The battlefield still reeked of blood. Ash drifted across the shattered clearing, stirred by the faint, broken winds howling through the Ashfall Basin. The charred wood of the barricades creaked ominously in the shifting air. The Heartstone pulsed steadily now, faintly, but alive.
Logan Pierce wiped the black blood from his hands onto the tattered remains of his hoodie. His arms trembled slightly, exhaustion catching up with him, but he forced himself to stand tall. Garrick Holt, the newly summoned Fortress Captain, methodically inspected the perimeter, driving broken spears into weak spots and adjusting barricades with small, precise movements. The man looked as if he had done this a thousand times before—probably had.
Logan checked the glowing System prompts floating in the corner of his vision:
- [Minor Monster Raid Repelled.]
- [Heartstone Stability: 50%.]
- [Summoning Token Acquired: 1.]
- [Construction Materials Gained: Ash-Timber (x25), Cracked Stone (x40).]
One token, he thought, his fingers clenching involuntarily. Just one shot at pulling something better than a shack and two fighters. He exhaled, steadying himself. The System didn't reward hesitation; it rewarded momentum.
Logan crossed back to the Heartstone. The ground around it was scorched from the earlier battle, blood seeping into the cracks. Yet the crystal now burned a little brighter, its glow radiating like a living thing. As he approached, the Heartstone reacted, displaying a lattice of symbols in the air.
- [Advanced Summon Available.]
- Summoning Token x1: Confirm Use?
- Possible Outcomes: Rare (60%) | Epic (35%) | Legendary (5%)
Logan flexed his fingers once, then twice. He understood the odds and the risks. Still, there was no hesitation. "Confirm," he said aloud.
The world seemed to sharpen around him. The Heartstone pulsed once—twice—and then exploded into a cyclone of light. The summoning portal tore open in the center of the clearing, lines of fire spiraling upward into a towering arcane circle. Ancient runes flickered in and out of existence, speaking a language older than breath. The wind roared, scattering ash and blood into the air.
From within the storm, something emerged—something... heavy. A woman stepped forward through the light. Tall and athletic, she was clad in a deep blue robe stitched with silver geometric patterns, lightly armored with polished steel across her shoulders and arms. Her hair—a fall of icy platinum—was bound into a loose braid, shimmering under the strange light. Her eyes were a deep, stormy grey, sharp and calculating.
**Name:** Selene Vale
**Class:** Rune Architect
**Grade:** Epic
**Loyalty:** Pending (Requires Binding Oath)
**Skills:**
- Rune Fortress Creation (Can blueprint magically shielded cities)
- Mystic Barrier Field (Castable on settlements)
- Blueprint Fusion (Combine lower blueprints into enhanced versions)
Logan stared, breath caught halfway in his throat—an Epic summ—first pull. The odds—5% for Legendary, 35% for Epic—had played in his favor. He had beaten the System once again, not through strength or brute force, but through building.
Selene's gaze settled on him, assessing him with an incredible, calm intensity that had nothing to do with weapons. "You summoned me," she said, her voice smooth yet dangerous. "But a bond must be forged before my power belongs to you."
Above her floated another System prompt:
- [Offer Binding Oath?]
- Oath Cost: 5 Spirit Shards (None Available)
- Alternative: Manual Loyalty Building (Personal Tasks, Trust, Shared Construction Goals)
Logan grimaced. No Spirit Shards—premium currency earned through dungeon-clearing or auction trades. He'd have to earn her loyalty the slow way. Fine, he thought grimly. Building loyalty through stone and sweat was preferable.
He straightened his back and met her gaze without blinking. "I need cities," Logan said bluntly. "Not ruins. I need walls that can withstand monsters, beasts, sovereign armies, and worse. I need foundations that won't crumble when the world screams."
Selene's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes—amusement, perhaps, or approval. "You speak like an Architect," she said at last, "not a warlord."
"I don't intend to rule ashes," Logan replied. "I intend to build something that can last longer than the gods themselves."
There was a pause, then Selene inclined her head. "A foundation worth my stones, then," she said softly. "Very well, Sovereign. My knowledge is yours—for now."
Another chime sounded:
- [Selene Vale has joined your Settlement as Advisor: Architectural Development +20%.]
Garrick approached from the barricades, wiping blood from his gauntlets. He surveyed Selene with the brief, professional glance of a veteran soldier before turning to Logan. "What's next?" he asked.
Logan's eyes narrowed as the Heartstone pulsed again, spawning a new prompt:
- [New Construction Options Available:]
- Crude Palisade Walls (Basic)
- Watchtower (Basic)
- Storage Shed (Basic)
- Summoning Chamber (Basic)
- Auction Hall (Basic)
An Auction Hall. Logan's lips thinned. It was tempting—rare resources, ancient blueprints—his mind whirled with possibilities.