometimes. I don't need much sleep anymore, naturally. I can pull a full shift in one go and get more days off during the week. Perks of a high-level administrator."

"That actually sounds really nice," Amelia admitted, leaning against the desk. "We're done with those tests, and ready for whatever comes next."

Thaddeus pulled up his tablet, his eyes scanning the screen. "I see that. Good job on your marks, by the way—those are impressive scores, especially for the rushed version of the program you're getting." He tapped the screen a few times, then nodded. "Okay, here's what's next. You'll be teleported to a small village that's under siege soon. Your task is to use those shiny new skills you just learned to build it up to a defensible level. There will be a few people there who can point you in the right direction, but this is going to be rushed. No small fee involved, either, I might add."

Bruce frowned, leaning forward. "Wait, you've mentioned fees a few times. How does that work? We don't exactly have a lot of gold. What's our tab for all this?"

Thaddeus paused mid-sentence, his pen hovering over the notebook as he looked up at Bruce and Amelia. His brow furrowed briefly before smoothing into a bemused expression. "Oh, I see. You really don't know, do you?"

He set his pen down and leaned back, looking at them both carefully. "The entity that sent you here paid your fees up front. We don't deal in gold or anything like that here. We deal in favors or treasures. Normally, people who come here train for months, but someone shelled out for the best trainers available to get you through in just a few days. That kind of payment is more than we make across all our training facilities in a week. You two are beyond lucky."

Bruce and Amelia stared at him, disbelief etched across their faces. "Odin," Bruce muttered under his breath, rubbing his face with his hands. "When he says he's got our backs, he means it."

Amelia nodded slowly, processing the revelation. "Well, that's… something."

Suddenly her eyes widened and she whispered to Bruce, "Wait. So, this isn't some sort of simulation. We're actually here. In a real, actual place!"

Bruce shrugged, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the information. "Thank you, Thaddeus. Let's get this show on the road, then."

Thaddeus grinned and waved his hand. A soft glow surrounded them as a new notification appeared in their vision.

New Quest: Foundations of Defense

Description: The village of White Hollow stands on the brink of destruction, under siege by relentless hostile forces. With its defenses crumbling and resources dwindling, the villagers look to you for leadership and guidance. Your task is to fortify the settlement, build defenses, and organize its inhabitants to withstand the siege. Use the skills and knowledge gained from your training to ensure White Hollow's survival. This is your first true test of leadership, strategy, and teamwork.

Goals:

Assess White Hollow's current state, including its defenses, resources, and population.

Build or reinforce three key defensive structures.

Train villagers for basic self-defense or assign them to critical support roles.

Develop a resource management plan to sustain the village during the siege.

Do you accept? Yes/No

Bruce and Amelia exchanged a brief look before turning their attention to the glowing quest notification in front of them. Without hesitation, they both hit accept. The world around them seemed to dissolve in an instant, replaced by a blinding white light that pulled them upward as though caught in a rushing current.

When the light faded, they found themselves standing on a grassy knoll overlooking a small village nestled in a shallow valley. The morning sun shone brightly, casting long shadows over the modest homes and the fields surrounding them. Smoke from hearth fires curled lazily into the sky, but the peaceful scene was marred by a crude wooden barricade that encircled the village. Beyond the barricade, the tree line loomed ominously, and even from this distance, they could make out figures moving within the shadows.

"White Hollow," Amelia said, her voice steady but tinged with unease.

Bruce adjusted the strap of his pack, scanning the scene with a critical eye. "Doesn't look good. Those defenses wouldn't hold against a stiff breeze, let alone a siege."

Their attention was drawn to a man running up the hill toward them. His clothes were simple but stained with dirt, and his face was lined with both age and worry. A rusty sword hung awkwardly at his side, looking more ceremonial than practical.

"Thank the gods you're here!" the man called out, breathless as he came to a halt before them. "I'm Edgar, the village Reeve. We've been barely holding on. The attackers come in waves, and it's only a matter of time before they breach the barricade."

"We'll do what we can," Bruce said firmly, stepping forward. "But we'll need to assess what you've got first. How many people, what resources, and what kind of support?"

Edgar nodded, his shoulders sagging with relief. "Of course, of course. I'll take you to the village square. The elders are gathered there, and we can show you everything. Please, follow me."

Bruce and Amelia exchanged a glance, each silently girding themselves, before following Edgar down the hill toward the village. The closer they got, the more apparent the dire state of White Hollow became. The barricade was a patchwork of hastily erected wooden spikes and repurposed debris, its uneven gaps wide enough for a determined attacker to slip through. Villagers darted between buildings, their faces drawn with fatigue, while others tried to reinforce the barricade with whatever they could find—barrels, broken carts, and even bundles of straw.

