The temple doors swung open with a low rumble, ancient hinges groaning as Shin stepped into the daylight, flanked by Velzard and Shego. A crisp wind stirred the air, carrying the scent of pine and fresh soil from the nearby forest. Light streamed down in golden shafts, bathing the trio in radiance as if the world itself recognized their awakening.
Just then, a familiar chime echoed within Shin's mind, crystalline and melodic. A new screen unfurled before his inner eye:
System Notification: New Missions Unlocked
Awaken the bloodlines of Ri Shin (Byakko), Kyou Kai (Jörmungandr), and Ka Ryo Ten (Athena).
Increase the population to 150.
Explore a 100-mile radius around the territory.
Win the first night battle with an SSR rating.
Awaken Shego's bloodline (Phoenix of Chaos).
Use a Power Boost card on Velzard.
Turn En, So Sui, and San Nou into Dragonborn.
Spend the first night with your wives.
(Rewards will be revealed upon full completion.)
Shin exhaled slowly, his breath curling in the cool air. "Let's get started."
"Heart," he said aloud, voice firm. "Show me my current status."
A pale-blue interface shimmered into being beside him, and the cheerful voice of his guide rang out in his mind.
["Acknowledged! Allocating 10 stat points to each attribute now. Let's see what you've got, boss!"]
The numbers on his status panel shifted, pulsing with life:
Updated Status — Shin Tempest
• Title: Ruler of the Kingdom of Legends
• Bloodline: Dragon-Succubus Hybrid
• Skills:
– Master of Magic (Sealed – Requires Mana Control Training)
– Sword & Spear God
• Stats:
– Strength: 30
– Defense: 31
– Agility: 25
– Intelligence: 30
– Endurance: 23
– Charm: 32
• Available Stat Points: 0
Power coursed through his limbs—an electric pulse beneath his skin. His mind sharpened. He could feel his own aura stretching outward, commanding attention.
"Hmm," he mused, flexing his fingers. "A good start."
By the time the trio returned to the main manor, John and his family were already assembled at the entrance, standing tall in crisp uniforms.
"Alicia," Shin said, his voice warm but commanding, "please prepare tea and snacks for six."
"Yes, my lord," she replied with a bow, then disappeared into the manor like a shadow retreating before dawn.
Turning to John, Shin continued. "Lead us to the meeting hall. Once Ri Shin, Kyou Kai, and Ka Ryo Ten arrive, send them in."
"Understood, my lord."
They moved through the polished corridors of the newly constructed manor, passing tapestries of blank silk awaiting future history. As they entered the meeting chamber, a dome of carved crystal above them captured sunlight and refracted it in prismatic arcs across the walls. Shin gestured, and a glowing map hovered above the central table, displaying the terrain surrounding the Kingdom of Legends.
"Heart," he said quietly, "how do I awaken someone's bloodline? And how do I create Dragonborn?"
["To awaken a bloodline,"] Heart answered promptly, ["simply place your hand on the person and say 'awaken.' To create a Dragonborn, let a drop of your blood touch their forehead. Easy, right?"]
"Simple enough," he murmured.
Just then, the heavy doors creaked open. Ri Shin, Kyou Kai, and Ka Ryo Ten strode in, each wearing armor adorned with their own emblem—signs of loyalty to their new king.
Shin greeted them with a nod. "We'll be organizing our forces for territorial exploration. Ka Ryo Ten, thoughts?"
She stepped forward, sharp eyes examining the map. Her fingers traced paths across mountain ridges and rivers, plotting movement as if it were second nature.
"We can divide our 60,000 troops into four corps of 15,000 each. They'll cover the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest. I'll assign elite scouts to each group. Their orders?"
"Search for native tribes, resources—especially stone, iron, and water—and contact with beast populations," Shin said. "If you find Lizardmen or Ogres, mark them. I plan to convert them into Dragonborn. Same with powerful wolf packs."
Ka Ryo Ten nodded, her voice tinged with excitement. "Understood. You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Call me Shin," he said, flashing a smile.
She blinked, then smiled back. "Got it, Shin."
He turned to his companions. "Let's move forward. It's time to awaken your bloodlines."
From his inventory, he drew a shimmering card etched with icy runes and placed it against Velzard's chest.
(Ding! Power Boost applied. Velzard's mastery of ice has reached Apex Sovereign level!)
A cold wind spiraled around Velzard, her silver hair dancing like strands of moonlight. She exhaled, and the air shimmered with frost.
"Now me," Shego said, stepping forward.
