The morning mist still clung to the trees as Iden stood before the Warrior Skeleton, the Bonefang Edge pulsing faintly in his grip. It radiated heatless energy, the red veins flickering like living blood under bone.
He tightened his fingers around the hilt, then looked at the Warrior—a figure of raw strength and silent loyalty.
"It's time you had this," Iden said.
He handed the weapon over.
As soon as the Warrior gripped it, the weapon hissed softly with a pulse of red energy. Bones rattled. The skeleton's form seemed to shift—its posture rising straighter, its bones strengthening, the armor-like plating fusing tighter around its limbs.
System Notification:Unique Item Equipped to SkeletonClass Evolution Detected: Warrior Skeleton → Bladeguard WarriorTrait Gained: Energy Channeling – Enhanced attack range, elemental damageNew Combat Skill: Crimson Cleave – Unleashes a forward energy slash, dealing AoE damage
Iden's eyes widened.
The Warrior now stood taller, emanating a faint glow through its ribcage and sword. This was no longer a basic undead warrior—it was a true frontline weapon of destruction.
As the Warrior evolved, so did Iden. His connection to the system had been deepening—not just as a summoner, but as a fighter, a builder, a leader.
He felt a familiar chime in his mind as new options opened:
Player Progression: Milestone ReachedRole Integration Detected: Combat + Crafting + CommandNew Skill Acquired: Adaptive Link [Passive]
Effect: Gain 10% of stat growth from your summons' progression
Unlock Bonus Abilities from repeat tasks (Crafting, Building, Hunting)
Another message followed, quieter but significant:
Skill Acquired: Forge Instinct (Level 1)
Grants minor crafting speed boost and increases success rate for Rare-grade gear
Skill Acquired: Commander's Focus (Level 1)
Temporarily increases all summon efficiency by 5% within a 15m radius
Iden clenched his fists. He wasn't just growing stronger—he was evolving alongside his skeletons.
With the Builder, Miner, and Woodcutter working in seamless unison, the clearing was transforming into a fledgling fortress.
The Builder had just finished raising the first watchtower, and the Miner had tunneled deep enough to reveal metallic veins—iron and something faintly glowing blue.
New Material Discovered: Etheric Ore(Use unknown — potential for enchantment, fuel, or summon class unlocks)
The Woodcutter continued chopping and refining timber, which was immediately used to reinforce shelter walls and extend storage units.
Meanwhile, Rael processed food, herbs, and hide—now also brewing salves and enhancing their ability to sustain long hunts. She'd quietly grown stronger too. Her Sanctum Pulse could now hold two charges and healed more than before.
The camp felt alive.
Back through the World Chat, Iden kept a pulse on others.
Some begged for help.
Some bragged about their kills.
Others… hinted at growing groups—factions forming in distant regions.
But none yet spoke of warriors with glowing weapons… or skeleton armies building cities.
Not yet.
Iden looked around at the clearing—soon to be a fortress. The Warrior trained tirelessly with its new blade, carving deep marks into the earth. The Builder directed a second structure's layout. The Miner prepared for a forge expansion. The Woodcutter sharpened its tool and followed a flawless loop.
And Iden? He wasn't a random survivor anymore.
He was becoming a Warden of the Dead—and his empire was only beginning to rise.