"This is bad," Amelia murmured, keeping her voice low. "They don't even have the basics covered."

"It's not just bad," Bruce replied grimly. "It's desperate. But that's why we're here."

As they entered the square, a small group of elders stood waiting near a makeshift table cluttered with maps and crude diagrams. The atmosphere was tense, but when Edgar introduced them as the ones sent to help, a flicker of hope brightened the villagers' weary faces.

"Welcome to White Hollow," an older woman said, her voice raspy but strong. "I'm Marta, the head elder. We've been doing what we can, but as you can see, we're outmatched. If you've come to save us, we'll do whatever you need."

Bruce stepped up to the table, scanning the maps. "First things first. We need a full assessment. How many able-bodied villagers do you have? What kind of resources can we work with? And what's the enemy's strategy?"

Marta nodded. "We'll give you everything we've got. But please, hurry. The last wave wasn't long ago, and I fear the next one is already on its way."

Amelia leaned in, her sharp eyes taking in the diagrams. "We'll work fast. Let's get started."

Bruce and Amelia dove into their task, knowing the clock was already ticking.

They spent the next hour gathering information and assessing the state of White Hollow. Marta and the elders provided them with the grim details: only 40 able-bodied villagers could fight, and they were equipped with little more than farming tools and a few old swords. The village's resources were dangerously low, with barely enough wood and stone to patch the barricades, let alone build new defenses. The enemy, a ragtag band of marauders bolstered by mercenaries, attacked in waves, probing for weak points before retreating to regroup.

Bruce leaned over the makeshift map table, tracing a finger along the village's crude defenses. "The barricades are the priority. We need to reinforce them and close off these gaps before the next attack. Amelia, can you organize the villagers? Get some of them working on fortifying this section here while I inspect the structures?"

Amelia nodded, straightening up. "I'll need someone who knows the villagers well to help me assign tasks. Edgar, can you spare a few minutes?"

Edgar, still lingering nearby, nodded quickly. "Of course. I'll gather the workers."

As Edgar and Amelia moved to rally the villagers, Bruce turned to Marta. "I noticed a stone building near the center of the village. It looked sturdier than the others. Is it usable as a fallback point if the barricades fail?"

Marta frowned, her hands tightening around her shawl. "The old storehouse? It's solid enough, but it hasn't been used in years. It'll take work to make it defensible."

Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's better than nothing. I'll check it out after I look at the barricades."

*****

Amelia stood at the center of the bustling square, her sharp voice cutting through the noise. "All right, listen up! We need teams working on three priorities: reinforcing the barricades, gathering materials, and setting up a supply station near the square. Edgar, assign the strongest to fortifying the defenses. The rest, split between gathering wood and stone."

Edgar relayed her instructions, his familiarity with the villagers helping to smooth the process. Within minutes, groups began to fan out, some heading toward the tree line with axs and others hauling tools to the barricades. Amelia moved between them, offering guidance and encouragement.

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One group hesitated as they approached the barricade, eyeing the flimsy structure nervously. "This won't hold against another attack," a young man muttered.

Amelia placed a hand on his shoulder, her tone firm but reassuring. "It will if you build it right. Focus on closing the gaps and adding support beams. We'll make it stronger together."

*****

Bruce's boots crunched on the dirt path as he walked the perimeter of the barricades. He crouched by one section, running a hand over the rough wood. "This won't do," he muttered to himself. "The stakes are too thin, and the base isn't anchored properly."

He flagged down a group of workers. "Here's what I need: dig deeper holes for the stakes and reinforce them with stones at the base. Then add cross beams like this—" he demonstrated with two pieces of scrap wood, showing how to brace them for added strength. The workers nodded, quickly getting to work.

Satisfied, Bruce made his way to the old storehouse Marta had mentioned. The stone walls were solid, but the interior was cluttered with debris and broken furniture. He pushed open the heavy door, coughing as dust filled the air.

"This could work," he muttered, already forming a plan. "If we clear this out and add some barricades to the windows, it'll make a decent fallback point."

*****

As the sun dipped lower, the air grew tense. The villagers worked feverishly, their progress visible in the sturdier barricades and the now-cleared storehouse. Bruce and Amelia were just regrouping in the square when a scout sprinted toward them, his face pale.

"They're coming! From the east!"

