A few days later, the once-grand manor lay dismantled, its bones scattered in piles of rock, wood, and reclaimed material. I stood in the clearing where it had once towered, now flattened and cleared by my command. I looked around and found no one was watching me; after all, it was already past midnight. The Guardian Screen shimmered in front of me as I browsed construction items. One by one, I purchased crates of cement, asphalt concrete, rebar, steel sheets, and a lot of construction material.With a flash of golden light, the materials appeared in front of me, a well-deserved new upgraded system, version three. I smiled as the materials stacked neatly and buzzed faintly with mana. Even the pebbles looked like they contained traces of Earth's energy. I was so thankful after yet another series of quests; the rewards were not disappointing at all.After yet another busy breakfast, I sat on the nearby empty chair with a pair of dark hoodies, rubber shoes and pants as I watched everyone

Later, as we stepped outside, the wind carried the scent of fresh soil and warm bread. The townsfolk bowed slightly as we passed, some pausing to wave or smile. I met their gazes with nods of acknowledgement. That afternoon sunlight filtered through the cracks of the window shutters, the soft scent of baking bread already drifting from the bakeshop across the square.I sat at the small desk in my room above the almost-finished grocery store, sipping a cup of dark herbal tea Elvie brewed early.As I leaned back, stretching the tightness from my shoulders, a familiar chime echoed softly in my mind.Ding!New quest available. Accept: [Yes] / [No]?I frowned, setting my cup down with a quiet clink. This... was new. The system had never asked before—it simply dumped quests on me whether I wanted them or not."Was it because of the update I installed last night?" I muttered under my breath.The Guardian Screen update was supposed to "optimize user autonomy"—whatever that meant. I had tapped

Outside the cottage, however, Divina's neighbour had gathered.Farmhands with dirt-streaked faces, carpenters with sawdust in their hair, and mothers holding infants close—all stood frozen, eyes fixed on the sky where the beacon had pierced the clouds. Even the nearby beastkin and dwarven labourers paused their work, ears twitching, weapons half-drawn out of habit.Some knelt, whispering prayers. Others clutched each other, afraid. Most just stared, breath held in collective silence.I stepped onto the porch with Kael and Sylphy at my side. The light had faded, but the air still crackled with residual magic. The villagers turned to us as one."She's alive," I said, raising my voice. "And she's been blessed. The forest tried to take her, but the old magic chose her instead."Murmurs rippled through the crowd.Elvie and Ella pushed through the front, both flushed and panting. "Is it true? She's really alive?" Ella asked."Yes," Sylphy confirmed. "But she needs rest. This... wasn't an or

The next morning, the village awoke buzzing with even more excitement.Temporary market stalls now lined the wide concrete path leading up to the gates. Plastic banners, flaglets and colourful balloons that made everyone mesmerised fluttered in the breeze. While local sellers wore the same coloured red and green long-sleeve shirts that I distributed last night. Colourful earth clothes and rubber shoes were displayed, farmer tools from Igor’s shops, baked goods from the newly opened bakeries, and woven crafts from the Kael’s family textile shop.The smell of fresh bread, pizza , roasted meats, and sweet herbs and spices filled the air.The Dirk Grocery Store stood proudly at the heart of it all—a sturdy two-storey timber building with a wide front porch. Beside it, the Bakeshop's chimney puffed out soft clouds of warm-smelling smoke.Inside, Ella and Elvie were already bustling about with the ten newly hired salesladies—local girls with bright faces and quick hands, proudly wearing red

The clock struck eleven.The manor had grown quiet, most guests either retreating to their carriages or renting the temporary inns around the marketplace. Only a few trusted workers still bustled about, finalising accounts and locking up stalls.I stood in my room, fastening a black cloak over my shoulders.At my side, Kael tightened the straps on his leather armour, the dull gleam of his sword barely catching the candlelight. While Felix was hidden behind us.Sylphy pulled a dark scarf over her mouth, twin daggers glinting at her hips."No loud moves," I said quietly. "We let him speak first."Kael nodded grimly. "If it’s a trap, it will be loud enough without us starting it."Sylphy only smirked, tapping one of her daggers against her wrist lightly.We slipped out of the manor through the servant’s entrance, our boots soundless against the mana-infused roads. The soft hum of the stones beneath our feet was the only reminder of the magic laced into the village itself.The north gate