Night had settled over the desert, casting a shimmering veil of stars across the darkened dunes. Kael stood alone at the summit of his oasis stronghold, gazing at the skeletal remains of the battlefield below. The bones of the fallen still twitched under the moonlight — remnants of his necromantic will.
The wind whispered secrets only the dead could understand.
And yet, amidst the silence, Kael's eyes burned with anticipation.
System Message: You have earned 1x [Unit Summon Ticket – Rare Class]!Do you wish to use it now?
[Yes][No]
Kael clicked [Yes] in his mental interface.
The ground before him rippled with dark energy as the Summoning Circle etched itself into the sand, glowing with ominous violet runes. Mana surged outward, drawing all attention toward its core.
Lina and the others watched from a distance, curiosity etched into their expressions.
"I hope it's a cat girl!" Lina giggled, clutching her Sand Serpent Wraith.
Kael gave a rare chuckle but remained focused.
System Message: Rare Summon Initiated… Rolling…Congratulations! You have summoned [Fallen Blade Warden – Syra]Class: Phantom Swordmaster (Legendary)Element: Shadow + WindLoyalty: High (Unique Bond Potential)Growth Potential: ✰✰✰✰✰
A vortex of black wind and shadow erupted from the circle. Within seconds, it materialized into a figure — tall, lithe, and cloaked in spectral armor that shimmered between solid steel and translucent energy. A long obsidian blade hung at her waist.
Her presence was cold… yet alluring.
"I am Syra," she said, bowing gracefully, "once a guardian of twilight. Now, I offer my blade to the master of the dead."
Kael's necromantic senses immediately recognized her for what she was — not just a swordswoman. She was a remnant of a dead realm… a phantom with unmatched precision and agility.
"She's…" Lina's eyes widened. "Beautiful. Dangerous."
"Exactly what we need," Kael murmured.
System Analysis: Syra – Fallen Blade WardenType: Legendary Phantom Unit (Bound)Core Skills:
[Ghost Step] – Instantly teleport within 10 meters, leaving an afterimage.
[Moonfang Slash] – Crescent-shaped slash dealing hybrid Shadow-Wind damage.
[Blade Waltz] – Performs an area-of-effect sword dance; scales with Kael's INT.Passive Skill: [Soulbind] – Can bind to a commander, gaining +10% of their base stats.
Kael accepted the bind without hesitation.
Soulbind Activated – Kael ↔ SyraEffect: +10% shared stat boostSynergy Trait Unlocked: [Twin Command Field] – When fighting within 15 meters of each other, both units gain +15% Defense and +10% Attack Speed.
As the energy of the bond settled between them, Kael sensed a growing harmony. Syra's aura meshed perfectly with his — not just in combat, but in spirit.
"Your strength is mine now," Kael said quietly.
"And your enemies… are already dead," Syra whispered back.
Later that evening, Kael gathered his core allies beneath the oasis's sacred palm — now reinforced with undead watchposts and elemental traps Lina had fused earlier.
The members present were few, but powerful:
Kael – Lord of the Undead
Lina – Fusion Specialist & Adopted Sister
Syra – Phantom Swordmaster
Bone General Rakar – Veteran Skeleton Warlord
Galebone Hunter – Elite Ranged Undead
They formed the first tier of Kael's council.
Kael unfurled a spectral map projected by the System.
"We control this oasis and three outposts. But Varnis won't stop. Other Lords will come."
"And what of the Supreme Lords?" Rakar rasped, leaning on his serrated blade.
"They watch. They wait," Kael said. "But they'll act once they see we're more than just survivors."
System Message: Main Quest Updated![Phase II: Rise of the Bone Sovereign]Objectives:
Expand territory: Construct 2 new buildings
Connect with 3 other Lords (Allies or Rivals)
Defend territory for 7 consecutive daysReward:
Title: Bone Sovereign
Advanced Summon Ticket x1
Harem Affection Opportunity
Lina's eyes sparkled at the last line. "Affection opportunity, huh?"
Kael deadpanned. "It's not what it sounds like."
