Episode 4 – The First Recruit
Six months had passed since Aeron disappeared from the world that once turned its back on him. In that time, the lonely mountain he chose as his refuge had become something more—his fortress, his training ground, his new beginning. The system had guided him every day, pushing him past his limits with survival tasks, skill tests, and energy training.
Now, he wasn't just surviving; he was thriving.
The underground base had grown deeper and wider. Aeron carved out multiple chambers within the caves: a forge chamber powered by geothermal heat, a meditation hall infused with elemental stones he discovered in the ruins, and a tactical command room where the system projected missions and blueprints.
One freezing evening, while collecting herbs near the stream, Aeron found someone.
A man, barely conscious, his body torn by wounds and frostbite. Without hesitation, Aeron lifted him and brought him back to the base. He used the system's healing tools and warmed him back to life.
Three days later, the man finally opened his eyes. His name was Kael, a rogue warrior who had been betrayed by the same academy Aeron once trusted.
"You saved my life," Kael said quietly. "Why?"
Aeron replied, "Because I know what it's like to be thrown away. If you want a purpose, stay. If not, leave once you're healed."
Kael looked at the mountain ceiling, then at the sharpness in Aeron's eyes. He knelt.
"I'll follow you."
> [First Recruit: Kael – Combat Level 4 | Loyalty: High] [Recruitment System Unlocked. New Quest: Form a Unit of Shadows]
With Kael, Aeron began a new phase—building his own force, his own loyal army. Together, they planned missions, trained using the system's guidance, and began gathering resources from nearby ruins and dangerous areas.
Aeron gave Kael the system's sub-device. "This will guide your training. But understand, I'm not looking for followers. I'm building something much bigger."
Kael nodded, his respect growing each day. Aeron had become something more than a leader. He was becoming a shadow that would one day shake the world.
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