Pain. Searing, unbearable pain.

Leon gasped for air, his lungs burning. Blood pooled beneath him, warm and sticky, soaking his torn clothes. His vision blurred as he lay on the cold pavement, surrounded by the harsh glow of neon signs.

So this is how it ends…?

Betrayed. Stabbed in the back—literally.

His so-called "friends" had turned on him the moment money was involved. He had built something great, a business that was supposed to take them all to the top. But greed? Greed was a disease. And now he was paying the price.

Leon coughed, tasting iron. His body grew colder. People walked past him, ignoring the dying man in the alley. Typical.

He had always fought to be on top, but in the end… he lost.

Or so he thought.

Because the moment his heart stopped, the world around him shattered like glass.

And then—

He woke up.

A New World

Leon's eyes snapped open. He gasped, sucking in a deep breath—air, fresh and crisp, filled his lungs. The pain was gone. His body felt… different. Stronger.

He was lying on grass. Above him, the sky stretched endlessly, dark clouds swirling. He sat up, his hands digging into the damp earth.

"What… the hell?" His voice sounded different. Deeper. More refined.

He looked down at himself—his body was lean and powerful, dressed in simple but sturdy clothes. His arms, once weak from exhaustion, were now corded with muscle.

Then—

Ding!

A glowing blue screen appeared before his eyes.

---

[Welcome, Lord Leon!]

[You have been chosen as a Lord in the Continent of Valeria.]

[Your goal: Expand your territory, recruit troops, and rise to power.]

[Starting Rewards: Basic Lord's Domain (10 km²), Wooden Lord's Castle, 10 Peasant Settlers, 5 Basic Guards, 1 Random Talent.]

[Generating Unique Talent…]

[Congratulations! You have obtained the Talent: Sovereign Extraction.]

[Sovereign Extraction: You can extract abilities, materials, and essences from fallen enemies or dismantled objects.]

---

Leon blinked. Then again.

He wasn't dreaming.

A slow grin spread across his face. "So… I died and got reborn as a lord?"

It was like something straight out of a strategy game. Build a kingdom. Recruit troops. Fight for power. Except this wasn't just a game. It was real.

And that talent—Sovereign Extraction—sounded broken.

A second notification popped up.

---

[Your Lord's Domain has been established!]

[Territory Details: Unnamed Land (Rank F)]

[Resources: Low]

[Population: 15]

[Defenses: Weak]

---

Leon frowned. "F-rank territory? Seriously?"

He pushed himself to his feet and turned to take in his surroundings. Empty plains stretched out before him. No proper buildings, no crops, no defensive walls.

Except… there was something.

In the distance, a small wooden castle stood—his starting base. It looked like a glorified shack, but it was his.

Leon took a deep breath. He wasn't the type to whine. He had clawed his way up from nothing in his past life, and if he had to do it again here? So be it.

The difference this time?

He had a head start.

A fire lit in his chest as he stepped toward the castle.

"Alright… Let's get to work."

---