I Breathe Euro

Jack walked through the grand halls of the Elven Kingdom, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and disappointment. Katrina moved ahead of him, deep in discussion with the Elven Queen, strategizing their next moves. The golden glow of the ancient trees shimmered around them, casting soft shadows over the polished floors of the palace.

But Jack was barely paying attention.

His system was back.

After being silent for so long, after what felt like an eternity of uncertainty, he had felt it stir within him again. It wasn't a grand revelation, nor did the god announce it with a booming voice from the heavens. No, it had simply returned—like a whisper carried on the wind, subtle yet undeniable.

A soft, familiar chime echoed in his mind.
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[Ding! Euro Breather System: Level 1 Reactivated.]

His heart had leaped when he first saw the notification. It was as if a missing piece of himself had been restored. The system had been with him since Earth, a part of his very being. Even when it had fallen silent, he had never truly forgotten it—he had always felt some faint connection to it, like a distant memory lingering at the edge of his consciousness.

And now, it was back.

But just as quickly as hope had risen, reality came crashing down.

He glanced at his system panel, his eyes narrowing as he took in the numbers. His balance was there, as meaningless as ever. His ability to generate wealth through breathing still functioned.

But this world had no use for euros.

Jack's steps slowed. The realization hit him harder than he had expected.

Back on Earth, money was power. The more he breathed, the richer he became, and the richer he became, the more control he had over his surroundings. It was a cycle that had made him unstoppable.

But here?

No one cared about euros. No bank would exchange them. No merchant would accept them. No economy existed that recognized his fortune.

Jack exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in his chest. He had spent so much time adapting to this world, fighting for survival, making alliances, and carving out a place for himself. He had almost forgotten how much the system had once meant to him.

Now that it was back, it was useless.

For the first time, the numbers flashing before him felt like a cruel joke.

He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. What was the point of reactivating the system if it couldn't help him here? If euros held no value in this world, then what did the system even mean anymore?

Katrina's voice pulled him back to the present.

"Jack, are you even listening?"

He blinked and looked up. The Elven Queen was watching him, her emerald eyes sharp and unreadable. Katrina stood beside her, arms crossed, giving him a pointed look.

He forced a smirk. "Of course. We're talking about uniting the kingdoms, making sure we have enough forces to counter any future threats."

Katrina frowned. "You're distracted."

Jack exhaled, shaking off his thoughts. He couldn't afford to dwell on this now. The system might have been a disappointment, but he still had work to do.

Even if euros were useless here, power wasn't.

And he would find another way to claim it.

Jack shook off his frustration. He had no time to sulk over the system. Whether euros were useful or not, his goals remained the same: power, influence, and securing the future. If the system wouldn't help him directly, he would find another way.

Standing beside Katrina, he watched as her army trained in the vast open fields beyond the Elven Kingdom. The sight was impressive. Thousands of disciplined soldiers, elves, dwarves, and even a few humans from allied territories moved in perfect coordination. Their banners fluttered in the wind, the clinking of armor and weapons forming a steady rhythm like a war drum.

Katrina had built something remarkable.

But it wasn't enough.

Their enemies were growing stronger. The threats lurking in this world weren't something that could be ignored. If they wanted to survive, if they wanted to rule, they needed more.

And Jack had an idea.

The Iron Dome of Dragons.

A legendary fortress. A natural stronghold of iron-rich mountains and deep underground caverns, once ruled by ancient dragon overlords. Though dragons no longer reigned there, the region was now home to one of the most formidable war clans in the world. A powerful kingdom of warriors, mercenaries, and blacksmiths who forged weapons unlike any other.

Capturing it would be no easy feat.

But if they succeeded…

The sheer amount of resources, military might, and strategic positioning would elevate them beyond anything their enemies could muster.

Jack's eyes gleamed as he formulated a plan.

"Katrina."

She turned, sweat glistening on her forehead from the intense drills she had been overseeing.

"We need to take the Iron Dome."

She frowned. "You want to start a war with them?"

Jack smirked. "Not necessarily a war. But we need that territory. If we don't take it now, someone else will. And when they do, we'll be the ones at a disadvantage."

