At 7 AM on Essim's island, the sun rose gracefully, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
As usual, Essim and Aisha sat on the balcony, savoring the beautiful morning. Essim's island had expanded significantly, now covering an impressive area of nearly 4,000 x 4,000 meters.
Life City, the heart of their territory, had undergone remarkable improvements. Defense towers had been constructed, troop barracks established, and production facilities increased. Moreover, they had created support areas, including playgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and even educational institutions.
Today, they planned to officially announce the formation of the World Market Alliance and inform all Sovereigns in Regional #2344 that Essim's island was now open to the public.
"Brother, they will arrive in an hour," Aisha said, sipping her tea thoughtfully.
By "they," she referred to the members of the group led by Princess Aisha, who had agreed to join Essim's island. Their islands would also merge with Essim's territory.
"Yes, we should get ready then," Essim replied calmly, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Outside the walls of Life City, 1,200 soldiers stood neatly lined up, fully armed and alert. The weapons they wielded had been generously provided by Essim, obtained from opening silver chests during their adventures.
(Werewolf)
Type: Swordsman
Level: 20 (max)
Attributes: STR 328, INT 308, AGI 311, RES 294
Skill: (War Roar) Emits a powerful roar that increases attack power by +10%, stackable up to 25%. Buff duration: 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
(Mountain Sorcerer)
Type: Sorcerer
Level: 20 (max)
Attributes: STR 281, INT 348, AGI 271, RES 261
Skill: (Earth Manipulation) Manipulates the earth within a 15-meter radius, reducing enemy movement speed by 15% for 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
(Angry Rhino)
Type: Berserker
Level: 20 (max)
Attributes: STR 351, INT 271, AGI 285, RES 325
Skill: (Rage Mode) Temporarily increases STR and RES by +15% for 1 minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
(Warrior Ant)
Type: Swordsman
Level: 20 (max)
Attributes: STR 324, INT 283, AGI 337, RES 301
Skill: (Paralyzing Poison) Attacks with poisonous horns, inflicting poison that lasts for 1.5 minutes and reduces HP by 0.3% per second. Cooldown: 15 minutes.
To create these 1,200 level 20 troops, Essim had invested a total of 2,000 energy crystals per level, culminating in a hefty expense of 24,000,000 energy crystals. However, Essim had access to an almost unlimited supply of energy crystals through the sale of discarded items on the system market.
Essim intentionally stationed his troops outside the city as a warning to any newcomers approaching Life City. With the strength of 1,200 level 20 soldiers, only a fool would dare to cause trouble. Furthermore, more than 200 sturdy defense towers had been erected both inside and outside the city, reinforcing its security.
(Auto Bow Tower)
Attack: 1,200
Attack Speed: 2 arrows/second
Defense: 10,000
Range: 500 meters
(Cannonball Tower)
Attack: 5,200
Attack Speed: 1 cannonball every 10 seconds
Defense: 12,000
Range: 300 meters
(Lightning Tower)
Attack: 10,200
Attack Speed: 1 lightning bolt every 30 seconds
Defense: 15,000
Range: 300 meters
There were a total of five towers on Essim's island, all of the best quality he could procure. However, he acknowledged that he could not compete with the top alliance towers, which likely had access to countless golden chests.
In their free time, Essim and Aisha occupied themselves with various activities—opening chests, forging weapons, planting flowers, building territorial structures, and enhancing the island and its defenses.
An hour passed swiftly. Essim and Aisha waited leisurely at the front of the main city, eagerly anticipating the arrival of several islands.
From the distance, ten islands of varying sizes approached. The largest measured an impressive 15,000 x 15,000 meters, with two others exceeding 10,000 meters, while the remaining islands ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 meters.
Essim had not anticipated that the recruits would possess islands larger than his own. Naturally, these individuals wouldn't arrive without seeking benefits. Essim had promised them all a full set of elite level 20 equipment (green equipment or +10 refinement), 10 Blessing Potions (providing 100 empty attributes, usable up to five times), and high-ranking positions within the World Market Alliance.
Of course, Essim wasn't providing these benefits without expecting something in return. His foremost requirement was that each recruit possess an S-rank or unique A-rank talent.
As the island with towering 10-meter stone walls merged with Essim's island, several dozen people and over 100 soldiers stood ready outside the gates.
Essim spotted the leader, an elderly man clad in a pristine white robe, his long white beard flowing gently in the breeze. His deep, calm eyes conveyed wisdom and experience. Essim speculated that this old man must have been a scholar in his past life on Earth.
The old man led his people toward Essim's island, exuding an air of authority and respect.
As the two groups met, Essim spoke first, raising his right hand in greeting.
"Welcome, Mr. Haikal. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The old man chuckled warmly and shook Essim's hand firmly. "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Essim."
Mr. Haikal then introduced several individuals behind him, all of whom were part of his extended family. He had three children, all married, and since the system had gathered people with blood relations during the first teleportation, they had all united under Mr. Haikal's leadership.
Essim took a moment to check Mr. Haikal's status panel.
[STATUS]
Name: Haikal Emanuel
Level: 12
Class: Magician
Essim was somewhat surprised to see Mr. Haikal's level at 12. He was curious about the old man's attribute values, but the system did not display other Sovereigns' attributes on the information panel.
Mr. Haikal possessed S-rank talent, making him a valuable addition to the Alliance. Although Essim did not know the specifics of Mr. Haikal's S-rank talent, he had provided information regarding his abilities during the contract signing.
Shortly after Mr. Haikal's arrival, more islands began to materialize on the horizon. The last island to arrive was the largest, measuring 15,000 x 15,000 meters. This island radiated a sacred aura, even more potent than the holy sword aura emitted by Essim. A towering 100-meter-high white wall obscured the view of the city within.
-----
3 chaps a day !
I hope you will like this as much as I love working on it !
If you do, please don't forget to support this re-writing ! Vote and Review helps me a lot :)