Bruce and Amelia exchanged a glance, their exhaustion forgotten in an instant. Bruce grabbed a hammer from a nearby cart. "Amelia, get to the barricades and make sure the villagers are ready. I'll check the fallback point one last time."

Amelia nodded, turning to Edgar. "Get everyone who can't fight into the storehouse. Move fast!"

As the villagers scrambled into position, the first sounds of the enemy reached them—shouts and the clatter of weapons. Bruce stood by the storehouse, his grip tightening on the hammer as the first wave emerged from the trees.

"They're testing us," Amelia murmured, her daggers at the ready as she stood by the barricades. "Let's show them we're not easy prey."

The battle for White Hollow had begun.

*****

The raiders charged from the tree line, a ragged but determined force brandishing mismatched weapons and shouting war cries that echoed through the valley. They closed the distance quickly, their crude armor clinking as they surged toward the barricades.

Bruce and Amelia stood among the villagers, weapons at the ready. The sight of the raiders should have been intimidating, but after enduring the brutal training with Darron and Kaelyn, it felt almost underwhelming.

"Is it just me, or do these guys seem… slow?" Bruce muttered, raising his shield as the first wave reached the barricade.

"It's not just you," Amelia replied, darting forward to slash at a raider attempting to climb the barricade. Her dagger struck true, and the raider crumpled to the ground. "Darron and Kaelyn hit a lot harder than this."

Bruce let out a short laugh as he slammed his mace into the arm of another raider, sending the man's weapon flying. "Guess all that training wasn't just for show."

The battle raged on, the raiders hurling themselves against the barricades with reckless abandon. The villagers, bolstered by Bruce and Amelia's presence, fought with surprising coordination. They thrust spears through gaps in the barricades and rained down rocks and arrows from higher vantage points.

A raider with a wicked-looking ax lunged at Bruce, aiming for his exposed side. Bruce sidestepped with ease, swinging his shield to bash the raider off balance before delivering a decisive blow with his mace. The raider collapsed in a heap, and Bruce moved on to the next target without missing a beat.

Meanwhile, Amelia moved like a shadow along the barricades, her daggers flashing in the waning light. She ducked under clumsy swings and retaliated with quick, precise strikes that left raiders staggering. Spotting a gap where a raider was attempting to climb over, she leapt up and drove her blade into his hand, forcing him to retreat with a pained howl.

The villagers fought valiantly, inspired by their newfound leaders. Still, the battle wasn't without loss. Two villagers fell to arrows fired from the backline of the raiders, their cries cutting through the din of battle. The sight spurred the defenders to fight harder, their anger driving them to push the raiders back.

After what felt like an eternity, the tide of the battle shifted. The raiders, battered and demoralized, began to retreat, disappearing back into the trees as quickly as they had emerged. A tense silence fell over the village as the defenders watched to ensure the attack was truly over.

When it became clear the raiders wouldn't be returning immediately, a cheer erupted among the villagers. They had held the line, and with only two losses, it felt like a miracle.

*****

Bruce and Amelia didn't allow themselves to bask in the victory for long. As the villagers tended to the wounded and honored the fallen, the two leaders set to work organizing the next phase of preparations.

"We can't let up now," Bruce said, his tone firm as he stood near the barricades. "They'll regroup and come back, maybe with reinforcements. We need to shore up these walls and double down on fallback points."

Amelia nodded, her sharp gaze scanning the village. "And we need to address rations. We're going to need everyone at full strength, which means no one can afford to go hungry."

Bruce gathered a group of workers to reinforce the barricades, showing them how to strengthen the supports and close the remaining gaps. He led by example, driving stakes into the ground and bracing them with heavy stones, his hammer swinging with steady precision.

Meanwhile, Amelia worked with Edgar to inventory the village's food supplies and set up a rationing system. "We need to stretch what we have," she said, her voice calm but authoritative. "Assign foragers to gather what they can from the forest, but keep them in groups and close to the village. We can't afford to lose anyone to stray raiders."

She also checked on the fallback points Bruce had identified, ensuring they were cleared and ready to shelter villagers in case of another breach. Her attention to detail and focus on efficiency kept the villagers motivated despite their exhaustion.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, White Hollow was a flurry of activity. The villagers, under Bruce and Amelia's guidance, worked tirelessly to fortify their home. While the memory of the day's battle lingered heavily, so did the hope that their combined efforts would ensure they were ready for whatever came next.

Bruce wiped sweat from his brow as he tightened the last set of braces on the storage silo. The crude structure had been transformed into a fortified stronghold, with reinforced walls and defensive features designed to protect both the resources within and the villagers who might shelter there. He stepped back, admiring the work as the first rays of dawn began to break over the horizon.

