A week had passed since Leah had converted the elves. In that time, she had commanded her growing forces to salvage what remained of the ruined village, using whatever materials they could find to construct a fortified camp around the cave she had claimed as her base.

  The blood elves worked tirelessly, their enhanced bodies making them more efficient than before, while the blood goblins assisted in gathering resources and setting up defenses.

  Also during that week, more snow goblins had wandered into the forest, likely still hunting her, but they had only met the same fate as the others. One by one, she converted them, swelling her blood goblin numbers from 28 to 76.

  However, as the days passed, fewer and fewer goblins entered her domain, and eventually, they stopped coming altogether. Leah knew this meant one thing—the remaining goblins had realized something was wrong.

  Leah didn’t mind that the goblins had stopped coming. If she ever needed to replenish her strength, she could simply feed on the blood of one of her soldiers. However, she had discovered that doing so didn’t grant her any attribute increases.

  Today, she was deep within the cave, creating blood pills from her own blood. She carefully formed each one, solidifying the thick crimson liquid before dropping it into a growing pile inside a wooden barrel. Over the past week, she had learned something invaluable: her soldiers didn’t need food or water to survive. As long as they consumed her blood regularly, they remained strong and tireless.

  As she worked, footsteps echoed through the cave. Leah turned to see Ibbi approaching. The goblin had changed significantly since her conversion—her body was more muscular, her once-scrawny frame now built with dense, compact strength. She carried a weapon in her hands, a blood-crystallized axe that Leah had crafted for her, its surface gleaming in the dim light.

  Leah had made another important discovery. If she continuously fed a soldier her blood over time, they would become stronger—far beyond the average blood goblin or blood elf. Ibbi was proof of that. She had surpassed her peers, her physical prowess now matching Leah's own.

  "Are we heading out again?" Ibbi asked eagerly as she stomped closer, her sharp teeth bared in excitement. "I wanna bloody my axe in some guts."

  Leah glanced at her and shook her head. "Not today."

  Ibbi groaned in disappointment, dragging her feet as she turned to leave. "Boring." she muttered under her breath. Leah couldn't help but smile as she watched the goblin sulk away.

  As Ibbi passed by, Zytherin approached, his long strides carrying him closer to Leah. The elder elf’s expression was serious, his red eyes focused on Leah. "I am concerned," he said, his voice low. "The lack of snow goblins in the forest is troubling."

  Leah arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

  Zytherin crossed his arms. "I think they are preparing something big."

  Leah considered his words, then exhaled through her nose. "If they are, we’ll be ready."

  With that, she stopped producing blood pills, shaking off the residual crimson from her hands before stepping away from the barrel. She turned toward the entrance of the cave, motioning for Zytherin to follow. "What’s next on the agenda?" she asked.

  Zytherin walked beside her, his voice steady. "The legion is growing larger. I believe it’s time for you to select two generals—one for the goblins and one for the elves. You should also assign squad captains to serve under them."

  Leah nodded. "I’ll handle it."

  She had come to appreciate Zytherin’s experience as a former leader. He had been invaluable in helping her manage the growing numbers of her forces, providing insight that she wouldn’t have had otherwise. He had also explained the surrounding region to her.

  To the north, past the forest, were the hundreds of goblin camps—and beyond that, the mountains.

  To the south, ogres, orcs, and other powerful monsters roamed freely. They were sandwiched between two dangers.

  To the east and west, small elven tribes still lived, scattered across the line.

  Leah had already set her sights on them. Taking over those tribes would be one of her steps in expanding her legion’s power.

  As they reached the exit of the cave, the cool light of the outside world greeted them.

  The area around the cave had been completely transformed. Where once there had been thick trees and uneven ground, now stood a large, cleared space surrounded by a sturdy wooden wall.

  Goblins and elves moved throughout the settlement, carrying supplies, reinforcing structures, and preparing for whatever was to come. Wooden huts dotted the clearing, serving as homes and barracks for the growing legion.

