They climbed out of the Hollow at dusk. Darius didn't wait.
"Open system," he ordered as they reached the outpost ruins. "Blueprint menu."
> [Watchtower I – Unlock?]
Cost: 2 SP + 100 Gold
Confirm?
"Do it."
> [Confirmed.]
Deploy Foundation Beacon…
A small orb materialized in his palm, glowing faintly. Darius slammed it into the cracked ground.
The system exploded with light.
Stone shifted. Earth pulled itself into shape.
Within seconds, the outline of a structure rose—ghostly at first, then solidifying into a half-built tower.
> Watchtower I: 20% Complete
Missing: 50 Wood | 30 Stone | 2 Workers
"Holy—" Aric stared.
"We're really doing it," Rowan muttered. "We're actually building again."
Darius didn't smile. Not yet. "We've started."
He opened the system again.
> Current SP: 2
Gold: 0
Next Unlock: Worker Housing Blueprint – 2 SP + 75 Gold
"We need more SP," Darius said. "And gold. Fast."
Rowan cracked his knuckles. "Then we hunt fast."
Darius turned to the jungle. "Tomorrow, we go deeper."
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