The sun was unforgiving the next morning. It beat down on the desert oasis with unrelenting fury, but within Kael's fortress, shadows danced under the firm control of his growing influence.
The construction of the Bone Forge and Shadow Tower had completed overnight, adding new dimensions to their defensive capabilities.
System Message: Construction Complete![Bone Forge]: Active – Unit Equipment Upgrade Enabled[Shadow Tower]: Active – Radius of Sight Increased by +30%Passive Effect: Nearby enemies suffer [Fear I] debuff.
Kael stood atop the newly constructed Shadow Tower, eyes narrowed at the dunes stretching into the horizon. Something pulsed in the distance — not just ambient mana, but a concentrated source.
"I sense a Lord nearby," Syra said from his side, her blade vibrating lightly in its sheath.
Kael nodded. "Prepare for contact."
Minutes later, the System confirmed it.
System Alert: Proximity Detected – Lord-Class Signature Approaching!Lord Name: Velric of the Crimson CrowsClass: Blood Hunter (Epic)Alignment: Aggressive – Seeks ExpansionTroop Count: ~60 (Mixed infantry and flying units)
Kael's eyes narrowed. "So, another Lord makes his move."
"Should we attack first?" Lina asked, petting her Obsidian Beetle Knight.
"No," Kael said calmly. "Let him walk into the grave he's digging."
He raised his hand, and the necrotic sigils on the ground shimmered. Hidden undead began to stir beneath the sand. Ambush Mode activated.
Velric approached on a massive blood-red vulture, flanked by warriors clad in bone armor and half-cloaked assassins. He wore red-tinted leather and a toothy grin.
"Well, well," Velric said with a smirk, stopping just outside the oasis barrier. "Didn't expect to find another Lord squatting in this sand pit."
Kael stepped forward, his cloak fluttering.
"You're standing on cursed ground. Turn back or be buried here."
Velric laughed, dismounting. "Cute. But I'm claiming this land. Let's make this simple. Lord Duel. One-on-one. Winner takes resources. Loser gives up territory."
The air grew tense.
Lina hissed, "He's strong. I can feel it in his blood."
Kael nodded slowly. "I accept."
System Alert: Lord Duel Challenge Accepted!Combatants: Kael (Necromancer) vs. Velric (Blood Hunter)Terms: Winner Claims 50% of Resources + One Troop from the OpponentBonus: Victory grants [Lord Reputation] and Influence Points
Syra stepped up. "Let me—"
"No," Kael cut her off gently. "This is my trial."
Velric smirked, drawing two blood daggers. "Try not to die too fast."
The System erected a Combat Arena circle in the sand — forty meters wide, with enchanted barriers.
Velric moved fast — his first dagger strike came from the shadows.
Kael rolled, countering with [Bone Shackles].
System Skill Activated: [Bone Shackles] – Target Mobility Reduced by 30% for 4 seconds
Velric grunted, breaking one of the bones mid-motion, but Kael was already casting.
"Rise. Grasp him. BREAK HIM."
System Skill Activated: [Necrotic Grasp]Effect: Inflicts [Decay] – Target loses 3% HP per second for 10 seconds. Stacks x2
Velric snarled and backed away, blood dripping from his arm. "You play dirty."
"You entered my graveyard."
Velric activated [Blood Mirage] and vanished into crimson mist. Kael closed his eyes, sensing lifeforce patterns.
There.
With perfect precision, Kael used [Bone Lance] from the ground beneath.
Critical Hit!Velric's HP reduced by 18%Passive Triggered: [Undying Will] – Restores 10% HP upon critical health
Velric reappeared, panting. "Alright, no more games!"
He lunged, blades glowing, using his ultimate — [Crimson Cascade], a combo of twelve dagger strikes and a bleed effect.
Kael took the first three hits before activating his counter.
"Undead Shieldwall!"
System Skill Activated: [Undead Shieldwall]Summons 5 skeletal defenders around caster – absorbs damage based on INT
Bone warriors rose and intercepted the onslaught. Kael used the moment to cast [Death Pulse].
A wave of pure necrotic force blasted outward.
Velric's HP: 12%Status: Bleeding, Fatigued
Kael raised his palm, whispering cold words.
"Return to death."
The final spell struck — [Bone Spire].
Velric was impaled mid-air by a massive skeletal spike. His body disintegrated into particles.
System Alert: Duel Complete!Victor: Kael – Necromancer LordRewards:
+50% of Velric's Resources
[Crimson Vulture] added to Summon Pool
[Lord Reputation +5]
New Passive Skill Gained: [Blood Absorption] – Regain 2% HP per enemy death nearby.
Lina whooped in joy. "You crushed him!"
Syra allowed a brief smile. "You have grown, my Lord."
Kael simply exhaled. "One of many to come."
Back in the stronghold, Kael inspected the spoils.
Velric's vulture was alive but subdued by necrotic chains. The System confirmed it as a Mountable Aerial Unit.
Unit Added: [Crimson Vulture]Traits: Fast, Can scout & dive-bombPassive: [Blood Echo] – Slightly heals all nearby undead with each kill made.
More importantly, Kael had gained the right to claim one of Velric's troops.
He browsed the list and selected an intriguing one:
Unit Claimed: [Red Mask Assassin] – Elite Stealth UnitClass: Shadow-Rogue (Rare)Skill: [Shadow Chain], [Throat Slash], [Disengage Smoke]
"Welcome to my army," Kael said, watching the assassin kneel.
That night, Kael received another vision — not from the Supreme Lords, but from something deeper.
The Nexus — the System's core — called to him.
He stood in a realm of swirling bones and shadow threads.
A ghostly voice whispered:
"You are chosen. But you are also watched. Your path leads to kingship… or corruption."
"Then I'll walk it as I am," Kael replied. "With the dead behind me… and the living I protect."
The voice faded, but left one gift behind:
System Gift: Passive Skill Unlocked – [Eternal Command]Effect: All summoned units gain +10% Combat Efficiency when Kael is presentBonus: Harem Affection Growth x1.1 Multiplier Active
As Kael woke, he saw Lina curled up beside a pile of scrolls, fast asleep.
He smiled softly.
"This empire… will rise."