Chapter 24 – The Hatchling, The Collar, and the Scout's Return
The egg pulsed with a quiet hum in Elric's arms as he left the Whispering Flame's trial chamber.
Cracks appeared along its shell, glowing with electric-blue energy. The moment he stepped back into the arena's rubble—half collapsed, half smoking—the egg gave a final tremble.
Crack!
From it, a tiny beast emerged. Round, fluffy, and blue, with oversized ears that sparked like tiny clouds during a thunderstorm. Its eyes blinked up at Elric, confused... and hungry.
"Another Zap, but cuter?" Elric blinked. "I hereby name you… Zapling. Junior."
Zap growled. The tiny hatchling mimicked him with a squeaky growl and a miniature spark.
Elric snorted. "Oh great. Now I've got a spark family."
> [Beast Named: Zapling]
Type: Stormling Pup
Loyalty: Instinctual (Follows by Will, Not Contract)
---
As Elric sat in the ruined arena feeding Zapling scraps of smoked jerky (stolen from Pudge's emergency stash), a familiar shadow dropped beside him.
Grandpa.
His pipe was lit, eyes sharp.
"Nice pet. Did you survive your emotional journey through fire and ancient prophecy?"
Elric handed him a piece of jerky. "Yep. Got a shop now. Bought an egg. Met a bird made of fire that questioned my life decisions."
Grandpa nodded. "Sounds about right."
Then, casually, he tossed something toward Elric. A metal ring with glowing red runes.
> [Item Obtained: Slave Collar – Ancient Variant]
Effect: Binds one intelligent creature to a protective task. Must be willingly submitted or forcibly weakened.
"Found it in the old stash," Grandpa said. "We're going to need someone to watch the village gates now that the world's tearing open."
Elric raised an eyebrow. "You want me to collar someone?"
"We're not playing hero games anymore. War's coming. You can lead with kindness, but sometimes… a leash helps."
---
Elsewhere in the Forest…
The goblin leader snarled, pacing near the border.
He hadn't attacked since the last skirmish. But whispers in the wind told of portals opening… and larger, scarier things hunting the wilds.
Elric arrived with Shadow silently at his side. He didn't ask for negotiation.
He just threw the collar at the goblin's feet.
"Protect the village border. Stop any other race from sneaking in. Try to betray us—this activates and turns your brain into jelly."
The goblin hissed. "Why should I obey?"
Elric smiled. Not cruelly. Just… tired.
"Because worse things are coming. And if we all die, there's no one left to hate."
The goblin stared at him. Then—grudgingly—picked up the collar and fastened it around his own neck.
> [New Task Set: Goblin Leader – Village Border Guard]
Bound by Collar. Protective Loyalty Only.
Will not betray unless command conditions are violated.
---
That Evening…
The scout returned.
Bruised. Bloodied. But very much alive.
He knelt before the academy's headmaster, gasping for breath. "They're opening portals near the mountain passes. Insect Queens, Undead Caravans… even mechanical giants have been spotted."
The instructor paled. "Why now?"
"They're not waiting anymore," the scout rasped. "They're preparing for a full invasion. They called it The Harvest."
---
Elric's Room
He lay in bed staring at the wooden ceiling, Zapling curled beside his neck, Peep snoring on his chest, and Shadow watching from the window.
His mind was quiet.
But in his heart?
A flame had started to burn.
Not to destroy the enemy. Not yet.
But to protect what little light he had.
Chapter 25 – The Bell Before War
The academy bell tolled just before dawn.
It wasn't the usual morning chime meant for sleepy lectures or training announcements. No, this one was deeper. Heavier. A sound with weight. A warning.
Donnnnnng.
Donnnnnng.
Elric blinked awake. Zapling rolled off his chest with a squeak, and Peep fell from his perch with a thud.
Shadow had already vanished from the window, likely scouting.
Elric sat up, rubbing his eyes. "That's the kind of bell you hear when kingdoms fall… or when Grandpa accidentally blows something up."
---
At the Academy Courtyard
Students, teachers, guards, and even a few village folk had gathered. Most were armed. Some were confused. A few were terrified.
