The bell's chime reverberated through the air, its haunting tone signaling the beginning of a battle that none of the Awakened were prepared for. From the shadows of the ruined village, goblins began to emerge. Their short, wiry frames, averaging around 130cm, with the tallest barely reaching 145cm, belied their ferocity. Their greenish, mottled skin seemed to blend with the dim surroundings, and their beady red eyes glinted with malevolence. Armed with primitive knives and wooden clubs, they moved with a surprising agility, their intent clear: to kill.

Lleyn's heart raced as memories from his past life flooded back. He had faced goblins before, but the people around him hadn't. He could see the panic in their eyes, the sheer terror of facing a real-life monster. The majority of the Awakened scrambled away, their movements uncoordinated and clumsy. Some tripped over the uneven ground or their own feet, while others collided with each other in their haste to escape.

A few brave souls, driven either by courage or desperation, tried to confront the goblins. But their inexperience was painfully evident. A young man, probably in his early twenties, lunged at a goblin with a spear, but his attack was easily sidestepped. Before he could recover, two other goblins pounced on him, their clubs descending with brutal force. The sickening thud of wood meeting flesh echoed through the air, and the man crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Another Awakened, a woman with fiery red hair, tried to fend off a goblin with a dagger. But her movements were too slow, too predictable. The goblin dodged her attack and, with a swift motion, plunged its knife into her abdomen. She let out a gut-wrenching scream before collapsing, her lifeblood pooling around her.

Lleyn's gaze darted around, searching for Elena amidst the chaos. He spotted her a few meters away, clutching a crossbow with trembling hands. She aimed and released a bolt, but it went wide, missing the goblin she was targeting. Another goblin, seeing her as an easy prey, lunged at her. But Elena, driven by sheer adrenaline, managed to sidestep its attack and shoot it point-blank. The bolt pierced the goblin's throat, and it fell, gurgling and clutching its wound.

Relief washed over Lleyn, but it was short-lived. Another goblin was already advancing on Elena. Without a second thought, Lleyn sprinted towards her, his longsword in hand. He reached her just in time, his blade slicing through the goblin's torso. It let out a high-pitched scream before collapsing, its life extinguished.

Elena, still in shock, looked at Lleyn with wide eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Lleyn nodded, his gaze never leaving the battlefield. "Stay close," he instructed. "And keep that crossbow ready."

Together, they moved through the ruins, fending off goblins as they went. Lleyn's movements were fluid and precise, a stark contrast to the clumsy attempts of the other Awakened. But he was careful to hide his true skills, making it look like he was struggling just as much as the others. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, not yet.

Elena, for her part, was doing her best to keep up. She managed to kill another goblin, her bolt finding its mark this time. But for every goblin they killed, two more seemed to take its place.

The battle raged on, the screams of the dying and the roars of the goblins filling the air. The ground was slick with blood, and the stench of death was overpowering. But Lleyn and Elena pressed on, determined to survive.

As the last of the goblins fell, the village ruins were once again plunged into silence. The Awakened, those who had survived, looked around in disbelief. They had faced their first real challenge, and while many had perished, others had emerged stronger, their resolve hardened.

Lleyn sheathed his sword and turned to Elena. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Elena nodded, her face pale but determined. "I am," she replied. "Thanks to you."

Lleyn smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "This is just the beginning," he said. "We need to be prepared for what comes next."

As the Awakened began to regroup and tend to their wounds, Lleyn couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The goblins were just the first wave, and there would be more challenges ahead. But for now, they had survived, and that was all that mattered.

The battlefield was a tableau of chaos and carnage. The bodies of goblins lay strewn about, their grotesque forms a testament to the ferocity of the battle that had just taken place. The eerie silence that followed was occasionally punctuated by the soft sobs of the injured and the mournful cries of those who had lost loved ones. Above them all, the timer loomed ominously, its glowing digits indicating that 23 hours remained.

Lleyn took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The aftermath of the battle was a grim sight, but it was also a reminder of their victory, however temporary it might be. He felt a mixture of relief and trepidation, knowing that the respite was short-lived.

As he stood there, lost in thought, three figures approached him. Their footsteps were hesitant, but their expressions were resolute. Aric, a burly man with a short sword and shield, was the first to speak. His voice was gruff, but there was a hint of admiration in his tone. "You've got quite the arm on you," he remarked, nodding towards the dozen or so goblin corpses that lay around Lleyn.

Beside him, Dorian, a leaner man with sharp features, chuckled. His axe, still slick with goblin blood, gleamed menacingly in the dim light. “Over 20 goblins, all by yourself. That's no small feat."

