Alert: Divine Scan Detected
Status: Signature Exposure (Partial)
Inquisitor Response: HIGHLY LIKELY
Suggestion: Fortify Domain, Prepare Defenses, Mask Core Presence
Kael stumbled, breathing heavily. "I wasn't ready for this. Not yet."
The two goblins he'd summoned froze mid-scavenge, blinking in confusion. One began drooling in fear; the other hissed and backed toward the deeper tunnels.
"Stop," Kael commanded, voice low and firm. The goblins obeyed, twitching.
He clenched his fists. "System. What's the fastest way to shield the core?"
Immediate Option: Construct – Warding Totem (10 Resources)
Effect: Creates a weak magical barrier that cloaks Core Signature for 1 hour.
Cost Reduction Available via Blood Pact Offering.
Would you like to proceed?
Kael's jaw tightened. "Yes. Use my own energy if needed. Just buy me time."
Blood Offering Accepted
-10 Health
Construction Initiated…
The glyph sputtered, and black veins slithered into the stone. A crude idol formed—bone lashed to branch, crowned with a goat skull and draped in animal hides. It pulsed once, and a fog of shadow settled over the room.
Core Signature: Masked (Temporary)
Inquisitor Delay Estimate: +1 hour
Kael sagged against the cave wall, skin pale, breath short. His health bar blinked faintly in the corner of his vision.
"You've bought yourself an hour," he muttered. "Use it."
Back in Hollowrest…
Inquisitor Vale stood in the center of the chapel's sanctified floor, his eyes closed, arms lifted in solemn prayer. The pulse of light had passed, but its message lingered.
Faint. Fading. But real.
"South-east of the village," he said, opening his eyes. "Deep in the woods."
He turned to the two squires who knelt nearby, each armored in silver-laced leather, blades at their hips and relics on their backs.
"We move now," Vale commanded. "Take only what you need. We hunt."
Back in the Den…
Kael's mind raced. "I need traps. Barriers. Something to slow them down."
Construction Options Available:
– Spiked Growth Trap (5 Resources): Basic slowing effect + minor bleed
– Howling Totem (10 Resources): Emits fear aura; weakens morale of invaders
– Shadow Snare Field (15 Resources): Slows enemy movement in 10m radius
Resource Count: 0
Nearby Resource Opportunity: Rotten Willow Grove – 300m west
Estimated Forage Yield: 10–15 Resources/hour
Threat: Moderate (Wildlife corruption detected)
Kael glanced at his goblins. "You two. Go west. Harvest from the willow grove. Avoid anything that breathes weird or glows."
The goblins grunted and took off at a loping run, eager to obey.
Kael turned his attention inward, to the glyph.
"System. What's the next Domain Level unlock?"
Domain Level 1 Unlocks:
– Command Limit Increased
– New Structures: Demon Gate (Summon Point), Fleshforge (Minion Upgrade)
– Ability: Infernal Pulse – Send shockwave to damage intruders
– Ambient Corruption: Increases natural resistance to holy detection
Requirement: 50 Resources
Current: 0
So far out of reach.
He could only work with what he had.
Reminder: You have 1 Soul Energy
Suggestion: Infuse a minion or object with temporary power
Available Infusions:
– Goblin Berserker Form (Short duration)
– Explosive Spores (One-use trap)
– Possessed Idol (Decoy effect)
Kael's eyes flicked to the totem. "Decoy. If they destroy that, they'll think they've purged the corruption."
Infusion Applied.
Totem now radiates 40% of Domain's core signature. Duration: 2 hours
Warning: Once destroyed, effectiveness lost
Kael nodded slowly. "Fine. Let them burn it. They'll leave thinking they won."
But deep down, he knew Vale wouldn't be so easily fooled. He wasn't just an Inquisitor.
He was hungry.
An hour later…
The woods trembled under the rhythmic stride of three armored figures. Vale walked at the front, his twin relic-swords strapped across his back, glowing faintly with sanctified runes. His squires followed—alert, wordless, reverent.
They reached the edge of the corrupted grove first.
The air here felt different. Wet. Sharp. The trees were slick with black moss, and tiny mushrooms pulsed faintly under the canopy.
