Ethan stood on the highest platform of the Sky Watch Tower, gazing at the horizon. The eerie warning from the Archon's messenger replayed in his mind like an echo that refused to fade. Core City's defenses were stronger than ever, but the weight of responsibility pressed on him.
Mira joined him, her boots scuffing against the stone as she leaned on the railing. "You've been brooding up here for hours."
"I'm not brooding," Ethan replied, though his voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Sure, you're not," Mira teased. "But seriously, what's the plan? This Archon thing doesn't sound like they're bluffing."
Ethan turned to her, his expression sharp. "We've faced armies, mercenaries, and assassins. This Archon may be powerful, but they've never faced something like Core City. My priority is preparing for them—and for anyone else who thinks they can take what we've built."
The Preparations Begin
Ethan logged into the system, checking the resources and energy he had gained. The last few spins had increased what Core City could become, but it was still far from being complete.
System Interface Update:
Energy Available: 15,500 CE
Core Level: 28
New Rooms Available: 4 (pending placement)
Ethan decided to use his resources wisely.
The Training Arena: A large underground chamber filled with dynamic combat simulations for adventurers and defenders looking to improve their skills.
The Library of Insight: A magical repository of knowledge, offering adventurers access to valuable information about the dungeon and its enemies. The Shadow Ward Room: A defensive room designed to counter dark and shadow-based magic, specifically to weaken potential attacks from the Archon. The Celestial Barracks: Housing for elite adventurers and mercenaries, offering training and tactical planning facilities. Summoning Allies
Lysander was sitting in the Mercenary Guild Hall when Ethan approached. The room was filled with people: adventurers boasting of their recent missions, blacksmiths hammering away, repairing gear, and scribes writing down bounties.
"Lysander," Ethan said, drawing the man's attention.
Lysander looked up, his casual smirk replaced with a determined look. "What's the word?
"We need more fighters," Ethan said. "Spread the word to the guilds in the nearby kingdoms. Tell them Core City is offering top coin for skilled mercenaries."
Lysander raised an eyebrow. "You're expecting this to be that big?"
Ethan nodded. "Bigger."
Lysander clapped him on the shoulder. "Consider it done. I'll send messengers by dawn."
Tavern Tensions
The Tavern was more boisterous than usual, the influx of adventurers bringing a mix of excitement and unease. Mira stood behind the bar, her sharp gaze scanning the room as she kept the peace.
One table in particular caught her attention—a group of adventurers loudly discussing the Archon's threat.
"You think this dungeon core can stand against an Archon?" he mocked. "Those things are ancient. They've leveled entire kingdoms."
"Yeah," another chimed in, "maybe it's time we found another place to make coin. No point dying for someone else's pride."
Mira slammed her hand on the bar, silencing the room. "Anyone who wants to leave is free to go," she said coldly. "But don't you dare spread your cowardice here. Core City stands because we fight for it. If you're not willing to, then you don't belong."
The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances before quietly leaving the tavern.
The First Sign
Two days later, the Floating Watcher Orb detected an anomaly approaching from the east.
System Alert:
"Multiple shadow-based entities detected. Classification: Archon Scouts. Threat Level: Moderate."
Ethan gathered his core team—Mira, Lysander, and several high-ranking adventurers. They stood at the newly fortified Outer Wall, watching as the shadows slithered closer.
They materialized into humanoid figures with twisted, featureless faces and long, spindly limbs. Their movements were unnaturally fluid, like living shadows.
"Creepy," Mira muttered, drawing her blade.
"They're testing us," Ethan said. "Let's make sure they regret it."
He turned on the defenses of the Reinforced Outer Wall. Magical runes flared to life, firing bursts of light that pierced through the shadow creatures. The creatures hissed and writhed, their forms destabilizing.
The defenders launched a coordinated counterattack: holy energy-infused arrows rained down, slicing through the shadows, while adventurers with enchanted weapons engaged in melee combat.
The battle was swift but fierce. Victorious, yet the encounter left an unsettling feeling upon the defenders.
A Warning in the Shadows
That night, Ethan sat in the Library of Insight, poring over records of Archons. Mira joined him, carrying a tray of food she had forced him to accept.
"You need to eat," she said, placing it in front of him. "You're not a pure core anymore, remember? You have a body now."
He sighed but took a bite. "Thanks."
Mira leaned against the table. "Find anything?"
Ethan pointed to a passage in one of the books. "Archons don't attack randomly. They're calculated, manipulative. If this one sent scouts, it means they're watching us, learning our weaknesses."
"Then we'll give them nothing to learn," Mira said firmly. "You've made this city stronger than any dungeon before it. We can handle whatever they throw at us."
Ethan smiled faintly. "You make it sound simple.
"It is," she replied, grinning. "We just have to win."
Preparing for the Archon
Ethan spent the next week fortifying Core City further. He assigned defenders to shifts, ensuring the city was always protected. The Shadow Ward Room was activated, its magical field spreading across the dungeon to counter shadow magic.
In the Training Arena, the adventurers trained; day by day, their skills got better. The weapons crafted in the Elemental Forge gave them an advantage, while the Healing Springs Room maintained their battle readiness.
Ethan knew that the Archon would not wait indefinitely. At Core City, the siege had just started.
A Moment of Serenity
Despite the looming threat, Core City continued to thrive. The Tavern bustled with life, the Marketplace buzzed with activity, and adventurers shared tales of their exploits.
Ethan took a rare moment to walk through the city, observing the community he had built. Mira joined him, her usual smirk replaced with a genuine smile.
"You've done something incredible here," she said.
Ethan looked around. "We've done it. All of us."
Mira nudged his shoulder lightly. "Don't get all modest on me now."
As they strolled, the Floating Watcher Orb hovered above, its many eyes scanning across the horizon. The quiet wouldn't last, but for now, Ethan permitted himself to enjoy the world he'd built.
For when the Archon finally showed, he would fight not for his own sake, but that of all those who had taken up residence in Core City.