The head instructor stood in the center, voice booming unnaturally loud thanks to a voice-amplifying crystal.
"The Eastern Pass has collapsed. Portals have opened along the Blackroot Mountains. We are under pre-invasion protocol."
Gasps. Cries. Whispers.
One student shouted, "But we're just kids!"
The instructor's eyes flashed.
"You were students yesterday. Now you're defenders. Learn quick or get out of the way."
---
Elric's Perspective
As the chaos buzzed around him, Elric felt oddly… calm. Not fearless—he was still a kid who cracked jokes in danger—but he understood something most didn't yet:
This was just the start.
He turned to Grandpa, who stood beside him like always, puffing calmly.
"War's starting, huh?" Elric asked.
Grandpa shrugged. "War's already here. The academy just noticed."
Then he handed Elric a rolled-up scroll. Sealed with a silver wolf's claw.
"What's this?"
"List of races, threats, and safe zones. Oh, and a map of tunnels beneath the academy. Keep it. You'll need it when this place goes to hell."
Elric unrolled it. There, scrawled like notes from an old adventurer's diary, were names of strange races and factions:
Troll Tribes: Mountain beasts with berserker blood.
Beastkin Nomads: Feline and canine humanoids. Quick, tribal, suspicious of outsiders.
Frost Elves: From the east. Cold-blooded and colder-hearted.
Dark Orcs: Strong, cursed, and full of hate.
Undead Procession: Marching under a forgotten banner.
Insect Queens: Hive-rulers with swarms and spells.
Machine Priests: Steel gods with clockwork soldiers.
Elric whispered, "This world is not just humans."
Grandpa snorted. "Never was. Most folks are just too scared to admit it."
---
Later That Day
Elric was called into a private hall by the instructors—joined by a few odd students too. All of them either had strange aura signatures or had somehow survived near-death events recently.
A tall robed figure, face hidden behind a blank silver mask, entered.
"I am the System's Watcher. You are the few the gods have marked. Each of you bears something… different."
The Watcher turned to Elric.
"You were chosen, but not awakened. Your class is hidden even from us. Why?"
Elric shrugged. "Maybe the gods like mystery boxes."
A chuckle ran through the crowd. Even the Watcher paused.
"Elric, your role may become central… whether you like it or not."
Elric rolled his eyes. "That's what they all say until I ruin something."
---
Nightfall
As the academy fortified, as portals flickered in the distance like cracks in glass, Elric sat on the roof, legs dangling.
Zapling nuzzled his arm. Shadow crouched beside him, silent and alert.
He looked up at the stars.
"Hope they know I'm winging this. Totally unqualified."
The System chimed quietly in his mind.
> Qualification unnecessary.
Survive. Adapt. Protect.
Be the Shepherd the world doesn't expect.
Elric smirked.
"Fine. But I'm doing it my way.
Chapter 26 – March of the Hollow
Night. A silence deeper than sleep. A breath before the scream.
Elric was dreaming of fried chicken wings and flying bears when the first tremor hit.
Rumble.
The second tremor cracked the edge of his bed.
CRASH!
He tumbled onto the floor, landing face-first with Peep squawking in panic and Zapling nibbling his ear like a chewy snack.
From outside came a sound that turned stomachs and froze blood.
CLINK… CLINK… DRAG… CLINK.
Like bones scraping against stone. Like armor worn by the dead.
---
Academy Walls – Moments Later
Torchlight shimmered over the towers. Students armed with academy-issued gear—half of it rusty or glowing faintly—lined the walls.
Instructors stood ready, faces pale. The headmaster himself appeared, cloak fluttering unnaturally even without wind.
Then they came into view.
Dozens of figures—no, hundreds—emerged from the shadows of the trees. Hollow eyes. Slashed armor. Bones crawling beneath skin.
The Hollow Marchers.
> Race: Undead Swarm
Faction: The Procession of Dusk
Leader: The Bishop of Hollow Grace (Unknown)
Behavior: March Forward. Absorb the Fallen. Serve the Forgotten.
They didn't run. They simply walked—slow, cold, and relentless.
