The ninth dawn crept over Kael El's domain, the violet-gold sky tinged with the faint haze of yesterday's battle. The manor stood resolute, its triple-layered walls scarred but unbroken, while the settlement buzzed with a victorious hum. Fifty thousand subjects moved with purpose—warriors stacking bodies, healers tending wounds, and crafters repairing gear. Kael lounged against the manor's gate, the Stormforged Blade propped beside him, its lightning edge still crackling faintly. His flirty smirk held firm, unshaken by the blood on his boots.
Day 9. First win's in the bag. His dark eyes glinted with unwavering confidence, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stance. Fifty thousand souls, a fortress, and a pile of dead raiders—most lords would've staggered. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a quiet blaze. They thought they'd test me. They learned.
A soft ding chimed, the system panel flickering into view.
"Day 9: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 2. Population: 50,007 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +10% (Lv. 2 Bonus). Combat Report: 200 Enemies Defeated, 100 Fled."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge cutting through the morning calm. "Not bad for a warm-up, huh?" His calm under pressure was unshakable—war was just another level to grind, and he'd cleared it with style. Veyna's hunters hadn't returned yet, but he trusted her Hawk Eye to finish the job. No loose ends.
Elys approached, her golden hair catching the light, her staff still sparking from yesterday's storm. "Lord Kael, the mages held—barriers took the brunt. No losses." Her voice was sharp, her lightning Perk a crackling testament to her worth.
Kael pushed off the gate, clapping her shoulder with a flirty grin. "Elys, you're a damn tempest. Rest those sparks—we've got more coming." She nodded, a flicker of pride in her eyes, and he turned to the Summoning Altar. Nine summons left. Time to cash in the spoils.
He pressed a hand to the Mana Crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, let's see what victory gets me."
The altar flared, and an eighth figure emerged—a stocky man with a grizzled beard and a ledger in hand. He knelt, voice gruff. "Lord Kael, I am Gavrin. Perk: Resource Hoarder – +50% storage efficiency, loot appraisal."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Gavrin, huh? A treasurer's gold. Sort the battlefield loot—make it count." Gavrin rose with a nod, his ledger already open, and Kael felt that bond lock in—loyalty flowing both ways. Perfect for the haul.
The system blared, its tone sharp.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: Subject Perks Upgraded."
The air shimmered, but no flood of bodies this time. Instead, the 50,000 subjects glowed briefly, their Perks spiking again. Gavrin's Resource Hoarder jumped to +5,000% storage efficiency, his ledger pulsing with power. Elys's Storm Caller surged to +5,000% lightning damage, her staff crackling louder. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. Quality boost again? I'm spoiled.
"Alright, crew," he called, his cool dominance cutting through the hum. "Gavrin, catalog the loot. Elys, train the mages—bigger storms. Move."
They scattered, purpose igniting the air. Kael watched, leaning back with a smirk, his posture relaxed yet commanding. First blood, first spoils. This is how you build an empire.
By midday, Gavrin returned, his ledger brimming. "Lord, the haul's sorted—two hundred spears, a hundred bows, fifty quivers, and scraps of iron. Plus this." He handed over a cracked Mana Shard, pulsing faintly.
Kael took it, grinning. "Nice work, Gavrin. Melt the scraps, stock the rest." He pocketed the shard and grabbed the Mastercraft Axe, hitting the forest for more.
"Resource Gained: 22 Wood (+10% Lv. 2 Bonus). SSS Talent: Additional Drop – 1 Vine Fiber. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Vine Fibers."
A tangle of vines spilled around him, enough to weave a fortress's worth of rope. Kael chuckled, hauling back 66 Wood. Never enough resources.
Lira met him at the forge, her flames roaring as she handed over a stack of spears. "Lord, we're at five hundred spears, four hundred shields. Torv's on copper now."
Kael twirled a spear, winking. "Lira, you're my blaze. Push the shields—more fights ahead." She nodded, her loyalty firm, and he turned to Sylvi, tending a warrior's gash.
"Lord," Sylvi said, her hands glowing, "minor wounds only. We're holding." Her shy awe lingered, and Kael's tone softened.
"Keep 'em strong, Sylvi. You're my lifeline." She blushed, nodding, and he felt that protective edge deepen. They're mine to guard.
Veyna returned at dusk, blood on her bow. "Lord, the runners are gone—tracked 'em five miles, no survivors."
Kael clapped her shoulder, voice flirty yet firm. "Veyna, you're my hawk. Rest up—bigger prey's coming." She nodded, and he glanced at the Lord Chat, messages buzzing. "Lord Veyra: Mana lake repelled a raid." "Lord Draxis: Dragons torched a forest—mine now." Kael smirked. Keep flexing. I'm coming for you.
A final ding rang out.
"Loot Processed: +200 Spears, +100 Bows, +50 Quivers, +1 Mana Shard Added to Stockpile."
Kael stood tall, the violet sky darkening overhead. Day 9 down. Time to hunt bigger game.
POV Shift: Gavrin
He scribbled in his ledger, the battlefield's haul piling up under his boosted Resource Hoarder. His lord stood there, smirking like war was a jest. Fifty thousand, and he's still chill? Gavrin had counted coins for petty merchants before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked him. I'll make this loot his strength. He's worth it.