The western approach to Crafter's Haven offered the least natural protection—a gradually sloping plain with scattered trees that provided minimal cover for defenders but excellent visibility of approaching threats. Mike had compensated for this vulnerability by constructing multiple layers of concealed traps and defensive positions, transforming the seemingly open terrain into a deadly gauntlet for unwary intruders.

  Now, crouched behind a low stone wall at the outermost observation post, he watched the tree line through Nott's Crafter-made spyglass. The approaching entities had entered visual range—a dozen figures moving with strange, lurching coordination through the tall grass.

  "Void Touched," Mike confirmed, passing the spyglass to Trolley beside him. "A hunting pack by the looks of it."

  Trolley studied the approaching group, her expression hardening. "They shouldn't be this far west. The Void Touched usually stay near the corruption zones in the eastern territories."

  "The Ki energy is spreading faster than we realized," Morin growled from his position a few feet away, the Forge Hammer gripped tightly in his broad hands. "These creatures were human once, before prolonged exposure to the void rifts transformed them."

  Mike nodded grimly. Unlike Zengrids, who maintained their intelligence and organization even when corrupted by Ki energy, the Void Touched were former inhabitants of this world who had been twisted into something feral and predatory—human in basic shape but with grotesque mutations that reflected their proximity to void rifts.

  "Twelve visible," Mike noted, counting the lurching figures. "Manageable if we use our defenses effectively. The question is: do we engage or remain hidden?"

  The Haven's perception shield still functioned to some degree, despite Mike's building activities having made the ruins visible to those who knew what to seek. There remained a chance that the Void Touched might pass by without detecting their presence, particularly given the creatures' diminished intelligence.

  "If we let them pass, they could establish a hunting territory that includes the Haven," Nott observed from his elevated position in a nearby tree, bow already strung and ready. "Better to eliminate them now than face them repeatedly during future expeditions."

  Mike's Tactical Positioning skill activated automatically, analyzing combat options and defensive configurations. The skill highlighted optimal firing positions, trap trigger locations, and potential retreat paths should the engagement turn against them.

  "We engage," he decided after a moment's consideration. "These creatures aren't like Zengrids—they won't report back to a central authority. Eliminating them now secures our perimeter without creating further complications."

  The others nodded agreement, readying their weapons as the Void Touched continued their shambling advance. The pack moved with unsettling coordination—not the disciplined formation of soldiers but the instinctive synchronization of predators that had evolved to hunt together.

  Mike used the time to mentally review their preparations. The perimeter was rigged with multiple layers of traps—from simple snares and deadfalls to more sophisticated mechanisms powered by boom sap charges. Trolley had established sensor arrays that would provide early warning of approaches from any direction. The underground chambers offered secure fallback positions if surface defenses were breached.

  Most importantly, they had the advantage of knowledge—two active Crafter rings providing enhanced capabilities, familiarity with the terrain, and the strategic information revealed by the Map Chamber. Against mindless corrupted creatures, these advantages should prove decisive.

  The pack's formation shifted as they approached within a hundred yards of the first defensive perimeter. The creatures spread out in a wider pattern, their movements becoming more intentional. The largest of them—a hulking figure with a distended jaw and arms that had mutated into blade-like appendages—lifted its misshapen head and seemed to taste the air.

  "They've caught our scent," Trolley whispered, fingers hovering over the control device that would activate the perimeter defenses.

  Mike tensed, his hand moving to the hammer at his belt. Unlike Zengrids, who relied on technology and organized tactics, the Void Touched hunted primarily through heightened senses—smell, sound, and a disturbing ability to detect living energy patterns.

  The lead creature let out a high, keening wail that sent shivers down Mike's spine. The sound was immediately echoed by the others in the pack, creating a discordant chorus that seemed designed to paralyze prey with fear. Then, as one, they charged—abandoning stealth for pure speed, their mutated limbs propelling them across the ground with terrifying velocity.

  "Now!" Mike signaled to Trolley, who activated the control device with practiced precision.

  The effect was immediate and devastating. Throughout the outer perimeter, concealed mechanisms activated simultaneously—snare traps launching Void Touched into the air, deadfalls crushing those caught beneath, pit traps opening suddenly under unwary feet. Within seconds, half the pack was disabled or killed, the survivors momentarily thrown into confusion by the coordinated defense.

  "They're regrouping," Morin warned as the remaining creatures recovered their predatory focus. The lead Void Touched released another wail, this one carrying a different harmonic—a rallying cry rather than a hunting signal.

  "Incoming!" Mike shouted as the survivors charged again, now moving in a zig-zag pattern that suggested more intelligence than he'd credited them with. These weren't merely feral creatures but corrupted humans who retained some tactical awareness beneath their monstrous transformations.

  Trolley responded by triggering a second layer of defenses—small boom sap charges placed strategically throughout the battlefield. The explosions weren't large enough to kill directly, but their placement beneath concealing vegetation and loose stone created devastating shrapnel that scythed through the attacking Void Touched.

  Mike seized the moment to break cover, hammer in one hand and the woodcutter's axe drawn with the other. His Tactical Positioning skill highlighted the optimal path across the battlefield, guiding him between active traps and potential threats with preternatural precision.