Katrina crossed her arms, deep in thought. "They're too strong to attack head-on. Their fortress is built into the mountains, with natural defenses that make it nearly impossible to siege."

Jack nodded. "Which is why we won't siege it. We'll take it from the inside."

She raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan already?"

"Of course." He gestured toward the distant horizon. "The Iron Dome isn't just a fortress. It's a thriving city. They do business with merchants, trade resources, and allow certain outsiders to enter. If we can infiltrate their ranks, gain their trust, and position ourselves strategically, we won't need to fight a war—we'll already be in control before they even realize it."

Katrina's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "That's risky."

Jack grinned. "But worth it."

The Elven Queen, who had been silently listening, finally spoke. "If you go through with this, you'll be dealing with some of the strongest warriors in the land. The Iron Dome is not just a fortress—it is a graveyard for those who underestimate it."

Jack's smile didn't fade. "Then we just have to make sure we don't underestimate it."

Katrina sighed but nodded. "Alright. We'll need a team. We go in as merchants, emissaries—anything that gets us through their gates. From there, we find weaknesses, exploit them, and take control before they even suspect we're a threat."

Jack smirked. "Exactly."

The decision was made.

The Iron Dome of Dragons would be theirs.

Jack and Katrina wasted no time. The Iron Dome of Dragons was too valuable to ignore, but taking it would require careful planning and complete cooperation from their allies.

A grand war council was called.

Inside the towering halls of the Elven Kingdom's main citadel, leaders from various factions gathered. The Elves, the Dwarves, human mercenary groups, and even the Beastkin tribes who had recently allied with them—each faction sent their representatives. The air was tense, the glow of enchanted torches casting flickering shadows over the room as murmurs filled the space.

At the head of the chamber, Jack stood beside Katrina and the Elven Queen. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, but he welcomed it.

"Let's get straight to the point," Jack began, his voice firm. "The Iron Dome of Dragons is our next target."

The room fell silent. Then, a deep, rumbling laugh broke the quiet.

"So, you wish to die early, human?" The speaker was Thrain Ironfist, the leader of the Dwarves. A burly figure clad in thick battle-worn armor, his long braided beard swayed as he leaned forward. "The Iron Dome is no ordinary fortress. It is a fortress built by dragons, reinforced by generations of warriors who have never been conquered."

Jack met the dwarf's gaze. "And that's exactly why we need it."

A murmur rippled through the hall. The Elven Queen tapped her slender fingers against the armrest of her throne. "Explain your reasoning, Jack."

Jack took a step forward, his presence commanding.

"The Iron Dome holds more than just strategic value. It is a center of weapon production, mercenary recruitment, and one of the richest mineral deposits in this world. If we don't take it, someone else will. And when they do, we'll be at a massive disadvantage."

A tall beastkin warrior, clad in leather armor with fur-lined shoulders, bared his fangs. "Even if we wanted it, we don't have the strength to fight them head-on."

Katrina crossed her arms. "We won't be fighting them head-on."

The council turned to her as she continued.

"The Iron Dome is not just a fortress—it's a city. People live there, work there, and trade there. If we infiltrate it first, we can weaken them from the inside. We'll gain control before they even realize they've lost."

A heavy silence followed. The strategy was bold—dangerous—but also tempting.

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" asked a human warlord from one of the smaller factions.

Jack smirked. "We'll go in as traders, emissaries, and warriors seeking employment. We establish ourselves in their ranks, learn their weaknesses, and position ourselves strategically. When the time is right, we strike from within."

Thrain grumbled under his breath. "Hmph. And what happens if they see through the act? They don't trust outsiders easily."

"Then we make them trust us," Jack countered. "Every fortress has its cracks. We just need to find them."

The Elven Queen studied Jack for a long moment before nodding. "You truly intend to do this."

Jack met her gaze without hesitation. "I do."

A long silence stretched over the chamber. The leaders exchanged glances, considering the risks and rewards.

Then, finally, the Elven Queen stood.

"Then we will vote."

One by one, the factions cast their decisions. The room held its breath as the verdict was reached.

The Iron Dome of Dragons would be their next conquest.