The early morning mist clung to the burnt edges of the village, whispering of the chaos from the night before. Despite the damage, Dawn's Refuge stood firm—scarred but unbroken.
Arjun stood atop the command tower, his eyes sweeping the horizon. Where the Harvester had been blasted away now lay a jagged, smoking canyon.
He clenched his fist.
"That thing… it wasn't here for conquest. It was a test. One we barely passed."
Bhanu rolled out a new map, lines drawn from all edges of the settlement stretching toward potential outposts. Shayra paced beside him, her brows furrowed.
"We have two problems now," Shayra said. "One—our strength is now known to entities beyond the System's chosen Lords. Two—those entities will not stop."
Bhanu nodded. "But we also have opportunity. You've got Lords watching you now. If we move fast, we can recruit or suppress nearby candidates before they consolidate power."
Arjun rubbed his chin. "We expand. But with caution."
He turned to Priya.
"What about the egg… the Kirin?"
Priya held the infant beast gently in her arms. "It's still growing. Its flames… they burn corruption. Not just physical attacks. The Kirin is a direct counter to things like that Harvester."
[Beast Companion Registered: Dawnflame Kirin (Variant)][Bonded to Lord-Priestess: Priya][Traits: Cleansing Aura, Radiant Flame Pulse, Devours Dark Essence for Growth]
Shayra blinked. "Priya's class is developing too?"
[Priya's Class Upgraded: From 'Beast Lord Initiate' → 'Sanctified Beast Emissary'][Unique Ability Unlocked: "Blessed Nest – 25% chance to hatch a Legendary Beast Egg"]
Everyone froze. Arjun turned slowly.
"Say that again."
Priya blushed. "I… I think I'm going to be getting more eggs soon."
Scouts returned before noon with news: a ruined temple had been discovered three kilometers north. Its walls shimmered with faint symbols, and nearby, signs of recent battle and… something stirring.
The System chimed.
[Mini-Dungeon Discovered: Shrine of the Forgotten Oath][Status: Dormant – Requires Lord Activation][Warning: Dungeon Scaling Based on Lord Tier]
"This could be huge," Bhanu said, eyes wide.
Arjun nodded. "Gear up. We're clearing it before nightfall."
The group entered with a full squad—Shayra, Bhanu, Priya (with the Kirin), and twenty trained guards. The inside was lined with broken statues and murals depicting ancient Lords waging war against monstrous silhouettes.
[Triggering Dungeon Protocol…][Challenge Initiated: Defend the Last Torch – 10 Waves of Spiritborn Assailants]
Ghostly enemies materialized—warped versions of past Lords, wielding glowing weapons.
Arjun charged first, his new system-enhanced glaive slicing through three in a single arc. Shayra ducked and moved like a wraith, her daggers finding vulnerable gaps in the phantasms. Priya's Kirin radiated flames that purified every corrupted specter it touched.
Wave after wave fell.
[Final Wave Incoming – Dungeon Guardian Unsealed]
A massive spectral knight, fused with dark mana, slammed down from the altar above.
[Boss: Oathbreaker Seraph – Level 38][Ability: Punish Betrayers, Reflect Divine Skills]
Its gaze settled on Arjun. "You are not worthy of the System's favor."
Arjun narrowed his eyes. "I don't need its favor. I make my own fate."
He raised his glaive—and activated his territory-linked skill again.
[Skill: Rooted Echo – Zone Enhancement Mode][Linking: Kirin's Aura + Settlement's Defense Trait + 1000x Return Multiplier]
An ethereal version of the village shimmered into place around the group.
[Dawn's Resolve Triggered – First Fusion Skill Born][Fusion Skill: Beacon of Immortals – All Allies Gain Damage Resistance, Life Regen, and Light-Based Bonus Damage]
Even the Dungeon Guardian recoiled as the battlefield itself turned against it. With a unified strike from Arjun, Shayra, and Priya's Kirin, the Guardian let out a fading roar and exploded into radiant dust.
[Dungeon Cleared: Shrine of the Forgotten Oath][Rewards Distributed]
Title Gained: Beacon of Ascendants
Artifact Acquired: Oathfire Brand (Unique)
One Additional Beast Egg (Corrupted Class)
Arjun picked up the strange egg, glowing with a black-red pulse.
Priya whispered, "This… this one's different."
Back in Dawn's Refuge, celebrations were quiet but hopeful. The villagers knew something had changed—something fundamental. The System itself seemed to respond to their courage.
Meera approached Arjun near the well, gently resting his hand on her small bump. "I felt it… when the Guardian was slain. Something in me changed."
[Passive Blessing Gained: Futureborn Heir – Your Child Will Be Born with a Unique Class Based on Parental Legacy]
Arjun's breath caught.
"You're saying… the child is already gaining power?"
Meera nodded. "And the System is watching."
He kissed her forehead softly. "Then let it watch. Because we're not done."