After Alaric woke up from his deep sleep, exhausted from the intense training session, he stepped out of his room and was immediately met by Captain Zolo. Without saying much, Zolo gestured for Alaric to follow him. They walked to a secluded room in the far back of the tavern, where every member of Captain Zolo's team was gathered. It was clear from the atmosphere that this was a serious meeting. One of Zolo's men stood up, addressing the Captain.
"Captain, as per your instructions, I've gathered more information about the island," the team member began. "This island is much larger than we initially thought. The majority of it consists of farming land, with a vast mountain range and forest at the far back. However, we've only been able to gather limited information since the island is so remote."
Alaric listened carefully, his focus sharpening as the man continued. "The people who live there are mainly farmers, but beyond that, we can't confirm much unless we visit. The island's remoteness has kept it relatively unknown, making it difficult to find solid details. Still, there's no denying the risks involved with acquiring this land."
The man's tone darkened as he shifted to the more pressing issue. "In total, forty people are participating in the bidding for the island. Most are from wealthy companies and tycoons, but five major families stand out as our biggest threats. Of those five, two are underground powerhouses who control cities from the shadows. Their influence in the underworld is unmatched, and in this kingdom, they practically wear the crown of the underground. The other three families are legitimate on the surface, running large corporations. But we know they've got their hands deep in illegal activities, making them just as dangerous."
Alaric nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The island wasn't just a piece of land; it was a contested prize, with dangerous players involved. He knew that if they were to make a move, they'd need to tread carefully, considering both the visible and invisible threats. Captain Zolo remained silent but exchanged a knowing glance with Alaric, signaling that the true challenge was about to begin.
As Alaric processed the new information from his system, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his responsibilities. The system's main mission was now clear: acquire a land, rise to the rank of baron or king, and unlock the system's true potential. The side mission was equally crucial—prepare for his first battle, gain victory, and earn the foundational tools to start building his kingdom. The reward was enticing: not only the chance to build his army but also the bonus of gaining his first batch of weapons. This was no simple task; it was a battle for survival, power, and growth.
While Alaric's mind raced with thoughts of his future, one of Captain Zolo's team members continued the briefing. "Although we're facing serious threats, our biggest weakness is manpower," the man said, his voice steady but concerned. "We've got a small group here, and most of us are Silver rank. That's good, but numbers matter. Our enemies have manpower in spades. While they don't have any Silver-ranked fighters, the underground leaders, Jimmy and Sunshine, are our biggest threats."
Alaric narrowed his eyes as the man continued, realizing just how dire their situation was. "Jimmy commands five hundred henchmen. They're all armed to the teeth with firearms like AK-47s, M4A1s, and machine guns. That's heavy firepower, enough to overwhelm even strong fighters. Then there's Sunshine. He's got seven hundred men, all armed with firearms too. But the real danger lies in his spiritual weapons. He's managed to equip a hundred of his men with spiritual weapons, even if they're of poor quality. And even low-tier spiritual weapons are far deadlier than regular firearms."
Alaric felt the gravity of the situation settle over him like a dark cloud. Spiritual weapons were rare, powerful, and capable of dealing devastating damage, especially in the hands of those skilled enough to wield them. Even though the quality was low, they still posed a significant threat. His enemies were well-armed and numerous, and he was up against two underground powerhouses who could strike at any moment. But despite the challenges, Alaric's resolve only strengthened. He had to secure the land, prepare his forces, and outwit these dangerous enemies. The system's missions were his pathway to power, and the sooner he achieved them, the closer he'd be to fulfilling his destiny.
Looking at Captain Zolo and his team, Alaric knew one thing for certain: they needed to make their next moves carefully. There was no room for error, and every step had to be calculated. As he thought about the spiritual weapons and the sheer number of henchmen they faced, Alaric silently vowed to find a way to turn the odds in their favor. The battle for the island would be just the beginning of his rise to power.
