The dawn of a new day in Greystone brought with it a promise: they were no longer just survivors. They were becoming warriors.
Kaelen awoke early, the system's quest lingering in his mind. Recruiting and training an elite guard wasn't just a task—it was the village's first step toward true defense. The looming threat of the Lords' War made it imperative.
The village square buzzed with nervous energy as Kaelen, Liora, and Neria stood before the gathered militia.
"Today, we select those among you who will become the elite guard," Kaelen announced. "These warriors will not only protect our homes but become the spearhead in the battles to come."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Liora stepped forward, her voice clear and firm. "We will train harder than ever. This is an honor, but also a heavy responsibility."
Kaelen scanned the faces before him, looking for potential. He needed warriors who were quick, smart, and loyal—people who could handle intense training and battlefield pressure.
The selection process was brutal but fair.
First, a physical endurance test: running laps around the village, carrying weighted logs. Many collapsed, but some pushed through.
Next, a combat demonstration. Kaelen summoned skeletal warriors to simulate real enemies, and the villagers fought with what skill they had.
Kaelen was impressed by several candidates, including a young hunter named Thom, who showed impressive agility, and a burly blacksmith named Garin, whose strength was unmatched.
Liora took notes, focusing on those who demonstrated teamwork and leadership.
Finally, an intelligence test. They solved tactical puzzles, assessing their ability to strategize in battle.
By evening, a small group was chosen—fifteen warriors in total.
The newly formed elite guard gathered in the training grounds early the next morning.
Kaelen addressed them. "You are the shield and sword of Greystone. Your training will be harder, your duties greater. But the strength you gain here will save lives."
He introduced specialized training: advanced weapon techniques, battlefield formations, and necromantic synergy.
Kaelen's summons—skeletal warriors, shadow beasts, and spectral archers—became both teachers and sparring partners.
"Use the undead as an extension of yourselves," Kaelen instructed. "Understand their movements, learn to command them with precision."
Resources remained scarce, so Kaelen activated the Refund System carefully.
Refund Activated: Training Weapons and ArmorSpent: 300 units of iron, 150 units of leatherRefund Multiplier: 300xRefunded: 135,000 units of materialsSP Gained: 1,350 System Points
The elite guard was equipped with sturdy weapons and light armor, balanced for mobility and protection.
Kaelen reminded the group, "The system rewards wise spending. Use the Refund System sparingly, and always think of long-term gain."
Neria crafted custom traps and defensive devices around the training grounds to simulate battlefield hazards.
Neria's hybrid class gave her a unique perspective. She didn't fight with brute force or necromancy but supported with nature's power and technology.
She developed a specialized field medic role for the guard, creating healing salves infused with elemental magic.
"Your survival depends not only on offense but recovery," she told the guards. "I will be there to patch wounds and boost your endurance."
The guards admired her skills, and her presence became a morale booster.
Kaelen assigned her a quest:
Quest: Create Advanced Healing Kits for the Elite GuardObjective: Gather rare herbs from the forest, craft 20 healing kitsReward: 200 SP, unlock support buffs for militia
As training progressed, the guards grew closer—not just as fighters but as comrades.
Kaelen watched with pride as Thom and Garin sparred fiercely but respected each other's limits.
Liora trained alongside them, encouraging them relentlessly.
In the evenings, the group shared stories by the fire. Tales of past battles, hopes for the future, and laughter that chased away the shadows of fear.
Liora often stayed close to Kaelen, her feelings growing clearer. One night, under a star-studded sky, she finally spoke.
"I trust you, Kaelen. Not just as a leader, but as someone I care deeply about."
Kaelen's heart raced but he nodded. "I feel the same. We'll face the future together."
Just as the elite guard's training began to show promise, scouts reported trouble.
A band of marauders, desperate and dangerous, had been spotted nearby, preying on travelers and small villages.
Kaelen made a decision: this was the elite guard's first real test.
The system notified:
Quest Activated: Defend Against Marauder RaidObjectives:
Scout marauder positions
Set traps and ambush points
Engage and defeat marauder forces
Protect villagers and resourcesReward: 300 SP, unlock combat skill "Necrotic Strike"
Kaelen, Liora, and Neria strategized.
Neria set traps along the expected paths, using her geomantic skills to blend them naturally with the environment.
Kaelen assigned Thom and Garin to lead scouting teams.
The rest of the guard prepared for direct combat, learning to coordinate their necromantic summons with their physical attacks.
The marauders came under the cover of night, expecting easy prey.
They were met instead with silent traps triggering nets, spikes, and elemental blasts.
Confused and wounded, they stumbled into the elite guard's ambush.
Kaelen led from the front, summoning skeletal warriors that tore through the enemy ranks with ruthless efficiency.
The elite guard fought with fierce determination, their training and teamwork turning the tide quickly.
Thom's arrows found vital targets, Garin's hammer crushed enemy shields, and Neria's healing salves kept the guards in the fight.
The battle ended with the marauders routed, many taken prisoner or fleeing into the dark forest.
The village rejoiced at the elite guard's victory.
Kaelen awarded SP to the guards, rewarding their courage and teamwork.
SP Distributed: 1,200 points among elite guard members
Kaelen reflected on the importance of this victory.
"We are no longer a weak village waiting for destruction. We are becoming a force that can defend itself and protect those we love."
He looked at Neria, who smiled proudly, and at Liora, whose eyes sparkled with newfound hope.
That night, Kaelen activated the system interface.
New Quest Unlocked: Strengthen AlliancesObjective:
Establish contact with neighboring villages
Propose mutual defense agreements
Share resources and intelligenceReward: 400 SP, unlock diplomacy skills and trade buffs
Kaelen knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with the elite guard's strength and alliances forming, Greystone's chances of survival were growing.
His sister's unique skills, the Refund System's power, and the bonds they built would carry them through the trials ahead.
The Lords' War was still distant, but its shadow was creeping closer. Greystone had taken its first real steps toward becoming a kingdom worth fighting for.