Chapter 22: Aftermath

The fires had burned low, leaving only smoldering embers where bodies had once stood. The night was eerily silent, the echoes of battle replaced by the ragged breathing of the survivors.

Leon stood at the center of the ruined settlement, gripping his spear with white-knuckled hands. His body ached, his armor was dented, and his cloak was torn, but he was alive. More importantly, so were most of his people.

Garrick leaned heavily against a broken cart, his blade resting across his lap. "That was too close," he muttered.

Robin sat nearby, his face smudged with soot and exhaustion. "No kidding," he said, rubbing his temples. "I thought we had them… and then they just got back up."

Leon exhaled slowly, surveying the battlefield. The Hollowborn were finally gone—for good this time. The necromancers who had fueled their resurgence were dead. Yet, even in victory, the cost was high.

A dozen of their people had fallen.

Among them was Terric, the old guard who had fought until his last breath. Several others lay motionless on the bloodstained ground, and more were injured, their wounds hastily wrapped.

They had won, but it hadn't been easy.

Leon closed his eyes and focused on his system. The battle had ended, which meant one thing—he could collect his spoils.

[Collection Activated]

A faint shimmer passed over the battlefield. Items hidden within the remains of the Hollowborn and fallen enemies materialized before him, forming a small pile at his feet.

Weapons, scattered coins, shattered pieces of dark armor… and then something unexpected.

Leon reached down and pulled out a handful of scrolls, their parchment wrapped tightly with wax seals. His eyes narrowed as he read the descriptions.

[Summoning Scroll – Necromancer]

[Summoning Scroll – Swordsman]

[Summoning Scroll – Marksman]

His breath caught.

Summoning scrolls.

He had read about these in the system's descriptions, but until now, he hadn't acquired one himself. With the Summoning Gate nearing completion, this changed everything.

But one scroll in particular stood out—the necromancer scroll.

Leon frowned, turning it over in his hands. The irony wasn't lost on him. They had just fought against necromancers, and now, the system was offering him one.

Robin peered over his shoulder. "Uh… are we sure that's a good idea?"

Leon wasn't sure. Not yet. But the system wouldn't give him something without a reason.

Before he could dwell on it, another notification flashed before his eyes.

---

[Battle Completed – Victory Achieved!]

[Rewards Granted:]

Achievement: Gravewalker – You have faced the undead and emerged victorious.

Settlement Defense Upgrade – Walls and structures will be easier to reinforce.

Unique Item: Warden's Sigil – A defensive artifact that strengthens settlement fortifications.

---

Leon's brows lifted. The rewards were better than he expected.

The Warden's Sigil in particular intrigued him. He could feel the magic pulsing within it—a defensive artifact. If used correctly, it could fortify their settlement, preventing another catastrophe like this.

They needed time to recover, to rebuild.

And now, they finally had the means to do so.

The next few days were spent in hard labor.

The dead were buried. The injured were tended to. And slowly, life resumed.

Under Garrick's command, the walls were rebuilt, this time reinforced with sharpened stakes and stronger foundations. The Warden's Sigil was embedded into the gate, its magic sinking into the wood, strengthening it beyond natural limits.

Bram and his apprentices worked tirelessly, forging new weapons to replace the ones lost in battle.

Meanwhile, Leon oversaw everything, making sure morale remained intact. The battle had shaken them, but it had also made them stronger.

The people had fought, bled, and survived together.

And now, they were ready to move forward.

One month.

That's how long it had been since Leon woke up in this world.

A world of lords, monsters, and magic.

A world where death lurked at every corner.

Yet, despite everything, he had carved out a place for himself and his people.

And now, as he stood before the Summoning Gate, its intricate runes glowing with latent power, he knew that this was only the beginning.

Leon held the summoning scrolls tightly, his mind racing with possibilities.

It was time to see what fate had in store next.