The night had turned to morning. A gentle breeze stirred the thinning mist, revealing two bound goblins still tied at the corner of the cottage yard. Their bodies were covered in bruises, but their eyes were alert—filled with wariness and fear.
Lee Jun sat on a simple wooden bench. Beside him, Kang Minho leaned against the wall, arms crossed, silently observing.
"They've been here for two days. We need to know where they came from," Jun murmured as he watched the two goblins.
Godon stood beside Jun, his stance firm. "They haven't said anything yet, Master."
Jun sighed and gestured with his hand. "Give them food and water. But keep a close watch."
A short while later, after the goblins had eaten a few pieces of dry bread and drank from a clay jug, one of them slowly spoke. His voice was rough and broken.
Godon listened carefully, then turned to Jun. "He says… at first, they didn't know who we were. But they smelled food… and heard noise from beyond the fog."
Jun narrowed his eyes. "They were spying on us?"
Godon nodded. "He says they're from a small colony… far beyond the northern mist. The place is poor. They're often hungry. So when they heard there was food and farming, they sent a few scouts."
Kang Minho scoffed. "And two of them ended up in ropes. If this was just a random move, fine. But if someone ordered it…"
Godon continued with a tense face. "Their leader is called Stonehead. A big goblin. Strong and cruel. Not all the goblins like him… but they fear him."
The mood grew heavy. The wind carried the earthy scent of the fields.
Jun stared at Godon, then looked toward the north. "If that colony really exists out there, it's only a matter of time before they come."
Minho walked forward. "We need a defense plan. Ditches, wooden walls… maybe even combat training for the farmer goblins."
Godon bowed slightly. "I will begin training them."
That day ended with tension hanging in the air. Jun climbed the temporary wooden watchtower they'd built. From the top, he could see the mist thinning further, revealing the faint silhouettes of trees and jagged rocks in the distance.
Jun clenched his hand tightly around the shaft of his spear.
"This isn't just a farm anymore… It's becoming a fortress."