The sun had barely risen when the distant rumble of hooves echoed through the valley. Kaelen stood atop the village wall, his eyes narrowing at the sight of dust clouds rolling toward Greystone. Scouts had confirmed the worst — a detachment from a neighboring lord's forces was advancing, likely testing the village's defenses ahead of the larger Lord's War.
The air was thick with tension. This was no longer a mere training exercise or a quiet day of preparation. Today was the village's first true battle.
Kaelen's voice rang out sharply as he addressed the gathered militia. "This is the moment we've trained for. Every one of you stands between our homes and destruction. Hold your ground and fight for your families!"
Liora was already moving through the ranks, giving last-minute instructions and calming jittery hands gripping bows and spears.
Neria stayed close to her brother, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared her runes. Despite her youth, her gaze was fierce — a promise that she would stand firm no matter the odds.
The enemy cavalry thundered over the hill, their banners fluttering. Kaelen raised his hand, signaling the archers.
Arrows blazed through the sky, some striking true, others whistling harmlessly past. The militia held their positions, their nerves steeled by weeks of training.
Kaelen focused, channeling his necromancer energy to summon skeletal archers behind the frontline. The chilling summons materialized with an eerie clatter of bones, taking aim at the approaching enemy.
The battle erupted.
Amid the chaos, Kaelen activated his Refund System.
Refund Activated: Military Engagement SuppliesSpent: 100 units of iron, 500 units of wood, 300 units of food rationsRefund Multiplier: 100xRefunded: 90,000 units (including materials and food)SP Gained: 9 System Points
The villagers stared in awe as crates of supplies multiplied, restocking their reserves mid-battle. This gave the militia a critical edge — they could hold out longer, fight harder.
Kaelen smiled grimly. The system was more than a tool; it was a lifeline.
The enemy cavalry attempted a flank, but Neria's runes erupted, forming a shimmering barrier that halted their advance. Then, with a sweep of her staff, she unleashed a volley of sharp energy spikes that pierced armor and scattered horses.
"Keep moving forward!" Kaelen shouted, raising his voice over the clash of steel.
The militia surged, bolstered by the undead forces Kaelen summoned. Their confidence grew with every step.
Kaelen sensed a critical moment approaching and decided to use one of his three weekly Refund Summon exploits.
He focused on summoning a terrifying Undead Dragon — a creature of bone and shadow that only appeared through this rare exploit.
The system interface flashed a warning:Exploit Activated: Undead Dragon Summon (1/3 this week)Cost: 150 SPRefund Multiplier: 10,000x on summon materialsExpected Refund: Massive resource return post-summon.
The skeletal dragon descended from the sky with a bone-rattling roar, its glowing eyes blazing. It unleashed torrents of necrotic fire, devastating enemy lines.
The dragon's summon cost a vast amount of materials, but Kaelen's Refund System multiplied the resources beyond belief.
Refund Activated: Undead Dragon Summon ExploitSpent: 10,000 units of rare summoning crystals, 5,000 units of dark energy essenceRefunded: 150,000,000 units (massive materials and energy)SP Gained: 1,500 System Points
The militia's weapons and armor glowed with replenished strength. Kaelen's SP meter soared.
Amidst the battle, Neria's runes began to pulse in rhythm with the system's refund process. The materials refunded from the summoning exploit were transferred into her crafting pool.
She used them to weave powerful protective enchantments on the villagers' homes and weapons.
"Kaelen, we can't just fight — we need to make the village stronger," she shouted.
Kaelen nodded. "You're right. This battle is just the beginning."
As the enemy retreated, Kaelen surveyed the battlefield. The villagers had held — against all odds.
Liora approached, wiping sweat from her brow. "You led well."
Neria smiled brightly. "We did it together."
Kaelen looked at the horizon, knowing this was only the start of a long war.
That evening, as the village celebrated its small victory, Kaelen found a moment alone with Liora and Neria.
"I'm proud of both of you," he said, his voice soft. "But we must continue to grow stronger. The Lords' War is coming, and it will be brutal."
Liora took his hand. "We'll face it together."
Neria nodded. "And I'll keep mastering my runes."
Kaelen's heart swelled with hope — their bonds were their greatest strength.
Before resting, Kaelen checked the system.
New Quest Unlocked: Strengthen Village Infrastructure
Objective: Build fortifications, improve farming and hunting grounds, and train militia.
Reward: 100 SP, unlocks advanced village buffs and siege defense.
Kaelen smiled. This quest would push them further — but he was ready.
As night fell, Kaelen stood watch over the village, his mind racing with strategies and plans. The Refund System had proven invaluable, but he knew the greatest battles lay ahead.
With his sister by his side, the villagers united, and his growing harem of allies and love interests, Kaelen felt ready to face the coming storm.
The Lord's War was coming. And Greystone would not fall.