After seeing everything going smoothly and the heroes are ready for battle, Arthur was confused as he reviewed his progress. Over the past two days, his soldiers had been relentlessly hunting monsters, cutting down beasts and enemies in droves. Yet, despite the constant stream of battles and victories, he hadn't leveled up even once.
A faint sense of confusion gnawed at him. *Why haven't I progressed?* he wondered.
He opened his status panel, hoping for some clarity. What he saw made his brows furrow even more.
---
Name:Arthur
Title: Lord of the Starblade, Bronze Breakthrough Pioneer, Silver Sentinel
Occupation: Lord
Species: Human
Cultivation Tier: 9
Rank: Silver (Advancement requirements not fulfilled...)
EXP: 1,000,000 / 1,000,000
Talent: Luck (Legendary)
Health: 8,000
Strength: 290
Agility: 310
Mana:.510
Intelligence: 410
Skills:
- Berserk (Silver)
- Mana Sense (Bronze)
- Wilderness Survival (Bronze)
- Basic Elemental Wave (Bronze)
- Basic Healing (Bronze)
- Basic Stealth (Bronze)
- Combat Focus (Bronze)
- Mana Surge (Gold)
- Tactical Strike (Silver)
- Warrior's Endurance (Silver)
Exclusive Skills: Tactical Genius, Silver Strike
Artifacts: Auric Blade of Fortune (Gold), Starlight Shield (Gold)
---
His eyes narrowed at the message blinking beneath his rank:
"Advancement requirements not fulfilled..."
Arthur exhaled slowly, a mix of annoyance and curiosity rising in his chest. "So there is a requirement to ascend to Gold Rank after all…"
He recalled how his breakthrough from Bronze to Silver had been straightforward—there was no need for special conditions or hidden prerequisites. But now, something had changed.
"This didn't happen when I ranked up to Silver. Why is it different this time?"
The path ahead was clearly becoming more complex. He'd stepped into the realm where strength alone wasn't enough. Now, it seemed, there were deeper rules at play—ones that even his legendary luck couldn't bypass without effort.
Arthur clicked on the "Advancement Requirements" tab in his system panel, curious to understand what was holding him back from reaching Gold Rank.
A new screen appeared before him, detailing the conditions required for advancement.
Advancement Requirements:
1. Territory must be at least Level 5 – Fulfilled
2. Possess and be proficient in at least one Gold Rank skill – Fulfilled (Mana Surge)
3. Slay at least one Gold Rank being – Pending
4. Lead a force of at least 50,000 soldiers (minimum average tier: Bronze Rank Tier-3) – fulfilled
5. Establish a secondary outpost or sub-territory – Pending
6. Possess a Gold Rank artifact – Fulfilled (Auric Blade of Fortune)
7. Awaken a personal domain – Pending
Arthur's gaze sharpened as he read through the list.
"I've already met the first two requirements… and I do have a Gold Rank artifact."
His hand clenched unconsciously around the hilt of the Auric Blade at his side.
"Looks like I'll need to hunt down a Gold Rank monster soon. Expand my territory and what is a domain?"
He closed the system screen with questions in his mind.
Arthur was confused about the domain and how to awaken it.
"I should ask my gold rank Heroes About this. They are in gold rank, so they should already have awaken their domain."
Arthur said while calling out George.
George stepped forward, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the sunlight. He knelt on one knee out of respect, his silver armor glinting faintly.
"You called for me, my lord?" he asked calmly, then stood at attention as Arthur spoke.
"George, what is a domain?" Arthur asked straightforwardly, eyes sharp with curiosity.
George nodded slightly, his expression turning serious.
"A domain, my lord, is the manifestation of one's will and essence. It is a power that only those who have touched the threshold of Gold Rank can awaken. A domain is more than a skill—it's a presence. When awakened, it influences the battlefield, bends the surroundings to your advantage, and suppresses weaker enemies."
He paused, his voice gaining a respectful edge.
"Each domain is unique. Some awaken a Domain of Fire that burns everything nearby. Others may manifest a Domain of Fear, breaking the enemy's morale with just their aura. Mine... is the Iron Fortress Domain. When I activate it, my defense becomes nearly impenetrable, and my allies within it gain resistance to both physical and magical attacks."
George looked Arthur in the eyes.