The third figure, Selene, remained silent. Her raven-black hair flowed gracefully down her back, and her piercing eyes seemed to see right through Lleyn. She held a spear, its tip sharp and gleaming, a silent testament to her prowess in battle.

Lleyn shrugged, trying to downplay his achievements. "It was mostly luck," he replied modestly. "And a bit of... survival instinct, I suppose."

Dorian raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying Lleyn's humble act. "If that's what you call 'luck', then the rest of us are in deep trouble."

The group shared a brief moment of levity, but it was short-lived. Selene's gaze swept over the remaining Awakened, her expression contemplative. "The real question is, what do we do now? Do you think the others will be of any help in the coming battles?"

Before Lleyn could respond, a soft chime sounded, drawing his attention to his status screen.

Name: Lleyn

Age: 26

Level: 1

Title: Early Awakening Lv1

Health: 355/360

Mana: 330/330

Exp: 22/30

Each goblin had indeed granted him a single experience point. It was a small consolation, but it was something.

As the group pondered their next move, a commanding voice echoed through the clearing. "Listen up, everyone!"

All eyes turned to the source of the voice: a tall man in civilian clothing, his posture rigid and authoritative. His face was lined with age, but his eyes burned with a fire that belied his years. "My name is Captain Alden," he announced, his voice resonating with confidence. "I served in the army, and while I may not look the part now, I've seen my fair share of battles. We've survived one wave, but there will be more. If we're to make it through this, we need to be organized and prepared."

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A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Captain Alden continued, "Those of you willing to fight, and who are uninjured, stand behind me. The rest, head to the abandoned church. It might offer some protection."

The Awakened began to move, some hesitantly, others with determination. About a hundred of them chose to stand behind Captain Alden, their faces a mix of hope and fear. The rest, either too injured or too afraid, made their way towards the church, seeking refuge.

Lleyn, however, remained rooted to the spot. Elena's hand was firmly clasped in his, and he had no intention of letting go. He had no desire to follow orders, especially not when his instincts had served him so well thus far. Aric, Dorian, and Selene also chose to stay by his side, forming an unspoken alliance.

Captain Alden's gaze lingered on the group of five, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. But he said nothing, instead turning his attention to the hundred or so Awakened behind him. "We need to form groups," he began, his voice firm. "Groups of four. Each group should have at least one shield user. Ideally, we want a shield user with a secondary weapon, a sword user, a spear user, and someone with a ranged weapon, like a bow or crossbow."

The Awakened began to shuffle around, trying to form the groups Captain Alden had described. The air was thick with tension, but there was also a sense of hope. They had survived the first wave, and with Captain Alden's leadership, they might just stand a chance against whatever came next.

As the groups began to form, Lleyn couldn't help but wonder what the future held. The timer continued its relentless countdown, and with each passing second, the stakes grew higher. But for now, all they could do was prepare and hope for the best.

The formation of groups was a chaotic affair. Weapons clattered to the ground, replaced by others as the Awakened tried to adhere to Captain Alden's suggested formation. The sound of heated debates filled the air, with many reluctant to take up the role of an archer. The vulnerability of being a ranged fighter in such close quarters was a daunting prospect for many.

Alden, sensing the rising tension, raised his voice to be heard. "This formation is simply a suggestion, the optimal one for group survival. But it's optional. Choose what you're comfortable with." Despite his reassurances, only five out of the twenty-four groups had members wielding bows or crossbows.

As Alden shifted the discussion to rationing food and water, Lleyn pulled Elena aside. The open field they stood in provided ample space for some hands-on instruction.

Lleyn and Elena found a quiet spot away from the forming groups. The sun cast a warm glow, making the polished wood and metal of the crossbow in Lleyn's hand gleam.

Lleyn began, "Elena, using a crossbow isn't like using a regular bow. It's all about precision."

Elena looked at her crossbow, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "I know it's different, but how do I make sure I'm doing it right?"

Lleyn smiled reassuringly. "First things first, always think safety. Never point it at anything you don't intend to shoot. And keep your fingers away from the rail. Got it?"

She nodded, gripping her crossbow. "Got it. Safety first."

"Good. Now, to load it, put your foot here," Lleyn pointed to the stirrup at the front, "and pull the string back until it locks. Then, slide the bolt in. Make sure the odd-colored fletching faces down."

Elena mimicked his actions, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Like this?"

"Exactly," Lleyn praised. "Now, stance. Stand like this, feet apart. Hold the crossbow firmly, but don't strangle it. Find a balance."

She adjusted her stance, looking more confident. "Okay, I think I've got it. What's next?"

Lleyn pointed to a makeshift target. "Aiming. Look through the sight. See the topmost dot? Line it up with your target. Breathe in, exhale halfway, then hold."

