Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game-Chapter 45: Elves

Morning sunlight spilled across the village as Caelen stretched and stepped outside. He raised his hand and focused.

[System: Cast Earth Magic – Golem Creation]

The ground rumbled, and a rough shape rose from the earth. One arm looked like a hammer, the other like a claw. The two dwarves, Dorgrim and Borin, sat nearby with mugs in hand, watching.

Dorgrim blinked. "By the beard of my grandfather... what in the stone-biting hell is that?"

"That's... a golem," Borin muttered. "And I think I need a stronger drink."

Caelen gave a grin. "He's harmless. Unless I tell him to chop trees."

[System: Command Entered – Chop Trees]

The golem turned and marched toward the edge of the forest, arms swinging.

Borin stood. "I'm too old for surprises like this."

"You'll get used to it," Caelen said. Then he made another golem, smaller and stouter, and gave it a mining command.

[System: Command Entered – Mine Stones]

The second golem walked toward the quarry path, disappearing into the trees.

Nearby, Zira held two wooden spears. She handed one to Rena and one to Miko. "Grip it tighter. Keep your elbows bent. If something gets close, don't panic. Aim for the legs."

The kids nodded, serious-faced.

Garin stood by the outdoor kitchen, watching Caelen slice vegetables. "So you add the onions before the eggs?"

"Yup," Caelen said. "Otherwise they stay raw. Try it."

Garin copied him clumsily, scribbling notes onto a piece of bark. He squinted at the pan and flipped the food too early. Half of it stuck.

"Better luck next time," Caelen laughed.

At the blacksmith hut, Dorgrim hammered a red-hot blade onto the anvil, sparks flying. Nearby, Borin was scribbling on a map of the village, moving stones and logs to shape better paths.

The sound of steel, fire, and golems filled the air.

As night fell, the village quieted.

Then—a sudden sharp thwip.

An arrow slammed into a tree near the kitchen.

Everyone froze.

"Get back!" Zira pulled the kids behind the shed. Garin grabbed his axe.

Caelen crouched low. [System: Search – Nearby Lifeforms]

[Detected: 3 unknown beings – Race: Elf – Distance: 40m – Hostile: Unclear]

He whispered, "Three elves. One girl, two guys."

Another arrow hit the dirt.

Zira raised her spear. Garin stood ready beside her. The kids trembled behind them.

Caelen moved forward slowly, hands raised. "We don't want a fight!"

Silence. Then, from the shadows, the elves stepped out. One girl in front, slim and alert. Two boys behind, bows ready.

The girl scowled. "Why are you sheltering goblins?"

Zira stepped forward. "I'm not a threat. I'm not like the others."

The elf girl narrowed her eyes. "Goblins attacked our village. We lost everything. We thought you were one of them."

"We're not enemies," Caelen said. "This is our home. We protect everyone here. Goblin or not."

The elves hesitated.

Caelen took a deep breath. "What happened to your village?"

The elf girl looked away. "We were migrating south. Our forest was drying up. On the way, goblins attacked us at night. Burned our tents. Took our supplies. We've been hiding and running for days."

Her voice cracked slightly. "When we saw goblins here, we thought... we thought it was another trap. I'm sorry."

The tension broke. The elves lowered their weapons.

Zira stepped closer. "I'm sorry too. But not all goblins are monsters. Just like not all elves are kind."

The girl nodded. "You're right. I'm Elira. These are my brothers, Fen and Laen."

Caelen smiled. "I'm Caelen. That's Zira. Garin. And those are our kids—Rena and Miko."

Dorgrim and Borin stepped out from behind the blacksmith shed, both with tankards in hand.

"Who's making all the noise this late?" Dorgrim muttered.

Elira blinked. "Are those... dwarves?"

"Drunken ones," Garin muttered under his breath.

"Oi!" Dorgrim grinned. "I'm not drunk. Just... relaxed."

Borin raised his mug. "And old. Don't forget that."

Caelen laughed. "Come on. Sit by the fire. Let's talk."

The elves hesitated, then joined them. Garin offered food. Zira poured warm tea. The kids sat close to Zira, still cautious but curious.

As the fire crackled, Elira looked around. "You really built all this in the forest?"

"Yeah," Caelen said. "Little by little. With some help."

Elira watched the golems walk past in the distance. Her eyes widened. "Magic too?"

"Earth magic," Caelen nodded. "And a little luck."

Fen finally spoke. "So... this is a safe place?"

"Safe as we can make it," Garin said.

Laen nodded. "Better than sleeping in a tree."

Elira looked at Caelen. "Can we stay? Just for a while?"

Caelen smiled. "You can. As long as you help out."

Elira grinned. "Deal."

[System: New Residents Detected – Elira, Fen, Laen (Elf)]

Zira glanced at Caelen and gave a small smile. For once, there was peace again.

The fire burned low as the forest night settled around them. And in that quiet, the village felt a little bigger. A little stronger. A little more like home.