The thirty-sixth dawn erupted over Kael El's domain, a violet-gold tempest swirling above a 2,406-square-kilometer empire—sixteen territories pulsing with life, from tundra's frost to crypt's shadow. The Gate of Summoning flared at the citadel's edge, Mist Cores embedded in its arches glowing as the Ritual Event sparked. Kael stood before it, the Stormforged Blade in hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver blazing, Stormhide Armor humming with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating as 288,000 subjects gathered—smiths, hunters, and mages chanting his name.
Day 36. Ritual's live—time to stack the deck. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. Two hundred eighty-eight thousand souls, 2,406 sq. km, and a Champion Lord's might—Zara led at 58, but Kael's 75,234 stats and Devourer Blood made him a predator. They're fast—I'm unstoppable. Thirty grand to Lv. 5, then 100's mine.
A sharp ding rang out, the system panel blazing with the Nexus leaderboard ticking up.
"Day 36: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 4 – Dominance Phase. Territory Size: 2,406 sq. km. Population: 288,000 Subjects. Food Stock: 11 Days. Resource Yield: +40% (Tactical Insight Bonus). Resources: 90,000/100,000 for Lv. 5 (Nexus Trade: +20,000). Summon Limit: 15/Day. Ritual Event Active: Summon efficiency tripled for 24 hours, rival attention heightened. Territory Lv. 5 Conditions: Control 15 territories [16/15], 100,000 resources [90,000/100,000], Daily Summons at 15 [Met]."
"Lord Nexus Leaderboard: 1. Zara (59), 2. Vorr (57), 3. Sylth (56), 4. Kryn (55), 5. Elynn (54), 6. Torva (53), 7. Rynne (52), 8. Kael El (50), 9. Vex (50), 10. Myra (50)."
Kael's smirk sharpened, a playful edge glinting. "Zara's at 59? She's hungry—but I'm ravenous." The Ritual Event pulsed, the Gate of Summoning crackling—tripled summons meant a flood of power, but Vorr's alliance loomed. Nexus chatter buzzed: "Zara's got SSS: Resource Lord—her yield's insane,""Vorr's coalition's at 600,000 troops—Kael's toast."
Thora approached, hammer sparking. "Lord, Gate's ready—45 summons today if you push it. Resources hit 90,000 with Lena's trade. One more haul for Lv. 5."
Kael winked, voice teasing. "Thora, you're my forge—45's a storm. Let's break 'em." He pressed both hands to the Gate, EX: Mana Ocean surging, and barked, "Give me warriors!"
The Gate roared, forty-fifth figure emerging—a towering man with a glaive, scars crisscrossing his chest. He knelt, voice a growl. "Lord Kael, I am Drayce. Perk: War Surge – +50% attack in groups."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Drayce, huh? A blade's gold. Fight with Tora—shatter 'em." Drayce rose, glaive gleaming, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 45 Summons x 3 (Ritual) x 10,000 = 1,350,000 Subjects."
The earth quaked as 1,350,000 warriors materialized—glaive-wielders, archers, berserkers—swelling his ranks to 1,638,000. A woman with "Blood Rush" roared, a man with "Steel Tide" clashed blades, and the horde bellowed allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree rumble. One-point-six mil? I'm a damn tidal wave.
"Drayce, lead 'em!" he barked, his cool dominance slicing through the chaos. "Thora, arm 'em. Veyna, scout Vorr's line—Lena, push resources to 100,000." The Gate dimmed, Ritual spent, but rival eyes burned—Nexus pings spiked: "Kael's at 1.6 million? Glitch!"
Mira sidled up, staff warm. "Kael, Zara's SSS talent's pumping her XP—Vorr's got numbers. You're eighth, but they're closing gaps."
Kael pulled her close, smirking. "Mira, they're ants—I'm the boot. Lv. 5 tomorrow, then I climb." He flexed EX: Crimson Overlord, imagining Vorr's troops as thralls. Close race? I'll devour the finish line.
Lena rushed in, map glowing. "Lord, Veyna's back—Vorr's 800 km east, 200,000 troops massing. We'll hit 100,000 by dawn if forges hold."
Kael's grin turned fierce. "Lena, perfect—Lv. 5's ours. Vorr's move's Day 40—I'll bury him." He called his girls to the war room. "Ladies, 1.6 million strong, 90,000 resources—Zara's 59, Vorr's 57. Ritual's done, Lv. 5's next. Thoughts?"
Tora cracked her knuckles. "Smash 'em now—numbers win."
Lena traced lines. "Hold—Lv. 5's buffs tip it."
Veyna notched an arrow. "Ambush Vorr—cut the head."
Kael laughed, a storm brewing. "Tora, arm up. Lena, grind it. Veyna, scout deeper—I'm eighth, but 100's mine. They'll choke on this tide."
POV Shift: Lord Zara
In a golden citadel 1,200 km north, Zara smirked at her Nexus, Level 59 glowing—her SSS: Resource Lord tripled yields, 400,000 subjects thriving. "Kael's at 50 with 1.6 million? Numbers don't beat my grind." Her map showed quarries and farms—she'd hit 60 tomorrow. Close? I'll outpace him.
Tracker (Summarized)
Level/Rank: 50, Champion Lord (Mid Tier)
XP: 752,945,074/1,762,396,638 (Lv. 4 cap)
Stats: 75,234 (Str: 25,078, Spd: 25,078, Aura: 25,078)
Territory: Lv. 4, 2,406 sq. km, 16/15 territories, 90,000/100,000 resources
Population: 1,638,000
Powers: 7 EX Skills (Seismic Rupture, Volcanic Tsunami, etc.)
Bloodlines: Forest Elf (+25% agility), Stone Giant (+50% durability), EX: Frostfang Sovereign (+5,000% cold resist, apex senses), EX: Nosferatu Prime (+5,000% regen, apex night vision), Devourer Blood (10% stat absorb, +1,734 stats)
Talents: SSS: 100% Drop Rate, EX: 10,000x Multiplier, 13 EX Talents (EXP Nova, etc.)
Harem: 28 girls (Lira to Lena)
Recent Gains: +1,350,000 Subjects, +20,000 Resources