The fortress gate exploded inward.
A deafening crash shook the entire bastion as pieces of wood and chunks of metal erupted across the courtyard. Soldiers were thrown from their feet, while others were crushed beneath the collapsing debris before they could even scream.
"FALL BACK!"
"Get the wounded away from the entrance!"
Panic spread through Evergarden in an instant. The orderly fortress that had stood firm against hours of relentless fighting was reduced to chaos.
Logan stood frozen at the center of the courtyard, his knuckles white around the hilt of his sword. His breathing came in ragged gasps, yet his eyes still locked onto the enormous silhouette slowly emerging from the broken gate.
Thud.
Each heavy step shook the earth itself. The creature ducked beneath the shattered gateway before straightening to its full height, revealing muscles as thick as tree trunks and dark green skin scarred by countless battles. Resting on its shoulder was a colossal battleaxe, still dripping with fresh blood.
The monster’s crimson eyes slowly met Logan’s.
Then it smiled.
– Twelve Hours Earlier –
A loud yawn escaped Logan as he stepped out of his lodging, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The countdown hovering in the corner of his vision quickly reminded him what day it was.
[Time Until Wave #5: 00:11:58:43]
"So... today’s the day," Logan muttered under his breath.
The courtyard was far livelier than it had been a month ago. Gone were the hopeless faces that had greeted him when he first arrived in Evergarden.
In their place stood soldiers clad in matching armor, carts overflowing with supplies, and workers moving with a sense of purpose rather than desperation.
"Commander!"
Captain Iron approached, stopping in front of Logan and offering a respectful salute.
"The final inspection has been completed. The ballistas have been loaded, and every squad has reported to their assigned positions."
Before Iron could continue, laughter drifted across the courtyard.
Maeve walked beside Robin with her hands clasped behind her head, chatting away as if they weren’t only hours away from facing the largest monster wave Evergarden had ever seen.
"I still think Old Man Elias likes me."
Robin looked at her.
"He threw a hammer at you yesterday."
Maeve waved a dismissive hand.
"I merely offered some constructive criticism."
"You told him your bow looked better before he adjusted it."
"I was trying to motivate him."
Robin paused for a moment.
"He called you a walking nightmare."
"And yet..." Maeve grinned. "He still tuned my bowstring before I left."
Robin nodded.
"After threatening to throw the other hammer."
"It missed."
"You ducked."
Maeve flashed a triumphant smile, as though she’d somehow won the argument.
"I’m telling you, beneath all that grumbling macho, he’s a big softie."
Robin stared at her for a short moment before the faintest smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"There it is."
"...What?"
"You smiled."
"I did not."
Maeve leaned in, narrowing her eyes as though examining a rare specimen.
"Must have been the wind."
Maeve burst into laughter, drawing a few curious glances from the nearby soldiers. Even Logan couldn’t help letting out a quiet chuckle as Robin calmly continued walking, her expression returning to its usual unreadable calm.
The smile on Logan’s face gradually faded as he turned his attention back toward the command center. He raised his hand, and a familiar screen appeared before him.
===================================================
[Player Account Profile]
===================================================
Username: Logan Winters
World: Evergarden
[PLAYER ACCOUNT PROFILE & METRICS]
- Global Account Standing: UNRANKED
- Active Stage: Wave #5
- Bastion Population Count: 176 / 200
- Main Wall Structural Integrity: 90%
[DEPLOYED MAIN ARMY COMPOSITION]
Deployed Units: 50 / 50 units
Standby High-Tier Command Roster:
└─ [1★ Hero] Captain Iron (Level 19)
└─ [1★ Hero] Robin Wood (Level 18)
└─ [1★ Hero] Maeve (Level 17)
└─ [1★ Hero] Kiran (Level 17)
└─ [1★ Hero] Althea (Level 17)
[BASTION INFRASTRUCTURE & FACILITY LEVELS]
Basic Command Center: Level 1
Basic Barracks: Level 2
[6★] Potential Training Grounds: Level 1
[3★] Blacksmith: Level 1
[2★] Ballista Tower: Level 1
Basic Canteen: Level 2
Basic Storage: Level 2
===================================================
Logan’s eyes swept across the glowing panel, carefully inspecting each section from top to bottom. A month ago, nearly every line had been marked [BROKEN], and the fortress itself had stood on the brink of collapse.
Now, the walls had been rebuilt, the barracks bustled with disciplined soldiers, and the collection of high-tier facilities would have been enough to make even veteran commanders green with envy.
His gaze lingered on the 6★ Potential Training Grounds before shifting to the 3★ Blacksmith.
"If this were any other fortress..."
"They’d be celebrating just to own one of these blueprints."
Logan climbed the command tower and rested both hands on the battlements, his gaze fixed on the sea of trees beyond the walls.
Beside him, Captain Iron silently adjusted his posture as the rest of the heroes took their positions across the fortress.
Giles stood below the wall, his sword gripped tightly in both hands as he stared into the Darkwood Forest. The vision of the horrid Darkwood mission clouded his mind, as sweat profusely accumulated at the hilt of his sword.
The feeling that something was watching him from just beyond his sight...
Despite weeks of relentless training, the fear hadn’t disappeared. It lingered deep within his chest, whispering that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be strong enough.
A slap landed squarely between his shoulder blades.
"Ease up, soldier."
Giles jolted, nearly dropping his sword before turning to see Althea walking past with an amused smile, as though nothing had happened.
"...Right."
Logan stepped forward and rested both hands on the cold stone wall, narrowing his eyes toward the edge of the Darkwood Forest.
The moment the first goblin emerged from the tree line, a familiar translucent panel materialized before Logan.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Wave #5
- Goblin x500
- Goblin Rider x80
- Hobgoblin x30
- Goblin Shaman x4
- Troll x1
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Logan quietly read through the list once before dismissing the panel. Compared to the previous waves, the enemy numbers had nearly doubled, and the appearance of two Goblin Shamans alongside a Troll would make this their toughest battle yet.
Even so, it was still within his expectations.
He drew his sword and raised it toward the approaching horde.
"EVERYONE!"
The heroes and soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons.
"Prepare for battle!"