Eli and Zara returned to their camp at the Bloodspring, the eerie light of the core casting long shadows across the clearing. The day's trials had drained them, but there was no time to rest. The system's notifications lingered in Eli's mind like a distant drumbeat.
...
System Notification:
Territory Milestone Reached
Resources Collected:
Crimson Shards (x2)
Obsidian Bloodwood (x2)
Progress Update: 95%
...
"So close," Eli muttered, staring at the interface. The promise of a Tier 1 Bloodbound Territory upgrade felt like a lifeline, yet the looming uncertainty of what the upgrade might trigger filled him with unease.
Zara flopped onto the ground, letting out a groan. "Tell me we don't have to fight anything else today."
Eli smirked. "Not unless the Bloodspring decides to grow legs and attack us."
"Don't even joke about that," Zara shot back, pulling her pack closer. "So, what now? We're still short on progress."
Eli knelt by the Bloodcore, its pulsating light syncing with his heartbeat. The Territory Menu shimmered before him, displaying the various upgrades and unlockable features.
"We need to refine the materials and finish the upgrade. The Bloodweave Forge should handle it, but..." He trailed off, staring at the dwindling energy reserves of the Bloodcore.
...
System Warning:
Energy Levels Critical
Current Energy: 15%
Required for Forge Activation: 20%
...
"We don't have enough energy," Eli said grimly. "And I'm guessing there's no such thing as a 'recharge overnight' option?"
Zara rolled her eyes. "Let me guess. We have to go out again?"
Eli shook his head. "No. There's another way."
...
Eli's gaze shifted to the Blood Offering Altar, an ominous structure near the Bloodspring. The system had explained it briefly when they first arrived: users could sacrifice health or materials to temporarily boost the Bloodcore's energy.
"We use the altar," Eli said.
Zara's face darkened. "You're kidding, right? That thing drains your life. We barely made it back alive, and now you want to bleed yourself for this?"
Eli's jaw tightened. "It's not ideal, but we don't have a choice. The faster we upgrade the territory, the better our chances of surviving whatever comes next."
Zara crossed her arms. "And what happens if you collapse? You're the only one who knows how this system works."
"I'll be fine," Eli said firmly, though the weight of his words settled heavily on his shoulders.
...
System Notification:
Activate Blood Offering?
Cost: 10% HP
Reward: +10% Bloodcore Energy
...
Eli placed his hand on the altar, the cold stone biting into his skin. A sharp pain shot through him as the system drained his life force, and a small pool of glowing crimson liquid formed on the surface.
...
System Update:
HP Reduced: 100% → 90%
Bloodcore Energy Increased: 15% → 25%
...
The Bloodspring flared to life, its light intensifying as the core absorbed the offering.
"See?" Eli said, his voice strained. "I told you—it's fine."
Zara didn't look convinced, but she didn't argue further.
...
With the energy restored, Eli activated the Bloodweave Forge, its obsidian surface humming as it processed the materials.
...
System Update:
Materials Refined:
Crimson Shards → Bloodcrystal Essence (x2)
Obsidian Bloodwood → Reinforced Bloodwood Planks (x2)
...
Eli let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "That's it. We're ready for the upgrade."
...
As the system prompted him to confirm the upgrade, Eli hesitated. The Bloodcore was their lifeline, but every enhancement seemed to come with hidden costs. Was the system truly helping them, or was it setting them up for something far worse?
Zara's voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey. You okay?"
Eli looked at her, his expression uncertain. "Do you ever wonder why we're here? Why the system chose us?"
"All the time," Zara admitted. "But I try not to think about it too much. Survive first, figure out the cosmic conspiracy later."
Eli chuckled dryly. "Fair enough."
With a deep breath, he selected the upgrade option.
...
System Notification:
Territory Upgrade in Progress
Estimated Time: 6 hours
Warning: Territory will be vulnerable during this period.
...
"Vulnerable?" Zara read over his shoulder. "That's new."
Eli grimaced. "Of course there's a catch."
As the Bloodspring's glow dimmed, signaling the start of the upgrade process, a chilling howl echoed in the distance.
"Something's coming," Zara said, reaching for her blade.
Eli drew his weapon, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The forest around them grew eerily quiet, the tension thick enough to cut.
"Whatever it is, we hold the line," Eli said, his voice steady. "This place is ours now. No one's taking it from us."