The gathered military forces around the city hall.  

Though we grandly proclaimed it as a “campaign to completely subjugate the area,” fully eradicating them would take an enormous amount of time.  

We had forcefully pushed through and breached the defenses with a flashy display of military might.  

‘But we’ve likely only managed to clear out about a third of them, at most.’  

We had simply taken the fastest route to reach the city hall.  

Our objective was to expand the occupied territory.  

After contemplating, the conclusion I reached was this:  

‘Symbolism.’  

Our mountain division may not be the largest, but we were stationed at the highest peak, and we had exterminated the lizards who had occupied the widest area besides us.  

Through that, the system acknowledged our control over the territory.  

So, if we were to occupy the most symbolically significant location here, that would be the city hall, without a doubt.  

Based on my experience, the system has a certain understanding of human social systems.  

If my assumption is correct, something will change by capturing this place.  

“Young-joon.”  

“Yes.”  

“Report our side’s casualty.”  

The casualties were substantial.  

Over 30% of our troops were injured to the point of being unable to continue fighting.  

‘Even after all our preparations, the losses are this heavy.’  

This was only counting the soldier casualties – the vampires we had recklessly used had lost more than ten.  

The fuel-guzzling tanks, despite having poured out all the fuel they had accumulated, were now barely mobile.  

If we fail to capture the city hall, we’ll have to methodically clear the area, taking our time.  

“As I mentioned before, this area inside is one that Bangul cannot see.”  

“Hmm.”  

The downside is that this is one of the areas where Soo-ah’s reconnaissance is ineffective.  

It means there are monsters capable of blocking the approach of spirits.  

I had tried to avoid other areas as much as possible, but the capture of the city hall was unavoidable.  

“Ah, Sergeant Shin.”  

“Be careful.”  

I was the first to enter the building.  

The moment I opened the door, strange sounds came from above my head.  

“Kkak kkak kkak! Stupid humans! You foolishly walked in without even knowing we were hiding!”  

“Idiots! We’ll eat you up deliciously!”  

Two forms fell from above.  

‘They were hiding, huh?’  

Just as the monsters said, I had no idea they were hiding there.  

‘What’s this?’  

The monsters weren’t even trying to conceal their presence.  

I thought they were there just naturally.  

“No, if they were hiding, they should have at least killed their own sounds.”  

“Kwaak?”  

Sshhk.  

[Experience points acquired]  

[Experience points acquired]  

I felt the sensation of the blade cutting through flesh.  

There was hardly any unpleasant sensation in the process.  

‘These monsters don’t seem that strong.’  

I looked at the corpses of the fallen monsters on the floor.  

Two green-skinned dwarf-like creatures.  

[Chef’s Eyes] activated.  

[Small Root Goblin]  

[A subspecies of goblins that primarily inhabit forests. They lack individual combat prowess but are skilled in group tactics utilizing the terrain of the forest. Unfortunately, their meat yield is not particularly high compared to the difficulty of hunting them. For preparation, start by focusing on the spinal bone in their back-]  

Indeed.  

These were originally forest-dwelling monsters.  

I’m not sure how they ended up in this concrete city, but they lacked their original group combat abilities.  

“It took too long to infiltrate the city. We’ll clear them out quickly!”  

The soldiers following behind me were also able to subdue the monsters rather easily.  

It was quite easy, considering the intensity I had expected for the core of the city hall subjugation.  

But just as I thought the cleansing would go without major issues,  

I had another thought.  

‘These creatures can speak.’  

The soldiers didn’t seem to pay much attention, as the monsters were speaking so naturally.  

I’m not even sure if they were truly speaking Korean,  

but the fact that they could communicate was quite significant to me.  

I glanced down at the shadows.  

…?  

I could sense a presence moving within, reacting to my gaze.  

The “monster capable of communication” I had first encountered before,  

and the one who had become my [Vassals]  

And the result of that…  

I also came to realize that they could be quite useful.  

“Could these creatures also be made into vassals just like you?”  

-It’s a bit disappointing to be treated the same as such inferior species…  

In order to survive, we must build up our power.  

But unfortunately, during the “Doomsday,” the majority of humanity had already been annihilated.  

The remaining survivors would be less than half of what they once were.  

‘Incorporating the survivors is not a bad idea, but building power solely with the survivors would have its limits.’  

During Genghis Khan’s conquest wars in the past, he had filled the lack of manpower with slaves from the conquered regions, and not just Mongols.  

No matter how contemptible these monsters may be, if they are useful, they could be employed as slave soldiers.  

As I continued the subjugation while pondering this,  

I soon arrived at the top floor of the city hall.  

“Kwaak! These humans! They’re too strong!”  

“Damn it! How annoying!”  

The monsters were spouting vulgar words in their clumsy speech.  

At the center was a goblin adorned in an extravagant getup.  

“Kwaak!!! Can’t you do it properly? Useless wretches!”  

Waving his staff, he was commanding the other goblins to fight.  

[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]  

[Intermediate Goblin Shaman]  

That one must be the leader of the goblins here.  

He was likely the one who had driven out the spirits as well.  

Of course, they’re still just goblins.  

“Ke, Keeeek…!”  

The goblin was forced to the ground by the soldiers.  

His fancy ornaments didn’t seem to be of much help.  

“Hu- human there!”  

At that moment, the goblin shouted at me.  

“Pl, please save me!”  

“…?”  

“I! I’m perceptive! You! You’re the leader of these humans, right? Kekk!”  

“Hmph.”  

“Just say the word, and they’ll all listen to you! Right!?”  

I hadn’t particularly taken the lead in the battle within the city hall.  

Yet, he somehow deduced that I was the commander.  

‘So, he’s not just any shaman, huh?’  

Seems like he has a similar intuition to our shaman.  

I’m growing increasingly intrigued.  

“Kekk. If you save me, I can offer you lots of good things!”  

“Good things?”  

If he submits obediently, I could possibly gain a useful military force.  

As I stepped closer to hear what he had to say,  

-Master, be careful…!  

In front of me, I saw a giant ball of flame hurtling towards me.  

“Kekeke! Swallow this! Idiot!”  

Even though he was being restrained by the soldiers, he was still able to cast magic.  

It seemed to be a spell similar to the fireball used by our mages.  

“Kekk! The enemy commander is dead!”  

“He’s a shaman, after all!”  

“Kekk. I knew it!”  

“The counterattack begins…!”  

The excited goblins started rambling.  

Seeing that,  

“…Sigh.”