Amelia joined him, her face smudged with dirt but glowing with quiet satisfaction. "That's three defensive structures. Quest update confirmed?"

Bruce pulled up his quest log, a small smile tugging at his lips as he read the updates.

Quest Update: Foundations of Defense

Assess White Hollow's current state, including its defenses, resources, and population.

(Complete)

Build or reinforce three key defensive structures.

(Complete)

Train villagers for basic self-defense or assign them to critical support roles. (In Progress)

Develop a resource management plan to sustain the village during the siege.

(Complete)

"We're almost there," Bruce said, his voice tinged with relief. "Just need to wrap up the training."

Amelia glanced over at the defenders, many of whom were already gathered for breakfast near the square. "Let's take care of that now. They'll listen better with food in front of them."

Over breakfast, Bruce and Amelia delivered the last of their training to the defenders. Using makeshift diagrams and physical demonstrations, they covered basic formations and defensive tactics, emphasizing teamwork and discipline.

"You don't need to win a one-on-one fight," Bruce explained, addressing the group as he held a wooden training spear. "Your job is to hold the line and protect each other. Work together, and you'll make it through."

Amelia followed with practical advice for those assigned to support roles. "If you're not on the front lines, that doesn't mean you're not critical. Get supplies where they're needed. Help with barricades. Keep the wounded out of danger."

As the final lesson concluded, another notification appeared in their quest log:

Quest Update: Foundations of Defense

Train villagers for basic self-defense or assign them to critical support roles.

(Complete)

Bruce and Amelia exchanged a tired but triumphant glance. Their relief, however, was short-lived.

A deep, mournful horn blasted through the crisp morning air, freezing the villagers in place. Every head turned toward the sound, eyes wide with dread. Bruce and Amelia ran to the edge of the village, climbing onto a reinforced platform to get a better view of the tree line.

Amelia's stomach churned as her eyes locked onto the approaching force. "There's so many… " she whispered.

At three times the number of the last attack, the raiders surged out of the forest in chaotic waves. At their head marched larger, better-armed figures, likely mercenaries that had been hired to bolster the already dangerous force. The sound of war cries filled the valley, a cacophony of menace that made even the bravest villagers falter.

Bruce's jaw tightened as he turned back to the square. "Amelia, get the defenders into position. We hold the line here."

Amelia nodded, already shouting orders. "Everyone to the barricades! Frontline fighters, form up! Archers, take positions on the platforms! Move!" Her voice cut through the rising panic, snapping the villagers into action.

Bruce grabbed his mace and shield, the weight of them oddly comforting. He moved to the barricades, standing shoulder to shoulder with the defenders. One young man, barely more than a boy, trembled beside him, his spear shaking in his hands.

"Hey," Bruce said, placing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. "You're not alone. We've got this. Just do your part, and we'll make it through."

The boy nodded, his grip steadying under Bruce's calm reassurance.

Amelia joined them moments later, her daggers drawn and her gaze sharp as steel. She glanced at Bruce, her expression grim but resolute. "They're testing everything we've done."

"Then we'll show them what we've built," Bruce replied.

As the raiders closed the distance, the defenders braced themselves. The clash was imminent, and the battle for White Hollow would determine everything.

*****

The first wave of raiders smashed into the barricades with a ferocity that rattled even the most seasoned defenders. Bruce stood firm in the thick of it, his shield braced against the surging force of an ax-wielding marauder. With a grunt, he shoved the attacker back and swung his mace, catching the raider's leg and sending him sprawling.

Amelia darted along the barricades, her daggers a blur as she struck at any enemy trying to climb over. One raider lunged at her, swinging a crude sword in a wild arc. She ducked under the blow and countered with a precise stab to his ribs, her weapon slipping through a gap in his armor. The man crumpled, but another took his place almost immediately.

"Hold the line!" Bruce roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. Villagers rallied around him, spears and makeshift weapons striking out to push the attackers back.

The defenders fought valiantly, but the sheer numbers of the raiders began to take their toll. An archer perched on a nearby platform cried out and fell, an enemy arrow piercing his chest. A section of the barricade cracked under the weight of several attackers, forcing Bruce and a small group of villagers to rush over and reinforce it.

"They're breaking through!" a voice shouted from further down the line.

Amelia's heart sank as she saw the raiders pushing past a weakened section of the barricade. She sprinted toward the breach, her daggers flashing as she felled one attacker after another. A villager beside her cried out as a spear struck his side, and Amelia barely managed to pull him back before another blow could land.

