The Altar of the Void stood imposing in the center of the Volks Valley settlement.
Its dense darkness seemed to absorb the dawn light on the horizon, while simultaneously parting and condemning the fog to linger over the edges of the gorge like a thick, ghostly sea.
The column of purple energy that had previously sprouted from the ground had now stabilized, wrapping the structure in a rhythmic glow similar to a heartbeat.
Ethan was observing the structure with an imperturbable expression. Inside, however, he felt a mystical bond that linked him to the altar. It was as if the column were an extension of his own nervous system.
'Finally, something that truly belongs to me,' thought Ethan, passing his hand over the cold, smooth surface of the altar.
At his side, Seraphina remained his faithful and loyal guardian.
Her silver hair, which now shone with supernatural intensity due to the proximity of the Altar, fluttered in a nonexistent breeze.
Her six metallic wings were half-open, ready to react to any threat that dared to emerge from the fog.
Her blue eyes did not move from the mercenaries and villagers who remained prostrated on the ground, trembling under the pressure emanating from her.
"My Lord, the purification from the Altar is driving away the wandering souls from the area," Seraphina informed him, her voice filled with a mixture of pride and devotion.
"However, the flash of your power has acted as a beacon. I can feel hostile presences moving in the depths of the valley. They are stronger than usual."
Ethan nodded.
"It is to be expected."
He turned to look at the leader of the mercenaries, the man with the scar who now seemed to have aged ten years in a few minutes.
"What is your name?" Ethan asked with a coldness that made the man startle.
"G-Goran, my Lord. I have led these men for years... trying to survive on the crumbs that the Guild leaves," the mercenary stammered, without daring to look up.
"Listen well, Goran. The Volks Valley is no longer a place to survive. It is a place to serve," said Ethan, his voice resonating with an authority that the Void System seemed to amplify.
"You and your men will be my eyes and ears on the boundaries of the purified zone. I do not expect heroism from your part, only loyalty. If you detect something that you cannot handle, the Altar will be your refuge. If you try to flee... you will die."
Goran shuddered and struck his chest in a desperate gesture. "We will not flee! I swear it on my life!"
Ethan returned his attention to the floating system menu.
He had accumulated a considerable amount of 'Soul Essence' after the massacre in the dungeon and the confrontation with Inspector Marcus in Aleskra.
[Available Soul Essence: 75,000 units.]
[Legion Summoning Cost (x10): 50,000 units.]
[Note: Being your first mass legion summoning, the system guarantees a result of Rank A or higher.]
A flicker of anticipation stirred within him.
'I cannot rule a valley alone with a Valkyrie and a handful of cowardly mercenaries,' Ethan reasoned. 'I need a greater force. A loyal one.'
"System," Ethan whispered, feeling the purple mana begin to swirl around his hands. "Summon the Legion. Open the Door of the Void."
Suddenly, the Altar of the Void reacted. The pulse of energy that enveloped it sent out a thundering roar, making everyone present turn to watch with faces full of fear.
The sky over the valley fractured, revealing a black abyss dotted with dead stars.
Seconds later, ten spheres of liquid darkness wrapped in suffocating purple energy sprouted from the altar. They floated in the air for a few moments before crashing against the ground, sending up a cloud of ash and energy.
Nine of them quickly transformed into menacing humanoid figures two meters tall.
They were covered in plate armor as dark as the altar itself. Their faces were hidden by closed helms with a single slit, from which two violet glows emerged like demonic eyes.
In their hands, they held heavy swords and tower shields emblazoned with a circular symbol of a thorny vine.
[Successful Summoning!]
[Unit: Void Sentinels (9)]
[Rank: B+]
[Description: Heavy infantry immune to pain and mental control. Their strength scales with the Sovereign's level.]
But it was the tenth sphere that drew every eye. Unlike the others, this one expanded until it formed a whirlwind that seemed to devour the air itself.
From its center emerged a slender figure dressed in a black silk robe reinforced with pieces of silver armor.
He wore a white porcelain mask that showed a permanently engraved smile, and in his right hand, he held an ebony wood staff crowned by a dark crystal orb.
[UNIQUE RESULT!]
[Unit: The Architect of Shadows - Malphas]
[Rank: A+ (Rapid Growth)]
[Class: Builder / Strategist]
[Passive Skill: Accelerated Territory Growth. Reduces construction times by 30%.]
