As you traversed the Nether within the crimson forest biome, your curiosity led you to search for a fortress to explore or, if fortune favored you, some bastion ruins. To your delight, in the distance, a somewhat square structure emerged, and as you approached, its castle-like form became evident, adorned with black stone rubble scattered around. Without hesitation, you decided to enter, creating an opening in the structure that led you into the depths of the bastion ruins. As you surveyed your surroundings, the sounds of numerous piglins echoed around you, and you were acutely aware that lacking any gold armor meant a horde would soon converge if they detected your presence.

Undeterred, you pressed forward through the bridges and stairs of the bastion, eventually arriving at an unusual elongated room resembling a hallway, filled with chests—evidence of a Housing Unit from within the bastion. It was then that you became aware of an unsettling sound behind you: the unmistakable FOOTSTEPS OF AN APPROACHING THREAT.

In a split second, you made a decisive move, raising your left arm, which bore a shield. You executed a swift shield bash aimed at the oncoming figure, feeling a satisfying impact as your opponent tumbled to the ground. As you turned to assess the situation, your gaze fell upon a Female Piglin Brute, now recovering from the force of your blow. You raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the unexpected encounter.