The first light of dawn crept softly over the hills surrounding Greystone. The village was still waking, the scent of smoke from the hearths mixing with the fresh morning air. Kaelen stood at the edge of the village square, gazing thoughtfully at the path ahead.
The battles had been won, but the real war—the Lords' War—was still far off. To prepare, Kaelen knew he needed more than just alliances and brave warriors. He needed power, resources, and knowledge. And the Refund System, with all its mysteries, was about to reveal another layer.
The subtle chime of the system notification broke the morning calm.
System Message:"Congratulations, User. You have unlocked the System Shop interface."Details: Access the System Shop to spend System Points (SP) on stat upgrades, skill purchases, rare items, and exclusive resources. Utilize your Refund points for profitable transactions. Manage your inventory and resources efficiently to maximize your growth.
Kaelen's heart skipped a beat. The System Shop was the gateway to his evolution.
He summoned the interface with a simple gesture. Before him floated a translucent window, layered with intricate runes and icons glowing softly in shades of blue and gold.
Kaelen's eyes scanned the tabs carefully. Every section was an opportunity—and a decision.
The system also displayed his current points clearly:
System Points (SP): 1,200
Refund Points (RP): 10
He remembered the rules well:Every 100x refund of any purchase yielded 1 Refund Point (RP).The RP could be exchanged for rare items, summon tokens, or powerful buffs.SP was the main currency for upgrading himself and his skills.
He could only use the Refund Summon Exploit three times a week, but the shop allowed other legitimate purchases with these points.
Kaelen clicked on the Stat Upgrade Tab first.
Five core attributes were displayed with current levels:
Strength: 15
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 25
Vitality: 20
Willpower: 30
Each stat upgrade required an increasing number of SP points, but the benefits were immediate and crucial.
Hovering over Willpower, Kaelen saw:Increases mana pool and necromantic energy control.Current: 30 (SP cost for next level: 150)
Without hesitation, Kaelen invested 150 SP, pushing Willpower to 31. He felt a subtle surge, his energy pool deepening.
Next, Kaelen entered the Skill Acquisition Tab. A scrollable list of active and passive skills appeared, many locked behind SP costs and level requirements.
Among them, new necromancer skills beckoned:
Soul Chain (Active): Bind multiple enemies, linking their damage. Cost: 300 SP
Bone Fortress (Passive): Increase defense when surrounded by undead summons. Cost: 250 SP
Dark Command (Active): Temporarily boost undead minions' attack speed and power. Cost: 350 SP
Kaelen noted that each skill had prerequisites and cooldowns, forcing careful planning.
The Item Shop was stocked with resources Kaelen had barely dreamed of:
Healing Potions (Large): 50 SP each
Mana Crystals: Used for spellcasting, 120 SP per crystal
Rare Crafting Materials: Needed for golem and undead dragon upgrades
Artifacts: One-of-a-kind items that could change the tide of battle
A rare artifact caught his eye—a Ring of Dominion, said to increase control over summoned creatures. Price: 1,000 SP.
Kaelen marked it for later, knowing resources were tight.
The Summon Shop was the heart of his power.
Tokens for summoning powerful creatures were available for purchase with SP or RP:
1) Golem Token
Cost (SP) - 400 SP
Cost (RP) - 2 RP
2)Undead Dragon
Cost (SP) - 1,200 SP
Cost (RP) - 5 RP
3)Skeleton Legion
Cost (SP) - 250 SP
Cost (RP) - 1 RP
4)Shadow Wraith
Cost (SP) - 600 SP
Cost (RP) - 3 RP
5)Bone Colossus
Cost (SP) - 3,000 SP
Cost (RP) - 8 RP
Kaelen considered his budget carefully. He had a single RP, but could save for more by continuing quests and using the Refund System.
Refund Exchange Tab
This tab detailed the refund process, showing resources Kaelen had spent and what could be converted:
Refunded Resources: 25,000 units
Available SP from Refund Exchange: 250 SP
Special Buffs: Temporary boosts purchasable with RP
The system explained the 100:1 ratio for SP gain from refunding, and how items or resources spent on the village, troops, and territory improvements also yielded refunds.
Kaelen smiled, thinking of how Neria's unique class benefited as well when resources she used got refunded to the village stockpile.
Finally, the Quest Board was a reminder of unfinished tasks and opportunities.
Highlighted quests included:
Strengthen Ironwood Alliance: Ongoing
Resource Gathering: Deliver 10,000 units of food to Greystone
Summon Training: Master the Bone Colossus summon
Defensive Fortification: Build traps around the village
Each quest promised generous SP and RP rewards, vital for the upcoming wars.
First Purchase: Strength and Skill
Without delay, Kaelen began by upgrading his Vitality from 20 to 21 (cost: 100 SP) and Strength from 15 to 16 (cost: 120 SP). His physical resilience and combat power would need to grow quickly.
Next, he purchased Bone Fortress, eager to increase his defenses when surrounded by undead minions.
Using Refund Points
Kaelen decided to spend 2 RP to purchase a Golem Token, reasoning that a durable tank would bolster his battlefield presence.
The system confirmed:
Purchase Successful: Golem Token acquired.
He added the summon to his ready pool and began preparing it for training.
Strategic Planning
Kaelen sat back, the system interface still floating before him.
He had 700 SP and 8 RP left after purchases.
He could:
Save SP to unlock Dark Command and Undead Dragon Tokens
Invest in village infrastructure and hunting tools to ease food scarcity
Train summons and elite guard for the coming Lords' War
Later that day, Kaelen called a meeting with the village council and elite guards.
"We've made allies, defended our land, and now have the tools to grow stronger," he said. "But food scarcity remains a pressing issue. Hunting is our main option for now."
Liora nodded. "I will organize hunting parties, train them to avoid traps and dangerous animals."
Neria added, "I will enhance healing supplies for hunters and warriors alike."
Council members exchanged nods. There was hope—and determination.
That evening, Neria sat beside Kaelen by the fire, her eyes shining with quiet resolve.
"Brother, our strength isn't just in battle. It's in the people, the village, and the bonds we build."
Kaelen smiled softly. "You're right, Neria. The system is powerful, but it's our unity that will win this war."
Her hand briefly touched his. "I will always stand with you."
As the village settled for the night, Kaelen's mind raced with plans.
The System Shop had opened doors he hadn't imagined.
With every point spent wisely, every summon trained, every alliance forged, the day of the Lords' War would draw nearer.
And when it came, Greystone would not just survive. It would triumph.