Malphas bowed deeply before Ethan, his staff hitting the ground rhythmically.
"It is an honor to awaken in this era, my Sovereign. I have observed the void, waiting for this moment. Where do you wish for us to begin reshaping this world of errors?"
Seraphina narrowed her eyes, evaluating the newcomer.
Although Malphas was inferior to her in rank, she felt that his utility for Ethan's plans was undeniable.
"Make sure that your architecture is worthy of the greatness of Lord Thorne, shadow. If you fail, I myself will demolish your works."
Malphas let out a dry laugh behind his mask.
"The Valkyrie, always so impetuous. Do not fear, my lady of gold. My designs will not only be functional, but eternal."
Ethan observed his new force. Nine sentinels formed a perfect line, imperturbable against the freezing wind of the valley, and an architect stood ready to turn the ruins into a fortress.
'Level 25,' Ethan noticed, feeling his system level rise after the successful summoning.
'With Malphas here, I can start building structures that the Great Tree would consider impossible. But I need resources. Gold, mana iron, and above all… more souls.'
"Malphas, I want you to analyze this settlement," Ethan ordered. "Tell me what we need to convert the Volks Valley into an impregnable place. I don't want only walls; I want the ground itself to be a trap for anyone who doesn't wear my mark."
"As you wish, Sovereign," Malphas responded, beginning to levitate while his orb emitted shockwaves that scanned the terrain.
"This place has veins of blood-iron under the surface, fed by centuries of deaths in the valley. With the proper sacrifice, we can erect the Walls of Lament in less than a week."
However, the conversation was interrupted by a rumble coming from the northern gorge. The fog stirred violently, and a soul-piercing howl that froze the villagers' blood resonated through the valley.
Goran fell on his back, his face pale. "It's them! The Iron Fang Stalkers! They come when there are loud noises... we're dead!"
Ethan looked toward the darkness, where dozens of pairs of red eyes began to shine through the fog.
They were shadow wolves, Rank C creatures that hunted in massive packs, led by an alpha male of Rank B+.
"Malphas, Sentinels," Ethan said, his voice cutting through the panic like a knife. "It's time you show your value. Don't let any of those dogs approach the Altar."
"For the Sovereign!" the Sentinels roared in unison.
The nine black soldiers advanced with perfect coordination, interlocking their tower shields to form a wall of black iron in front of the village.
The shadow wolves threw themselves from the fog, a tide of fangs and claws, but they crashed against the Sentinels' shields like waves against a cliff.
Seraphina prepared to join the combat, but Ethan raised a hand, stopping her.
"No. Let the Legion take care of it," Ethan said, observing the massacre.
The Sentinels did not back down.
With each thrust of their heavy swords, a wolf was split in half, its soul essence being absorbed instantly by the Altar vibrating behind them.
Malphas, from the air, struck his staff, causing dozens of shadow stakes to sprout from the ground, piercing the enemies trying to flank the formation.
In less than ten minutes, the corpses of more than fifty wolves covered the ground.
The alpha male, a beast the size of a carriage, tried to flee, but Malphas extended his hand, and a chain of shadows caught it by the neck, dragging it back.
Ethan walked toward the trapped wolf, which growled and twisted as he drew a dagger infused with void energy.
With a quick movement, Ethan ended the beast's life.
[You have defeated: Iron Fang Alpha (Rank B+)]
[Experience obtained...]
[Level 25 → Level 27!]
[You have unlocked the structure: Shadow Quarry.]
Ethan turned toward the villagers and mercenaries who were observing the scene in silence.
The fear remained on their faces, but now it was mixing with something new: hope.
For the first time in their lives, someone offered them a force that could crush their nightmares.
"Goran, collect the remains of these beasts. The hide will serve for your men's equipment, and the meat for the villagers," Ethan ordered.
"Tomorrow, the Volks Valley will begin to change shape. If the Aleskra people want war, let them come. But let them know that to enter my kingdom, they will first have to die."
Seraphina approached Ethan and knelt, her white armor reflecting the purple light of the Altar.
"My Lord, your legend is growing. Soon, the name of Thorne will not be a thorn, but a crown that will crush the Great Tree."
Ethan looked toward the starry sky visible through the void gap.