The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountain peaks, casting long golden beams across the quiet valley. Morning dew clung to the grass around the crumbling village, and the ruins of Mountainshade lay half-asleep, blanketed by mist.
Rayan stood outside the Lord's Mansion, arms crossed, Ignis perched on his shoulder, tail flicking with heat. Lina clung to his cloak, yawning and rubbing her eyes with tiny fists.
"We'll start by checking the village square," he said, glancing down at her. "Stick close to me, alright?"
"Uh-huh," she mumbled.
[Village Core Status: Linked]Population: 2Defense Rating: 0Economic Activity: NoneVillage Level: 1 (Dilapidated)Threat Assessment: Dangerous — Dungeon nearby.]
He exhaled slowly. "That explains the tension in the air…"
Ignis growled softly, its molten gaze scanning the dense woods to the west—where, according to the map, the dungeon entrance lay.
The system flashed again:
[New Objective: Investigate the Dungeon Threat.][Hint: Scout the outer perimeter and look for signs of corruption.]
As they reached the village square, a flock of birds scattered from a collapsed watchtower. Rayan spotted remnants of what must have been a merchant's stall, now a skeleton of wood and ash. Weeds cracked through the cobblestone paths. Homes were half-caved in, but salvageable.
"This place... It's not just abandoned," he muttered. "It was attacked."
Lina tugged at his sleeve. "There's something glowing under that statue!"
Rayan followed her gaze. A half-buried stone monument stood at the center of the square—a warrior holding a torch and sword. Beneath it, faint pulses of red light shimmered between the cracks in the ground.
He moved closer.
[DUNGEON PULSE DETECTED.][Proximity Alert — Sealed Dungeon Node beneath village square.][Current Status: Dormant (Stability 41%)][Possible Threat: Corrupted Spawn Breach in 72–96 hours.]
Rayan clenched his fists.
There's a dungeon right under us.
"System," he whispered. "What do I need to stabilize the node?"
[Requirement: Construct a Summoner's Beacon or Subjugate 1st Dungeon Floor Boss.]
He frowned. A dungeon beneath the village was a double-edged sword. It could wipe them out if left unchecked—but it could also become a source of XP, rare resources, and summons.
He turned to Ignis. "Looks like your first real battle's coming sooner than I thought."
But before he could even plan a strategy, a system panel opened with a new alert:
[Lina Khael — Dreamweaver Class Advancement Path Detected.][Skill Resonance: Echo Stitch can attune to Dungeon Memory Fragments.][Caution: Overuse may affect mental stability due to emotional weight.]
"Lina…" Rayan knelt beside her. "Your skill... it can connect with the dungeon. That might help us understand it. But it's dangerous."
She tilted her head. "I can help you... see the dungeon's dreams?"
He swallowed. She didn't understand the risk yet—but her ability might be the key to learning what happened here before the last lord died.
[Temporary Objective Unlocked: Use Echo Stitch on Dungeon Residue.]
Rayan hesitated. "Do it only once. Then we stop."
She nodded and stepped forward, pressing her small hand to the glowing cracks. Her pupils shimmered with silver threads as the air grew still.
The square blurred.
The torch-bearing statue flickered—and suddenly, a memory played in spectral light:
A man stood where Rayan stood now, surrounded by his soldiers. "Hold the line!" he shouted. "Do not let them out of the dungeon!"
Blackened, insectoid creatures burst from the ground, crawling with acidic limbs and soulless eyes. Screams. Fire. Magic sigils burning the air.
Then silence.
Rayan caught the man's final words—"The seal will last... a little longer…"
The vision shattered.
Lina collapsed into his arms, breathing hard but unharmed.
"I saw them," she whispered. "The bad ones. They're waiting down there…"
[Echo Stitch Success — Memory Fragment Retrieved.][Map Updated: First Floor Layout — 12% Revealed.][Quest Chain Unlocked: The Dungeon Below.]
Rayan held her close. "You did great. But no more Stitching today, got it?"
She gave a sleepy nod and nestled into his chest.
He looked down at the glowing red beneath the square.
The last lord sealed this thing—but it's waking up again.
[Lord's Daily Perk Activated — Summoner's Planning Phase: 1 free summon per day.]
He turned toward the mansion, lifting Lina in his arms.
"I need more than just Ignis," he muttered. "And fast."
Back in the Forge chamber, the floating anvil shimmered.
[New Summon Blueprint Available: Stonebound Sentry (Tier 0)]
Rayan reached out.
One day, I'll forge an army strong enough to hold this land…
But first—I'll survive the week.