A low rumble echoed across Greystone's valley as the Necroforge Anvil flared to life once again, casting deep shadows against the half-formed walls of the forge hall. Ash danced like fireflies in the air, drawn to the runic heat pulsing from the blood-colored sigils along the stone floor. Kaelen stood in the center, eyes focused on the half-finished summon rising before him—his second attempt at a Wraithbone Reaver. This one, stronger. Smarter.
Beside him, Elara leaned over the schematics sprawled on a summoned bone-table, her eyes narrowed.
"You're stabilizing the binding runes too early," she murmured, flicking her finger across a sigil with glowing precision. "Delay it by three seconds. Let the core settle before the necrotic pulse syncs. Otherwise, it'll fracture again."
Kaelen smirked. "When did you become a forge expert?"
"I watched your last three failures. Someone had to stop the soul explosions."
He sighed and adjusted the timing crystal. "Alright. Final attempt. Core stabilization in three... two... one."
With a low, harmonic hum, the bone lattice fused together, glowing with swirling essence. A chilling wind swept through the room as the creature fully formed—a tall, gaunt wraith with blade-arms of forged bone and ghostly flickers trailing behind it. Its crimson eye dimly glowed.
[Wraithbone Reaver – Grade: Rare+]Bound. Loyal. Efficient.
Elara clapped softly. "Looks mean. Like it skipped sleep for a few centuries."
Kaelen dismissed the forge screen and nodded. "That's the last one I'll make for this week. SP's tight again."
The cost of power was starting to show. Even with the Refund System, maintaining progress while holding their fragile village together was proving to be a game of sacrifices.
Total Refund Cycles Completed: 123Current SP: 780System Points: 2Refund Exploits Remaining This Week: 1
Kaelen browsed through the System Shop, ignoring the advanced military upgrades he couldn't yet afford and instead focusing on the new Infrastructure Support Tree that had been unlocked after completing the last village quest.
He tapped on a new option: Ghostlight Irrigation Network.
It cost 500 SP. But if installed, it would allow them to grow food even in cursed or barren soil—a critical need, especially after this week's failed hunting trips. The food shortage was turning the village's optimism into restlessness.
He hit "Buy."
[Purchase Successful]
Item: Ghostlight Irrigation NetworkSP Refunded: 50,000 (due to Refund Loop Exploit)System Points Gained: +1
[Resource Received: Enhanced Irrigation Arrays – Bound to Territory Core]
Elara gasped. "You used the exploit again?"
Kaelen grinned. "Last one for the week. I'll ration the SP gains between fortification, summon cores, and your next Mirage enhancement."
She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "You spoil me."
"You're the one keeping us ahead of the game. And you're not even ten yet."
"I'm eight, Kaelen."
He paused. "Right. Eight. Still not allowed to die, remember?"
She stuck her tongue out. "You too."
Later that day, Sylra walked alongside Kaelen along the newly paved stone path that bordered the central graveyard—the main summoning zone for his undead army. The Ghostlight Irrigation Arrays glowed faintly along the ridges, forming long furrows where cursed vegetables had already begun to sprout.
Sylra tilted her head. "You're making Greystone livable. One week ago, this place was a starving ruin. Now the people are smiling again."
Kaelen nodded. "Food does that. And power."
Sylra stopped and faced him. "So does stability. Leadership."
He glanced toward her. "Thinking of something?"
"I've been with plenty of lords. Most only know how to command, not how to care. You're different. You walk the fields. You share your rations. You train with your troops."
He shrugged. "I don't want to rule from a throne. I want to lead from the front."
Sylra looked like she wanted to say something more. But she caught herself, then offered a grin. "Then lead us into greatness."
That evening, Kaelen accessed his updated Personal Quest Log, now featuring Shared Objective Threads—quests that directly included Elara.
[Siblings of Sovereignty – Arc 1 Quest Thread]
Phase One: United Flame
– Successfully defend village in 3 raids: (2/3)– Elara must complete one Independent Tactical Operation: (Complete)– Kaelen must promote 3 permanent elite summons: (2/3)– Maintain village morale above 80% for 7 days: (4/7)
Reward:– Dual Class Enhancement Option– Shared Vision Interface– Access to "Refund Linkage" Upgrade Branch
Kaelen's brows furrowed.
Dual Class Enhancement. That was new.
And dangerous.
He turned the screen toward Elara, who had wandered in munching on a strange blue vegetable from the new crop.
"Look at this."
Her eyes widened. "Whoa. If we finish the quest, we can link our refund efficiencies. That means I get your excess resources too, right?"
Kaelen arched a brow. "Technically, yes. But it's also two-way. You'll need to budget."
She saluted mock-seriously. "I'll treat your points better than my own."
He sighed. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Moonlight shimmered off the rooftops of Greystone as the central tower loomed, now reinforced with arcane wards and bone glyphs. Kaelen stood on its balcony, the wind light against his face.
Sylra approached quietly, cloak fluttering.
"You're awake again."
"I'm always awake," he said.
She came to stand beside him, gazing out over the village—the lights, the shadows, the faint shimmer of undead patrols.
"I wanted to thank you."
Kaelen looked to her. "For what?"
"For not treating me like a weapon. Or a title."
She hesitated. "I know what I am to some people. A tool. A former mercenary with a reputation. But you… you see me. Even when I try to hide."
Kaelen stepped closer. "Sylra—"
She kissed him.
Soft. Short. Unspoken promises behind it.
When she pulled back, her smile was bittersweet. "I won't press. But now you know."
Kaelen's voice caught in his throat. "…I do."
By dawn, scouts returned with news.
Three neighboring lords had formed a pact and begun fortifying their borders. The Crimson Pact was preparing something—something larger than a skirmish.
The Lord's War might not be months away.
It might be weeks.