Chapter 18: The First Dragonfall
The eighteenth dawn roared over Kael El's domain, a fiery violet-gold sky blazing across the citadel and its four territories. The mana lake hummed southwest, its waters fueling his endless EX: Mana Ocean, while 120,000 subjects marched east, their boots kicking up dust along fortified roads. Kael strode at the fore, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, Iron Lance in the other, Stormhide Armor crackling with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stride as he eyed the jagged peaks of Draxis's eastern dragon nest, smoke curling like a challenge fifteen miles out.
Day 18. Time to clip some wings. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred twenty thousand souls, four territories, and a crew of titans—most lords would've balked at dragons. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a steel blaze. Draxis's pets are just loot with scales.
A sharp ding pierced the march's rhythm, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 18: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 120,016 Subjects. Food Stock: 6 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the tension. "Six days of rations? Plenty for a dragon roast." His calm under pressure was unshakable—war was his grind, and he'd stacked the deck. The Lord Map showed the eastern nest: ten dragons, rocky cover, two hundred troops. Lysa's intel's gold. Let's burn it down.
He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Zorin, Gavrin, Nyra, Jace, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea—mid-march. "Eastern nest's ours—ten dragons, two hundred grunts. Elys and Rhea fry 'em, Tora smashes, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks. I'm taking Draxis if he shows. Clear?"
Rhea cracked her whip, flames licking the air. "Dragons burn easy—Elys and I'll torch the skies."
Kael winked. "Rhea, you're my fire. Make it hot." He turned to the Summoning Altar, hauled along by builders, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Ten summons left. Let's add steel.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a spear."
The altar flared, and a seventeenth figure emerged—a lean man with a jagged spear and a predator's grin. He knelt, voice sharp. "Lord Kael, I am Korr. Perk: Dragon Piercer – +50% armor penetration, dragon-slaying."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Korr, huh? A hunter's perfect. March with Nyra—skewer 'em." Korr rose with a nod, his spear gleaming, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."