One by one, they overcame it. The struggle had nearly broken them, but now the power was theirs.

Lumberling's gaze lingered on them, sharp and approving. 'Good. If they can withstand this, then they're worthy of the strength I've given them.'

Gobo2 cried out as his skin darkened to a deeper green, his frame swelling larger. His aura exploded outward like a roaring fire, pressing down on everyone nearby. He fell to one knee, clutching his chest, then threw back his head and laughed.

"Hah! I was just jealous, watching Aren evolve earlier. Now look at me, I'm catching up!" His grin split wide, sharp fangs glinting. "Hobgoblin Warmarch!"

The others cheered, pounding their weapons against the ground.

"This… this feels great," Skarn said, his voice low but brimming with satisfaction. "My body… it feels like a weapon itself. No armor can stop me now."

Takkar lifted his claw, staring at it in disbelief as his killing intent poured outward. "I… I can feel it. The battlefield… it calls to me louder than ever." His eyes glowed fiercely. "I swear it, my Lord. With this strength, I'll tear down every enemy in your way."

The three stood tall now, Gobo2, the Hobgoblin Warmarch, radiating raw force. Skarn, the Kobold Bladewreaker, his aura sharp and unyielding. And Takkar, the crimson Bladewreaker, a storm of slaughter given form.

Their auras clashed and mixed in the night air, pressing down on the others and sending chills through even the seasoned captains. For a moment, the ridge felt like the cradle of monsters being born.

Lumberling's lips curved into the faintest smile. He had not just an army. He had a rising legion of monsters, each one clawing their way closer to him.

And that was exactly what he needed.

Around them, the Vice-Captains could barely contain their excitement, eyes wide and burning with envy and hope.

Their chance came sooner than expected.

The six captured Knight Apprentices were dragged forward by Skitz, beaten but still alive. Lumberling's eyes lingered on them for a moment before he turned to his Vice-Captains.

"Step forward. All of you."

Zarn, Tarnix, Izzek, Gorrak, Vrak, and Rogar obeyed without hesitation, their claws twitching, breath sharp with anticipation. They had fought loyally, and now their time to rise had come.

Lumberling executed the unconscious captives one by one. As their essence unraveled and surged toward him, he willed it away, redirecting the streams of essence into his waiting Vice-Captains.

The effect was instant.

Zarn fell to his knees, growling as his scales thickened, his bones cracked audibly like breaking timber. Tarnix roared as jagged ridges tore across his arms, glowing faintly with power. Izzek's body convulsed as his eyes burned with a strange violet glow. The three of them rose together, their combined aura exploding outward in a storm of steel and fury.

"Kobold Warshapers, Knight Apprentice Level" Skitz whispered with a hungry grin. "Now that's a nasty batch."

On the other side, Gorrak, Vrak, and Rogar howled in unison as their hobgoblin frames bulged, muscle swelling, bones cracking as their spines stretched and widened. Their skin turned darker, more resilient, their teeth sharper. When they rose, the ground trembled beneath their steps, Hobgoblin Warlords, towering and fierce, their auras radiating dominance.

Gorrak flexed his arm, laughing in disbelief. "Hah! I feel like I could crush boulders barehanded!"

"Boulders?" Vrak snorted, rolling his shoulders. "Forget boulders. I'm breaking skulls. Lots of them."

Rogar grinned wide, eyes gleaming. "Finally, I'm not the runt anymore. Try and push me around now, eh?" He shoved Vrak playfully, earning a growl and a headbutt in return.

Meanwhile, Tarnix was still staring at his claws in awe. "This strength… it's unreal. My body feels like it belongs to someone else."

Zarn chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll get used to it. Just don't start tearing down the houses when we get back."

Izzek tilted his head, his violet-glowing eyes narrowing as he tested his new aura.

The others laughed, the tension breaking into cheers and jeers. For all their monstrous appearance, in this moment they were like children who had been handed their first weapons.

But then, almost as one, they turned toward Lumberling. The laughter quieted. One by one, they knelt, their heads lowered, their voices steady.

"Thank you, my Lord."

Their words carried weight, not just gratitude, but loyalty forged in fire and blood.

Lumberling stood above them, silent, his spear planted into the earth. His chest swelled faintly with pride. Not only had he claimed victory and stepped into the ranks of the True Knights, but his soldiers had risen with him.

At the side, Skitz's grin stretched ear to ear. "Hehe… what a sight. An army of nightmares, and they all bow to you."

Not all had risen, though. Next, Gobo1 had absorbed the essence of the captured Quasi-Knight, but his body shook with strain before the energy finally settled. The glow faded, leaving him panting, his aura stronger but unchanged.

His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white, breath hissing through his teeth. For a moment, he couldn't meet anyone's eyes, his head bowed, shoulders trembling with barely contained frustration. When he finally looked up, there was a flicker of shame behind the anger burning in his gaze.

Lumberling placed a hand on his shoulder, firm and steady. "Not yet. But your time will come."

The words cut through the storm inside him, and Gobo1 exhaled slowly, forcing himself to nod.

Before the silence could grow heavy, Gobo2 barked out a laugh and slapped his brother on the back. "Don't worry, Gobo1! I'm sure our Lord's just saving the really ugly essences for you. Stronger ones, too! After all, only you've got a face scary enough to match 'em!"

A few of the others chuckled under their breath, the tension cracking. Even Gobo1's lips twitched against his will, though he quickly tried to hide it with a glare.

"Idiot," he muttered, but his voice lacked the sharp edge it held moments ago.

"See? He's already getting stronger!" Gobo2 grinned, spreading his arms wide like he had just proven some grand point.

Lumberling allowed the faintest curve of a smile to form. Gobo2 might be a fool at times, but in moments like these, his jests cut sharper than any blade, turning shame into determination.

His gaze shifted to Vakk, who had stood quietly through it all, watching his comrades grow stronger. "And you, you'll have the next True Knight we capture."

Vakk blinked, caught off guard. "My Lord, you don't have to…"

"You will," Lumberling interrupted, his voice final. "You have my word. You'll claim the next one."

The kobold bowed deeply, voice thick with emotion. "Then I'll wait. Thank you, my Lord."

The circle of warriors tightened around Lumberling, their auras burning like torches in the dark.

Lumberling's gaze turned outward, toward the next enemy, the next knight, the next feast of essence that would fuel their rise.