1: Chapter 1: Transmigrated into a lord, facing a goblin siege right from the start!

Lin Chen was slapped awake.

The rough stone ground dug into his back as he sat up abruptly. Before him was a castle hall of broken walls and ruins, the air thick with the smell of rust and dust.

[System Notification: Myriad Realms Pioneering Server · Northwest Wilderness Area officially opened]

[System Notification: You have bound the unique Lord identity: Lin Chen. Territory: Ruststone Fortress (Level 0, On the Verge of Collapse)]

[System Notification: Initial Resources: 150 Copper Coins, Damaged Wall Repair Blueprint x1, Novice Militia Recruitment Order x1. Countdown: In 10 minutes, Goblin Minions will lay siege (Quantity: 50, Level 1)]

"No way? I just stayed up all night finishing a fantasy novel outline, and I transmigrated the moment I closed my eyes?" Lin Chen rubbed the back of his head, his voice raspy.

A light screen automatically popped up on his wrist, displaying a crystal-clear personal panel:

Name: Lin Chen (Lord)

Level: 0

Combat Power: 5

Attributes: Strength 5, Agility 5, Constitution 5, Intelligence 5

Skills: None

Territory Status: Wall damage 70%, Granary empty, Garrison 0, Maximum player capacity 200

*Clang!*

The castle gates were burst open as a group of players wearing novice cloth robes swarmed in. Colorful IDs floated above their heads, and they were as noisy as a wet market.

"This is the novice territory? It's more dilapidated than the pigsty back in my hometown!" the player "Brick Mover King" kicked a broken stone pillar.

"The Lord is over there! Level 0? Combat Power 5? This wave of pioneering is probably going to end with everyone deleting their accounts!" The player "Mage Little Dumpling" held a broken wooden staff, a look of despair on her face.

Lin Chen's gaze turned cold.

He tapped the light screen with his fingertip and first clicked [Claim Novice Supplies].

[System Notification: Claim successful. Obtained 250 Copper Coins, Stamina Potion (Small) x10, Novice Wooden Sword x20, Novice Leather Armor x10]

"Everyone be quiet!" Lin Chen stood up and raised a wooden sword. "Goblins will attack in 10 minutes. If you want to live, follow my command!"

"Command? You're Level 0 and you're commanding us?" Brick Mover King stood with his hands on his hips. "I'm a foreman at the construction site; why should I listen to you?"

"Don't argue!" The player "Shield Warrior Old Hei" squeezed to the front carrying a wooden shield. "If the Lord loses his territory, it'll explode, and we'll all kick the bucket with him!"

[System Notification: First batch of players detected entering. Territory function unlocked: Temporary Recruitment (Players can work part-time as Militia, earning 5 Copper Coins per hour)]

"You get money for being part-time Militia?" Brick Mover King's eyes lit up. "I'll do it! As long as there's money, I'm fine with moving bricks or killing monsters!"

"Count me in! I'm a healer, I can heal and tank!" Little Dumpling quickly raised her hand.

Lin Chen opened the territory panel, spent 200 Copper Coins, and used the Damaged Wall Repair Blueprint.

[System Notification: Repaired wall gaps (30%). Ruststone Fortress durability increased to 800. Wall arrow slits unlocked]

He then used the recruitment order to summon a Level 1 Militia Captain.

White light burst forth, and a man standing 1.9 meters tall, wearing leather armor and holding an iron halberd, appeared. He knelt on one knee: "Lord, Militia Captain Iron Wang, awaiting your orders!"

"Iron Wang, take 10 player Militia and guard the East Gate!" Lin Chen commanded quickly.

"Yes!" Iron Wang stood up, his gaze sweeping over the players. "Those with strength, follow me!"

Brick Mover King was the first to rush up: "I have strength! Foreman-level strength!"

"I'm coming too!" Several melee players ran after them.

Lin Chen turned to the remaining players and distributed the 20 wooden swords and 10 pieces of leather armor.

"Old Hei, you wear the leather armor and take 5 shield-bearers to guard the Main Gate!"

"Little Dumpling, you take 3 healers and provide support from behind the wall arrow slits!"

"The remaining ranged players, all of you get on the walls and pelt the monsters with stones!"

"Roger that!" Old Hei slapped his wooden shield, his voice booming.

"Lord Big Shot has arranged everything so clearly!" Little Dumpling hugged her wooden staff, a look of relief on her face.

[System Notification: Goblin Minions have entered visual range, 500 meters from Ruststone Fortress. Countdown: 3 minutes]

The players instantly panicked.

"Only 3 minutes? System, are you kidding me!"

"I don't even have time for a drink of water. We're going to end up as snacks for the goblins this time!"

Lin Chen quickly climbed the wall. Iron Wang had already set up defenses at the East Gate with the player Militia, and Old Hei's shield formation was prepared at the Main Gate.

