The morning sun filtered through the high windows of Veridian's manor, glinting off Noah's silver-white hair. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, eyes narrowing slightly as he opened the system overlay.
[STATUS PANEL — NOAH]
• Title: Lord of Veridian
• Race: Human
• Bloodline: None
• Affinity: amber vein (fire affinity)
• Soldier Pool: Low-Tier Militia
• SP: 13,720
• Umbra Assassin Units: 80(Deployed)
• Soul-Forged Knight Units: 100 (deployed)
• Notoriety: +25 (Regional)
• Public Fear: 75%
• City Loyalty: 58%
• Quest: "Consolidate Power" – Progress 99%
Noah muttered, rubbing his chin. "Time to spend smart. But not too smart — gotta save some for the fun stuff."
He swiped to the Skill & Combat Store. The interface shimmered, holographic icons floating in mid-air.
SYSTEM STORE — COMBAT SECTION]
Fighting Techniques / Bloodlines / Affinities
• Steel Flow Combat Manual (Basic Tier) – 1,000 SP
• Shadowstep Technique (Rare Tier) – 5,000 SP
• Serpent Fist Style – 1,200 SP
• Silver Pulse (Speed + Reflex) – 420 SP
• Shadow Trace (Stealth + Mana Flow) – 400 SP
• Twin Blade Mastery (twin blade Mastery)- 800 SP
•Rapid step ( agility) - 200 SP
• flame strike - 200
Noah tapped his fingers, eyes darting between entries. "Hmm… Twin Blade Mastery… tempting… but if I get Rapid Step too, I can dodge arrows while slicing fools in half. Ah, math… 800 + 200… 1,000 SP… enough left for… let's see…" He leaned closer, muttering numbers under his breath.
" I will also buy the steel flow combat manual and what else? " Noah muttered.
He chuckled suddenly. "Oh, come on, why does the system make me feel like a kid in a candy store every time? Except this candy kills… and eats… and sets stuff on fire. Fun."
Swiping again, he opened the Bloodline Store:
[BLOODLINE STORE — LOW-TIER SELECTION]
• Stoneborn (Earth Affinity) – 380 SP
• Silver Pulse (Speed + Reflex) – 420 SP
• Shadow Trace (Stealth + Mana Flow) – 400 SP
Lightning Affinity (Low Tier) – 7,000 SP
• Draconic Bloodline Fragment – 9,500 SP
• Wolfkin Bloodline (Low) – 4,000 SP
• Stoneborn (Earth Affinity) – 380 SP
My gaze landed on another section of the store.
[Troops formation, techniques]
• shield tactics - 500
• Soul link ( links the moral and focus of army )- 400 SP
• arcane battery ( need mage troopps )- 800 SP
• aerial formation (need aerial troops) -1200 SP
After several more minutes of comically muttered calculations, he confirmed his purchases: Twin Blade Mastery, Shield Wall Tactics, Rapid Step, Flame Strike, Soul Chain, and Silver Pulse and stoneborn Bloodline.
[SP Spent: 3,900 SP ]
[SP Remaining: 9820 SP ]
[New Skills & Bloodlines Acquired: Active]
[ You have complete mastery over twin blade]
[You have complete over rapid step technique]
[Your troops have mastered shield tactics ]
[ You have used soul link on your troops , there moral and focus on the battlefield will be linked ]
Suddenly noah had a huge headache from the knowledge of the techniques he mastered and his body also started to hurt due to the techniques muscle memory started to be implanted on him.
"Well, that was painful" noah muttered while clenching his head." Any way let's focus to the main matter" noah said.
Noah leaned back, cracking his knuckles. "Ha! Big brain spending session complete. And look at that… still 9,000 SP for troops. Guess I can buy an army and a little chaos if needed."
[ Host you can use SP to improve your strength]
" Really , well I really love you system, my old gamers self would have started preying to you to express gratitude, hehehe" noah said.
" Let's see, system use 5000 SP to Improve my strength"
Suddenly noah's body started trembling, as he was engulfed in pain , like his body was on fire, this pain went on for 10 minutes, which for Noah was a eternity.
*Heavy breathing* haa, ahhh, that was painful well, system show my status.
STATUS PANEL — NOAH]
• Title: Lord of Veridian
• Race: Human
• Bloodline: amber vein, stoneborn
• Affinity: fire , earth , soul
•Tier: Elite tier
• Soldier Pool: Low-Tier Militia
• SP: 4,820 SP
• Umbra Assassin Units: 80(Deployed)
• Soul-Forged Knight Units: 100 (deployed)
• Notoriety: +25 (Regional)
• Public Fear: 75%
• City Loyalty: 58%
• Quest: "Consolidate Power" – Progress 99%
"All the way to elite tier! , noah said shocked.
