Chapter 30: The First Surge
The thirtieth dawn thundered over Kael El's domain, a blazing violet-gold sky bathing the citadel and its thirteen territories in a relentless sheen. Klyve's swamp fortress steamed south, its muddy expanse now a hardened outpost under Mara's command, while 240,000 subjects roared—warriors forging bog-iron blades, mages channeling quagmire runes, and dragons ruling the skies under EX: Dragon Sovereign. Kael stood atop the citadel's storm-lashed spire, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver blazing, Stormhide Armor pulsing with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating as he triggered EX: Abyssal Quagmire, thick mud erupting beneath him, swallowing a training dummy in a suffocating grip.
Day 30. Lv. 5's grind's heating up—cap's in sight. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. Two hundred forty thousand souls, thirteen territories, and a Mighty Lord's might—his peers floundered at Level 40 with a tenth of his 13,500 stats; Kael soared at Level 42, skills bending reality. They're dust—I'm the tide. Two territories, 75,000 resources—let's roll.
A sharp ding cut through the morning din, the system panel flaring up.
"Day 30: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 4. Population: 240,028 Subjects. Food Stock: 2 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +25% (Lv. 4 Bonus). Summon Limit: 15/Day. Territory Lv. 5 Conditions: Conquer 15 nearby territories [13/15], 100,000 resources [25,000/100,000], Reach Mighty Lord rank [Met]."
Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge slicing through the tension. "Two days? I'll carve a banquet." His calm under pressure was ironclad—Lv. 4's cap at 50 loomed eight levels away, and Lv. 5 demanded sweat: two more territories, a resource haul. Cap's close—grind's on.
Gavrin hustled over, ledger bursting. "Lord Kael, swamp loot's in—sixty mudbricks, thirty vines, bog spears. Resources at 26,500."
Kael clapped his shoulder, winking. "Gavrin, you're my vault. Fire the bricks—walls up." Gavrin nodded, scribbling, and Kael turned to the Summoning Altar, its Mana Crystal blazing with Lv. 4 fury. Eleven summons left. Let's add range.
He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me an archer."
The altar flared, and a twenty-ninth figure emerged—a lithe woman with a longbow, eyes sharp as steel. She knelt, voice crisp. "Lord Kael, I am Syla. Perk: Precision Shot – +50% accuracy, piercing damage."
Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Syla, huh? A sharpshooter's gold. Aim with Ryn—pin 'em down." She rose with a nod, bowstring taut, and the system blared.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."