Behold, the Minion of Mediocrity

Zyrha sat cross-legged on the slightly improved stone floor of her cave-kingdom, chewing the last cold scraps of roast bird and staring into the middle distance like a woman on the verge of a life decision.

Not a good decision. Just… a decision.

"So," she began, licking grease off her fingers with the elegance of a possum, "how exactly do I go about summoning someone to serve under me? Is there, like, a form?"

[You are now eligible to summon your first subordinate. Congratulations. It only took you six chapters.]

"Was that shade?"

[Statistical fact.]

Zyrha wiped her hands on her pants, sat up straighter, and cracked her neck. "Alright then. Lay it on me. Do I draw a circle? Bleed into a chalice? Offer a chicken to the void?"

[Initiating Summoning Protocol: Basic Familiar Tier.]

A soft hum filled the air.

The cave darkened slightly shadows twisting toward the center of the room. The glow of her Kingdom sigil pulsed once on the floor, casting faint silver light into the dimness.

Zyrha leaned forward, eyes wide. "Ooooh."

[Warning: First summon will be chosen from your bloodline's lowest active sub-tier. Summoned individual will be loyal, but weak. Possibly insultingly so.]

"I can't wait," she whispered, delighted. "Give me something so pathetic it'll make me feel competent."

There was a sound not quite thunder, not quite wind. More like someone sneezed into a microphone filled with old magic. The summoning sigil flared and something appeared.

Zyrha blinked.

Then blinked again.

Standing well, wobbling within the center of the summoning circle was a small figure. Not a child. Not quite an adult. Something in between, with the awkward, scruffy presence of a goblin's understudy.

She (or at least Zyrha thought it was a she) had shaggy black hair, oversized pointed ears, slightly glowing red eyes, and a tiny pair of stunted horns poking through the mess of curls. She wore what looked like a stolen tablecloth and had the expression of someone who had just woken up from a nap in a trash can and wasn't sure why.

"…Hi," the girl said, blinking slowly. "Are you my boss?"

Zyrha opened her mouth. Closed it. Re-opened it.

"I… Yes? I think?"

The girl squinted at her. "You don't look very bossy."

Zyrha placed a hand dramatically on her chest. "Excuse you, I'm the founder of the Cave of Zyrha—capital of this entire rocky empire."

"You live in a hole," the girl said.

There was a silence.

Jeremy flapped down and landed beside Zyrha like a disapproving bat butler.

"…She's kind of perfect," Zyrha muttered.

[Summoning complete. You have acquired one (1) Subordinate Demon: Subclass – Emberling.]

[Name: ??? – Awaiting assignment.]

"Alright," Zyrha said, leaning closer. "Do you have a name?"

The girl shrugged. "No. My last summoner named me Spork."

"…We are not doing that."

She rubbed her chin. "How about… Mira?"

The girl blinked, then gave a slow nod. "That's… actually nice."

[Name Assigned: Mira.]

Mira shuffled forward, still squinting. "So… what do I do?"

"Mostly," Zyrha said, "we eat things that annoy us, avoid things that can kill us, and build empires from discarded furniture."

Mira stared.

"…I'm in."

[Current Subordinate Roster: 1/5][Mira – Level 1 – Emberling Subclass]

Mira's Stats HP: 42/42MP: 26/26Strength: 4Agility: 3Endurance: 5Magic: 2Special Trait: Molten Temper – When angry, gains temporary fire resistance and damage boost.Personality: Scrappy. Hungry. Mildly judgmental.

Zyrha leaned toward her with a grin. "So you've got a rage mode?"

Mira crossed her arms. "Only when someone steps on my tail. Which I don't have. So. You know. Metaphorical tail."

Zyrha stood up, stretching her arms. "Well then, welcome to the team. You'll get food, shelter, and occasional emotional validation."

Mira looked around the cave.

"I've lived in worse."

Zyrha smirked. "That's the spirit."

They both turned to look at the summoning circle, now dimmed and cool, but still gently glowing on the ground like a promise of something much bigger.

[Note: Subordinates gain experience alongside the summoner. They may also be leveled up, evolved, or customized as resources increase.]

Zyrha blinked. "Wait so she can evolve?"

[Yes. With enough EXP and certain triggers, Mira can become a mid-tier Flame Demon or unlock unique hybrid forms. Currently locked.]

Mira perked up. "Wait, I can get taller?"

"Let's not aim too high," Zyrha teased. "You still look like a fire sprite that got into a bar fight with a laundry basket."

"Rude," Mira grumbled. "Your pants don't even fit right."

"I'm broke!"

They glared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. Even Jeremy gave a half-screech, half-chirp, which Zyrha took as a rare sign of approval.

A few minutes later, Mira sat on a flat stone near the fire pit, picking at some leftover roast meat while Zyrha ran her hand over the cave wall, now feeling hers in a strange, surreal way.

[Reminder: With an active subordinate, Kingdom features now expand. You may assign subordinates to gather, patrol, craft, or assist in future upgrades.]

Zyrha clapped once. "Okay, okay. So now that I've got my first minion—"

"Subordinate," Mira corrected.

"Right. Now that I have my subordinate, what's our next big move?"

[You still require one Monster Core, 10 stones, and 5 planks to upgrade your stronghold. Current Materials: 0 Monster Cores, 10 Stones, 5 Planks.]

"Oh, so I just need to go punch a monster until something glowy falls out."

[In crude terms, yes.]

She turned to Mira. "Do you have combat skills?"

Mira wiped her mouth. "I throw rocks and sometimes scream until things leave me alone."

"…Perfect. We're gonna do great."

[Reminder: The cave now grants buffs to resting, crafting, and minor healing. It is officially a Level 1 Stronghold.]

[Level Breakdown:]

Level 1 – "Congratulations, You Own Dirt"Buffs: Basic rest bonus, minor regen.Unlocked: Summoning, crafting, shared storage.

Level 2 – "Functional Shack"Adds: Defensive aura, access to resource node tracking, +1 subordinate slot.

Level 3 – "Actual Lair"Adds: Magic reinforcement, security constructs, minor teleportation.

Zyrha rubbed her temples. "This just keeps getting more complicated."

[You asked for a kingdom. Kingdoms have paperwork.]

She looked around at the glow of the runes, the faint smell of smoke, Mira chewing loudly on the bone of a former sky pest.

Her cave wasn't perfect.

It wasn't impressive.

But it was hers.

And now… it wasn't empty.

"I guess this is how empires begin," she murmured.

"With fire, bird grease, and someone named Mira."