"New Dawn, huh?"
Keel quickly closed his user interface. Other decisions could wait.
For now, he focused his attention on the Orbital Nexus, double checking everything.
"It should work this time... right?"
Uncertain yet hopeful, Keel once again brought the options up before him.
[Detected User Meets All Activation Requirements]
[Would you like to activate?]
[Yes] [No]
As the ground rumbled once more, the heavens shook in anticipation. A vast amount of energy spread in every direction, even greater than before.
A loud hum resonated through the air.
The sky darkened as it poured energy into the nexus.
Unlike the previous attempt, the building itself began to glow, brighter and brighter, as though unleashing the long-lost power it once had.
Keel's anticipation grew as he waited impatiently for the process to complete. Thirty minutes. Then an hour. Suddenly—
[Ding]
[Congratulations, User]
[Hidden Objective: Reignited Might - Completed]
Mission Description: Be the first adventurer to activate a mythical object.
Reward List:
Double activation rewards
Supreme Summon - Legendary Summon
Frozen, unable to believe his eyes, Keel quickly realized something was seriously different. It was like a cheat, fulfilling his every desire without him even trying.
Approaching the nexus to interact with it once more, a sudden prompt appeared before him:
[User Has One 'Legendary Summon.' Do You Wish To Use It?]
As the choices presented themselves, Keel did not hesitate.
The portal activated once more, its sides lighting up far brighter than before, threatening to envelop him as vast amounts of energy tunneled towards it.
Something crazy was about to happen.
The brightness peaked, illuminating the entire structure. At its core, an empty section began to spin, eerily similar to the portal Keel had created himself.
'Could this be a coincidence? Have we all been summoned here?'
The air thickened, the energy almost tangible as Keel's body tingled with delight. Never before had he experienced an environment so perfect for cultivation.
As someone who had never summoned anything or anyone before, Keel didn't know what to expect. Yet a nagging suspicion grew.
'Something is wrong.'
Deep in thought, Keel was suddenly interrupted by the roar of heaven, as though the very fabric of its existence was threatened by what was about to emerge.
When the portal finally died down, a tall, muscular man stepped through. He looked to be in his thirties.
If Keel had to describe him in three words, they would be: handsome, intimidating, and mighty.
The figure approached at an inhuman speed. Keel couldn't help but feel threatened, but as the man came to a halt, he suddenly knelt.
"I swear eternal loyalty to the rightful emperor!" the man roared.
Slightly dumbfounded, Keel had never seen such devotion. A man this mighty, kneeling before him? Keel hurriedly stepped forward.
"Rise. Together, we will claim the heavens and more," Keel said, as much to himself as to this new subordinate.
"Who are you?" Keel asked carefully, trying to garner information about this Legendary Summon.
"My name is Darius Bloodstone, my lord. I was once a mighty general, leading vast armies against the Berserker Kingdom."
His voice was bitter, hesitating slightly before continuing.
"Our kingdom ultimately collapsed. Betrayal cut me down—my comrades, men I once thought of as brothers..."
His fists clenched.
"They had already sworn fealty to that accursed kingdom. I tried to withdraw in haste, but my injuries... they claimed me before I could escape."
Darius' voice was laced with anger and regret, and Keel couldn't help but relate to his story. But this brought up a bigger question.
'Does this altar summon the dead?'
As if reading his mind, Darius replied, "You need not worry, my lord. I was called upon by a mighty voice, unlike anything I had ever heard. It asked if I wanted a second chance. How could I refuse? I only had to promise to remain loyal to whomever brought me here."
Quietly inspecting Darius, Keel's palms grew sweaty.
Name: Darius Bloodstone
Age: 34
Level: 47
Loyalty: 85%
Race: Human (1st Evolution, Mortal)
Class: General (Growth)
Title: Great General, Vengeance
Current Zone: Ironhold Ridge
Skills:
General's Valor: Projects an aura of authority, increasing allied morale.
Iron Will: Unmatched mental and physical fortitude developed through life experience.
Strategist: Years of battlefield experience grant an almost supernatural ability to read enemy movements.
Health: 100%
Stats: [Human Average = 10]
Strength: 49
Agility: 47
Intelligence: 48
Charisma: ?
Luck: ?
Though not as impressive as the stats Keel once had, Darius' stats were nearly double his own at level 47. It meant Darius had the potential to surpass him—twice over.
Letting that sink in, Keel realized how valuable Darius would be in the years to come. Not only on the battlefield but as an advisor, with his wealth of experience.
"I hope you're not too disappointed, Darius. The revenge you seek is far away. What you called the Berserker Kingdom is now an empire, its lands vast, covering the entire western part of the continent."
"I can't promise you when, but our goals align. Our history is similar. Whatever we accomplish will be a milestone for us both."
Keel's words came from the heart.
Their stories were eerily similar, as if the god of Axion was playing games with their strings of fate.
"For now, let's prepare the village as best we can before the first waves of refugees arrive. I'd like you to oversee food supplies and secure a stable source of water."
Keel spoke softly, not commanding, yet authoritative. His presence radiated confidence, as though he had done this a thousand times before.
And indeed, he had.
Darius nodded, and Keel turned to his own tasks: deciding where to place houses, managing the initial surge of materials, and establishing the village's first Refugee Spawn.
The ancient village already felt perfected in a sense, as though it had been prepared for eventual development.
The village center, where the Village Builder Stele stood, was the focal point for future administration. Keel had already decided to keep it there.
For now, he planned to cluster homes around this central hub to promote safety and foster a sense of community.
As Keel scanned the surroundings, his eyes narrowed, his heart pounding as tiny figures emerged from the dense forest. Shadows shifted, revealing shapes he hadn't expected to see—at least not this soon.
Refugees? Scouts? Or maybe... something far more dangerous.
His hands instinctively reached for his weapon as realization struck.
"Those are—!"