Kraggul watched in horror as his warriors were slaughtered, powerless against the Ebizo. His heart sank as he realized the full extent of the situation: his once-formidable army was no match for these armored seadwellers.
If only they had a day's rest, they could have faced these new enemies, but the reality of the situation was, they were weaker than the Ebizo right now, and more exhausted.
As the battle raged on, the Hobgoblins' hope for victory turned into a desperate struggle for survival. The ground was littered with the bodies of the fallen, a testament to the brutal reality of the battlefield.
Each Hobgoblin who fell was a reminder of the grim fate that awaited the rest. The few who remained fought with a frantic, almost primal ferocity, but even their fiercest efforts were in vain against the shells of the Ebizo army.
Cracking those formidable shells would require immense force, far beyond the reach of exhausted strength of the weary Hobgoblins.
Kraggul's mind raced, seeking a way to turn the tide, but the reality was stark and undeniable. The Ebizo's shells were too hard, their spears too deadly, and their formation too disciplined.
The Hobgoblins were outmatched in every way, their strength and spirit crushed by the overwhelming might of the Ebizo soldiers.
"Give up, King Kraggul," Rain declared, his voice unsteady as he faced the Hobgoblin King. "You have been defeated. Surrender, and I will spare your lives."
Helliana, lying wounded nearby, wanted to protest, but she was too weak. Chin was tending to her wounds, but it wasn't helping her condition. Her injuries were serious and required thorough medical attention. She could barely move, let alone speak.
As much as she despised Kraggul and wished for his death, along with the destruction of all the Hobgoblins, it wasn't her call to make. The fate of their enemies now rested in the hands of this player who had just arrived.
She couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude that Rain was an ally and didn't seem to be a threat to the Orcs. Or at least, that was the impression she got from him. She really hoped he wasn't after the Orcs. They had the strength to smash the Ebizo's hard shells, but what was left of them couldn't fight anymore.
The Hobgoblins echoed his cry, their voices a thunderous chorus of resolve. They surged forward, their exhaustion forgotten in the face of their leader's unwavering conviction.
Rain sensed the shift in the battlefield's atmosphere, and knew that this fight was far from over. The Hobgoblins, driven by their indomitable will, would not go down easily.
Kraggul's declaration had reignited the flames of their rebellion. The Hobgoblins were ready to lay down their lives for the cause they believed in. They would fight to their last breath, not just for victory, but for the right to live free and unchained.
Rain's expression remained serious, hiding the uncertainty in his eyes. "I respect your struggle," he said, his voice measured. "But this path you've chosen, the path of conquest and bloodshed — it will only lead to more suffering. There can be a better way."
Kraggul's eyes narrowed. "A better way?" he scoffed. "You speak of peace, but your presence here means war. We are warriors, forged in battle. Peace is a luxury we cannot afford."
". . ."
"You're a naive fool, young player," King Kraggul taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Throughout history, it's well known from the annals of war that people don't react to massive death tolls if they're too high to comprehend."
"W-what do you mean?"
But King Kraggul only continued. "One death can mobilize a community, even a nation. Hundreds of thousands can leave a lasting impression, used for good or ill. But millions of deaths? That's the ticket. Make it bloody enough, and everyone will keep eating their snacks and pouring their milk.
We aren't wired to cope with that level of devastation, so we shut down, like a safety mechanism.
"And thus my strategy is simple: ensure the death tolls is as high as possible. For the few who could still react, silence them with the fear of the 'enemy.' Wicked fun. Worked every time. That's where true power lies — not in the grandiose numbers, but in the singular, heartbreaking stories that pierce through the apathy and ignite a fire in the hearts of those who still dare to care.
"We will slaughter millions, and our names will echo across the world, striking fear into the hearts of all who hear them. Nations will tremble, and all will bow before us!"