Atlas rose from his throne, then raised his hands as he stepped down onto the desert floor.
"My name is Atlas," he began, "a newly awakened Lord. I've come to this city to stock up on equipment and resources."
"Do you have your Awakener Device with you?" one of the Saharan soldiers asked, weapons raised and pointed at them. It was Mana-Infused Railguns, advanced firearms powered by Mana Cores.
"I lost it," Atlas replied calmly. "I need to verify my identity and get a new one."
"Where are you from?"
"Indo-Pacific Union."
In truth, Lords were no longer bound to the Unions they'd come from; that was the international law of the Lower Lands. Each Lord's responsibilities now lay in the battles for their floating islands. Still, their ties to the Lower Lands ran deep, and the connection was mutually beneficial.
The Lower Lands provided Lords with awakened recruits and essential supplies, which allowed them to grow stronger. In return, some of these awakeners would eventually come back to aid the Lower Lands in their own battles and crises.
Higher-ranking Lords, however, rarely concerned themselves much with the Lower Lands. Their focus was on building their islands, often far more advanced and luxurious than anything in the Lower Lands could offer.
"We will verify your identity," one soldier stated. "And what about them?" he asked, glancing at those still standing on the floating throne.
"They are my summons. They do not belong to this world."
The soldier gave a slight nod, seeming satisfied with the answer.
Moments later, several Dune Phantoms approached, their weapons trained on Atlas and his group from a safe distance. One soldier dismounted and stepped forward. Anticipating a scan, Atlas pulled down his hood, revealing his face.
The soldier raised a scanning device, and with a quick beep, checked the readout.
"Atlas Blackthorn. You were reported dead… three days ago."
"That's exactly when I awakened as a new Lord."
The soldier, clearly the leader of the group, nodded in acknowledgment. "I'll arrange for your new Awakener Device. How long do you intend to stay here?"
"Not long, two or three days, maybe up to a week at most."
"I'll authorize a seven-day stay," the soldier replied, then addressed Atlas' team. "They will each receive a monitoring bracelet. That's the standard protocol for any visiting Lord and their subordinates."
Atlas nodded. "Understood."
"I'll also send you a list of permitted and prohibited actions within the city," the soldier continued. "Break any of these regulations, and you will be removed immediately."
"Understood."
A short while later, the leader returned, holding out the new Awakener Device and requesting that Atlas infuse it with his Mana. This step would finalize his identification and officially register him in the system.
Atlas placed his hand on the card-like device, letting his Mana flow through it. The device activated with a soft glow, confirming his identity.
The soldier then spoke up. "Allow us to place the monitoring bracelets on each of your subordinates."
"Let me help," Atlas offered, wary that any accidental contact, especially with Morganna, might cause trouble.
Accompanied by one of the soldiers, Atlas approached the others. "Edrik, Karian, Lyrassa—take this," he instructed, handing each of them a bracelet.
"Morganna," he said, offering her one as well.
She took it without comment, following the others in strapping it onto her left wrist. There was a brief mechanical click, a faint light flickered from the bracelet, then it settled back into silence, fully activated.
Once everything was settled, Atlas turned back to the soldier.
"All registration is complete," the soldier said. "The Saharan Army will escort you out if you haven't left by the end of your permitted visit."
"What about entrance fees or anything else?"
"No, that's all free. You're welcome to visit and leave freely, as long as you follow the rules. You'll also receive a welcome credit of 20,000 UGD."
"20k UGD? That's generous."
"This is how we treat Lords visiting our city."
It seemed the rumors about the Saharan Empire's welcoming approach to visitors and Lords were true. They didn't exploit newcomers at will. Instead, they maintained a respectful protocol, offering resources and support without taking advantage.
"We can arrange a tour guide if you need one, or you can simply head to the Awakener Association Center for more information," the soldier added.
"I'll find more info through this device," Atlas replied, holding up his new Awakener Device.
"Good to hear. Enjoy your visit," the soldier said.
Atlas dismissed his Floating Throne, and with the others following, they were directed toward the massive city wall. Passing through a long corridor, they walked for a few minutes until the fresh air touched their faces and a warm, welcoming light greeted them. The hum of voices and distant sounds of city life grew louder.
As they stepped into the heart of the city, the sight was strikingly different. This was an advanced, developed metropolis. Hover vehicles moved smoothly along, robots strolled along the sidewalks, and street lights illuminated the area, casting a glow over large holographic billboards displayed on nearby buildings.
Edrik walked beside him. "This city is very welcoming to outsiders. They didn't make it difficult for us to enter."
"Yes, they do seem a bit too good to be true. But their reputation is the best in the New World."
Atlas and the others had already switched into more relaxed attire, thanks to the system's built-in wardrobe options. It was impressively convenient; with a single thought, they could change outfits instantly.
Atlas glanced around, taking in Morganna and Lyrassa's looks. Morganna wore a sleek, executive-style jacket paired with a fitted ensemble. Lyrassa, on the other hand, opted for a short skirt, giving her a polished yet daring vibe.
Lyrassa's natural allure—barely softened by the vines wrapped loosely around her—was sure to draw a few stares. Fortunately, the system had supplied them with just the right attire options for moments like this.
Atlas took the lead, guiding them through the bustling city streets toward their first destination: a hotel. He was eager to experience the luxury accommodations of this city he'd long imagined visiting. Now that he had the chance, he intended to make the most of it.
Approaching a high-end hotel, he noted the steep prices but decided it was worth it, especially since he had enough funds. At the counter, he booked a large suite with multiple bedrooms. He'd chosen this setup specifically to keep everyone close, making it easier to communicate with his subordinates.
Although the ideal five-room suite was already booked, he managed to reserve a six-bedroom option.
They made their way to the grand elevator, its transparent glass walls providing a view of the hotel's lavish lobby, complete with cascading waterfalls, lush gardens, and several complimentary public amenities.
Atlas couldn't help but notice Karian glancing around, clearly taking in the surroundings with an air of curiosity.
"New for you, Karian?"
Karian nodded. "In my world, there was only ruin and constant struggle. This kind of setting… it's very new for my eyes, and pretty intriguing."
Atlas guessed that Edrik came from a world more similar to his own. Edrik seemed to understand the concept of Gacha and had mentioned some advanced technology, so he was likely used to similar things.
Atlas chuckled, then looked over at Lyrassa. "What about you?"
"My Lord, I'm more used to living in harmony with nature, so this environment is new for me too," she replied. "Though I've encountered Lords who used similar technology."
From Lyrassa's description, it sounded like she, too, had lived in a world with technology but had stayed primarily within her own natural environment.
Atlas glanced over at Morganna, who quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
Once they arrived at their suite, everyone picked their own room, including Atlas.
But just as he stepped inside, his heart suddenly started pounding, a surge of energy coursing through him, sharp and unexpected.
[The bond you've created with Morganna has now fully formed.]
[You share a high compatibility, enabling you to inherit some of her skills and talents through this connection.]
[A powerful bond with Morganna has been established.]
[New skills have been unlocked.]
[Talent upgrades have been applied.]
[Your blood has undergone modifications as part of the bonding process.]
"What? What's happening?" Atlas murmured, startled as a cascade of notifications lit up before his eyes.
[You have unlocked a new skill …]