"Sure it isn't, big brother." She winked playfully and flicked his cloak.
Syra, standing silently nearby, showed no visible reaction. But the way she rested her hand on her blade's hilt was… ominous.
The next day was spent rebuilding and expanding.
Kael opened the Construction Menu.
Available Structures:
Bone Forge (Cost: 500 Mana Crystals, 200 Bone Units) – Enhances equipment for undead.
Shadow Tower (Cost: 400 Mana Crystals, 2 Shadow Cores) – Increases line of sight, grants passive [Fear Aura].
Necrotic Farm (Cost: 350 Mana Crystals) – Produces Deathroot (resource).
Grave Library (Cost: 300 Mana Crystals) – Unlocks ancient necromantic blueprints.
Kael chose two:
[Bone Forge][Shadow Tower]
Construction Started! Time Remaining: 8 HoursTip: Defensive buildings synergize with Syra's Passive – [Ghost Domain]
While the structures built, Kael and Syra trained together. She taught him evasive maneuvers, while he amplified her strikes with bone-enhancing spells. Their synchronization improved rapidly.
Meanwhile, Lina worked on her fusions.
"Come on, come on…" she whispered, weaving elemental shards into undead.
Her result?
Fusion Complete: [Obsidian Beetle Knight]Type: Heavy Armor UnitTraits: Earth Shell + Fire CoreSpecial: Absorbs 25% magic damage and converts it to strength for nearby undead.
Kael examined the creature. "That could tank a siege."
Lina puffed her chest. "Of course! I'm the Fusion Queen!"
Syra stepped forward. "Shall I test its durability?"
"Eek—No cutting it, lady ghost!"
Kael chuckled as the tension softened. For the first time, this place felt… alive.
Later that night, Kael received more messages.
System Alert: New Sub-Quests Available!
📜 Sub-Quest: Desert ScoutObjective: Send a unit to scout the southern ruinsReward: +100 EXP, 1 Desert Rune
📜 Sub-Quest: Undead UpgradeObjective: Enhance an undead unit to Tier 2Reward: 1 Passive Skill Scroll
📜 Sub-Quest: Sister's BondObjective: Spend time with Lina, improve emotional bondReward: Random Buff, Hidden Potential Unlock
Kael smirked. "Emotional bond sub-quests now?"
He checked Lina's progress.
Lina – Adopted Sister (Affinity: 78/100)Potential Trait Evolution: [Undead Elemental Fusionist] → [Primordial Binder]Fusion Skill Growth Detected: +3%
He walked over and offered her a flask of cold cactus brew.
"Let's take a break."
She blinked, startled. "Really?"
"We earned it."
They sat under the oasis tree, watching the stars.
"Do you think mom and dad would've liked this place?" she asked.
Kael looked up at the sky, silent for a moment. "Maybe. It's quiet… and full of potential."
She nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.
For a while, the Lord of the Dead simply listened to the wind.
Sub-Quest Completed: Sister's BondReward: Hidden Potential Unlocked – [Fusion Growth Core: Evolvable]Temporary Buff: [Family's Warmth] – All units receive +5% Morale and Regeneration for 24 hours
That night, as Kael dreamed, a voice echoed in his mind — ancient and cold.
"You gather strength. You gather bonds. You will rise… or be broken."
Kael turned in the dreamscape. Shadows twisted. And from the mist emerged a robed figure with a burning golden eye on its forehead.
"Who are you?" Kael asked.
"I am one of the Supreme Lords. You are but a seedling… But your roots have touched the soil of fate."
Kael's fists clenched. "I'll prove I'm more."
"Then survive. Grow. Become the one who commands death and defies destiny."
The voice faded.
System Message: Supreme Lord Encounter – [Watcher of Fate]You have been marked for observation. Future events may escalate.Bonus: +5% EXP Gain from All Sources for 7 Days
Kael awoke with determination.
This world would test him. Break him. But he would rise from the ashes.
He would build an empire of bone and soul. And he would protect Lina — his sister, his family — with everything he had.