Vale knelt, brushing his fingers across a warped fern.
"Corruption," he murmured. "But localized. He's learning to contain it."
One of the squires looked confused. "He?"
Vale stood. "The demon has a will. A growing one. I can feel it."
He raised his hand.
"Continue east."
Kael watched from the upper tunnel of the cave, eyes narrowed. Through the System's connection to the glyph, he could sense their presence now—three embers of light, bright and hot and sharp as knives.
Proximity Alert: Inquisitor Vale – 86 meters
Companion Count: 2
Threat Tier: GOLD
Suggestion: Engage only via misdirection. Direct combat = DEATH
He gritted his teeth.
Then a flicker lit the glyph.
Resource Delivery Complete: +12 Resources
Goblins returning…
Kael ran to the center chamber. The two goblins arrived, panting, arms full of twisted wood, bone fragments, and glowing moss. They dropped the haul at his feet and bowed.
He didn't waste time.
"Build Spiked Growth Trap near the entrance tunnel. One behind the false idol. One just beneath the center path."
The cave shifted with the System's power. Vines burst from the ground, tipped with rusted bone and thorn. A whisper of infernal essence seeped into the den.
Kael stepped back, watching it all unfold.
He was not strong.
But this place was his.
Minutes later, light spilled into the entrance tunnel.
Vale entered first.
His eyes adjusted immediately, Sanctified Sight activated. The silver emblem on his chest pulsed.
"This is it," he said softly. "The core is here."
The squire behind him moved forward—and immediately shrieked as a thorn shot into his leg. The Spiked Growth trap snapped shut around his boot, tearing flesh and snapping bone.
Vale didn't flinch.
He raised his hand—and a pulse of golden light spread from his palm. The trap burst apart in smoke and flame.
"Tricks," he muttered. "A coward's tactics."
Kael, hidden in the shadows above, clenched his jaw.
Warding Totem: Duration Remaining – 11 minutes
Possessed Idol Signature: 34%
Risk of Core Detection: Rising
He could see them now—clearly. Vale in front, one squire limping, the other gripping a radiant shield. The air around them warped with holy power.
Too strong. He couldn't fight them.
But maybe…
He could make them fear him.
New Option: Infernal Projection (1 Soul Energy)
Effect: Create phantom Kael near false core. Duration: 8 seconds
Chance of distraction: 65%
"Do it," Kael whispered.
A figure—his figure—materialized behind the totem. Cloaked in fire and shadow, its eyes gleaming like bloodied suns.
Vale stepped back as the image raised its hand.
"Blasphemer," he muttered, drawing both swords.
He lunged, blades cutting through the projection—and into the totem.
The explosion rocked the cave.
Smoke and shadow burst outward in a wave, slamming both squires to the ground and blowing out several torchlights.
Kael grinned.
Decoy Destroyed
Enemy Status: Disoriented
Core Detection: Diverted
Exit Opportunity: Open (3 minutes)
He didn't run.
Not yet.
He walked down the tunnel, just enough for Vale to see a flicker of movement.
And then he spoke—not in his own voice, but one borrowed from the abyss.
"Your gods cannot save you from me."
Vale turned, eyes blazing.
"Next time," Kael said, "you won't walk away."
And then he vanished into the shadows.
Aftermath
Vale stood in the ruined cave, ash coating his cloak.
The core was gone. The energy—the signature—cleansed. But he knew what he'd seen.
Not a fledgling demon.
Not a beast.
A will.
He looked to his wounded squire. "He's masking his presence. He learns quickly. That means one thing."
The squire blinked, dazed. "Sir?"
Vale sheathed his swords.
"He'll be stronger next time."
Domain Defense Successful
Core Integrity: 100%
Resources Remaining: 2
Soul Energy Gained: +4
System Upgrade Unlocked: Shadow Memory – Allows Kael to create illusions of past events to confuse invaders
Title Progression: "Demon Lord – Initiate" (7%)
Kael sat at the edge of his dark domain, firelight dancing in his eyes.
He had survived the Light.
Now it was time to feed the Darkness.