As his fingers moved, the world started to morph. Keel suddenly found himself standing in...
"Whoa, what the?"
Keel muttered out loud as he stood in the middle of rugged, untamed terrain. As he scanned his surroundings, he realized its immense strategic potential.
'We could defeat enemies, over twice our numbers easily'
Keel's thoughts flew freely, as the challenges of governance and leadership once again made his expectations shift.
Slowly walking, Keel inspected what would eventually become his base of operations. If he had his way, this would be the birthplace of a massive empire.
[It Is Detected That The User Is In His Own Territory.]
[Please Place The "Village Builder Steele" Before Time Runs Out]
[Time Remaining: 2 Hours]
"Let's think about this," Keel muttered.
"I am surrounded by rich resources. Wood, stone, and various materials deep within the mountains..."
"The terrain is easily defendable, yet we are cut off from the surrounding forces, with no access to trade and unknown threats nearby."
"First of all, I need to find water."
Keel was constantly scanning his surroundings, his voice loud in the otherwise quiet forest, talking to no one in particular, yet voicing his thoughts as if scared they'd disappear along with everything he'd come to accomplish if he kept quiet.
As Keel continued walking, his knees buckled under branches, and his calves scratched by vegetation.
A soft, lifting tune, carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow—both haunting and beautiful—sounded down from the treetops.
"Duskwali?"
Keel looked around, trying to pinpoint its location, yet the bird remained as elusive and hard to find as in his past life.
If you were to believe the legends of old, "Whoever hears the song of Duskwali is not listening to any ordinary melody. Said to carry the threads of fate itself... Those who hear its beautiful tune are destined for greatness. Yet their paths shall be filled with unspoken trials and sacrifice."
Over the years, many have sought the bird. But its song is rare, gracing only the ears of those marked by fate...
Keel reflected upon its significance. He had never been one for superstition, but coming back to the past was something he could've never expected. Taking the melody as a good omen wouldn't hurt.
"What is this?"
Keel came to a halt as he laid his eyes on what was once undoubtedly a big village, if not a small city. Now overgrown with weeds and tangled with creeping vines, it was nature's playground.
Keel carefully entered, exploring every nook and cranny, wondering what had happened.
Preparing for any odd challenges he might face, Keel continued walking toward what would have once been its center.
As he came closer, a massive circular building—standing out like a sore thumb—caught his attention. It might very well have been from an ancient civilization, later discovered by some settlers who, for unknown reasons, had disappeared.
Keel moved in closer to the humongous building as a prompt slowly revealed itself before his very eyes.
[Congratulations! You Have Discovered Ruins From An Ancient Civilization]
[Reward List]
[Activation Stone - Key Ingredient for restoration]
"Ancient civilization, huh? I heard rumors about them in my past life. I never imagined I'd ever see one for myself."
As he touched the giant building, its information quickly appeared.
[Orbital Nexus - Inactive]
Grade: Mythic
Type: Infrastructure - Summoning Device [Damaged]
Description:
The Orbital Nexus is a massive, circular structure. Nobody knows where it draws its power.
Designed to resemble a massive portal, it emits a faint, yet otherworldly hum that resonates in its immediate surroundings, drawing in potential settlers.
Special Effects:
Summoning Aura: Passively improves the effect of regular refugees. "F-Ranked" refugees will no longer appear.
Selective Summon: Allows the user to spend resources to summon higher-grade residents.
Territorial Bond: Residents summoned by the Orbital Nexus will develop an innate loyalty, strengthening morale and reducing the chance of defection.
Limitations:
Orbital Nexus cannot be moved
Daily Limitation of 10 Settlers [Upgradable]
"This is it! This must be how the Giant Kingdom developed as quickly as it did. Although the limitations are great, with its 'Summoning Aura,' I won't have to worry about useless talents being attracted by the 'Refugee Beacons.' I wonder what it will take to repair and activate it?"
Keel said his thoughts aloud in wonder, as if responding to his words, the required resource list appeared before him.
[Activation Requirement]
Activation Stone
Summoning Stone - Legendary Grade
Note: User Will Get 1 Supreme Summon Upon Activation
'I wonder how they managed to activate it in my previous life?'
'Did they acquire the "Summoning Stone" similarly to myself, or...
It doesn't matter. This time I will steal their fate and use it for myself!'
Keel muttered, once again reminded of the vow he'd made upon his death.
"I will destroy them all. I will conquer everything," Keel's words reflected his newfound belief, both in himself and his abilities.
"This time is different. I can feel it."
[Detected User Meets Activation Requirements]
[Would you like to activate?]
[Yes] [No]
Keel's resolve, ever-growing, required no time for hesitation.
Eyes sparkling, the activation prompt appeared before his eyes. The air itself thickened with anticipation.
"Here we go..." Keel muttered beneath his breath, his finger hovering over the glowing [Yes].
Taking one last breath, and with a calm yet decisive tap...
As the ground rumbled, the heavens shook in anticipation. A vast amount of energy spread in every direction. A faint hum resonated through the air as if awakening from a long slumber.
The air seemed to shimmer, as the sky darkened, pouring every ounce of energy toward it.
Then... Nothing.
As the rumble stopped, the hum faded, and a moment of silence ensued, then another.
Keel blinked. Had it failed? Brows tense, the silence—unsettling as it was—filled him with anxiety.
'It might need some time to warm up.'
Fidgeting, his mind raced through reasons for its delay. Did I miss something?
The cold, unmistakable voice resounded in his mind.
[Error: Object Has To Be In User Territory]
Keel facepalmed as he realized his mistake.
He had been so caught up in his excitement of discovery. A sharp laugh, bitter with acknowledgment, escaped his lips.
"Right, I need to place that damn 'Village Building Steele.'"
His hand shot out, instinctively reaching for the interface. A flush of embarrassment quickly shook off. Luckily, there is no one here.
[Would you like to place your "Village Building Steele"?]
"Yes," Keel muttered, his eyes sparkling with delight.
The ground rumbled, and the surroundings lit up, signifying his borders as well as his new responsibilities.
[Congratulations, Village Head: Keel Arden]
[Please Explore The "Nation Builder" Tab in your interface]
Keel slowly read through the ins and outs, realizing he had a couple decisions to make. First:
"What should I name my village?"
Keel wondered aloud, trying to think of something that would signify everything he'd gone through.
"New Haven? Rebirth?"
He continued to think as a couple of names that did not completely suit his taste floated until...
"New Dawn."
It's perfect.