He glanced down at the light screen and put all his attribute points into Strength. His combat power instantly rose to 10.

"Lord Big Shot, aren't you adding Agility? What if you can't run away?" Little Dumpling asked from the side.

"No need to run, just defend!" Lin Chen picked up a sharpened stone, his gaze locked onto the distant goblin swarm.

Fifty goblins with green skin and red eyes, carrying rusted short swords and wooden clubs, came charging over with a howl, kicking up clouds of dust.

"Drop the stones!" Lin Chen shouted the order.

The players on the wall immediately acted, stones raining down like hail.

[-3] [-2] [-4]

The damage wasn't high, but the goblins' charging rhythm was disrupted.

"These stones are like tickles!" Brick Mover King shouted from the East Gate. "The goblins are breaking through!"

A goblin broke through the stone barrage and lunged at the player Militia at the East Gate.

Iron Wang swung his iron halberd, smashing it into the goblin's head.

[-50]

The goblin collapsed on the spot, vanishing into white light.

[System Notification: Militia Captain Iron Wang killed a Goblin Minion. Lord Lin Chen gained 5 experience points]

"Holy crap! Iron Wang Big Shot's damage is explosive!" Brick Mover King exclaimed. "Is this the power of an NPC captain?"

"Don't daze out! Kill the monsters!" Iron Wang roared, swinging his halberd again to take down another goblin.

Over at the Main Gate, Old Hei's shield formation was surrounded by three goblins. Their short swords clanged against the wooden shields.

[-8] [-7] [-9]

Damage numbers continuously floated above Old Hei's head, and his face turned pale.

"Healers! Heal me!" Old Hei bellowed.

Little Dumpling raised her hand, and three beams of faint light fell, covering Old Hei and two shield-bearers.

[+10] [+10] [+10]

"That's some good healing!" Old Hei's spirits lifted as he slammed his shield into a goblin's face.

[-15]

"Lord Big Shot, the Main Gate can't hold much longer!" Old Hei shouted.

Lin Chen leaped down from the wall, wooden sword in hand, and headed straight for the Main Gate.

"Move aside!"

He charged into the shield formation, his wooden sword stabbing straight into the throat of the fiercest goblin.

[-28]

The goblin let out a wretched scream and fell dead.

[System Notification: Lin Chen killed a Goblin Minion, gaining 10 experience points]

"Lord Big Shot is here!" The players' morale soared as they swung their swords at the goblins.

Lin Chen struck repeatedly, each blow precisely hitting vital spots. His damage remained steady at over 25 points.

[-26] [-27] [-29]

Three goblins fell in succession, and the pressure at the Main Gate was instantly relieved.

[System Notification: Congratulations Player Lin Chen, you have reached Level 1. Obtained 5 Attribute Points and 1 Skill Point]

Lin Chen put all 5 attribute points into Strength, and his combat power soared to 15.

He opened the skill panel and chose to learn [Heavy Strike (Tier 1)].

[System Notification: Unlocked Active Skill: Heavy Strike (Tier 1). Consumes 2 Stamina. Deals 2x damage to a single target with a 10% chance to trigger Stun]

"Heavy Strike!"

Lin Chen swung his sword, smashing it heavily onto the head of a goblin lunging at Little Dumpling.

[Stun! -55]

The goblin spun in place, and Little Dumpling took the opportunity to whack it with her staff.

[-12]

"Thank you, Lord Big Shot!" Little Dumpling stuck out her tongue.

Stones were still being hurled from the walls. At the East Gate, Iron Wang had already taken down over a dozen goblins, and Brick Mover King had killed two as well, his face stained with green blood.

"I actually killed monsters!" Brick Mover King shouted excitedly. " I'm not a brick mover, I'm a monster slayer!"

"Don't get cocky! There are more monsters behind!" Iron Wang reminded him.

Lin Chen led Old Hei's shield formation in a slaughter at the Main Gate, goblin corpses piling up on the ground.

Seeing things were going south, the remaining goblins tried to turn and flee.

"Want to run? No way!" Lin Chen exerted force through his legs, caught up, and sliced through a goblin's leg with one swing.

[-30]

The goblin tumbled to the ground and was crushed to death by Old Hei's shield.

[System Notification: Congratulations Ruststone Fortress for successfully repelling the first wave of the Goblin Siege. Remaining Goblins: 0]

[System Notification: Rewards Obtained: 500 Copper Coins, Militia Recruitment Order x5, Level 1 Leather Armor (Fine) x2, Level 1 Iron Sword (Common) x5]

The players instantly erupted.

"We won! We held them off!"

"Lord Big Shot is the GOAT! This carry was so satisfying, and I even earned Copper Coins!"

Brick Mover King slumped to the ground, panting heavily: "I'm exhausted, this is even more tiring than moving bricks!"

"You only killed two, I killed five!" Little Dumpling held up her wooden staff with a look of pride.