The message says, complete your first mission that is given by the system, acquire a land, become a baron or king, and the system will start its work to its main mission. After seeing this, Alaric also sees the system has given him a side mission. The side mission is about that, after acquiring the land, prepare for your first battle and gain victory against your enemies. Mission reward, start a bonus to make a kingdom, and gain your first batch of weapons for your army. While Alaric was seeing this, a member from Captain Zolo team said, Although they pose a big threat, the biggest thing that we have in difficulties is our manpower. We have a couple of people in here, most of us are in Silver rank, but what they have is manpower. They don't pose any Silver rank threat, although all of us here are Silver rank, Captain Zolo is in Platinum rank. But in there, in those high people, the two that are from underground pose so much help to us. A person named Jimmy, from the underground, pose 500 henchmen. Each of them are equipped with firearms, and tools, and programs like AK-47s, M4A1s, and MGs. And other one, Sunshine, he poses more than 700 henchmen. They are also equipped with firearms, but what they have is spiritual weapons. They have a hundred men with spiritual weapons. Spiritual weapons are so much costly, but they all have one spiritual weapon, that are poor quality. But still, spiritual weapons are far more dangerous than firearms.
As the room grew quiet, the weight of the information began to sink in. Alaric studied the holographic mission details displayed by the system, the words etched in his mind: Complete your first mission—acquire a land, become a baron or king. It was a daunting task, but the reward—a path toward his true purpose—was too enticing to ignore. The added pressure of the side mission lingered: Prepare for your first battle and secure victory. Reward: Starter bonus for kingdom establishment and the first batch of weapons for your army.
He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "We don't have the luxury of hesitation," Alaric said, his voice steady despite the odds. "If this is what we're up against, we need a strategy to minimize risks and maximize our chances."
Captain Zolo nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "The key to this mission isn't just strength; it's precision. Jimmy and Sunshine have the numbers and the weapons, but their organization isn't flawless. If we play this right, we can outmaneuver them. However, this will require more than brute force—we need a plan to disrupt their cohesion and tilt the odds in our favor."
One of the team members stepped forward, pulling out a detailed map of the island. "Based on the information we've gathered, Jimmy's henchmen are stationed at the central town square, where the bidding will take place. Their strength lies in numbers, but they rely on intimidation rather than strategy. Sunshine, on the other hand, has his men scattered across key points, with the spiritual weapon users concentrated at their main base near the forest edge. If we can deal with them strategically, we might weaken their forces enough to claim the land."
"But we don't have the manpower to face them head-on," another team member interjected. "Even if Captain Zolo leads the charge, we'll be overwhelmed by sheer numbers."
Alaric raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Then we won't face them head-on. We'll use their arrogance against them. Jimmy relies on brute force, so we'll bait him into a trap. As for Sunshine, we'll strike his supply lines and take out the spiritual weapon users before they can regroup."
Zolo smirked, clearly impressed. "You think like a tactician, boy. But pulling this off will require precision. One misstep, and it's over."
"I'll handle the bait," Alaric said confidently. "While I draw Jimmy's men into a trap, you focus on taking out Sunshine's spiritual weapon squad. Timing will be critical, so we'll need clear communication."
Another team member spoke up. "We'll also need an edge to deal with the spiritual weapons. Captain, do we have anything that can counter them?"
Zolo frowned. "Not much. Spiritual weapons are tricky. Their power comes from their connection to the wielder's essence. But if we can disrupt that bond, even temporarily, they'll lose their effectiveness. I know someone who can help, but it'll cost us."
"Do it," Alaric said firmly. "No price is too high for victory."
As the group began to finalize their plans, the system displayed another notification for Alaric:
[System Update: New Reward Added]
Mission Progress Bonus: Successfully set a strategy to disrupt enemy forces. Bonus Reward: Access to a temporary skill, "Shadow Maneuver," enhancing agility and evasion for one hour.
Alaric's lips curled into a smirk. "Looks like the system has faith in us. Let's make it count."
