The forty-sixth dawn crept over Kael El's domain, a violet-gold shimmer casting long shadows across a 5,406-square-kilometer empire—eighteen territories fused into a sprawling beast of forest, plains, mesa, desert, swamp, jungle, tundra, crypt, molten wastes, and steel flats. The major city hummed, its 105 buildings a fortress of Mist Core-lit walls, forges sparking as 1,768,000 subjects honed weapons and whispered of war. Kael stood in the Lord's Estate, the Stormforged Blade resting against his throne, EX: Dragonflame Reaver glowing faintly, Stormhide Armor polished with Kryn's steel. His flirty smirk played on his lips, a cool dominance radiating as he flexed EX: Iron Sovereign, durability pulsing—rumors of Dorn, rank 6, stirred the Nexus, and Kael's blood sang for battle.
Day 46. Sixth's got teeth—let's see how sharp. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, pride a molten core beneath his chill exterior. One-point-seven million souls, 5,406 sq. km, and a Champion Lord's might—Zara led at 67, but Kael's 141,034 stats and hidden EX: 10,000x Multiplier were his edge. Dorn's coming—I'll break him today.
A sharp ding echoed through the estate, the system panel flaring with Nexus updates.
"Day 46: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 4 – Champion Lord. Territory Size: 5,406 sq. km. Population: 1,768,000 Subjects. Food Stock: 13 Days. Resource Yield: +75% (Lv. 4 Bonus). Resources: 140,000/250,000 for Lv. 4 Completion. Summon Limit: 15/Day. Territory Lv. 5 Conditions: Reach Level 90, Sprawling Kingdom (200+ buildings) [105/200], Defeat 50,000-stat Beast/Lord [Met], 1,000,000 Resources [140,000/1M], 50,000 Gold/Month [6,000/50,000], Army of 2,000 Elite [Met]."
"Lord Nexus Leaderboard: 1. Zara (67), 2. Torva (60), 3. Rynne (59), 4. Vex (57), 5. Myra (56), 6. Dorn (55), 7. Lyra (54), 8. Kael El (52), 9. Gavrin (51), 10. Sylth (50)."
Kael's smirk sharpened, a playful edge glinting. "Zara's at 67—Dorn's 55, sixth in line. Eighth's my stage—sixth falls today." Nexus chatter had buzzed since dawn: "Dorn's ash legions hit Vex—Kael's next,""Zara's gold's a flood—67's untouchable." His talents stayed veiled—summons whispered, but the multiplier was his secret.
The air grew heavy as Veyna burst in, bow clutched tight, sweat beading her brow. "Lord, Dorn's 700 km west—300,000 strong, ash-wreathed, moving fast. Scouts saw ash golems—massive, slow, but brutal. He'll hit by noon."
Kael leaned forward, winking. "Veyna, you're my eyes—300,000's a feast. Ash golems, huh? Prep the wolves." He stood, voice a teasing growl. "Drayce, frontline. Thora, arm 'em. Lena, walls to 110 by midday. Dorn's got ash—I've got fire."
Lena unrolled a map, fingers tracing. "Lord, Dorn's lands are 1,500 sq. km—ash plains, dead forests. His SSS: Ash Lord summons golems—slow but unyielding. He's after Torva's flank, but we're closer."
Kael tapped the map, grinning. "Lena, you're my mind—300,000's bold. Torva's busy—Dorn's mine." He triggered EX: Dragon Sovereign, dragons rumbling—15 summons flared, frost wolves and steel golems joining ranks. "Let's meet him halfway."
By late morning, Kael's forces marched—1.4 million strong, a tide of steel and fury stretching across the western plains, 350 km from the city. The horizon grayed—Dorn's 300,000 loomed, ash banners flapping, golems towering like charred titans, each step shaking the earth. Kael stood at the vanguard, blades raised—EX: Verdant Tyrant pulsed, vines coiling around his feet. "Girls, Dorn's here—sixth rank, 300,000 ash-wreathed. Let's burn 'em down."
The clash erupted—Drayce's glaives met ash cloaks, steel flashing—War Surge roared, his 400,000 surging with +50% attack. An ash golem swung, stone fist cratering the ground—Drayce dodged, glaive slashing—black dust sprayed, the golem's arm cracking. Cloaks swarmed—his blade spun, heads rolling—10,000 fell, ash choking the air.
Tora roared, fists hammering—an ash golem loomed, fist crashing—she caught it, muscles straining, and twisted—stone shattered, dust bursting. Another charged—her punch split its chest, ash exploding—5,000 cloaks scattered, her laugh echoing. "More!" she bellowed, fists a storm.
Veyna's wolves darted, frost fangs biting—an ash golem stomped—she notched, arrow piercing its core—cracks spiderwebbed, dust spilling. Dragons dove, fire and ice raining—15,000 cloaks burned, ash swirling. Her bow sang, arrows felling ranks—her flank pushed, golems stumbling.
Kael watched, blades humming—Elys's lightning cracked, frying 7,000—bolts danced, ash igniting. Lyra's violet blasts tore gaps, 8,000 vaporized—purple flared bright. Rhea and Fyra torched lines, Jace's traps snared, Seryn reaped, Borv and Dorn held, Zyra and Zane sliced—50,000 dead in hours, ash piling high.
Dorn's voice rasped from the haze, Level 55, 60,000 stats pulsing—SSS: Ash Lord thickened the air, golems rising. "Kael, you're ash!" A golem lunged—Kael blurred with EX: Stormwing Prime, dodging—earth split. He countered with EX: Magma Fury, molten arc searing—50,000 damage cracked its chest, ash pouring—Dorn's laugh echoed, unseen.
Kael grinned, blood on his smirk. "Dorn, hide in your dust—today's your end." He raised his blades—war was his canvas, and he'd paint it red.
POV Shift: Lord Dorn
In the ash tide, Dorn smirked—Level 55, 60,000 stats sharp. His SSS: Ash Lord summoned golems—250,000 held. "Kael's 52—reckless. Zara's 67—I'll crush him first." Tight race—I'm the storm.
Tracker (Summarized)
Level/Rank: 52, Champion Lord (Mid Tier)
XP: 1,193,544,234/2,753,744,748
Stats: 141,034 (Str: 47,012, Spd: 47,012, Aura: 47,010)
Territory: Lv. 4, 5,406 sq. km, 140,000/250,000 resources
Population: 1,768,000
Powers: 10 EX Skills (Seismic Rupture, Steel Tempest, etc.)
Bloodlines: 7 + Devourer Blood (+17,534 stats)
Talents: SSS: 100% Drop Rate, EX: 10,000x Multiplier, 16 EX Talents—secret
Harem: 28 girls
Recent Gains: +5 Buildings, +10,000 Resources