The air shimmered around me, as though the world itself were struggling to recalibrate, to reshape itself in the presence of my awakening. Power hummed in my blood, thick and electric. Even the sky overhead seemed to hold its breath, a deep, oppressive stillness settling over the land. The scent of earth and ozone clung to the wind.
In the corner of my mind, a presence flickered to life — warm, inviting, and utterly unlike the sterile systems I'd expected.
["Hello, Shin! Congratulations on your first successful summoning. Your journey has officially begun! Now that we're properly linked… shouldn't you give me a name? It feels so cold being called 'system' all the time, don't you think?"]
The voice was feminine, teasing — a sultry melody threading through my mind, daring me to play along. It wasn't a machine. It was alive.
I smirked. "Alright then… how about Aria?"
["Ooh… Aria. I love it! Very fitting for the voice that will sing your victories into legend. I knew you had good taste, Shin."]
A small laugh escaped me. Even my system wanted to seduce me. I had a feeling life here was going to be dangerous in more ways than one.
["Now, let's get serious for a moment. The system functions have been fully unlocked! Anything you collect — blueprints, summons, artifacts — can now be purchased again through the System Shop using System Points. You earn them through missions, enemy kills, territory growth, and unique achievements."]
I raised a brow. "And the missions?"
["Each mission offers System Points and rare rewards to give your fledgling domain a fighting chance. Optional challenges grant bonuses and higher-tier enemies yield greater bounties."]
"Good," I murmured. "That changes everything."
["Oh, and Shin?"] Aria's voice dropped to a whisper, ["The better you treat me, the more surprises I'll prepare for you later."]
I gave a low chuckle. "You're trouble."
["Only the best kind, darling."]
Her warmth faded into the background as my attention drifted to the unopened Gift Pack in my inventory. The icon pulsed softly, waiting.
"Let's see what you've got for me."
I tapped to open it.
Golden light burst forth in a surge, and the rewards materialized before me in neat columns of text.
⸻
Gift Pack Contents:
• Stormpiercer Spear (Epic Weapon)
• Resource Pack (Wood x500, Stone x500, Magic Essence x200)
• Minor Mana Spring Blueprint
• 100 System Points
⸻
The spear immediately drew my eye. A masterpiece of gleaming silver chased with veins of living lightning, the weapon crackled as I lifted it, a hum of familiarity passing between us. Like it was made for my hand.
Its stats unfurled in my mind's eye.
⸻
Stormpiercer Spear
• Attack +250
• Lightning Affinity Boost: +20%
• Skill: Thunderstrike — Unleashes a devastating lightning-imbued strike.
⸻
I spun the weapon experimentally, feeling the weight, the balance, the promise of destruction woven into its core.
"This," I murmured, "is perfect."
["It suits you, Tempest Lord,"] Aria teased. ["Sharp. Electrifying. And dangerous to underestimate."]
I slid the spear into the weapon rack now materialized inside my territory's mansion. The resources would go toward upgrading defenses, and the Mana Spring blueprint would secure a steady supply of magic essence for future enchantments.
Piece by piece, my foundation was taking shape.
⸻
Outside, the sun dipped toward the horizon. Ember and Liliana had already gathered the new civilians, overseeing construction with ruthless efficiency. Ember's molten gaze burned as she directed fortification efforts, while Liliana's words left workers dazed and eager to please.
I watched them for a moment, the first pillars of my growing court.
"They're impressive," I admitted.
["Of course. You chose them, after all,"] Aria replied a hint of pride in her voice.
At that moment, Ember strode toward me, her scales glowing like molten bronze in the dying light.
"My Lord," she said with a warrior's bow, "the outer perimeter is underway. Stone walls should be raised by nightfall."
Liliana drifted to my side, her lips curling into a coy smile. "And I've made certain no one's slacking. They're… quite eager to see you succeed, Lord Tempest."
I gave a small grin. "Good. We'll need every edge we can get when the beast wave comes."
Opening the System Shop, I scanned my options. With the 100 points from the Gift Pack, several choices awaited.
⸻
System Shop Highlights
• Basic Defensive Wall Blueprint — 50 SP
• Archer Training Manual (Uncommon) — 80 SP
• Hero Summon Ticket (Rare) — 500 SP
• Minor Resource Pack — 30 SP
⸻
I claimed the wall blueprint and dispatched it immediately. Civilians moved like ants, hammering and stacking stones as Ember oversaw every placement. Liliana's words spurred them faster, a supernatural compulsion radiating from her.
⸻
Nightfall.
The first signs of the beast wave gathered in the distance — shapes shifting in the gloom, snarls on the wind. The world held its breath again.
I stood atop the half-formed walls, Stormpiercer in hand, lightning dancing along the spearhead.
Ember cracked her knuckles, eyes alight. "Finally. Something to burn."
Liliana giggled darkly. "And something to play with."
Then, a figure approached through the mist — tall, cloaked in midnight blue, bearing the sigil of a rival house. His hair was silver-white, eyes were cold as steel.
Damien Valeborn.
Another Gold Core heir.
"So you're the famous Shin Tempest," he sneered, voice like a blade's edge. "Didn't take long for your little kingdom to start trembling."
I didn't lower my spear. "You're early for a funeral, Valeborn."
He laughed. "Oh, I'll save the grave for after I finish this trial. First place will belong to me — and your head's a fine trophy."
Ember growled low. "You want a fight, weakling?"
But I raised a hand, my gaze locked with his. "Soon, Damien. And when that day comes, you'll see what a real storm looks like."
His smirk twisted, but before he could answer, a voice spilled into my mind — darkly sweet, dripping with promise.
["Win first place, Shin,"] Lilith whispered. ["And your reward will be… unforgettable. One night with me… and my dear sister Tiamat. I wonder if you'll survive the experience."]
Another voice, cooler and older, joined hers. ["Make it through this trial, mortal,"] Tiamat purred, ["and you may discover how deep the abyss of pleasure truly runs."]
My blood heated, the promise sharp and wicked.
I grinned at Damien, lightning crackling at my fingertips.
"Get ready, Valeborn," I murmured. "This storm's just getting started."
As the beasts surged from the treeline, the Trial of Seven Days truly began.
And I would claim everything.
*
Thank you to mubarak272 for sending power stones.
I will post the pics of the two heroes on my Discord later today.
https://discord.gg/aXQNTeXg
If you like the story, then please leave feedback, comments, reviews, and suggestions.
Two auxiliary chapters will go up tomorrow, explaining the levels of blueprints, buildings, and so on. The other will be about the heroes' grades and levels.