With their plan set, the team dispersed to make preparations. The clock was ticking, and Alaric knew this mission would be his first step toward reclaiming not just land but his destiny.
The first of the three is the Ethelson family. They're merchants with a vast network of trade routes. Their influence stretches across multiple kingdoms, and they specialize in monopolizing resources. If they win the island, they'll likely convert it into a major trade hub. They bring wealth and political sway to the table, and while they don't directly involve themselves in illegal activities, they are known for using underhanded tactics, such as bribery and manipulation, to get what they want. Their security consists of 200 mercenaries equipped with standard-grade spiritual weapons.
The second family is the Velmont clan. They are an old aristocratic family with a long history of military accomplishments. Unlike the Ethelsons, the Velmonts pride themselves on strength and honor—at least on the surface. However, they have been implicated in covert military operations and skirmishes against rival nobles. They view the acquisition of this island as a strategic move to strengthen their military position. Their forces include 150 seasoned warriors, each with a mix of firearms and spiritual weapons of medium quality. Their head of operations is a Gold Rank warrior, which makes them a direct threat to us.
The last of the three is the Grisham conglomerate, a business empire known for its mining operations and industrial ventures. They aim to strip the island of its resources and establish factories. The Grishams have deep ties to the black market, and their leader, Elric Grisham, is a cunning businessman with a cruel streak. They control 400 men, most of whom are armed with both firearms and low-tier spiritual weapons. Their real strength lies in their technological expertise. If we're not careful, they could deploy advanced traps and weaponry during the bidding process to eliminate competitors.
After the explanation, Captain Zolo summarized, "These three families are powerful, but their strengths differ. If we play this right, we can exploit their weaknesses. However, the biggest challenge will be managing the sheer numbers and influence they bring to the table. Alaric, your decision will determine how we proceed. What's the plan?"
Alaric's eyes narrowed, already formulating a strategy.
"In my opinion, they will not attack us," Alaric began, his tone calm yet confident. "I have watched these corporates very well. I've been with my grandfather from the beginning, ever since I was just five years old. He has dealt with countless corporates in the Aryan Kingdom. They'll always look for a chance before making any moves. They know that if anyone outside of these five families acquires the island, those two underground families will be the first to attack. The three corporate families won't act immediately. They'll wait and let the underground families weaken whoever wins, or even themselves if they decide to compete."
He paused, his expression growing more serious. "But I don't think they'll attack all at once. They'll watch each other carefully. Whoever makes the first move, they'll observe the fallout and then strike when the time is right. We can handle them later when their true intentions become clear."
After Alaric finished, another team member chimed in, "That makes sense, Alaric. If we play this carefully, we can turn their own strategy against them. Let the underground families clash and wear themselves out first. It's almost inevitable given their aggressive nature and thirst for control."
Captain Zolo nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Alaric's insight is solid. These corporate families won't risk acting prematurely. Their approach will be calculated—they'll sit back, evaluate the situation, and wait for the perfect moment to step in. It's the safest play for them."
Alaric leaned forward, his voice steady. "Exactly. Back in the Aryan Kingdom, I saw the same pattern with powerful factions vying for control. They'll avoid exposing themselves to danger, letting others take the risks first. It's in their nature to wait for someone else to make the first mistake."
A younger team member raised a concern, "But what if they all decide to work together, even temporarily, just to eliminate us as a common threat?"
Alaric shook his head with a knowing smile. "Unlikely. Their greed won't let them. Even a temporary alliance would be unstable. Each of them wants the land for themselves. Any cooperation would fall apart the moment one of them sees a chance for personal gain. Their distrust for each other is something we can use to our advantage."
Zolo tapped the table lightly, his voice carrying a note of approval. "Good analysis. We'll focus on dealing with the underground families for now. They're the immediate threat. The corporates can wait—we'll handle them on our terms when the time comes."
Alaric nodded firmly. "Exactly. Let them watch and wait. We'll be ready when they make their move. For now, let's make sure we secure that land and prepare for what's next."