The winds of early autumn swept through Greystone, carrying with them a crispness that hinted at the coming winter. The village, once frail and on the brink of collapse, now stood tall like a fortress rising from ancient bones. Its newly paved streets bustled with foot traffic as villagers, mercenaries, and summoned undead moved with purpose under Kaelen's watchful eye.
Every day was a new step toward stability. But Kaelen knew the calm wouldn't last.
The Lords' War was coming.
And so, he prepared.
System Notification
[Linked Quest Available: "Sibling Synergy: Twin Growth"]Description: Coordinate a cooperative mission with Neria to unlock a synergistic trait bonus.Rewards: EXP Boost (x1.2), Bond Trait Upgrade, Hidden Resource Node RevealTime Limit: 72 Hours
Kaelen frowned as the message hovered in front of him.
"System," he said. "Show me the objective details."
Objective 1:Clear the Frostfang Ravine of hostile Snowhide Boars (0/20)Objective 2:Let Neria plant and awaken the Moonshade Vine at the Ravine HeartOptional:Do not let Neria take damage (Hidden Bonus Reward)
Kaelen closed the window with a breath. "We're leaving at first light."
The next morning, Neria arrived at the village gate wrapped in a fur-lined cloak. Her staff was a gnarled branch of living willowwood, gifted by the System after her last breakthrough. Around her wrist was a bracelet of bone and vine — a symbol of her unique class, Verdant Aegis.
"Ready?" Kaelen asked as he finished tightening the leather straps around his vambraces.
Neria nodded. "I packed the Moonshade Vine. It's glowing. I think it knows."
Beside them, three Wight Archers, two Bone Knights, and a Skeletal Pack Beast stood at attention.
Kaelen waved to Sylra, who leaned against the training post with her spear resting on her shoulder.
"Hold the fort while we're out," he said.
"You think I'd let someone else run it?" she shot back with a smile. "Come back safe."
Frostfang Ravine lay two hours northeast of Greystone — a narrow canyon wrapped in perpetual cold. Snow clung to the jagged rock walls, and pale mist floated between ridges. The place felt alive in its silence.
Kaelen motioned for his undead scouts to spread out.
They entered without hesitation, and within minutes, the first of the enemies appeared.
Massive boars, their hides caked with frost and muscles thick as trees, charged from the shadows with guttural squeals.
System Notification
[Hostile Detected: Snowhide Alpha Boar – Level 22][Mini-Boss Traits: Cold Gore, Regeneration]
"Bone Wall — intercept!" Kaelen barked.
The skeletal knights raised their shields and formed a curved wall just in time to absorb the first hit. One knight shattered from the force, but the wall held. The wights stepped behind them, arrows notched and eyes glowing blue.
"Loose!"
Twang. Twang. Twang.
The arrows flew with lethal precision, striking joints and eyes. One boar collapsed, another squealed and limped, and the alpha reared up with steam erupting from its nostrils.
Kaelen surged forward, scythe in hand. His current weapon, Grave Crescent, shimmered with dark energy as he activated one of its innate effects — Bone Reaver.
The blade tore through flesh and bone alike. With each strike, it absorbed the enemy's vitality, channeling it back into Kaelen.
Behind him, Neria stood her ground and summoned creeping roots that shot out from the frostbitten earth. They tangled one boar's limbs, holding it fast as her staff pulsed with emerald light.
"Now, Brother!" she called out.
Kaelen twisted mid-leap and brought his scythe down in a clean arc.
The head of the Snowhide Boar hit the ground with a wet thud.
System Notification
[Snowhide Boar Defeated x20][Linked Objective 1: Complete][EXP Gained: 7,200][Neria EXP Gained: 5,000][Optional Bonus Still Available]
With the enemies cleared, Kaelen led Neria deeper into the ravine toward a natural basin of glacial water — the heart of the Frostfang.
There, in the center of the clearing, Neria knelt and gently placed the Moonshade Vine into the soil. She closed her eyes, murmuring softly.
Kaelen kept guard, feeling the shift in the air.
Something was awakening.
The roots of the vine pulsed with light. The ground rumbled softly. Cold wind turned warm as a faint silver glow emerged from the ground in radiant rings.
Suddenly, the mist parted.
A hidden crevice was revealed on the far wall — a crystalline growth jutting out from the rock like frozen flowers.
System Notification
[Moonshade Vine Planted Successfully][Hidden Node Unlocked: Crystherium Veins][Reward: Synergy Trait – "Roots of Unity"]
When fighting within 50m of Neria, Kaelen gains +10% Defense and Magic Resistance.Neria gains +10% Energy Regen when within Kaelen's aura.
Kaelen stared at the crevice in silence. "Crystherium..."
Neria stood beside him. "What is it?"
"A rare magical ore," he said. "Can be used in forging enchanted weapons, especially frost-based ones. Greystone just found its edge."
He turned to her, his voice quiet but proud. "You did that."
Neria blinked. "We did."
He ruffled her hair, earning a pout. "Stop that."
On the way back, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the System issued an unexpected alert.
System Alert: Major Faction Activity Detected
Location: Western ValeFaction: Crimson Lord's BannerDescription: An unknown Lord has begun massing troops and structures. Projections suggest aggressive expansion.Risk Level: ModerateRecommendation: Scout or prepare defenses.
Kaelen narrowed his eyes.
"Looks like we won't be resting long."
He pulled up the shop interface again.
[System Shop - Support Skills]
New Item Unlocked:
Crystalforged Armor Blueprint – 90 SP
Ravine Familiar: Frostborne Wolf (Companion Class) – 75 SP
Siege Formation: Bone Trenches – 60 SP
He purchased the Bone Trenches and filed the others for later.
The enemy was making moves.
Greystone would be ready.
That night, as torches flickered and the gates of Greystone opened, Kaelen and Neria entered to cheers from the gathered villagers.
They didn't expect fanfare, but the people had begun to believe in their Lord and the small girl who called the vines.
Sylra met them at the steps of the manor, arms folded. "You look like hell."
Kaelen smirked. "You should've seen the other guys."
Then, unexpectedly, Sylra stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. It was brief, but heartfelt.
"You scare me sometimes, Kaelen," she murmured. "But you always come back."
He held her gaze for a long moment. "I have someone to come back to."
Neria, sensing something but not quite understanding it, took Sylra's hand. "He doesn't like hugs, but he's better at them now."
Sylra laughed. "Is that so?"
Kaelen just sighed, pretending to be annoyed.