"To awaken your domain, you must face a trial that pushes your spirit and resolve to their limits. It's not something that can be trained—only triggered through battle, purpose, or overwhelming emotion. You will know when the moment comes."
He stepped back and saluted.
"You already have the strength, my lord. All that remains is the moment to ignite it."
Arthur was once again confused, the status panel of his Heroes doesn't show the domain they possess.
"Is this because domain is not s skill, but a presence just like what george said."
Then Arthur was excited and called all his heroes.
The Gold Rank heroes gathered swiftly in front of Arthur, standing tall and proud. Each of them could sense the seriousness behind his words, but also the excitement that radiated from their lord.
Arthur looked over them and asked, "All of you, tell me your domains and what they do."
The first to step forward was **Zara**, the mage with deep violet eyes that shimmered with arcane energy.
"My domain is the *Arcane Spiral*, my lord," she said calmly. "Within it, the flow of mana becomes unstable for enemies but clear and enhanced for allies. I can cast spells faster and with more power, while enemies find their magic backfiring or becoming harder to control."
Next came **Knuckle**, the towering warrior who always charged ahead with unshakable bravery.
"I've awakened the *Crimson Warfield*, a domain that increases my attack power the longer I stay in battle. Wounds barely slow me down, and fear doesn't exist within that space. Any enemy inside it feels like they're being hunted by a berserker."
**Diana**, the assassin, stepped out of the shadows almost silently.
"My domain is the *Veil of Death*, my lord," she said in a cold, whispering voice. "Inside it, all light dims, and my movements become undetectable. I become one with the darkness, and even sound betrays those who try to hide from me."
Then **Lily**, the support mage with a soft expression, raised her staff slightly.
"My domain is called *Sanctuary of Light*. Within it, allies recover health and mana much faster, and harmful effects weaken. It's like standing inside a barrier of healing and peace."
**Ronan**, the cavalry knight, stood tall with his hand over his chest.
"I've awakened the *Gallant Charge*. While in my domain, my speed and that of my mount multiply, and my attacks strike with crushing momentum. Enemies can barely react before they're hit."
**Olivia**, the archer with sharp eyes, smirked.
"My domain is the *Hawk's Horizon*. In that space, my vision is limitless, and every arrow fired finds its mark. Even enemies hiding behind cover can't escape me."
**George** gave a firm nod as Arthur looked at him. "You already know mine, my lord. The *Iron Fortress*. A domain built on defense and protection."
**Isabella**, the healer, stepped forward gently.
"My domain is the *Divine Bloom*. It causes healing energy to sprout from the ground itself. Allies continuously recover health, and their stamina doesn't fade. Wounds close within seconds."
**Alisha** and **Ava**, both archers like Olivia, nodded in turn.
Alisha spoke first. "Mine is the *Phantom Rain*. Arrows fall from the sky like a storm—an endless barrage that overwhelms the enemy."
"And mine is *Silent Tempest*," Ava added. "In my domain, each arrow I shoot carries silent wind magic. It passes through armor as if it's paper and stuns the target for a moment with every strike."
Finally, **Voloric** and **Dock**, both frontline warriors, stepped forward.
Voloric grinned. "Mine is the *Earthshaker Arena*. When I activate it, the ground trembles, slowing enemies and disrupting their stance. Every step feels like walking through an earthquake."
Dock added, "My domain is *Titan's Grip*. Inside it, my control over any weapon I wield becomes absolute. I can wield greatswords like they're light daggers and throw them with terrifying precision."
All of them turned their eyes to Arthur after finishing.
But **Blaze**, the quietest and most composed among them, stood silently at the back. He met Arthur's gaze.
Blaze stepped forward, his towering frame emanating a calm, smoldering presence.
"My domain is called *Aegis of the Eternal Flame*," he said in a low, steady tone. "When I activate it, a dome of golden fire surrounds me and those nearby. Within its reach, allies gain resistance to attacks and flames, and enemies that dare enter suffer burns over time."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle.
"It does not strike first, nor does it chase. It defends. It endures. As long as I stand within it, no harm will come to those I protect."
The air around him shimmered faintly with invisible heat, a subtle sign of the power that lay beneath his composed demeanor.
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NOTE-
Domain Evolution: At higher ranks, domains can evolve or unlock one additional effect. Not a change to the core function, just a natural extension (e.g., adding a fear effect or boosting allies slightly).