  A Void Touched rose from behind a fallen tree trunk, its arms ending not in hands but in jointed pincers that clicked together menacingly. Before it could lunge, Nott's arrow took it through an eye socket, dropping it back into the undergrowth with a strangled shriek.

  Two more creatures converged on Mike from different angles, moving with the coordinated instinct of pack hunters. The first attacked with blade-like forearms that whistled through the air with lethal intent. Mike deflected one with his hammer, then brought the woodcutter's axe around in a vicious arc that buried the blade deep in the creature's torso.

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  The Void Touched released an inhuman scream, black ichor spraying from the wound as Mike wrenched the axe free. The second creature attacked while Mike was momentarily off-balance, its distended jaw unhinging to reveal rows of needle-like teeth. It clamped onto his shoulder, the teeth piercing through his clothing.

  Pain flared along his upper arm, but his enhanced strength and the experience gained from months of combat allowed him to drive his elbow into the creature's throat with enough force to break its grip. As it staggered back, Mike reversed his grip on the hammer and struck upward with all his force. The ancient tool connected with the underside of the creature's jaw, the impact lifting it bodily from the ground before it collapsed in a lifeless heap.

  Across the battlefield, Morin had engaged the pack leader directly. The dwarf's fighting style was a stark contrast to Mike's adaptable approach—pure power and dwarven battle-craft, the Forge Hammer whistling through the air with deadly precision. The Void Touched leader attempted to parry with its blade-arms, but flesh and bone were no match for the Crafter-made hammer wielded by a master smith.

  As the dwarf moved in for a killing blow, the creature made a desperate counterattack, sweeping one bladed limb low along the ground in an unexpected move. The sharpened edge connected with Morin's knee with a sickening crack, and the dwarf went down hard, roaring in pain.

  The leader raised both bladed arms for a finishing stroke, but Morin, despite his injury, managed to throw the Forge Hammer in a perfect spinning arc. The hammer connected with devastating force, crushing the creature's chest and sending it sprawling backward in a shower of black ichor.

  "Morin's down!" Trolley called, already moving to assist the fallen dwarf.

  "Eastern flank!" Nott warned as three Void Touched broke away from the main engagement, clearly attempting to circle around and attack from another direction. The elf's bow sang twice more, claiming two of the creatures, but the third disappeared into the tall grass.

  "I've got it," Trolley responded, activating a secondary control that triggered the perimeter alarm system. A series of small charges detonated in sequence, creating a running line of explosions that pursued the escaping predator. The final blast erupted directly beneath it, obliterating the creature completely and sending a column of dirt and grass skyward.

  Silence fell across the battlefield, broken only by Morin's pained breathing and the dying sounds of wounded Void Touched. Mike rushed to the dwarf's side, where Trolley was already examining the injured knee.

  "How bad?" he asked, kneeling beside them.

  "Shattered kneecap," Trolley reported grimly. "Maybe worse. I can't tell without better equipment."

  Morin gritted his teeth against the pain. "Nothing fatal, but I won't be walking properly for weeks, even with accelerated healing." His frustration was palpable—a warrior sidelined at the moment of greatest need.

  Nott moved among the fallen creatures with grim efficiency, delivering mercy strokes to those beyond saving. When he returned to the group, his expression was grave.

  "I know these mutations," he said, wiping black ichor from his blade. "These Void Touched came from the northeastern territories—at least a hundred miles from where they should be. Something is driving the corrupted creatures westward, perhaps the same Ki surge we detected in the Map Chamber."

  "Which changes our plans significantly," Trolley observed, securing a splint to Morin's leg with practiced movements. "The expedition to the Artificer's Workshop needs to happen immediately, but Morin clearly can't travel in this condition."

  Mike surveyed the carnage, his breathing steadying as the immediate combat response faded. The engagement had been brief but intense—a dozen corrupted creatures eliminated in under ten minutes, with minimal damage to their own defenses but a significant casualty in Morin.

  "We need to reconsider who goes and who stays," he said, cleaning his axe blade on a tuft of grass before returning it to its harness across his back. The woodcutter's axe had served him well, its weight and edge perfectly balanced for both wilderness survival and unexpected combat. A good complement to the ancient hammer that remained his primary tool and weapon.

  "I'll stay with Morin," Nott volunteered immediately. "My bow will be useful if more threats approach, and I can continue to train Dren in basic defense techniques while monitoring the Map Chamber."

  "Which means Mike and I will retrieve the Artificer's Tools," Trolley concluded, helping Morin to a more comfortable position. "Perhaps with Kirgen as guide, given his scholarly knowledge of the region."

  Mike nodded, his Tactical Positioning skill calculating likely response scenarios. "The journey to the Workshop and back should take four days if we push hard. The appearance of Void Touched this far west is concerning, but at least they don't report to a central authority like the Zengrids. We've eliminated this pack, which should give us a window of relative safety."

  "Take Kirgen," Morin urged through gritted teeth. "His knowledge of Stonebridge could prove invaluable if you need specialized equipment, and he's recovered enough to travel. Dren can help Nott and me defend the Haven if needed."

