The low growl of the wind against the edges of Greystone's northern ridge set an ominous tone as Elara stood beside the newly placed Tactical Relay Pylon, the wind whipping through her short silver-blonde hair. This was her first command, her first test—not as Kaelen's little sister, but as the Mirage Tactician of Greystone.
Behind her stood the troops assigned to her command: two squads of Wight Archers, five Bone Wolves, and three Phantom Blade Dancers. Temporary units, born from the Refund Loop exploit, designed to vanish within three minutes if not dismissed beforehand.
She tapped the relay crystal embedded in her gauntlet.
"Units calibrated. Clone synchronization active. Illusion Field primed for deployment."
Kaelen's voice buzzed through the communicator. "You're in charge now. Just remember—make them bleed, but don't let your troops die. Even the expendable ones."
Elara grinned, her violet eyes sharp. "I've got this."
The terrain narrowed into a stone ravine choked with thorn bushes and dry moss, perfect for funneling enemies into an ambush. The Crimson Dogs marched without subtlety—fifteen armored warriors in blood-red tabards, their boots crushing loose stone as they advanced. At their center was a captain-class unit: Axebreaker Joral, known for decapitating two lords during the early conquest weeks.
Unaware of what waited above them.
Elara lifted her hand and snapped her fingers once.
The Mirage Wolfpack howled into existence—eight shimmering spectral beasts formed from illusion threads and necrotic essence. They ran in from the left, dragging the Crimson Dogs' attention with violent barking and rapid movement.
"Deploy Illusion Field," Elara whispered.
An invisible wave pulsed out from the Relay Pylon. The very rocks of the gulley seemed to shift, and suddenly, the Crimson Dogs were surrounded—not by eight wolves, but by twenty, their eyes glowing with phantom menace.
"Archers. Scatter-shot volley. On my mark… now."
The Wight Archers loosed two dozen spectral arrows from the ridge above. Half phased through the illusions—harmless. The others struck true, embedding into armor and exposed flesh. Screams echoed.
The real Phantom Blade Dancers emerged, warping from the air behind the last row of Crimson soldiers. Two fell before they even realized they were flanked.
Joral roared, swinging his massive axe in a full arc, dispelling two illusions. "They're not real! They're—gah!"
One of the Bone Wolves bit into his shoulder, yanking him back into the chaos.
System Notification – Elara
Illusion Field: Successfully Deployed (1/3)Trick an Elite Enemy into Friendly Fire: CompleteBonus Objective: Zero Casualties Achieved
[Quest Progress Updated]Reward Unlocked: Tactical Node – Clone ProjectionMirage Library Expanded
Up on the ridge, Elara dismissed the temporary summons with a breath, and they vanished into shards of violet light.
Far below, the last of the Crimson Dogs fell. None had escaped. None had even fully realized they weren't fighting real numbers.
And Kaelen, watching through the shared Tactical Relay feed, smiled.
"She's already surpassing my expectations."
Later that evening, Kaelen and Elara stood before the core interface of the Refund System, watching as the Soul Point counter climbed.
Refund Summary
Temporary Summons Dismissed: 13Refund Points Gained: 3,250 SPRefund Rank Milestone: Achieved (100x Refund Cycle)
[1 System Point Gained]SP to Stat Conversion (Rate: 100:1): Eligible
Kaelen selected Stat Upgrade, pumping the new System Point into INT, raising his mana regeneration and summoning affinity. His current build had started to lean into mid-tier necromantic synthesis—combining constructs with summoned undead and illusion fields for devastating synergy.
"You know," Elara said, tapping her chin, "I've figured out a way to force refund loops with clone projections. I create a clone, let it deploy a temporary summon, then cancel both at once. Double refund. Technically legal."
Kaelen arched an eyebrow. "You're already thinking like a System exploiter."
She winked. "I had a good teacher."
With the SP gained, Kaelen unlocked two key defenses:
Specter Ward Network Expansion – A defensive barrier that layered a spectral mist around the village, confusing enemies and empowering undead within range.
Necroforge Anvil – A workshop where Kaelen could fuse souls and materials into enhanced undead variants.
He stood within the half-constructed Necroforge now, watching as spectral flames rose from the forge's heart. With one soul shard and a forged bone core, he crafted a Wraithbone Reaver, a new elite unit that hovered silently, waiting for orders.
Behind him, Neria entered with a report scroll.
"The Crimson Camp has pulled back slightly. Seems they've realized someone's feeding them false movement data. But more importantly, other lords are starting to notice us. Two scouting envoys were spotted near our south-eastern border."
Kaelen frowned. "They'll try to see if we're worth allying with—or eliminating."
That evening, Kaelen hosted a war council. Around the stone map table sat:
Neria, his tactical advisor and arcane specialist.
Sylra, the former mercenary captain, and first harem member—now acting general.
Elara, recently promoted to Shadow Commander of the Mirage Division.
Bran, the reformed rogue who managed supply lines and outer patrols.
Neria tapped the map. "Four lords control the region. Of them, only one—Lord Renholt—has no confirmed allegiance. The others are divided between the Crimson Pact and the Golden Chain factions."
Sylra added, "Renholt's holding territory near the Scorched Pass. He's strong, but wary. If we reach out now, we might secure a second trade route."
Kaelen looked across the map. "We're expanding. But we're still vulnerable."
He opened his interface.
System Quest – Personal
Title: Stabilize GreystoneObjectives:– Secure Two Active Trade Routes (0/2)– Reach Lord Level 5 (Currently Level 3)– Upgrade Territory Ranking to Fortified Village
Optional:– Maintain 100% Morale for 5 Days– Feed Population without Hunting for 7 Days
Reward: 3 System Points | Title: Bonewright of ProsperityUnlocks: Advanced Resource Automation Blueprint
Kaelen set his eyes on the long game.
The Lords' War was coming.
And Greystone would be ready for it—not as a footnote in someone else's conquest, but as a rising power.
Later that night, Kaelen stood atop the Eastern Tower, watching the mist from the Specter Wards spread over the village. Soft footsteps approached behind him.
Sylra, hair loose and expression tired, leaned on the parapet.
"You trusted your sister with the ambush," she said.
"She earned it," Kaelen replied. "And she succeeded."
There was a pause before she spoke again. "You gave me something too, you know."
He turned toward her.
"Purpose," she said, smiling faintly. "I've fought in a dozen wars. Lived through betrayal, siege, famine. But for the first time… I feel like I'm building something."
Kaelen's eyes softened.
"And I'm building it with you."
Sylra reached up, brushing a lock of hair from his face. The silence between them hummed with unspoken words.
But neither spoke them yet.
They didn't need to.
Not tonight.