Shin placed his hand on her shoulder. "Awaken."
(Ding! Awakening Phoenix of Chaos bloodline!)
• Fire mastery elevated to elder elemental level
• New Skill: Rebirth (Resurrect once per battle at full health)
• Gained green phoenix wings
• Can convert females into Phoenix Followers
Emerald flames enveloped Shego's body. She arched her back as wings burst from her spine—feathers of living fire, crackling with chaos. Her eyes glowed with savage delight.
"Damn… this feels amazing."
Shin moved next to Ri Shin. "Awaken."
(Ding! Awakening Byakko bloodline!)
• Body reinforced beyond steel
• Strength massively enhanced
• Aura of the Guardian Beast gained
Muscle rippled across Ri Shin's frame. His veins pulsed with celestial energy as a silver aura of protection flickered to life around him.
"Incredible…" he murmured.
"Kyou Kai," Shin said, turning. "Awaken."
(Ding! Awakening Jörmungandr bloodline!)
• Poison resistance unlocked
• Weapon venom infusion
• Enhanced agility and strength
• Mist generation for stealth
She hissed as green mist coiled around her legs, her pupils slitting like a serpent's. "Assassinations just got a whole lot easier."
"Last one," Shin said, walking to Ka Ryo Ten. "Awaken."
(Ding! Awakening Athena bloodline!)
• Strategic insight amplified
• Battlefield leadership enhanced
• Can guide others to tactical enlightenment
• Mentors legendary minds
She gasped, her mind swirling with clarity. "I can see it all… paths, possibilities—outcomes before they even happen."
"This," Shin said, "is how we build a kingdom."
As awe lingered in the air, Shin's tone shifted. "Now, we prepare for the first wave of attacks. Heart?"
["Monster waves will begin tonight. Ten days. Each night harder than the last. Your rating—and your survival—depends on coordination."]
The group nodded grimly.
"Let's strengthen the frontline," Shin said. "Come. To the barracks."
—
At the Barracks
Rows of soldiers stood at attention. The three elite lieutenants—En, So Sui, and San Nou—stepped forward at his command.
"I will make you the first Dragonborn," Shin declared, slicing his fingertip. One golden drop fell on En's forehead.
(Ding! Awakening Dragonborn bloodline in En…)
A column of crimson light shot upward. Wings unfurled. His back straightened as horns crowned his head.
En had become a Red Dragon Hybrid.
Next was San Nou. A brown-gold light surrounded him as he bulked into a towering Earth Dragon Hybrid.
Then So Sui, whose transformation was elegant—frost-white wings, chilled horns, a sleek Ice Dragon Hybrid born of Shin's blood.
"This," Shin said, turning to the watching troops, "is the power of faith and service. Prove yourselves, and you too shall ascend."
The barracks erupted in a roar.
—
Exploration Orders and Divine Message
As the wind picked up, Shin gazed beyond the walls.
"Ri Shin," he said, "prepare four squads. Exploration begins at dawn."
But before he could turn, a voice echoed from the sky.
"Greetings, new Lords of Alros," said the disembodied voice of Gavin, divine messenger. "You are granted thirty days of divine protection. Each of the first ten nights will test your strength. Victory yields treasure and progress. Prepare accordingly."
Shin nodded. "Alright. Time to move."
Just then, Velzard and Shego landed beside him.
"We'll take the north," Shego offered.
"Then I'll head west," Shin said, already walking.
—
Discovery: Nina, the Fox-Woman
Deep in the woods, Shin paused. A red-gold fox lay wounded in a clearing, its eyes oddly intelligent.
He knelt, gently cradling it. "You're… beautiful. I'll name you Nina."
The fox shimmered with divine light, transforming in his arms. A voluptuous woman with nine radiant tails emerged, naked save for swirls of gold across her skin.
"Master," she whispered, eyes glowing with reverence, and kissed him deeply.
Moments later, Shego landed, blinking in disbelief.
"Seriously?" she muttered. "You picked up another woman? Next time try naming a frog."
"Shego, I swear—she was a fox."
She leaned in, fire in her eyes. "Hope you're ready for tonight. We're not sleeping."
He smirked. "Understood, my little emerald."
—
The Mine and Beyond
"Oh, and about the mine," Shego added, "it just vanished after I accepted a prompt."
"Same here," Shin replied. "Turns out we can move resources directly to the territory now."
He turned back toward the map, gaze resolute.
"We've awakened. We've claimed. Now we conquer."
The Kingdom of Legends had taken its first breath—and the world would never forget it.