Led by Lisa, Yggdrasil and Balin wove through the congested main hall of the Adventurer’s Guild, heading toward the tactical meeting room in the back. As the door swung open, a wave of heat hit them—a thick, stifling scent of sweat, fear, and aged leather.

  The room was already packed with the Guild’s senior Rank C and above adventurers. Every face was etched with grim gravity. Guildmaster Hagg Ironmane stood over a massive map table, his thick, calloused fingers tracing lines across the parchment. His expression was as hard as unyielding iron.

  He looked up, seeing Yggdrasil and Balin enter. The tightness in his rugged features softened just a fraction. "You’re here. Good."

  Balin stepped forward immediately. "What’s the situation?"

  Hagg wasted no time on pleasantries. He pointed directly to a spot on the map northwest of Kagurem—the abandoned "Black-StoneTunnel."

  "Our scouts just brought back the final report at the cost of their lives. At least a hundred thousand monsters. They are pouring out from the northwest abandoned mine. Their vanguard is already within three kilometers."

  "A hundred thousand…?" Balin drew a sharp breath, and a wave of suppressed gasps rippled through the other adventurers in the room.

  Yggdrasil’s brow furrowed. His mind raced, instinctively calculating the most efficient distribution of his mana and stamina. He remained silent, however, stepping closer to the map to study the expansion patterns of the monster tide.

  "It’s a chaotic mix of species," Hagg continued, "including high-tier species and mid-tier commanders. We suspect an intelligent presence is guiding them. This isn't a natural riot—this is an organized invasion."

  Just then, the door was slammed open. A messenger clad in the Iron Guard armor of the Lord’s Manor burst in, dropping to one knee.

  "Guildmaster Hagg! An urgent order from Lord Erik!"

  Hagg turned, his voice deep and gravelly. "Speak."

  "The Lord’s command has been issued: 'The Heart of the Forge' is activated and extended to the outer perimeter! Sixteen thousand Iron Guard regulars have formed a shield-wall position outside the northwestern gates! The long-range units on the ramparts are in position!"

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  The messenger paused, catching his breath. "Lord Erik orders you to immediately command the two thousand elites gathered at the main gate—including the 'Shield of Kagurem' and all Rank C adventurers and above. You are to serve as the critical counter-strike force, the 'War Hammer,' and await the signal to sortie!"

  A heavy, solemn look crossed Hagg’s weathered face. He nodded slowly. "That fellow Erik… at least he has a brain. Go back and tell the Lord: the warriors of the Guild will be the sharpest axe in his arsenal."

  The messenger saluted and sprinted out of the room.

  Hagg turned back to the crowd. His gaze, tempered like forged steel, seemed to steady the unrest in the hearts of everyone present.

  "You heard the man," his voice boomed with quiet power. "This isn't just a siege defense. It’s a counter-offensive! Now, everyone, follow me to the main hall! It’s time the rest of the Guild heard the plan!"

  With that, he turned and led the way out of the room, striding toward the hall that was already overflowing with people.

  Hagg Ironmane stood on the Guild’s podium, his figure as steady and immovable as a mountain. As he stepped up, his voice—thick and resonant like a tolling bell—crushed the surrounding clamor.

  "Everyone, SILENCE!"

  The hall fell deathly quiet in an instant. Every eye was fixed on Hagg.

  "I won't waste words on nonsense. The enemy is at our gates! According to the intelligence our scouts paid for with their lives, they are not just beasts—they are an army. Disciplined, massive, and coming for our blood!"

  Shocked murmurs broke out. Several younger adventurers swallowed hard, sweat beading on their foreheads.

  "We estimate the enemy exceeds a hundred thousand! High-tier species are scattered throughout their ranks!" Hagg slammed his hand onto the podium with a deafening thud, shocking the crowd back into silence.

  "Calm yourselves! Each of you is a part of Kagurem! Right now, I don't need your doubt or your fear. I need one thing: a will of forged steel and immediate action!"

  His gaze swept through the room like a torch, rendering the hall so quiet a needle could have been heard hitting the floor.

  "All Rank C adventurers and above, stay here for orders. You will form the counter-strike unit! Ranks D and E, head to the ramparts immediately to assist the Iron Guard with defensive support! Rank F, assist in the evacuation of civilians and transport of supplies!"

  He paused, his tone dropping to a low, resolute growl. "After today, whether Kagurem lives or dies depends on this battle. But I tell you this—"

  Hagg raised a massive, heavy iron fist and roared: "As long as we still stand, they will not set a single foot in this city!"

  "Let those monsters know—this is Dwarven land! This is OUR HOME!"

  The hall erupted. A thunderous roar of voices surged through the building.

  "PROTECT KAGUREM! PROTECT KAGUREM—!!"

  The adventurers’ morale was set ablaze. Blood boiling, they gripped their weapons tightly as a surge of battle-intent—unprecedented in its intensity—thickened the air.

  At the edge of the crowd, beneath the podium, Yggdrasil and Balin shared a single look. No words were spoken, but the same unyielding resolve was reflected in their eyes.

  This night would become a permanent mark in the history of Kagurem. And they would be the ones to write it.

  "The call to arms has been sounded. A hundred thousand monsters against the walls of Kagurem—the scale of this conflict is unlike anything the city has seen in generations.

  Hagg Ironmane shows exactly why he's the Guildmaster here. His speech wasn't just about strategy; it was about stoking the fire in the hearts of every dwarf in that room. Meanwhile, Yggdrasil is already in 'combat mode,' silently calculating the magic he needs to unleash.

  The 'War Hammer' unit is about to deploy. Are you ready for the first major battle of the series? If you're rooting for our stout heroes, please Follow and Rate to help us stay on the Rising Stars track! See you on the front lines tomorrow!"