The sun rose slowly over Greystone, its warm light filtering through the thick smoke that still curled above the village. The battle from the night before had left scars — scorched earth, broken walls, and weary faces. Yet beneath the ruins, a spark of determination flickered stronger than ever.
Kaelen stood near the village square, watching as villagers began the arduous task of rebuilding. His skeletal dragon, a magnificent and terrifying creature, lay coiled in the outskirts, its shadow stretching across the field like a silent guardian.
Liora approached, her face streaked with soot but her eyes bright. "Kaelen, the smithy is salvageable. We can get the forge running again by midday if we hurry."
Kaelen nodded. "Good. We'll need weapons, armor, and tools if we're going to hold out against any future attacks."
Behind them, Neria tended to the wounded near the small makeshift infirmary, her hands glowing faintly as she eased pain and closed wounds. Despite her youth, she moved with a confidence that inspired hope.
Kaelen's gaze softened. "She's growing fast."
Liora smiled. "She's more than just growing — she's becoming a true protector of Greystone."
Kaelen reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, ancient-looking amulet that housed the Refund System interface. The faint glow pulsed gently.
He opened the menu:
Refund System: Summary
Total Refunds Used: 380x
Total System Points (SP): 38
Current Refund Multipliers: 100x for common, up to 10,000x for territory/people investments
Exploit Uses Remaining This Week: 3
Kaelen tapped through the stats, his mind calculating.
The refund system was unlike any other. Every time he spent resources — be it food, materials, or gold — he could activate the system to refund a portion back multiplied by a ratio from 15x to a staggering 10,000x. The highest multipliers applied when investing in territory improvements or caring for the people. Every 100x refund granted 1 SP, which he could use to upgrade his stats or purchase new skills. There was also a crucial restriction — only three refund exploits were allowed weekly for summonings, making the timing of those uses vital.
While Kaelen examined the system, a group of villagers approached carrying crates of freshly gathered game from a morning hunt. Food was scarce, and hunting was still the primary source of sustenance.
Kaelen called out, "Good work. Make sure some of it goes to the children and elders first."
A young man grinned. "We're doing what we can. The forest is still dangerous, but the game is plentiful."
Liora joined Kaelen, eyes scanning the horizon. "We need to expand the territory soon. More farmland, hunting grounds — everything."
Kaelen's fingers tightened around the amulet. The system offered a rare chance here. Territory expansion refunds gave some of the highest multipliers, meaning that investing in land and people not only helped the village but also fueled his growth.
At that moment, an eight-year-old girl with bright amber eyes and flowing silver hair ran up, tugging at Kaelen's cloak.
"Big brother! Look! I helped with the traps today!" Her face was flushed with excitement.
Kaelen smiled warmly. "That's my little sister."
She was special — not only because she was his family but because she possessed a unique hybrid class: the Runebinder, a rare combination of tactical genius and battlefield manipulator. Unlike Kaelen's necromancer affinity for death and the undead, his sister could manipulate ancient rune magic to control the environment and empower allies.
The Runebinder class was completely distinct from the undead or spirit-related powers, making her an invaluable asset for both offense and defense.
Kaelen knelt to her level. "Show me what you've learned."
She eagerly produced a small carved rune stone that glowed faintly, placing it on the ground. Vines sprouted instantly, forming a delicate cage that trapped a wooden training dummy.
Liora and the villagers watching nearby exchanged impressed glances.
Kaelen's System chimed again, notifying him of new quests related to his sister's development:
Quest: Train Your Sister to Harness Her Full Potential
Objective: Help your sister master her Runebinder abilities through daily training.
Reward: 20 SP, Access to Unique Sister Skills.
This quest intertwined closely with Kaelen's own progress. Every time he advanced, his sister's power also grew — and the Refund System rewarded their joint investment.
He knew that by investing in her growth, he was securing the village's future.
"Come on," Kaelen said, taking her hand. "Let's train."
Over the next several days, Kaelen coordinated efforts to rebuild Greystone with a new vision: a fortified, self-sustaining kingdom that could stand against any threat.
They expanded the village boundaries, planting crops, building hunting lodges, and erecting defensive towers. Every resource spent was carefully recorded, and Kaelen activated the Refund System each time — reclaiming multiplied resources to accelerate growth.
The villagers worked tirelessly, their spirits lifted by the shared goal.
One evening, as Kaelen walked through the village square, Liora fell into step beside him.
"The village is changing. Stronger. Safer," she said softly.
Kaelen nodded. "We have a long way to go, but we're making progress."
She glanced at him, her cheeks tinged with pink in the firelight. "You've changed since the battle… You're more than just a lord now. You're a protector, a leader."
Kaelen caught the hint in her tone. The bond between them was undeniable — forged in hardship and trust.
"Liora," he said quietly, "there's something I want to tell you."
Before he could speak further, footsteps approached, and Neria joined them, her expression bright.
"Big brother, come see! I've found something!"
Guided by Neria, Kaelen and Liora ventured into the dense forest outside Greystone. There, among ancient oaks and shimmering streams, they discovered a hidden glade filled with strange glowing crystals.
The System activated:
Quest: Investigate the Glowing Crystals
Objective: Collect samples and uncover their properties.
Reward: 30 SP, Access to New Crafting Materials.
Kaelen's heart quickened. This was the kind of discovery that could change everything — new resources meant better weapons, stronger summons, and a step closer to securing their future.
He looked at Liora and Neria. "This is just the beginning."
Back in the village, Kaelen gathered his trusted allies for a council meeting.
"We need to prepare for the Lord's War," he announced. "It will come sooner than we expect."
Liora nodded. "Our defenses are stronger, but we need to train more fighters and expand our influence."
Neria added, "And I'll continue strengthening my magic."
Kaelen glanced at his sister, who was quietly observing from the sidelines.
"You're part of this too," he said softly. "We all have a role."
That night, alone in his quarters, Kaelen opened the Refund System menu once more.
Total Refunds Used: 750xTotal System Points (SP): 75Next Level Skill Available: Necrotic Surge (Cost: 50 SP)
He smiled, knowing the path ahead would be hard but promising.
Every investment, every battle, every sacrifice was fueling his rise.
The Refund System was more than a tool — it was the foundation of his destiny.