Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Lein's island continued to slice through the clouds, carving a path with relentless determination. The island moved at a steady pace, parting a square meter of clouds every second.

The ethereal beauty of the shifting clouds, backlit by the golden glow of the otherworldly sun, would have been mesmerizing if not for the pressing uncertainty that gripped Lein and Nita.

After two minutes, they had traversed 120 meters, the expanse of empty land behind them gradually disappearing from view.

The journey persisted for another three minutes, the anticipation building with each passing second, until a substantial clearing of 100 square meters emerged.

The dense clouds dissipated, unveiling a goblin-infested island of equal size. Ten green goblins, each about a meter tall and wielding crude wooden clubs, occupied the newly revealed terrain. Their guttural grunts and growls filled the air, a stark contrast to the serene silence that had preceded them.

The goblin island appeared more vibrant than Lein's sparse, grass-covered home. Tall, sturdy trees stretched ten meters into the sky, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.

In the center of the island stood a small straw hut, its simple construction hinting at the rudimentary lifestyle of its inhabitants. The sight was both intriguing and menacing, the goblins' beady eyes glinting with hostility as they took notice of the intruders.

Lein and Nita's eyes widened as a status panel for the goblins appeared in their vision.

(Goblin Tribe)

- Level 1

- Attributes: Strength 1, Agility 1, Intelligence 0, Resilience 1.

"Weak…" Lein muttered under his breath, a mixture of relief and determination filling his voice. With his strength at 3 points, these goblins seemed as easy to defeat as kicking a ball. Yet, he remained cautious; numbers could still pose a significant threat.

The edges of Lein's island met the goblin territory with a subtle thud. The goblins, with their sharp, menacing eyes, glared at Lein and Nita. They had been roasting a deer over an open fire for breakfast, the savory aroma wafting through the air, but paused at the sight of their new adversaries. Their guttural growls grew louder, and they gripped their clubs tighter, ready for battle.

Lein and Nita prepared themselves, gripping their long wooden swords tightly. The weight of the weapons was reassuring, a tangible source of strength.

(Long Wooden Sword)

- Strength +1

The swords boosted their confidence, adding an extra point to their strength. The siblings exchanged a quick, determined glance, their unspoken resolve clear.

"Now," Lein whispered, his voice steady despite the tension, and then he charged forward, his movements swift and purposeful.

The goblins formed a defensive line, their clubs raised, bracing for Lein's assault. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and anger, the unfamiliar threat unsettling them.

Tskkk…

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Tsahh…

[ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ]

[ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ]

Lein's first strike was swift and lethal, taking down two goblins instantly. The wooden sword sliced through the air with precision, its impact decisive.

Arghhh… Arghhh…

The remaining goblins roared in anger, surrounding Lein and striking him with their clubs. The crude weapons landed with dull thuds, but Lein's agility allowed him to evade the worst of the blows.

Lein didn't stay still. He rolled back, distancing himself from their attacks. His movements were fluid, a result of both instinct and training. The goblins pursued, determined not to let him escape, their snarls filling the air.

Tsahh…

Another goblin fell, decapitated. Nita, having struck from the side, quickly retreated to observe the others. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she remained focused, her eyes scanning for the next opportunity.

They knew their advantage well. Even with 3-4 strength points, a direct confrontation with ten goblins could be fatal. They used hit-and-run tactics, striking swiftly before retreating. Their strategy was effective, their movements coordinated and precise.

Arghh…

Despite their fury, the goblins were helpless. They couldn't match Lein and Nita's agility. The siblings moved like a well-oiled machine, each strike calculated, each retreat measured.

[ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ]

[ Killed Goblin Tribe Member: EXP +1 ]

Two minutes later, all the goblins lay dead. The battlefield was littered with their bodies, the air heavy with the scent of blood and sweat.

"Huftt… Finally…" Lein panted, wiping sweat from his brow. His breath was heavy, and his clothes were soaked. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, leaving him both exhilarated and exhausted.