Lin Chen stood by the pile of corpses, green blood dripping from his wooden sword. He opened the reward panel and claimed all items.

[System Notification: Detected the Lord's first victory leading a city defense. Unlocked Hidden Reward: Lord's Exclusive Weapon Chest (Tier 2), Territory Upgrade Fragment x1]

With a flash of golden light, a chest engraved with an iron wolf pattern and a silver fragment appeared before him.

The players immediately swarmed around, crowding together and staring intently at the chest.

"A hidden chest! It's bound to have top-tier loot!"

"Lord Big Shot, open it quickly! I'm ready to soak up some of that luck!"

Lin Chen raised his hand and opened the chest.

An iron sword gleaming with cold light and a suit of black leather armor lay inside.

[Ruststone Sword (Tier 2 · Lord Exclusive): Attack +35, Strength +8, 30% increased damage to the Goblin race]

[Ruststone Armor (Tier 2 · Lord Exclusive): Defense +20, Constitution +10, 15% reduction in incoming melee damage]

"Holy crap! Attack +35!" Old Hei's eyes widened. "My wooden sword is only +3!"

"This leather armor gives +20 Defense? Wearing it would make you a mobile fortress!" Brick Mover King leaned in, wanting to touch the Ruststone Armor.

Lin Chen picked up the Ruststone Sword and Ruststone Armor; the equipment automatically bound to him.

He put on the Ruststone Armor and gripped the Ruststone Sword, testing the feel. The weight was just right.

A terrifying pressure suddenly surged toward them.

On the desert flats outside the castle, a massive green-skinned figure slowly stood up. It was at least three meters tall, holding a rusted giant axe. Above its head floated the words [Goblin Minor Lord · Gro (Level 3)].

[System Notification: Warning! Elite BOSS Goblin Minor Lord Gro is attacking. HP: 5000. Accompanied by 20 Goblin Elites (Level 2). Countdown: 5 minutes]

The players' cheers came to an abrupt halt.

"An Elite BOSS? Level 3? This game's start is way over the top!" Brick Mover King's face turned pale.

"I'm already tired of running back from respawning, please don't let there be more!" Little Dumpling's legs were shaking as she curled up, clutching her staff.

Lin Chen raised the Ruststone Sword and pointed it at the distant Gro, his gaze sharp.

Lin Chen said calmly, "What are you afraid of? As long as I'm here, Ruststone Fortress will not fall!"

"Lord Big Shot is so dominant!" Old Hei immediately stood up and raised his wooden shield. "I'll continue to guard the Main Gate!"

"Let's do this! Following Lord Big Shot, even if we die, we can get a revival coin!" Brick Mover King picked up his wooden sword, his fighting spirit reignited.

Lin Chen opened the territory panel, spent 300 Copper Coins, used 5 Militia Recruitment Orders, and summoned 5 Level 1 Militia.

[System Notification: Recruitment complete. Current Militia: 6 (including Captain Iron Wang)]

He gave the 2 pieces of Fine leather armor to Old Hei and Iron Wang, and the 5 iron swords to 5 melee players.

"Iron Wang, take the Militia and 10 players to guard the East Gate!"

"Old Hei, lead the shield formation at the Main Gate. All healers follow him!"

"Brick Mover King, take 5 melee players and flank with me to ambush Gro!"

"Ranged players on the wall, concentrate your fire on Gro's legs!"

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

Brick Mover King patted his chest: "Lord Big Shot, I promise not to hold you back!"

"Don't brag, just make sure you don't run away later!" Little Dumpling teased from the side.

Lin Chen looked at the skill panel and put his only skill point into [Heavy Strike].

[System Notification: Heavy Strike upgraded to Tier 2. Consumes 3 Stamina. Deals 2.5x damage. Stun probability increased to 20%]

He took out two stamina potions and downed them in one go.

[System Notification: Restored 20 Stamina. Current Stamina: 30/30]

"Check your equipment! Prepare to face the enemy!"

Lin Chen stood below the wall, the Ruststone Sword gleaming coldly. Iron Wang's Militia squad was already in position at the East Gate, Old Hei's shield formation was ready at the Main Gate, and Brick Mover King followed behind Lin Chen with the melee players.

The ranged players on the walls had brought even more sharpened stones, and some had found several thick wooden arrows.

"Lord Big Shot, Gro is charging!" a player on the wall shouted.

In the distance, Gro raised his giant axe and let out an earth-shattering roar, charging toward the Main Gate of Ruststone Fortress with 20 goblin elites.

"Lord Big Shot, if we can't win later, can we abandon the fortress and run?" Brick Mover King asked in a low voice.

Lin Chen glanced at him, his gaze firm.

"Run?"

"If we want to gain a foothold in the Myriad Realms, the first step is to take down this BOSS!"

As the words fell, Lin Chen was the first to charge out, the Ruststone Sword drawing a dazzling arc of cold light in the sunlight.