Chapter 13: The Price of Survival
The return to the palace was slower, laden not just with baskets of olives, but with the heavy silence of their recent brush with death. The boars' attack had been a stark reminder of the untamed savagery of this new world, a world where even the most basic act of survival—gathering food—could turn into a desperate fight for life. Lykos felt the weight of it all, the responsibility for every soul under his command.
As they approached the main gate, the reinforced barricade, though crude, looked like a fortress compared to the flimsy barrier of the previous night. Myron and Kydon, still standing guard with the two Greek Militia, visibly relaxed as they saw the olive-filled baskets.
Their faces, tight with vigilance, softened into relief. The Militia, true to their nature, remained impassive, but Lykos noted the subtle shift in their posture, a readiness to lower their spears now that the foraging party was safe.
"We brought olives," Lykos announced, his voice raspy from the dust and exertion. "A good haul. Enough for several days, if rationed carefully." He didn't mention the terrifying encounter with the boars, not yet. The men had enough to worry about.
Inside the courtyard, the three Laborers had continued their tireless work, the piles of cleared debris growing steadily. Homerus, ever the steady presence, began to play a soft, reassuring tune as the group entered, a low, comforting melody that spoke of homecoming and safety. It was a subtle use of his Inspiration skill, a balm for their frayed nerves.
"Kalypso," Lykos directed, "take charge of the olives. We need to process them, perhaps press some for oil later, but for now, we need to make them last. Figure out the best way to store them."
Kalypso nodded, her practical nature immediately kicking in. She gathered her newly woven baskets and began directing the Laborers to help transport the heavy loads into the palace's cooler, darker storage rooms. The summoned Forager, still silent but efficient, assisted her, meticulously arranging the olives.
"Elara, Theron," Lykos continued, "you both fought bravely. Rest now. We will discuss future foraging routes in the morning." He caught Elara's eye, and she gave him a knowing look, understanding the unspoken trauma of their encounter.
Once the immediate tasks were delegated, Lykos turned to Homerus. "That was… extraordinary, Homerus. Your Epic Narrative skill, the sound of that phantom beast, truly saved us. It's even more powerful than I imagined."
Homerus managed a weary smile. "It draws upon the primal fears, Prince. The echoes of a world far wilder than this one. The full depth of my Memory allows me to weave illusions that can touch the very soul, be it with dread or with inspiration." He looked at Lykos intently. "But using such skills, particularly the Epic Narrative and Discordant Song, consumes much of my inner strength. I would need time to recover before wielding them with full effect again."
Lykos nodded, taking note. Homerus wasn't an endless well of power. His abilities, while potent, had a cost. He couldn't just spam high-tier skills like in a game. This made strategy even more critical. He looked at his System screen.
System Points: 80.
He still had those 80 points. The 75 from the "First Wilderness Victory" and the 5 remaining from before.
"System," Lykos thought, "Summon one Greek Apprentice Builder (Male)." He chose male, as he already had Kalypso (female) leading other logistical tasks, and a male builder seemed a good fit for heavy construction.
"Confirm summon of Greek Apprentice Builder (Male) for 15 System Points?"
"Confirm."
Another flash of golden light, contained and brief, erupted near the barricade. From it materialized a sturdy-looking man, dressed in rough tunic and leggings, carrying a simple set of tools – a hammer, a chisel, a measuring rope. His eyes, though initially vacant, quickly gained a focused, professional gleam as he took in the crude barricade.
"Greetings, Master," the Builder said, his voice surprisingly deep and calm.
"Where shall I begin?"
Lykos felt a surge of relief. "Here!" he pointed to the barricade. "Reinforce this gate properly. We need to make it impenetrable. Use all the materials we've gathered."
The Greek Apprentice Builder, as if assessing the situation with an expert eye, immediately began to inspect the barricade, touching the timbers, testing the stones. He moved with a methodical precision that promised effective work, utterly unlike the frantic stacking from the previous night.
This is good, Lykos thought. A specialist. He had 65 System Points remaining. Enough for several more basic units, or to start saving for another Memory unlock.
He spent the rest of the evening overseeing the new Builder's work, discussing the details of fortification, and ensuring everyone had a task. He knew one builder couldn't fortify an entire palace quickly, but it was a crucial first step toward making the core defensible.
Later that night, as the embers of the communal fire glowed, Lykos lay on his uncomfortable mattress in the cold palace chamber. He was exhausted, every muscle aching, but his mind raced. He had secured food for a few days, reinforced his immediate defenses, and acquired a new specialist. He had even unlocked Homerus's true power.
But the wilderness was dangerous. Other mythical empires were out there. And he was still Lykos, a gamer from a modern world, thrust into a dying ancient one. He needed more. More people, more power, more knowledge.
He thought about the System. It rewarded him for overcoming challenges. It gave him points for survival, for basic growth. He wondered what other hidden objectives lay in store.
As if on cue, a new System notification, subtle but distinct, materialized in his mental vision.
[New Mission Chain Unlocked!]
Mission: Restore Ancient Glory (Part 1: The Echo of Legends)
Objective: Recruit a Hero of Renown (Requires 1000 System Points, or a Special Condition Trigger)
Reward: Access to the System Lottery!
Lykos's eyes shot open. System Lottery! The notification explained it was a special pool, offering access to unique individuals, artifacts, or powerful units not available through regular summoning. And it was tied to recruiting a "Hero of Renown."
A Hero, not just a generic Militia or Laborer. And 1000 System Points was a staggering amount, a fortune compared to his current 65. Or a "Special Condition Trigger."
This was it. The next major step. A glimpse of the truly legendary figures he might be able to call upon. He had just fought for basic survival, and already the System was dangling the promise of legends and exclusive power.
The thought sent a jolt of pure excitement through him, cutting through his exhaustion. He wasn't just surviving anymore; he was on the cusp of something far greater. The game had just gotten a whole lot more interesting.