The silence after the kill was unnaturally calm.
Iden stood by the forge, the glow of the Unique Summon Ticket pulsing gently in his palm like a heartbeat. Eight skeletons now served him—tireless, obedient, and ever-learning. And yet, this next summon would be something else.
Something... superior.
He opened the interface and selected the Elite Summon Ticket.
[Use Unique Summon Ticket: Elite Variant]Class Line: [Available Based on Role Distribution]Detected Class Synergy:– Warrior (Dominant)– Builder– Forgemaster
Generating Variant...
Summoning: Bone Juggernaut – Elite VariantRole: Tank/Breaker HybridPassive: Shard-Plated – Reduces all damage by 30%Skill: Shockwall Slam – Knocks back enemies in a 3-meter radiusTrait: Siege Memory – Deals double damage to fortifications, learns from structures it touches
A crimson light surged upward. The bones clicked together—larger, denser, wrapped in thick plates like a natural fortress. The skull was helmet-like, with narrow slits for glowing embers in place of eyes.
Summon Created: Bone Juggernaut [Level 3 | Elite]Takes up 2 summon slotsCurrent Summons: 8/8
Rael took a slow step back, visibly impressed."It's like a walking castle," she murmured.
"Exactly what I need," Iden said, turning toward the clearing.
With the Blueprint unlocked and resources collected from Flamehide and raids, Iden opened the construction interface.
Construct: Bone Bastion TowerRequired:– Flame-Scale Plate x4 ✔– Radiant Ore x2 ✔– Dense Timber x20 ✔– Bone Fragments x40 ✔– Forgemaster & Builder Skeletons present ✔
Construction Time: 6 hours
Effect: Provides defensive vision, ranged bone bolt fire, and automated scout alerts within 200m
He placed the site on a rise at the edge of camp—perfect elevation for a watchtower.
The Builder and Forgemaster moved immediately, dragging stones and radiant ore into place. The Bone Juggernaut stood guard at the base, hammer-sized fists crossed as the tower took shape.
For Iden, it was more than a structure.
It was a statement.
Far beyond the trees, near the misted riverbanks, Nyra knelt beside a broken branch, eyes narrowed at the crushed grass and faintly glowing footprints of a bone-clad scout.
She brushed two fingers over a scuffed patch of dirt.
"Same pattern. Controlled movement. Rotational patrols. Whoever controls these summons… he's not acting on instinct."
She stood.
The trees whispered around her as if listening. Her sword—black crystal curved like a fang—hung silently at her back.
Her class was Shadowbound, and she was used to the fear in others.
But Iden's name had triggered something else.
Bone Bastion Tower... Skeleton-based army... forged items. He's organizing like a warlord—not a survivor.
She smiled faintly.
Not quite admiration.
Not quite envy.
"You're interesting, Iden. Let's see if your bones rattle when they meet me."
She turned and vanished into the mist, moving toward his sector.
That night, the Bone Bastion Tower ignited.
Not with fire—but light.Its core flared to life with radiant pulses, casting beams through the dark canopy.Ballista-like bone spears locked into place. A low hum radiated outward.
Structure Complete: Bone Bastion Tower [Tier I]Effect:– Perimeter Defense Active– Automated Surveillance Radius: 200m– Scout Integration: Enabled
New Feature Unlocked: Early Warning Alerts
Iden stood at the base, the wind carrying the tower's eerie glow into the stars.
And far beyond, someone else was watching.