---
Elric's Viewpoint – On the Wall
Elric peeked over the wall, chewing a dried fruit stick like a soldier with a death wish.
"So, we're fighting walking corpses on a school night. Great."
Grandpa appeared beside him, adjusting his coat, rifle over his shoulder. "You'll see worse. They're just the first scouts. The real ones ride bone dragons."
Elric almost choked on his snack. "Bone dragons?! Why didn't you lead with that?!"
"Too early to traumatize you."
---
The Battle Begins
Magic flashed from the walls. Bolts of flame, light, and wind launched into the oncoming horde.
Some Hollow Marchers were incinerated.
But the others just… kept coming.
They picked up the bones of the fallen and grew. A skeleton gained a new arm. Another merged with a knight's ruined armor.
"They're evolving," Elric muttered.
CLINK. DRAG. CLINK.
And then one of them spoke—not aloud, but in all their minds.
"We return… not for blood… but for silence."
---
Elric Makes a Move
"I'm not sitting this one out," Elric growled, leaping from the wall.
Shadow followed instantly. Peep launched into the sky with a screech, and Zapling barked thunder.
As Elric landed among the swarm, the System responded.
> [Skill Triggered: Shepherd's Authority – Hidden Variant]
Aura of Command: Weak-willed enemies hesitate.
Summoning Pool Access: Unlocked – First Tier.
God Coins: 3 Available.
System Shop: Temporary Combat Gear Available.
"Oh-ho, we have a shop now?" Elric grinned mid-battle. "Let's see…"
He flicked open the shop like a kid opening a loot box.
> [Summon: Lesser Bonebreaker Golem – 3 God Coins]
[Weapon: Crackling Shepherd's Staff – 2 God Coins]
[Skill Scroll: Chain Lightning – 1 God Coin]
[Beast Egg: Flame Fox Pup – 5 God Coins] (Locked)
"Bonebreaker Golem, you're up!"
> Purchase Confirmed.
Deploying…
The ground cracked. A large, four-armed golem of bone and steel roared to life beside him.
It smashed into the Hollow swarm like a boulder through dry leaves.
Elric pointed forward. "Protect the academy. Go nuts."
> Golem Loyalty: 100% (Bound by Purchase Command)
---
Climax of the Fight
The undead reeled from the sudden golem rampage. Students rallied. Even the instructors started to believe.
But then, through the trees, something massive stirred.
A figure in robes made of ash and stitched skin. A crown of bone. A staff humming with cursed energy.
> Bishop of Hollow Grace – Avatar Class Detected
Warning: Over Level Cap
Elric backed up slowly. "Oh no. Nope. Not fighting that without plot armor or Grandpa backup."
Grandpa dropped from the wall, shotgun loaded with glowing shells.
He grinned. "Plot armor? Kid, I
Chapter 27 – Grandpa vs The Bishop
The battle had shifted into something darker. The Hollow Marchers, now nearly a sea of bones and rotting flesh, parted like a wave as the Bishop of Hollow Grace stepped forward. His eyes glowed with a ghostly light, and his presence sent shivers down Elric's spine. Every step he took seemed to drain the very light from the air around him.
Behind Elric, his golem, the Lesser Bonebreaker, was still wreaking havoc on the lower ranks of the undead. But when the Bishop appeared, the golem froze mid-strike, its skeletal arms shuddering as if recognizing the true danger. A creature of pure darkness.
Elric swallowed.
"Grandpa…" he murmured, but his voice trailed off.
"Yeah, yeah, I got this," Grandpa grunted, unshouldering his rifle and cracking his knuckles. His casual demeanor was entirely out of place for the looming threat before them, but Elric had learned not to question it. When Grandpa said "he got this," things had a funny way of working out.
The Bishop raised his staff. Dark energy crackled across the blade, flowing through the air like a black river about to drown them all.
Elric's heart raced.
Before he could even think to summon anything else, Grandpa raised his hand.
"Back up, kid. This is my show now."
Elric froze in place. Grandpa's tone brooked no argument. The old bandit wasn't just a grandfather to him—he was a force of nature, the kind of person who could bring storms to their knees with a grin.
