The forest clearing buzzed with activity as Iden stood in the center of his growing stronghold.
The shelter was no longer a simple bone hut. With reinforced stone walls, defensive barriers, and an extended perimeter cleared by the Scout, it resembled the foundation of a small fortress. It was time to take the next step—not just in survival, but in domination.
Iden didn't just command anymore—he trained.
He stood shirtless under the sun, sparring beside the Warrior Skeleton, mimicking its strikes, footwork, and reaction timing. His bones ached, muscles burned, but the system took note of his efforts.
[Manual Combat Practice Detected]Minor Physical Skill EXP Gained: +42Strength Stat Progress +2%
The Warrior followed a set of timed drills: three slashes, pivot, block, step back. Iden mirrored them. The more he moved alongside his summons, the better he understood their timing, their patterns, their limits—and how to push them further.
As construction of the next wall layer neared completion, a notification flashed in Iden's vision:
[Structure Threshold Reached]Builder Skeleton Class UnlockedClass Role: Construction, Repair, FortificationSpecial Trait: Efficiency Scaling – Construction time reduced by 15% with every level
Iden immediately opened the summoning interface.
He dismissed the Scout for the day—its task was complete—and funneled the released summon slot into a new class:
Summon Initiated: Builder SkeletonCurrent Active Summons: 4/4
Bones formed with strange fluidity, assembling into a figure carrying a toolset carved from beast bone and stone. Its joints were more stable, designed for precision rather than combat.
The Builder moved instantly to reinforce a watchpoint and coordinate with the Woodcutter and Miner on material hauling. Even Rael blinked, surprised at how fast things were going.
Inside the forge corner, made from scavenged metal and heated stones, Iden placed the Mysterious Energy Core, Enchanted Bone Shards, and refined ore into the crafting altar.
The system pulsed with warmth as he poured intent into the process.
Weapon Crafting InitiatedRequired Materials: ✔Crafting Time: Accelerated (Builder Bonus Applied)Infusion: Stable… Evolving…
The result was stunning.
A long bone-bladed weapon, fused with radiant red energy veins running down its edge, hovered in the air. The weapon shimmered, as though alive.
Forged Item: [Bonefang Edge – Energy Bound]Grade: RareType: Light Weapon (One-Handed)Bonus: +12 Strength | +8 SpeedPassive: Energy Burn – Has a chance to apply 8% burn damage over 4 secondsEvolution Stage: 1/3Next Evolution Requires: 10 Kills, 1 Rare Core
Iden took the weapon in hand and felt it resonate with his pulse.
While Iden forged and trained, Rael had been tending to the storage and refining herbs from the gathered beast meat. Her quiet focus was interrupted by a soft system message only she could see:
Rael Level Up!Skill Enhancement: Sanctum Pulse – Can now hold 2 charges | Healing increased by 10%
She didn't say anything—but she smiled, eyes flickering with growing power.
As the sun dipped behind the forest canopy, the sound of tools clanking, wood being split, and stone being shaped continued.
The Miner delivered raw ores.
The Builder laid a second foundation line.
The Woodcutter gathered timber and repaired fences.
And Iden—Iden stood atop the stone threshold, energy blade in hand, eyes fixed on the horizon.
He wasn't just defending anymore.
He was preparing to rule.