  Zytherin stood beside Leah, observing the progress with a pleased expression. "I’d like to make a small platform for you." he said. Without waiting for her approval, he raised a hand, channeling his magic.

  The ground beneath Leah shifted as a thick stump of wood sprouted beneath her, lifting her into the air. The wooden platform stopped growing when it was high enough for her to look over the gathered settlement.

  Satisfied, Leah through her blood connection skill, sent a call to her legion through it. Across the camp, goblins and elves stopped what they were doing. Some stepped out of huts, while others hurried to gather in front of her, eyes locked on their leader.

  Leah looked over the assembled soldiers before speaking. "We need to organize our forces," she announced. "I will be selecting generals to lead you more efficiently."

  Her glowing red eyes swept over the crowd before landing on Ibbi, who stood nearby with her massive blood-crystal axe resting on her shoulder. "Ibbi," Leah called. "Do you want to be the general for the goblins?"

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  Ibbi frowned and immediately shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "I’m your personal guard. How would I lead the goblins when my only duty is to protect you?"

  Leah considered her words before nodding. "Alright."

  She then turned to Boko, a large goblin with sharp features and a battle-scarred body. He was the second strongest among the goblins, only surpassed by Ibbi. "Boko," Leah called. "Can you take up this duty?"

  Boko stepped forward and gave a firm nod. "I will."

  Leah turned her attention to the elves next. She glanced over the gathered warriors before settling on Yventil, a seasoned fighter who had adapted quickly to his new power. "Yventil," she called. "I want you to become the general for the elves."

  Yventil straightened before nodding. "I accept."

  Leah then addressed both of them. "Each of you will select ten squad captains. They will lead squads under your command and ensure that my orders are carried out efficiently. That is all, you may leave."

  Boko and Yventil nodded in unison before turning to the gathered soldiers, already evaluating potential captains.

  Leah remained on the platform, watching as her army continued to take shape. Things were progressing well.

  As the wooden platform beneath Leah slowly descended back into the ground, the gathered legion began to disperse, returning to their duties. Just as Leah stepped off the last of the raised wood, a commotion caught her attention. A female elven scout sprinted toward them, her breath quick and her movements urgent.

  The scout skidded to a halt before Leah and Zytherin, dropping to one knee and bowing her head in respect. Leah recognized her—Daraena, one of the more skilled scouts in their ranks.

  Leah’s crimson eyes narrowed. "What’s wrong?"

  Daraena lifted her head slightly, her expression tense. "I spotted a large army of goblins marching through the forest."

  Leah’s gaze sharpened further. "How many?"

  Daraena hesitated. "I didn’t take a proper count, but I estimate there are more than five hundred."

  Leah exhaled through her nose and turned her gaze to Zytherin. "You were right."

  Zytherin’s expression remained grim. "If they’ve gathered that many, they intend to wipe us out or force us into submission."

  Leah crossed her arms. "Then I hope my generals have already picked some of their captains—because we’re about to have our first proper skirmish."

  Leah turned, her red wings flaring out as she began to walk toward the wooden gate that separated her camp from the surrounding forest. She raised a hand, her fingers curling in the air as she began calling her legion to her.

  Leah didn’t stop to wait. She stepped outside the gate, and with a single powerful beat of her blood-infused wings, shot into the sky.

  ***

  High above the vast snow-covered forest, Leah soared silently, her piercing gaze scanning the ground below.

  It didn’t take long. Through the thick canopy of trees, she spotted movement—hundreds of figures marching in tight formation. A massive wave of goblins surged through the forest like a dark tide, their ragged armour glinting in the light.

  At the very front of the force, hobgoblins led the charge. Taller, stronger, and better equipped than the common snow goblins behind them, they carried crude metal weapons and barked orders as they marched.

  Leah halted in mid-air. Below, the goblin army continued its march, oblivious to the predator watching from above.

  With a single thought, she issued her command to her legion.

  Her voice rang out in the minds of her legion. 'Split into three groups. Boko, take the west. Yventil, the east. I’ll lead the center.'

