The Hollow Heart was sealed, but its echo still lingered. The village air felt heavier, as though the land itself remembered what had been buried. Uther stood at the edge of the newly erected Arcane Watchtower, its magical runes scanning the horizon for threats.
> [Village Expansion Complete – Defense Structures Unlocked]
[Defense Level: Tier 2]
[New Roles Available: Guard Captain | Scout Leader | Enchanter]
[System Alert: Suspicious Movements Detected Near Eastern Forest Line]
---
Interrogation
Deep beneath the village, Thalen sat in a reinforced mana cell. He had been quiet—too quiet. Uther entered, flanked by Reyna and two armed guards.
"I want answers," Uther said flatly. "No riddles. What does the Cult want beyond the Hollow Heart?"
Thalen smirked. "You think the Heart was their only goal? That was just a key. They seek something far older—beneath the entire continent. You're standing on one of many seals. Your little village? It's on top of a gate."
Uther's blood chilled.
"What kind of gate?"
"To a prison. And they're collecting keys."
---
Bolstering the Village
Knowing the danger that lay ahead, Uther turned to rapid development. Using saved gold and surplus mana stones, he activated the Trade Post System.
> [New Feature Unlocked: Slave Market]
[Note: Only Bonded Laborers from Imperial-Approved Contracts May Be Purchased]
Uther selected ten workers—blacksmith apprentices, carpenters, a brewer, and two cooks. Each was granted freedom in exchange for sworn loyalty and fair wages.
"Work honestly," Uther said, "and you'll be treated as equals."
---
Hunter Recruitment
The Guild Hall was now functional. Borin managed the tavern while Garrick helped train newcomers. Uther posted a new recruitment mission:
> [Hunter's Call – Seeking Skilled Trackers and Rangers]
Reward: Housing, Mana Rations, Equipment Access
By nightfall, four new applicants arrived. Among them, a seasoned hunter named Kael caught Uther's attention—a man with a scar over one eye and a warbow on his back.
"I heard rumors of a reborn village," Kael said. "And I heard you fought something that shouldn't exist. That true?"
Uther nodded. "You in?"
Kael grinned. "If it means fighting nightmares before they reach the capital—hell yes."
---
The Gathering Storm
As the village defenses took shape and new recruits settled in, the Arcane Watchtower pulsed with warning.
> [Intrusion Detected – Unidentified Presence Near Outer Barrier]
[Scout Deployment Recommended]
Uther stood at the tower's peak, watching the darkness.
"They're coming sooner than we thought," he murmured.
Behind him, Garrick arrived with news. "One of the new recruits. She's not who she claims to be."
Uther turned sharply. "What did you find?"
"She's been sneaking off into the woods at night. No tracks. No shadow. Might be another spy."
Uther's eyes narrowed. "Then it's time to root out the snake."
The Hidden Fang
Night fell on the village like a veil of suspicion. Torches flickered along the palisades while the Arcane Watchtower continued to pulse with quiet urgency.
Inside the war tent, Uther leaned over the strategic table with Mara, Kael, and Reyna.
"There's a traitor among the recruits," Uther said, his voice low. "She's been sneaking out past the perimeter. No trails. No shadow."
Mara narrowed her eyes. "You want her followed."
"I want you to trail her unseen. Learn her route. Don't confront her unless you have to."
Mara nodded once. "Understood. I'll leave at nightfall."
Uther turned to Kael and the other three newly recruited hunters. "You four are on a twenty-four-hour patrol. East ridge to west boundary. Rotate every six hours. Look for signs of camps, tracks, or mana anomalies."
Kael gave a two-fingered salute. "We'll find anything worth finding."
---
Mara's Pursuit
As the village slept, Mara slipped through the shadows, trailing the suspect—a quiet woman named Selis, who claimed to be a merchant's daughter turned herbalist.
Selis moved unnaturally through the forest. Her footsteps left no mark. Her cloak shimmered faintly in moonlight. She carried no weapon, yet her presence made the trees bend away from her path.
Mara stayed two dozen paces behind, arrows ready. After nearly an hour of stalking, Selis reached a stone marker half-buried in moss. She knelt, placed her hand against it, and whispered something in a language Mara couldn't understand.
A faint red sigil flared on the stone—then vanished.
Selis stood, waited… and then turned her head slightly, as if sensing something. Mara froze.
After several tense moments, Selis walked away—straight back toward the village.
---
The Report
By dawn, Uther met with Mara in the war tent once more.
"She's reporting to something," Mara said. "Not a person. A beacon. It's a marker hidden beneath the forest floor. Looked like a dormant cult rune, but warped—like it's listening, not summoning."
Uther rubbed his chin. "She's not just a spy. She's a relay."
Reyna entered moments later, clutching a scroll. "Kael found something on the northern slope—a torn crimson cloth with strange embroidery. Could be cult markings."
Uther straightened, jaw tight. "This isn't just a scout. She's part of something larger. A second wave is coming."
He opened the System:
> [New Mission: Disrupt the Cult's Beacon]
Objective: Investigate the Rune Stone | Interrogate Selis | Prepare Anti-Scrying Wards
Suggested Action: Intervene within 48 hours before a signal is sent.