He smirked, eyes scanning Veridian below. "The revolt's probably brewing… time to see if my fancy new toys will keep the peasants in line."
......
Meanwhile, in the marble halls of Barn Hollow, Governor Aldren Voss's frustration had reached a boiling point. He paced along the wide corridors, the echo of his polished boots bouncing off the stone walls, hands trembling as he clenched and unclenched into fists. His advisors trailed silently behind, too wary to speak, watching the man they had always considered a rigid, calculating bureaucrat now become a tempest of fury.
"Prepare the troops, since he has soul forged knights we can't afford to a single loss, and with the duke's coronation right around the corner, I have to send every soldier to the battlefield to win" Voss barked, voice sharp as a whip crack. "Every man capable of holding a sword, every horse that can bear a rider, every archer with a quiver—assemble! Today, we remind our province who commands the land!"
The orders were carried swiftly through the city by mounted couriers, their boots pounding over the cobblestones, hooves raising clouds of dust as they rode through Barn Hollow. Bells rang from every watchtower, summoning men-at-arms, levies, and mercenaries. Town criers ran through the streets, voices carrying over the rooftops:
"All able-bodied men of the province, to arms! His Excellency commands—report immediately to the barracks!"
At the main garrison, men hurried to don their armor, leather straps clinking, metal plates glinting under the sun. Blacksmiths and armorers worked feverishly, hammering and adjusting, the ringing of metal punctuating the morning air. Archers strung their bows, inspecting arrows, while cavalrymen polished hooves and saddles, checking the bridles of the steeds that would carry them to the field.
Outside the city gates, the sound of training horns echoed through the valley. Infantry marched in tight formation, shields locked, spears raised in mock battle drills. The rhythmic stamping of boots shook the earth itself. Horses neighed and stomped impatiently as riders practiced charges, swords raised high, the sun catching on polished steel.
Voss walked among them, inspecting every unit with a hawk-like gaze. He tapped the shoulder of a young militia captain, who nearly jumped at the touch. "Formation! Discipline! Do you think an enemy will tremble at your hesitation? No! They will cut you down first!" His voice boomed, carrying over the drills.
The archers trained tirelessly, nocking arrow after arrow, testing range and accuracy. Voss's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anger and perverse pride. "Yes! Let them feel the shadow of our arrows before they see the enemy!"
The city gates swung open repeatedly as levies continued to stream in—villagers pressed into service, blacksmith apprentices now soldiers, even dockworkers hefting pikes they had never touched before. Each man was given a shield, a spear, or a sword, and ordered to run drills alongside the trained militia. The sheer sight of the swelling ranks brought a grim smile to Voss's face.
Drummers began to beat a cadence, deep and steady, sending waves of vibration through the earth. The soldiers fell into step, the sound of thousands of boots moving in unison filling the streets. Horses whinnied as the cavalry formed in perfect lines, their riders raising banners high—black and gold pennants snapping in the wind, catching the morning light.
Voss climbed the steps of the city hall balcony, overlooking the assembled army. He raised his hand, commanding silence. The chatter, the neighing, the rattling of armor—all faded beneath his booming voice.
"Men of Rover Province! Today, we stand as one! Today, we show that our loyalty to the Duchy is unwavering! Every sword in your hands, every arrow in your quiver, is a declaration! Let our enemies see: Barn Hollow is strong! Our will is unbroken! And our vengeance… is inevitable!"
A cheer erupted, echoing off the city walls and down the streets. Soldiers pounded their chests, swords and spears raised, voices carried in a wave of defiance. Cavalrymen shouted war cries as they swung their banners in wide arcs. Archers twanged bowstrings in unison, the sound ringing like a swarm of deadly insects.
Even the magistrates and city officials, usually reserved and timid, felt the weight of the moment, moving quickly to ensure supplies, rations, and siege equipment were ready. The streets of Barn Hollow were alive with movement, a living testament to preparation and determination.
As dusk approached, torches were lit across the garrison walls, and the city itself seemed to vibrate with anticipation. Soldiers slept lightly, weapons within reach, horses hobbled but ready. The once-quiet province capital now thrummed with energy—a storm waiting to be unleashed.
Governor Voss stood in his private chambers, the city sprawled below like a chessboard. "Let him come," he muttered to himself, jaw tight. "Let him see the might of Barn Hollow… and the price of underestimating its lord."
Outside, the moon rose over the city, casting long shadows across the training grounds, the barracks, and the armories. The duchy's army—numbers swelling, hearts hardened, weapons sharpened—waited. And the night carried the low murmur of thousands of men readying themselves for war, a warning echoing across the province.