  Immediately, her forces moved with precise coordination.

  Leah deactivated flight and dropped. The wind howled around her as she shot down like a crimson spear. The moment she passed the trees and hit the snow, she barely lost momentum, sprinting forward with Ibbi keeping pace beside her, her blood axe eager to taste flesh.

  As the enemy army came into full view, Leah’s blood surged in excitement. The goblins spotted them and froze—shocked faces staring at the crimson tide rushing toward them.

  Leah then activated her blood armour skill. The liquid shell burst forth, swirling around her body in undulating waves before settling into a suit of writhing, living armor. Only two slits remained for her eyes.

  Without hesitation, Leah leaped into the air, and as she soared, blood tendrils shot out from her body like serpents, piercing through the goblins’ skulls with ease. The air was filled with the sickening sounds of heads splitting open as the tendrils retracted back to Leah’s body. Her landing was flawless, as the snow beneath her feet was splattered red.

  With a swift motion, Leah charged forward, her soldiers at her back. The goblins, now in disarray, tried to regroup, but Leah’s onslaught was unrelenting. Her tendrils lashed out again, decimating their ranks, as she plowed through their defences like a storm, cutting a path of destruction through the horde.

  Ibbi, with her blood axe raised, cleaved through any goblins that dared get too close, her newly enhanced strength making her an unstoppable force alongside Leah.

  On all sides, Boko’s and Yventil’s forces were pushing forward with similar ferocity. The goblins, overwhelmed and disorganized, stood no chance against the might of Leah’s legion. Her tendrils whipped out again, striking down more of the goblins as her army tore through them, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

  The battle raged on, but it was clear—Leah and her blood legion were unstoppable.

  ***

  The snow goblins were being cut down one by one, their ranks thinning as Leah and her army moved with ruthless precision. The battlefield was littered with their fallen, and their screams slowly faded into silence. Leah, however, didn’t take a moment to relax. Instead, she moved from body to body, her blood tendrils extending out of her fingers and sinking into the dead snow goblins.

  The corpses twitched, their bodies convulsing as they were pulled back from death, reborn under Leah’s command.

  'Start converting them.' Leah sent out a command to her legion.

  She had learned that her legion members, too, could pass on her blood. Her soldiers followed suit, cutting their hands open and letting their blood flow into the open mouths and wounds of the fallen goblins.

  While the conversions were happening, Leah noticed the system had sent her a notification.

  Her eyes flicked open as a system panel appeared in front of her.

  'Level 20 Reached.'

  'New Skill Acquired: Evolution.'

  Leah then opened up the skill description.

  Blood Evolution (Proficiency 0%) - Grants the ability to evolve yourself or a legion member into a higher race using Evolution Points. Evolution Points are acquired by feeding on the blood of creatures.

  Leah stared at the notification, a sense of excitement building in her chest. Her eyes next flicked to her overview, where she saw a new resource listed: Evolution Points: 0.

  Before she could fully process the new information, she heard footsteps crunching through the snow behind her. She turned to find Ibbi approaching, her fur armour bloodied, her axe resting on her shoulder, and a wide grin on her face.

  Leah gave a small smile, but as she looked at her, a new panel opened, showing Ibbi’s requirements for her next evolution.

  'Next Evolution for Ibbi: Requires 100 Evolution Points'

  Leah hummed in thought. 'A hundred, huh?'

  She turned, spotting a fresh goblin corpse nearby. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a tendril surging forward, impaling the body. Blood drained from the corpse in seconds, flowing into her. But her evolution points remained unchanged.

  Her eyes narrowed.

  Not one to waste time, she extended three more tendrils into separate corpses, draining them dry. Only then did her overview update.

  'Evolution Points: 1'

  Leah sighed. Only one point? At this rate, evolving Ibbi would take forever.

  She then wondered how many points it would take for her to evolve. As if responding to her curiosity, another panel materialized before her.

  'Next Evolution for Leah: Requires 10,000 Evolution Points'

  Leah's eye twitched.

  "Seriously... wow."