Kayl stood in the summoning chamber, the hum of magic filling the air. His heart pounded with anticipation as he reviewed the gold available from the last battle. He had earned 15,000 gold coins for defending Eagle's Reach, but more importantly, the system had now added a new mechanic: gold per soldier killed. Every future battle would be not just a fight for survival but a way to gather resources and build his forces even stronger.
He opened the troop summoning menu, knowing what he needed. The basic soldiers he had summoned in the past had fought valiantly, but he needed something stronger. If the Xavarians returned—and they surely would—he needed an army capable of not just defending but pushing forward.
Gold Available: 13,500
Summon 3,000 Advanced Swordsmen?
Cost: 15 gold per unit
Total Cost: 45,000 gold
Kayl frowned. He didn't have nearly enough gold to summon 3,000 soldiers yet. He would have to work with what he had, build up his forces in stages, and summon as many soldiers as possible with his current resources.
"System, summon 900 Advanced Swordsmen," Kayl commanded, adjusting the numbers to fit within his budget.
Summon 900 Advanced Swordsmen?
Cost: 13,500 gold
Confirm?
He confirmed the summon, and the room around him buzzed with energy. The rune circle beneath his feet glowed brighter, and the air began to crackle with power. One by one, the Advanced Swordsmen began to materialize, stepping forward from the magical light. Their armor gleamed with polished steel, their swords sharp and ready for battle.
These weren't the same peasants he had summoned before. These were trained warriors—stronger, faster, and more disciplined than the forces he had once commanded. They stood in formation, their eyes focused and determined, waiting for Kayl's orders.
Kayl couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as he looked over the newly summoned troops. This was the beginning of something far greater than just defending a settlement. With these soldiers, he could begin to expand—to take the fight to the Xavarians, and to conquer the lands that lay beyond Eagle's Reach.
Gold Spent: 13,500 gold coins
Remaining Gold: 0
The gold he had earned from the last battle was now spent, but it was worth it. The walls were fortified, the gates impenetrable, and now, he had an army to match. But he knew it wouldn't be enough. 900 Advanced Swordsmen were a formidable start, but if the Xavarians returned with a force greater than before, he would need far more than just swordsmen to protect his growing stronghold.
Kayl dismissed the system interface for a moment, walking slowly around the new soldiers as they stood at attention. Their armor gleamed under the dim light of the chamber, their faces set in hard lines of focus. These were the elite soldiers he needed—strong, disciplined, and ready to follow his commands without hesitation. But they needed to be just the beginning.
He could hear the sounds of Eagle's Reach outside the walls of the chamber—the rebuilding efforts underway, the soldiers patrolling the newly reinforced walls, and the distant clamor of the people trying to return to their lives after the horror of battle. Kayl could not afford to become complacent. Duran had saved them, but that luck wouldn't hold forever. He had to prepare for the next step.
Kayl opened the system interface once more, feeling the pulse of magic respond to his will. The gold per enemy killed mechanic had opened a new pathway to power. The more enemies he defeated, the more gold he earned. And the more gold he earned, the stronger his army would become. But for now, there was nothing more he could summon. The next step had to be taken elsewhere.
A New Quest: Conquer Stonehold
As Kayl prepared to leave the chamber, the familiar hum of the system resonated in his mind. Another notification appeared, glowing faintly before him.
New Quest Unlocked: Conquer Stonehold
Objective: Expand your territory by conquering a nearby settlement.
Reward: 10,000 gold coins and new troop types unlocked.
Kayl's pulse quickened as he read the quest details. The system wasn't just focused on defense anymore—it was urging him to expand. Stonehold was a nearby settlement, rumored to be weakly defended but rich in resources. If he could conquer it, not only would it provide him with valuable gold and materials, but it would also give him a foothold in the region, further cementing his power.
He closed the interface and turned to face Rael and Tessa, who had entered the chamber behind him. They had both fought valiantly during the last battle, but like Kayl, they knew that Eagle's Reach couldn't survive on defense alone. The only way to truly secure their future was to take the fight to their enemies.
"We need to move quickly," Kayl said, his voice firm. "The system has given me a new quest—Stonehold is nearby, and if we conquer it, we'll gain the gold we need to expand further."
Rael crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "I've heard of Stonehold. It's not much—just a small outpost in the valley—but it's strategically placed. If we take it, we can control the surrounding area."
Tessa nodded in agreement, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. "And we'll need more than just swordsmen to hold it. We should scout the area first, see what kind of defenses they have."
Kayl agreed. "We'll send out a scouting party tonight. I want to know everything about Stonehold before we make our move."
He turned back toward the 900 Advanced Swordsmen, standing at attention in the chamber. These men would be the vanguard of his next assault, but they couldn't do it alone. He needed more troops—spearmen to hold the line, archers to provide support, and eventually, siege weapons to breach the defenses of larger fortifications. But for now, Stonehold was within reach.
Planning the Assault
That evening, as the light faded and the fires of Eagle's Reach cast long shadows across the settlement, Kayl gathered with his commanders to plan the assault on Stonehold. The scouts he had sent out earlier had returned with valuable information: Stonehold was indeed lightly defended, with a small force of about 500 soldiers guarding the settlement. Their walls were made of simple stone, nothing compared to the newly fortified defenses of Eagle's Reach. This would be their opportunity to strike.
"We'll move before dawn," Kayl said, pointing to the crude map laid out before them. "Our Advanced Swordsmen will lead the charge, supported by a smaller force of archers and spearmen. We'll hit them hard and fast before they have a chance to call for reinforcements."
Rael nodded, his expression serious. "It should be a quick victory. If we take Stonehold, we'll have a valuable foothold in the region."
Tessa, always the cautious one, spoke up. "We can't underestimate them. Even a small force can be dangerous if they're dug in. We'll need to keep our eyes open."
Kayl appreciated her caution, but he knew they had no choice but to take this risk. Stonehold was the first step toward expansion, and the system had made it clear that conquest was the only path forward.
As the meeting came to an end, Kayl stood alone for a moment, staring out over the walls of Eagle's Reach. The sky was dark, and the wind carried with it the scent of the forest beyond. His mind was filled with thoughts of the battles to come, the gold he would need to summon more troops, and the ever-present threat of the Xavarian Empire.
But this was just the beginning.