The Bishop smirked, recognizing Grandpa's confidence. "You think you can stop me, mortal?"
Grandpa grinned. "I don't plan on stopping you. I plan on blowing you up."
---
The Clash of Power
The Bishop lifted his staff, and shadows began to swirl in the air. Elric could feel the ground beneath his feet vibrating with the immense power surging from the undead leader. The very air seemed to thicken, and the walls of the academy trembled.
But Grandpa wasn't fazed. His rifle hummed with energy as he aimed it at the Bishop.
"Come on, then. Let's see if you can dodge this."
Grandpa fired.
The blast wasn't a normal shot. No, it was something else—something ancient. It collided with the Bishop's energy shield with a loud, crackling sound, reverberating through the air.
The Bishop's smirk faltered, but only for a moment. He swung his staff, and shadows erupted outward, cutting the ground and the air. It was a sickening, otherworldly force.
Grandpa dove to the side, his movements swift and graceful for someone his age. Elric barely had time to register the speed before Grandpa was already back on his feet, another shot fired, faster than Elric could track.
The Bishop raised a hand to block the second shot, but it didn't hit its mark.
Grandpa, grinning wider now, clicked his tongue. "Too slow."
The ground beneath them cracked as Grandpa's true weapon revealed itself. He slammed his rifle's butt onto the ground, and suddenly, the earth itself erupted as a large bear-like golem made of jagged stone and fire burst free, roaring.
Elric blinked, his jaw dropping. "How many golems does Grandpa have?"
"He doesn't just collect them, kid. He makes them," Grandpa said with a wink, even as he sprinted toward the Bishop.
---
The Final Showdown
The Bishop, clearly starting to understand the old bandit's skill, hissed. "You dare oppose me?"
Grandpa wasn't listening. Instead, he hurled a glowing grenade straight into the air. The moment it landed, it erupted in a blinding flash of energy, temporarily blinding both the Bishop and his surrounding forces.
In that second, Grandpa charged.
The bear-golem followed, roaring as it barreled straight for the Bishop, fists of rock slamming into the undead ranks.
But the Bishop wasn't finished. With a flick of his wrist, shadows spiraled around his body, and the undead forces surged forward, swarming to his side in waves.
The moment the golem collided with the Bishop's defenses, Grandpa was on him, leaping from the wreckage and delivering a powerful strike directly to the Bishop's ribs. The sheer force of the blow cracked the Bishop's ribs—but the undead being barely flinched.
"Is that all, bandit?" the Bishop sneered.
But Grandpa's smile widened. "No. But it's enough."
With a snap of his fingers, a black-silver sword appeared in his hand—its blade darkened by some forbidden magic.
---
Elric's Realization
Elric stared, mouth agape. His grandfather had been holding back this entire time.
That sword... it had an aura like nothing Elric had ever felt.
He had seen Grandpa's unbothered attitude all this time, but it now dawned on him that Grandpa was far from an ordinary human.
The sword hummed with power. Grandpa didn't need to say another word.
He swung it, and the world seemed to tremble.
---
The End of the Bishop
The moment the sword made contact with the Bishop's shadowy form, a high-pitched screech filled the air, echoing in every corner of Elric's mind. The undead leader recoiled, his body disintegrating from the inside out as though every piece of him was being undone by the pure force of Grandpa's weapon.
The Bishop's staff shattered, the dark energies dispersing into nothingness.
With one final scream, the Bishop's body crumbled, disintegrating into dust that the wind swiftly carried away.
---
Aftermath
The battle around them died down as the last of the Hollow Marchers turned to dust.
Grandpa stood over the pile of ash, the sword glowing dimly. He wiped his brow.
"Well, kid. What did I tell you?" Grandpa grinned, sheathing the blade.
Elric was still in shock, his brain struggling to process what he'd just witnessed. "Grandpa... What the hell was that?"
Grandpa's smirk grew, though there was a strange look in his eyes now—something like pride mixed with caution.
"Just a little hobby of mine. Don't tell your mom."
---
End of Chapter