"Fall back to the next line!" Bruce bellowed, his shield raised as he deflected a rain of arrows. "Regroup at the silo!"

The defenders retreated in a controlled manner, Bruce and Amelia covering their escape. They stumbled into the fortified silo, breathless and battered. Several villagers carried the wounded, while others hastily barricaded the entrance with crates and barrels.

The raiders didn't wait long before advancing on the silo. They hurled themselves at the makeshift defenses, axs and swords hacking at the barricades. Inside, Bruce and Amelia organized the remaining villagers into defensive positions, determined to hold out.

"Stay low and keep moving," Amelia told a group of archers perched on an upper platform. "Fire when you have a clear shot."

Bruce stood near the main entrance, shield raised as the barricade shook with each blow from the raiders. When a section gave way, he surged forward, slamming his shield into the first attacker to break through. The impact sent the man sprawling, but two more followed, forcing Bruce to fight tooth and nail to hold them back.

Amelia joined him, her daggers flashing in the dim light as she struck at the attackers with relentless precision. "We can't let them through!" she shouted over the noise.

Despite their best efforts, more raiders poured in, and the fighting turned into a desperate melee. Villagers swung wildly with whatever they had, from swords to farming tools, but the losses mounted. Another defender fell to a blade, and a third was struck down by an arrow.

"We're losing too many," Bruce growled, his shield arm trembling from the strain.

"Then we end this now," Amelia said, her voice steely. She grabbed a lantern from a nearby shelf and hurled it at the raiders. The glass shattered, igniting a patch of spilled oil and forcing the attackers to retreat from the flames.

The sudden burst of fire gave the defenders a brief reprieve, and Bruce used the moment to rally the villagers. "This is it! Push them back! Everything we've done leads to this moment!"

The defenders surged forward with renewed determination, driving the raiders out of the silo one by one. Amelia coordinated strikes with the archers, targeting key raiders who seemed to be leading the attack. Bruce held the line at the entrance, his shield battered but unyielding.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the raiders began to retreat. Their war cries turned to shouts of disarray as they abandoned the fight and disappeared back into the forest.

The defenders stood in stunned silence for a moment, the crackling of the dying fire the only sound. Then, a cheer rose from the villagers, though it was subdued by the weight of their losses.

Bruce leaned heavily on his shield, his chest heaving as he surveyed the scene. "We did it," he said, his voice hoarse. "We held."

Amelia wiped blood from her face—some hers, some not—and nodded. "But at a cost," she murmured, her gaze falling on the bodies of the fallen.

They had won, but the cost of victory was etched into the faces of every villager left standing.

As the villagers began to gather the injured and extinguish the lingering fires, a soft chime echoed in Bruce and Amelia's minds. Their quest log appeared before them, glowing faintly in the smoke-filled air. The long-awaited update wasn't as triumphant as they'd hoped.

Quest Update: Foundations of Defense

Hidden Objectives:

Negotiate with the local militia for additional support. (Failed)

Identify and neutralize the enemy's supply chain or siege leader. (Failed)

Ensure no more than 10% of the village's population is lost during the siege. (Completed)

Bruce let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping as he read the results. "Well, at least we passed one of the hidden objectives," he said, glancing at Amelia. "But it sucks we didn't even know those other things were options. Maybe we didn't ask the right questions?"

Amelia wiped soot from her cheek and shook her head. "I don't know, dear. Maybe. But right now, I'm too tired to care. I just want to go home, get some rest, and take a shower. This… this was the most terrifying thing I've ever been a part of, and I'd like to forget about the system for a while."

Bruce turned to her, his brow furrowed. "Don't you want to see what path we got? If any?"

She met his gaze with weary eyes. "I couldn't care less right now, dear. Maybe we'll check after we've slept off that elixir. Right now, all I want is to be away from all this."

Bruce stepped closer and pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "That makes sense, love. Let's go home."

Amelia leaned into him, letting out a soft sigh. "Thank you, love. Let's get out of here."

As the villagers' cheers of victory turned to somber reflections over their losses, Bruce and Amelia approached the village square one last time. They activated their interface, selecting the option to complete the tutorial. A faint glow enveloped them, and the battered world of White Hollow began to fade away, replaced by the familiar pull of teleportation.

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves back in the training grounds where it had all started. The quiet stillness of the space felt surreal after the chaos of the siege. Bruce took a deep breath, holding his wife's hand tightly.

"We made it," he said softly.

Amelia nodded, squeezing his hand. "We did. Now let's get some rest."

Together, they walked toward the exit, leaving the trials of White Hollow behind—at least for now.

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