Nita, not far away, looked similarly exhausted. The battle had drained them both. Her hands trembled slightly, but she managed a small, victorious smile.

They rested for a few minutes, then began to tally their spoils. The goblins' crude belongings were scattered around, a testament to their primitive lifestyle.

First, they each gained 10 EXP points, increasing their EXP by 1%. The incremental progress was a small but satisfying reward for their efforts.

They had expected just EXP, but as they approached a goblin corpse, a system notification appeared.

[ Goblin Tribe Corpse: Extract materials? ]

"Yes," Lein replied, his curiosity piqued.

The goblin's body lifted slightly, glowing before turning to ash. A shining object materialized, catching the light.

[ Acquired Energy Crystal +1 ]

Curious, Lein examined the crystal.

(Energy Crystal)

A crystal formed by natural energy.

The crystal felt cool in his hand, its surface smooth and flawless. He wondered about its potential uses and value.

Closing the system panel, Lein continued extracting from the goblin corpses. Nita joined him, assisting with the remaining bodies. Each extraction yielded a small reward, the materials varying in type and quantity.

"Brother, I'm done," Nita called out, her voice tinged with both relief and excitement.

Once finished, they gathered the fallen materials. The spoils of their battle lay before them, a modest but valuable collection.

Energy Crystals +3

Goblin Blood +2

Goblin Claws +1

Not all corpses yielded items upon extraction. The randomness of the rewards added an element of surprise to the process.

Lein and Nita then explored the goblin island. The trees, now devoid of their goblin protectors, rustled peacefully. The straw hut at the island's center beckoned, its contents promising further discovery.

Inside the hut, they found a region orb similar to their own. Its ethereal glow was both familiar and comforting.

This time, there were two options.

Take over the territory

Destroy the territory

*Note: Taking over the territory will merge the goblin island with the sovereign's island.

*Note: Destroying the territory grants several square meters of land and resources instantly.

Weighing the options, Lein chose to take over the territory. He believed expanding the island was more beneficial than instant resources. The potential for long-term growth and stability outweighed the immediate gratification.

Besides, he could still harvest resources from the goblin island over time. The thought of integrating the goblin's vibrant landscape with their own was appealing.

Upon choosing to take over, Lein's island grew larger, though its shape was no longer a perfect square. The new terrain added variety and potential for future expansion.

"Brother, I'm thirsty," Nita's voice was raspy, her earlier excitement giving way to fatigue.

"Hmmm…"

"It seems we need to duplicate the 100ml of water first," Lein mused, holding the small bottle. The necessity of basic resources became increasingly clear.

[ Water 100ml: Duplicate? ]

"Yes."

Suddenly, 1000 small bottles of water appeared out of thin air, scattering around them. The sheer volume was overwhelming, the sight almost comical.

"Whoa…" Nita's eyes widened, a mix of astonishment and gratitude in her gaze.

She grabbed one and drank eagerly, quenching her thirst. The cool water was a welcome relief, her parched throat finally soothed.

Lein, too, was amazed by the sight. The sheer potential of his talent began to sink in.

"This is absurd," he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Couldn't I dominate the trade with this talent?" Lein pondered, his mind racing with possibilities.

Currently, most items in the market traded for resources, especially water. The scarcity of such a vital resource made it incredibly valuable.

He checked the market for a while. Indeed, water was highly valued. The listings confirmed his suspicions.

[ Market ]

(Iron Sword) 10 Energy Crystals, accepting resources especially water and equivalent items…

(Long Bow) 500ml of water…

(Hard Leather) 1 Energy Crystal, accepting water…

Imagine a family of four; they would need 4 liters of water a day. The demand was staggering, the opportunities endless.

"Hahaha… Nita, let's rest for a bit," Lein said, heading back to the main island. The prospect of leveraging his talent to secure their future filled him with renewed energy.

Nita nodded, following her brother. The journey ahead was uncertain, but with each step, they carved out a path to survival and, perhaps, greatness.