I Stack Elements to Conquer All Worlds Chapter 16: Strategic Withdrawal

Ethan made his decision almost imdiately.

Retreat.

Not because he was afraid.

Not because the sprites couldn't fight.

Because there was nothing to gain.

The expedition had already discovered the Iron Ore Deposit.

Several loads of ore had already been transported back to the Origin Sphere.

Remaining here only increased the chance of losses.

A Creator's job was not to win every battle.

A Creator's job was to make the best decision.

"Withdraw."

The command traveled through the connection between Creator and civilization.

The sprites reacted instantly.

A portal opened beside the mining site.

The Elentless Sprites carrying ore moved first.

One after another, they disappeared through the gate.

The wolves sensed what was happening.

The lead wolf released a sharp howl.

The entire forest exploded into motion.

The pack charged.

This ti there was no hesitation.

No testing.

No probing.

Just a full assault.

The Fire Sprite attacked first.

Sparks flew through the air.

Several wolves flinched.

Others ignored the attacks completely.

The distance closed rapidly.

The Earth Sprite slamd both hands into the ground.

Stone walls erupted from the earth.

Several wolves crashed into them.

The barriers shattered seconds later.

But they bought ti.

More sprites escaped.

The Water Sprite gathered moisture from the air.

A series of water spheres slamd into the charging beasts.

Mud spread across the battlefield.

The wolves slowed.

The Air Sprite followed imdiately.

Powerful gusts blasted through the clearing.

Leaves, dust, and debris filled the air.

Visibility dropped.

Another group of sprites reached the portal.

Ninety.

Ninety-one.

Ninety-two.

The numbers continued climbing.

The wolves finally broke through.

One leapt over the stone barriers.

Its jaws snapped shut around an Elentless Sprite.

The tiny creature burst into particles of light.

Dead.

The first casualty of the expedition.

The surrounding sprites faltered.

The wolf never received a chance to celebrate.

The Fire Sprite slamd directly into its face.

Sparks erupted everywhere.

The beast recoiled.

Several Elentless Sprites dragged the injured ore carriers toward the portal.

Ethan remained calm.

Losses hurt.

But panic killed civilizations.

The retreat continued.

Ninety-five.

Ninety-six.

Ninety-seven.

Only a handful remained.

The wolves were getting closer.

Far too close.

The lead wolf finally entered the clearing.

Its eyes locked onto the Earth Sprite.

The creature lunged.

The Earth Sprite didn't retreat.

Instead, it raised both arms.

The ground beneath the wolf suddenly collapsed.

The beast fell into a shallow pit.

Not enough to trap it.

But enough to delay it.

The Earth Sprite imdiately sprinted toward the portal.

The Water Sprite followed.

The Air Sprite dove through next.

The Fire Sprite remained.

Ethan frowned.

The little creature stood alone before the charging wolves.

Its body glowed faintly.

The wolves slowed.

Even they seed confused.

Then the Fire Sprite pointed dramatically at the entire wolf pack.

A challenge.

The lead wolf growled.

The Fire Sprite responded with a louder cry.

For one ridiculous mont, Ethan felt as though the tiny creature was trying to declare war on every wolf in the forest.

The next second it turned around and sprinted toward the portal.

Ethan nearly laughed.

The Fire Sprite dove through the gate.

The mont it crossed, Ethan closed the portal.

Space twisted.

The connection vanished.

The forest disappeared.

Silence returned.

Planet 042 faded from view.

Ethan's consciousness returned fully to the Origin Sphere.

The sprites imdiately gathered around the ore pile.

Exhaustion covered their faces.

Several had minor injuries.

One sprite was missing.

Only one.

Ethan slowly exhaled.

That outco could have been much worse.

Much worse.

He opened his interface.

[ Origin System ] [ Synthesis ]

Na: Ethan Reed

Stage: 1 — Novice Creator

World Type: Elental

Origin Energy: 1,060

Origin Credits: 500 CR

System Points: 60 SP

Units: 98

Elentless Sprite ×94

Water Sprite ×1

Fire Sprite ×1

Earth Sprite ×1

Air Sprite ×1

XP: 18 / 1,000

The gains were modest.

The losses were manageable.

Most importantly, the ore had been secured.

The Earth Sprite imdiately moved toward the pile.

It inspected every piece carefully.

The Fire Sprite proudly climbed on top of the stack.

The Air Sprite landed on its head.

The Water Sprite dragged both of them down.

Within seconds the three elental sprites were arguing.

The Earth Sprite ignored them completely.

Ethan smiled.

Then a notification appeared.

New Resource Added To World Inventory

His expression sharpened.

The ore pile emitted a faint tallic glow.

A second notification followed.

World Developnt Increased

The ssage lingered for several monts before disappearing.

Ethan stared at the ore.

Then at the notification.

Then back at the ore.

Slowly, a realization ford.

Resources weren't just valuable because they could be sold.

They directly contributed to world developnt.

And world developnt increased Origin Energy generation.

The implications were enormous.

Planet 042 suddenly seed far more important than before.

Because sowhere within that forest were more resources.

More opportunities.

More growth.

And eventually...

a way to clear the planet and claim the 100 SP he needed for his next synthesis.