Building a Kingdom as a Kobold-Chapter 57: Why Is Nature Actively Plotting Against Me?

I would like to state, for the record, that I never agreed to this.

Oh sure, I said I would "help." I said it because the system threatened me with diplomatic failure, and Sylrien stared at me with that same polite expression people give to animals they expect will bolt at any moment.

But this? This was not helping. This was suffering.

The deeper forest felt less like walking and more like being slowly digested by scenery. The trees grew impossibly tall and dense, twisting upward like they were actively trying to blot out the sky. Thick vines looped like lazy predators waiting for something dumb to step in the wrong spot.

I swept my flame shard slowly along the path, more out of paranoia than strategy. It did not comfort me when it flashed twice in rapid warning.

"Perfect," I muttered. "The plants hate us too."

The system, traitorous as ever, chimed.

[Environmental Threat Level: Moderate (Trending Upward)]

[Unstable Mythline Echo Detected Nearby]

[Recommendation: Remain Alert (You won't)]

I sighed.

Because obviously, I'm known for my ability to make great decisions under pressure.

The forest immediately set out to prove it was worse than advertised.

A bright purple mushroom detonated in a puff as someone—probably Tinker—stepped too close. A burst of spores sent squad members coughing and staggering into a tangle of thorn bushes.

Up ahead, Relay disappeared into the underbrush and yelped as the ground collapsed under him into a shallow muddy pit. He reemerged soaked but still scribbling notes.

If we survive this, he's getting a medal for commitment and a week of supervised naps.

Leaves rustled violently above. There was a yelp and a crash. I didn't look. I already knew the answer.

Cinders marched past, waving her ladle at a squat frog sitting boldly in the path. The frog blinked slowly.

"I swear it glared at me."

I kept walking. "Sure."

I couldn't feel my left boot anymore. I wasn't sure if it was still attached or if the moss had claimed it as payment.

Glare trailed serenely behind, her robe somehow spotless through mud and vines.

The half-elves glided through the mess without so much as bending a leaf. One glanced back at us, then quickly looked away.

I felt that.

This was going to be a very long day.

The deeper we pushed, the more it felt like we were being swallowed.

The air grew heavier, the light thinner. Tangled roots clawed at our feet. Shifting plants curled just out of reach like they were watching us.

A mist crept between the trees, thin enough to see through but thick enough to make shapes look wrong.

Relay stumbled and nearly fell when a stone disintegrated underfoot.

Tinker aimed a device at a bloated blue flower. The flower snapped shut, nearly taking the scanner. Tinker stared silently, then moved on.

A splash behind me. Cinders swore violently at whatever claimed her boot.

I kept walking.

The path narrowed under twisted trees arching like ribs. Strange fungi glowed faintly along the bark.

The half-elves led with effortless grace. Sylrien barely glanced back. I imagined her thinking: How have these kobolds survived this long?

Honestly? Same.

[Settlement Survival Odds: Holding Steady (Miraculously)]

The system returned.

[Environmental Conditions: Hazardous]

[Squad Stability: Moderate (1 injury, 2 near-misses, 6 complaints logged)]

[Recommendation: Maintain Caution]

"Look where that got us," I muttered.

The brush opened suddenly into a hollow space. A crude fire ring. Flattened grass. Torn packs. Human footprints.

I knelt, tracing one print. Fresh. No attempt to hide them.

Sylrien crouched beside me. "They fled."

"No kidding."

The squad spread out. Relay sketched the layout. Tinker scanned ashes. Flick stared at a ragged cloth like it held secrets. Glare stood perfectly still, waiting for something.

Nothing came.

The system pinged.

[Optional Subquest Updated: Bandit Activity Confirmed]

[Suggested Action: Continue Pursuit or Return to Settlement]

[System Note: You already know which you'll choose]

I stared through tiny gaps of gray sky above. I lowered my head again.

"Of course we keep going."

I gestured. "We move."

And somewhere behind the leaves, something was still watching. Not a beast. Not a trap.

Just... the forest. Waiting to see what I broke next.