The third dawn broke over Kael El's plot, a haze of violet and gold spilling across a landscape buzzing with life. Where barren earth once stretched, now stood a fledgling settlement—granaries rising, stone walls taking form, and rows of freshly planted seedlings swaying in the breeze. Ten thousand voices hummed in sync, a symphony of labor guided by Kael's unshakable will. He leaned against the Summoning Altar, arms crossed, a flirty smirk playing on his lips as he watched his empire sprout.
Day 3, and I've got a small nation already. His dark eyes glinted with pride—not the arrogant kind, but the quiet, resolute sort that came from knowing he'd built this with his own hands. Well, his hands and a couple of busted system talents. Ten thousand subjects from one summon. If that's not a flex, I don't know what is.
Lira approached, her crimson hair catching the sunlight like a torch. She carried a freshly forged axe—its blade licked with faint embers, a product of her Blaze Crafter Perk. "Lord Kael," she said, voice steady but tinged with warmth, "the granary's frame is up. We'll need more stone to finish it."
Kael's grin widened, his tone teasing yet smooth. "Lira, my little spark, you're making me look good already. Stone's on me—keep those flames busy." She flushed, a flicker of defiance in her eyes, but nodded and turned back to her crew. He liked that fire in her—loyal, but not a pushover. She'll go far.
A ding chimed, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 3 of 7-Day Peace Period. Territory Progress: 850/1,000 Resources Gathered. Population: 10,001 Subjects. Food Stock: 7 Days Remaining."
Kael's brow quirked. Seven days left on the food clock. Plenty of time. His confidence didn't waver—calm under pressure was his game. The peace period still held, but Day 8 loomed like a storm on the horizon. He'd need defenses, weapons, and more hands. Time to push the altar again.
He pressed a hand to the glowing Mana Crystal, voice low and playful. "Alright, gorgeous, give me something good."
The altar pulsed, runes flaring, and a second figure shimmered into being—a petite girl with silver hair and eyes like a still pond. She knelt, voice soft but firm. "Lord Kael, I am Sylvi. Perk: Vital Pulse – +50% healing speed, minor regeneration."
Kael crouched to her level, his smirk softening into something protective. "Sylvi, huh? A healer's just what I need. Stick close—can't have my crew dropping on me." She nodded, a shy smile breaking through, and he felt that tug again—loyalty binding them to him, and him to them. They're mine to shield. No one touches what's mine.
The system blared again.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: Subject Perks Upgraded."
Light erupted once more, but this time it wasn't a flood of bodies. The 10,000 subjects already present stiffened, their forms glowing briefly as their Perks evolved. Lira's axe flared brighter, her Blaze Crafter jumping to +5,000% crafting speed. A Stone Shaper nearby laughed as his hands shaped a boulder like clay, his Perk now at +5,000%. Sylvi's hands shimmered, her Vital Pulse spiking to heal wounds in seconds.
Kael stood, laughing—a deep, carefree sound that cut through the chaos. Quality this time? The system's spoiling me. His cool dominance held firm, unshaken by the sheer absurdity of his power. "Alright, you lot—new toys, same rules. Build faster, stronger. We've got a kingdom to raise."
The plot exploded into motion. Granaries finished in hours, walls rose like they were sculpted by gods, and seedling fields thickened into forests overnight. Kael watched, leaning back with a waterskin, his posture relaxed yet commanding. This is what I do—turn nothing into everything.
By midday, he took the Mastercraft Chisel and joined a quarry team in the forest. Stone cracked under his swings, each hit precise and effortless.
"Resource Gained: 15 Stone. SSS Talent: Additional Drop – 1 Iron Ore. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Iron Ore."
A mountain of ore piled up, glinting dully. Kael whistled. Weapons, armor, tools—check. He waved over a group of crafters. "Lira, get this smelted. Prioritize spears and shields. Day 8's coming."
She nodded, her flames roaring as she set to work. Kael's gaze lingered a moment—her focus, her fire. She's a keeper.
A final ding rang out as the sun dipped.
"Territory Progress: 1,050/1,000 Resources Gathered. Conditions Met: Lodge Upgraded, Summon Method Secured, Resources Exceeded. Territory Level Up Available. Upgrade?"
Kael's smirk turned wicked. "Hell yes."
The ground trembled, the lodge expanding into a proper manor—stone walls, wooden beams, a second floor. The plot widened, grass sprouting where dirt once reigned. The system confirmed it.
"Territory Level: 2. Rewards: Max Summons 10/day, +10% Resource Yield, Level Cap Raised to 30 (Mighty Lord). Lord Chat and Exchange Unlocked."
A new panel flickered—Lord Chat. Messages scrolled, rival lords boasting or begging. "Lord Veyra: Infinite Mana secured a lake already." "Lord Draxis: Dragons hatched—who's trading?" Kael ignored them, his mind on his own game. Let them flex. I'll crush them soon enough.
He turned to Sylvi, voice flirty yet firm. "Check the wounded. Keep 'em sharp." Then to Lira, "Double the spears. We're not just surviving—we're winning."
The violet sky darkened, stars peering down. Kael stood tall, calm and resolute. Day 3 down. Four to go. Then the real fun starts.
POV Shift: Sylvi
She knelt by a worker, her hands glowing as a gash sealed shut in seconds. Her lord's voice—smooth, teasing, protective—echoed in her ears. He's unshakable. The sheer power of his talents awed her—10,000 boosted souls, and he acted like it was nothing. She glanced at him, leaning against the manor, radiating coolness. I'll keep them alive for him. He deserves that.