Elena took a deep breath, aligning her sight. The bolt flew, landing a few inches from the center. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Again!"

Lleyn chuckled, "You're getting the hang of it. Just remember to squeeze the trigger gently. No jerking."

After several attempts, Elena's shot hit the target dead center. She beamed, "I did it!"

With a few more adjustments and demonstrations, Elena's aim improved significantly. The transformation didn't go unnoticed. Selene, Dorian, and Aric approached, their curiosity evident.

"Mind giving us a few pointers?" Selene asked, twirling her spear.

Lleyn's gaze shifted from Elena to the trio that had joined them. Each of them had a distinct aura, a blend of determination and trepidation. In the world he remembered, they were ordinary, perhaps even overlooked, although they had all proven their mettle by surviving the entirety of the tutorial. It was no small feat, and Lleyn recognized that.

Selene, with her lithe form and sharp eyes, had a natural agility that could be honed further. Dorian, with his broad shoulders and unwavering stance, possessed a raw strength that, if channeled correctly, could become a formidable force. And then there was Aric, whose keen intellect and quick reflexes had saved him more than once during the tutorial.

Lleyn pondered on their potential. They had the foundation, but could he help them build upon it? Could he mold them into warriors capable of standing their ground in this round? With the right guidance and training, perhaps they could become more than just survivors. They could become allies he could count on.

Lleyn nodded and approached Selene, who was holding her spear with uncertainty. "Selene, the spear is about reach and agility."

Selene tilted her head, "How so?"

Lleyn demonstrated a stance, "Keep your dominant foot forward. Hold the spear near the back, but not at the very end. Use your other hand to guide it."

She mimicked him, thrusting the spear forward. "Like this?"

"Exactly. And remember, it's not just for thrusting. You can swipe and parry with it too."

Selene swirled her spear, her movements becoming more fluid. "Got it. Thanks, Lleyn."

Next was Dorian, his hefty axe gleaming in the sunlight.

"Dorian, the axe is powerful, but it's also heavy."

Dorian grinned, "Feels right in my hands."

Lleyn nodded, "Good. Just remember, after a swing, it takes a moment to recover. So, aim well. And use the weight to your advantage."

Dorian took a practice swing, the axe slicing through the air. "So, more precision, less wild swinging?"

Lleyn chuckled, "Exactly. Let the axe do the work."

Then it was Aric, who was already in a defensive stance, shield up and sword ready. Lleyn approached, "Aric, that's a good start. But remember, the shield isn't just for defense."

Aric raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

Lleyn tapped the shield's edge, "You can use it to bash and create openings. And the short sword? It's quick. Use that speed."

Aric practiced a few quick jabs, then bashed with his shield. "Like a one-two combo?"

Lleyn nodded, "Exactly. Keep your opponent off balance."

What followed was a series of short sparring sessions. Each of the three took turns facing off against Lleyn, who provided feedback on their stances, grips, and attack patterns. Dorian, in particular, seemed to benefit the most, his axe swings becoming more fluid and precise.

The sparring sessions were intense, sweat dripping from brows, muscles straining with effort. But with each passing minute, the group's skills improved, their movements becoming more refined and precise.

Their training was interrupted by the approach of Captain Alden, flanked by four rugged-looking Awakened. It was clear he had handpicked them for his team, and his intent was equally clear: to persuade Lleyn and his group to cooperate.

"An axe, Dorian?" Alden began, a hint of condescension in his voice. "Not the best choice for combat."

Dorian's retort was swift and biting. "This axe has already taken down more monsters than your entire team combined."

The four men behind Alden bristled at the challenge, their hands inching towards their weapons. But a sharp gesture from Alden halted them. Shifting his focus, Alden locked eyes with Lleyn. "Lleyn, you've demonstrated remarkable skill today. With strength like yours, you have a responsibility to the others."

Lleyn's expression remained neutral, but there was a hint of defiance in his eyes. "I appreciate the sentiment, Captain. But my first responsibility is to Elena and myself. We all have our priorities."

Alden's gaze hardened slightly, but he continued, "And what of the others? They saw how strong your are. They need guidance."

Lleyn's response was measured, "And they have you, don't they? A Captain with military experience. I'm sure they're in capable hands."

The subtle undertone in Lleyn's words hung in the air, but Alden chose not to address it directly. Instead, he gave a curt nod and turned to rejoin his group, leaving Lleyn and his companions to their training.

Alden's face reddened, his jaw clenching in barely concealed anger. But before he could formulate a response, the distant tolling of a bell echoed through the air. The sound was ominous, a harbinger of the challenges that lay ahead. All eyes turned towards the horizon, awaiting the next wave of monsters. The brief respite was over, and the battle for survival was about to begin anew.