  The decision felt right to Mike. Trolley's technical expertise would be crucial for recognizing and retrieving Artificer components, while Kirgen's scholarly background might provide insights into the Workshop's defensive systems. His own building and trap knowledge, combined with the woodworking ring's enhancement effects, completed a well-balanced expedition team.

  "It's settled, then," he confirmed. "Trolley, Kirgen, and I will depart for the Artificer's Workshop immediately. Nott will defend the Haven with Morin and Dren's assistance, maintaining communication through the Map Chamber if possible."

  As they began gathering the scattered weapons and useful materials from the battlefield—both to study their corrupted properties and to prevent attracting scavengers—a familiar sensation washed over Mike. The warm flow of advancement energy suffused his body, accompanied by the now-recognizable chime that signaled a level increase.

  A notification appeared before him, newly legible thanks to Nott's attunement crystal:

  ```

  [LEVEL UP: 15 ACHIEVED]

  Experience gained through strategic combat and successful defense of Crafter's Haven.

  CLASS: Builder

  LEVEL: 15 (0/31,000 to Level 16)

  PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES:

  - Strength: 19 (+1)

  - Dexterity: 16 (+1)

  - Endurance: 20

  - Intelligence: 16

  - Wisdom: 15 (+1)

  - Charisma: 11

  SKILLS:

  - Hammering (25): Master efficiency in using hammer-type tools

  - Sawing (22): Expert precision in cutting materials

  - Joining (26): Master-level ability to connect different materials

  - Layout (23): Expert spatial planning and design

  - Athletics (18): Advanced physical coordination and stamina

  - Measurement (25): Expert precision in calculating dimensions

  - Wood Cutting (21): Expert ability with axes and timber preparation (+2)

  - Trap Design (19): Advanced mechanical trap construction (+1)

  - Material Identification (16): Advanced recognition of building materials (+1)

  - Boom Sap Handling (17): Advanced ability with explosive materials (+1)

  - Tactical Positioning (5): Enhanced awareness of optimal positions (+3)

  - Efficient Recovery (3): Accelerated healing during rest periods (+2)

  - Structural Analysis (7): Instantly assess structural integrity (+2)

  TITLES:

  - Void Ripper Slayer

  - Haven Defender

  - Crafter Aspirant

  - Void Hunter (New!)

  ```

  The advancement came with noticeable physical changes—muscles more defined, reflexes sharper, senses keener. But most significant was the skill improvement in Wood Cutting, suggesting his use of the axe in combat had enhanced his proficiency with the tool. The new title—Void Hunter—indicated the system had recognized his effectiveness against Ki-corrupted entities.

  "Level 15," Trolley observed, noticing the change in his posture and the brief glow that had surrounded him during the advancement. "The advancement rate is accelerating. The more you interact with Crafter systems and combat void-corrupted forces, the faster you progress."

  The advancement brought with it a deeper understanding of materials he'd already encountered—the special wood, the blue crystals, the obsidian, and even the star-forged iron they'd retrieved from the mine. Properties and interaction patterns he hadn't previously recognized became suddenly obvious, connections between different substances revealing potential combinations he could exploit.

  "We should return to the Haven," Nott suggested, scanning the western horizon for any signs of additional threats. "There's much to prepare before your departure, and we need to ensure no evidence of this engagement remains visible from a distance."

  Mike nodded agreement, his enhanced perception already suggesting optimal methods for concealing the battlefield disturbances. "We'll burn the bodies, scatter vegetation to cover the explosion marks, and reset any traps that can be salvaged. By nightfall, there should be nothing to attract other predators to this area."

  Morin winced as they carefully helped him to his feet, the dwarf's sturdy frame supported between Mike and Nott. "The Artificer's Workshop won't be easily accessible," he growled through clenched teeth. "The guardians will test your skills more thoroughly than these corrupted beasts ever could."

  "We'll be back with the tools," Mike assured him, though he knew the promise held more determination than certainty. "And another step closer to stopping the corruption for good."

  As they made their way slowly back toward the Haven, Mike's mind turned to the journey ahead. The Artificer's Workshop awaited, with its guardian constructs and mechanical mysteries. Beyond that, four more Crafter tools and rings to recover, each bringing them closer to the knowledge needed to close the Zengrid portals permanently.

  And somewhere in that accumulated knowledge might lie his own path home—back to his family, to the life that seemed increasingly distant with each passing day in this strange world.

  The advancement to Level 15 brought both encouragement and sobering reality. He was growing stronger, more capable, more attuned to this world's systems with each challenge overcome. But that very attunement raised an uncomfortable question: Was he becoming something fundamentally different from the construction foreman who had fallen through a portal months ago? And if so, would he still fit into the life he was so desperate to reclaim?

  Questions without answers, at least for now. The immediate path was clear—secure the Artificer's Tools, return to unlock another ring, continue building the power and knowledge needed to counter the Zengrid threat. One step at a time, just as he'd approached every construction project back on Earth.

  With renewed determination, Mike adjusted his grip to better support Morin's weight as they climbed the gentle slope toward Crafter's Haven. The battle was won, but the war was just beginning.