The eighth dawn erupted over Kael El's domain, the violet-gold sky fracturing with a sharp, electric crack as the peace period shattered. The manor stood like a bastion, its triple-layered walls bristling with archers, while barracks buzzed with spear-wielding warriors and the forge roared under Torv's command. Forty thousand subjects stood ready, their Perks a living engine of war. Kael lounged atop the manor's balcony, a spear in hand, his flirty smirk unshaken as he watched the horizon ripple with distant dust.
Day 8. Game's on. His dark eyes glinted with unwavering confidence, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance. Forty thousand souls armed and fortified in a week—most lords would've faltered. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a steel core. Let 'em come. I don't lose.
A loud ding blared, the system panel flashing with urgency.
"Day 8: Peace Period Ended. Territory Level: 2. Population: 40,006 Subjects. Food Stock: 6 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +10% (Lv. 2 Bonus). Warning: Hostile Lords Detected."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge cutting through the tension. "About time, sweetheart." His calm under pressure held firm—war was just another grind, and he'd mastered plenty. The horizon shimmered, and Veyna's voice rang out from the wall.
"Lord Kael!" she shouted, her Hawk Eye at 5,000% spotting every detail. "Three groups—hundred each, spears and bows. Closing fast!"
Kael vaulted the railing, landing with a casual thud, and strode to the gate. "Veyna, archers up. Zorin, barriers on the walls. Mara, hold the line." His voice was smooth, teasing, yet commanding, and his crew snapped to it—loyalty binding them tight.
He pressed a hand to the Summoning Altar, voice flirty yet firm. "Alright, gorgeous, one more before the party."
The altar flared, and a seventh figure emerged—a lithe woman with golden hair and a staff crackling with static. She knelt, voice sharp. "Lord Kael, I am Elys. Perk: Storm Caller – +50% lightning damage, weather control."
Kael's grin turned wicked. "Elys, huh? A storm's perfect. Hit 'em hard." She rose with a nod, lightning arcing between her fingers, and he felt that protective tug deepen. Another ace.
The system screamed.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."
The plot shuddered as 10,000 more figures materialized—warriors, mages, archers—swelling his ranks to 50,000. A man with "Spear Master" gripped a lance, a woman with "Wind Runner" blurred with speed, and dozens more roared their allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. Fifty thousand? This is my kind of chaos.
"Warriors, to the gates!" he barked, his cool dominance cutting through the din. "Archers, with Veyna. Mages, back Elys. Move!"
The enemy hit like a wave—three hundred ragged figures, spears glinting, arrows flying. Kael twirled his spear, stepping forward as Zorin's barriers flared along the walls, deflecting the first volley. Veyna's archers loosed, arrows raining with 5,000% precision, dropping dozens in seconds. Elys raised her staff, and a bolt of lightning cracked the sky, frying a cluster of foes into ash.
Kael charged, spear flashing as he met the front line. One thrust pierced a raider's chest, blood spraying as he yanked it free. Another swung a blade—Kael sidestepped, grinning, and drove his spear through the man's throat. Too slow.
"Ding! Enemy Defeated. XP: +50. SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: Iron Dagger. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: Iron Dagger upgraded to Stormforged Blade."
A sleek, crackling sword landed in his hand, lightning dancing along its edge. Kael smirked, slashing through two more with a single swing. Nice upgrade.
The battle raged—screams, clashing steel, the stench of blood. Mara's walls held, her 5,000% strength shrugging off battering rams. Lira's spears skewered foes from the ranks, her flames searing flesh. Sylvi darted through, her Vital Pulse at 5,000% sealing wounds in a blink. Kael fought at the fore, his movements fluid, his grin unflappable. This is my turf.
The enemy broke after an hour—two hundred dead, a hundred fleeing. Kael stood amidst the carnage, spear dripping, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "Veyna, track 'em. No survivors."
She nodded, vanishing with her hunters. Kael turned to his crew, voice firm. "Good work. Clean up, restock. This was just the warm-up."
A final ding rang out.
"Victory! XP Gained: 10,000. Level Up! Initiate Lord (Low Tier) – Level 1 to Level 5. Stats Increased."
Kael felt power surge through him, his smirk widening. First blood's mine.
POV Shift: Elys
She lowered her staff, lightning still crackling in the air, the charred remains of foes at her feet. Her lord stood there, blood-streaked, smirking like it was a game. Fifty thousand, and he fights upfront? She'd called storms for petty tyrants before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked her. I'll rain hell for him. He's worth it.