The swirling lights faded one by one, until the interior of the church dimmed back to normal. Gray blinked as the afterimages cleared from his vision, and before him, something shimmered in the air.
The first object dropped with a solid metallic thud. A sword. No, three swords, landing in a clattering pile.
Summon Result: Simple Sword x1... x2... x3
Gray jumped back. "Whoa! No inventory menu. Right. Forgot this is real."
The swords were plain, steel-forged with no engraving. Functional, not fancy. He crouched to pick one up, only to grunt from the unexpected weight.
"Not even lightened by magic. Perfect."
Another flash.
Summon Result: Simple Axe x1... x2
Two heavy axes thunked into the ground beside the swords. The blades were broad and worn-looking, like something a lumberjack would carry.
Gray eyed them, then sighed. "Guess I'll start a pawn shop."
A third flash appeared, this one smaller.
Summon Result: Common Dagger ★2 x1
The dagger twirled in the air before landing delicately, its polished hilt reflecting the torchlight. It had a faint blue tint along the blade's edge.
"At least that looks sharp," Gray muttered, slipping it into his belt.
Then came a pulse of softer light.
Summon Result: Survivalist Set ★2 - Chestpiece
A faded leather vest appeared, folded neatly.
Summon Result: Survivalist Set ★2 - Trousers
A pair of patched brown pants landed on top of the vest.
Survivalist Set ★2 - Boots
Cracked, worn, but sturdy-looking boots joined the pile.
Survivalist Set ★2 - Hood
Finally, a hood that looked like it had been assembled from leaves and squirrel pelts.
Gray blinked slowly at the ensemble.
"You do realize those pieces are enchanted for wilderness traversal, right?" Victoria said, drifting over.
"They also scream 'I live in a cave and collect mushrooms for fun.' Hard pass."
"You're going to regret it when you step into a swamp in office shoes."
"I'll suffer fashionably."
Gray prodded the clothes with the toe of his shoe. "Besides, what kind of self-respecting tyrant wears patchy forest gear? I have a brand to maintain."
Victoria groaned. "It's not a brand, it's your work uniform."
He dusted off his slacks with pride. "Exactly."
The light changed.
From a warm blue to a sharp violet.
Victoria's wings twitched. "Something strong is coming."
The glow thickened, curling in the air like smoke. A rising hum accompanied it, and soft, orchestral music played, one of those dignified, prideful tunes.
From the center of the altar, the violet glow coalesced into a humanoid figure.
🔷 Summon Pulled: Eliard, the Bound Butler [4★]
— Class: Draconic Attendant
— Role: Support / Guard
— Affinity: Ember
— Loyalty Status: Dormant (pending bond initiation)
"Service is duty. Bond is survival. Your orders, Master Gray?"
He stood tall and sharp in posture, dressed in a dark waistcoat laced with crimson thread. His eyes glowed with subtle fire, and a ceremonial sword rested at his hip. He radiated professionalism, power, and absolute patience.
Gray stared.
Then grinned.
"Alright, first order: pick up this pile of junk. We've got money to make, apprentice."
Eliard raised one elegant brow. "Apprentice?"
"You heard me. I'm not wasting myself on carrying gear. You've got arms. Use them."
The butler knelt without protest and began stacking the weapons with mechanical precision. Even Victoria looked vaguely impressed.
"He is designed to obey, you know," she said, arms crossed. "But he's not mindless. You might want to treat him with... at least a shred of decency."
"I'm very decent," Gray replied. "Look, I haven't even sold him yet."
Eliard glanced up. "You are aware that binding a summoned entity is a sacred contract?"
"Sure. Sacred..."
He turned back toward the entrance of the church, puffing out his chest slightly. The clanking of bundled weapons echoed behind him as Eliard followed, arms full.
Victoria floated beside him, scrutinizing his face.
"You seem oddly satisfied," she said. "Even for you."
"Why wouldn't I be? I've got a four-star butler, loot, and an adorable fairy assistant."
"I'm not adorable."
"You're pocket-sized and you glow. That's pretty textbook adorable."
She huffed but didn't argue.
Gray reached the threshold of the church, paused, and spun dramatically on his heel. He spread his arms wide like a motivational speaker mid-pitch.
"Let it be known," he declared. "This marks the first step on my path."
"Path to what?" Victoria asked, deadpan.
He pointed to the sky.
"World Domination!"
There was a pause.
Eliard blinked.
Victoria stared.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Gray turned and walked into the village square.
The square was modest. A single well at its center, a few wooden stalls with fruit and bread, a bulletin board covered in curled paper. It smelled of hay and firewood. People moved about with the slow calm of routine.
Victoria caught up first. "You're serious?"
"I'm always serious," he replied.
"Your plan is world domination? That's not a plan. That's a headline on a wanted poster."
"I'm thinking long-term. It's not like I'm storming castles tomorrow. I start small. Build a team. Collect stronger summons. Gain influence. And eventually... domination."
"You're not even out of the tutorial phase."
"Exactly. Best time to start strategizing."
Eliard cleared his throat. "And what role do I play in this conquest?"
"You?" Gray smiled. "You're my butler general. Carry the gear, polish the swords, stab anyone who tries to betray me."
The butler tilted his head thoughtfully. "Acceptable."
Victoria hovered in front of Gray, her voice sharper now. "You're treating this like a game. This world is real. The people are real."
"I know," he said. "Which is why I'm not planning to lose."
She didn't respond, just stared at him. Then finally drifted back with a sigh.
Gray stopped walking and looked around. The village may have been quiet, but he saw an opportunity only he could take, but not now; first he needed to finish the tutorial.
He took a deep breath and cracked his neck.
"Let's get to work," he said.
Victoria groaned. "Please tell me work doesn't involve recruiting every summonable sociopath in existence."
"Of course not," Gray said.
He paused.
"Just the overpowered ones."