Back on stable ground, Darius opened the new command window.
> [Command: System Pulse – Region Scan]
Cost: 1 SP | Cooldown: 1 Day
"Do it," he whispered.
A shockwave of golden light rippled out from his body, silent but heavy. The trees trembled. The Scorchwalkers below shuddered and froze, as if listening.
Then—on his interface—a shape lit up.
A jagged symbol pulsed near their location.
> [Hidden Ruin Detected – Classification: Ancient Node Site]
Distance: 0.8 km | Depth: Subterranean Access Required
Warning: Ruin Integrity Unstable. Proceed with caution.
Darius grinned. "We just found something buried."
They moved fast, cutting through charred brush, past broken stone and bones turned to glass. Within the hour, they reached it—an uneven slope leading into a dark fissure in the ground. Stone stairs led down. Ancient runes, half-erased by time, glowed faintly along the edge.
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "This wasn't made by monsters."
"No," Darius muttered. "This was built."
They descended.
Cool air replaced the jungle heat. The stairway opened into a wide chamber—half-collapsed, vines growing through cracks in metal and obsidian walls. At the center: a broken throne surrounded by crystal pillars, flickering with dying light.
> [Node Control Chamber – Inactive]
Reactivate for Strategic Bonus: + Territory Influence, + System Sync
Cost: 100 Gold | 1 SP
Activate?
Darius didn't hesitate.
> [Node Reactivated.]
The chamber lit up. Runes blazed. A pulse of energy shot upward through the ceiling, vanishing into the sky.
> Territory Influence Increased
System Sync: 4%
"Empire control expanding..."
But then—
The floor shook.
> [System Alert: Intrusion Triggered – Ruin Guardian Waking]
Stone cracked open. From the far wall, a massive construct—four-armed, faceless, covered in forgotten emblems—unfolded.
> [Hostile Detected: Guardian of Node – Tier II]
Weak Points: Arm Joints, Core Crystal (chest)