The world returned to me in a dizzying haze. I was on the cold, damp ground, the stench of gunpowder and salt filling my nostrils. My limbs ached with a deep, unfamiliar fatigue, my muscles screaming in protest. This was it then. My first true fight to the death. The sheer adrenaline of it had carried me through, but now, slumped and exhausted, the grim reality of what I'd endured settled in. I drifted into unconsciousness once more, only to awaken hours later, greeted by the soft morning light filtering through the trees. A jolt of energy, not physical but mental, shot through me. A system notification glowed faintly in my vision, a stark contrast to the waking world.
Mission Complete!
Rewards:
System Points: 1000
Skill: Basic Unit Coordination (New Skill)
Item: Redeemed Warrior's Relic
As I processed the rewards, I heard voices nearby. Olivia, ever practical, was speaking to Tsunade. "We should secure the bodies," she urged, her voice low but firm. Tsunade, already tending to the few bewildered and injured villagers, nodded, her movements calm and efficient. I pushed myself up, still sore, but with a renewed sense of purpose. The rewards solidified my resolve. With a significant number of pirate corpses secured, it was time to put my ability to the test.
I chose the freshest bodies, focusing intently as I initiated the ritual. I now understood the 3+2 concept: three bodies served as the core summoning material, their essence forming the new being, while two additional bodies acted as a kind of energy offset, fueling the ritual and minimizing the drain on my own life force. The first trio of pirate bodies dissolved, and two normal-strength, loyal men solidified before me, blank slates awaiting command.
But on my third attempt, something went horribly wrong. The ritual felt unstable, the energies swirling with an unnatural ferocity. "Something's off!" I muttered, a cold dread creeping in. Instead of another loyal man, a grotesque, corrupted humanoid monster burst forth, immediately hostile. It lunged, a terrifying embodiment of a failed ritual. The situation instantly turned into a desperate fight. Just as the creature closed in, Tsunade, her medical duties momentarily abandoned, moved with astonishing speed. With a single, precise strike, she engaged the monstrosity. Her fists, normally so gentle in healing, became weapons of pure force, and in moments, the abominable creature lay defeated. "A risky gamble," Tsunade stated calmly, her eyes fixed on the dissolving beast. A harsh lesson was learned: uncontrolled summoning was a deadly gamble. From the monster's dissolving form, a pulsating, dark Corrupted Heart remained, a grim trophy of our narrow escape.
Learning from the near-disaster, we retreated to a more secure, private, and dedicated space – a secluded grotto nestled deeper in the island's interior – for subsequent rituals. Here, amidst renewed caution, I prepared for a truly significant summon. I retrieved the Redeemed Warrior's Relic. This wasn't just another bone; it was a promise of something more. Along with the necessary pirate bodies for the ritual (three for the warrior, two for energy offset), I focused my intent, channeling my will with newfound precision.
The ritual was different this time, the air thick with anticipation. When the energies coalesced, a formidable human warrior solidified, scarred by experience but with eyes that held a quiet determination. His battle-worn greataxe rested easily in one hand.
"Greetings, summoner," the warrior's voice was deep, resonant, yet held a hint of weariness. "I am Kaelen. Once, I walked a darkened path, serving a cause I later found unworthy. My blade tasted blood in unjust wars, and my honor was stained. But I sought atonement, choosing to wander and right wrongs where I could." He took a step forward, then knelt, his head bowed. "Now, by your will, I am bound. I pledge my absolute loyalty to you, Alex."
My mind raced. His story, brief as it was, painted a vivid picture. I saw the glint of a past noble ambition, a yearning for something more. "Kaelen," I said, a sense of purpose firming my voice, "You shall have it. I sense a true knight within you. When the time is right, and our task here is complete, I will knight you myself." Kaelen looked up, a flicker of something akin to hope in his eyes, and gave a solemn nod, sealing our pact.
Following Kaelen's successful summoning, I completed the rest of my initial loyal force, bringing my total to six strong men (five dependable standard warriors plus the formidable Kaelen, accounting for the one lost to the corrupted humanoid).
The morning light brought renewed purpose. I immediately began to impose order on the vulnerable villagers. Tsunade, tirelessly, continued to treat their injuries and provide comfort, slowly weaving a bond of trust with the survivors. Meanwhile, my newly summoned men, under Kaelen's watchful eye, dispersed into the island's forests and coastal waters. They proved their loyalty not just in combat, but in their quiet, efficient work. Within hours, they returned with bountiful catches of fish and fresh game, securing immediate sustenance for the grateful villagers and cementing the trust my men offered. I formally assumed my leadership position. Utilizing my new Basic Unit Coordination skill, I began organizing my modest force. Kaelen, a natural leader, took charge of training the five standard warriors, drilling them in basic formations and honing their combat skills with practiced ease. The focus was on stabilizing the village: setting up patrols, designating guard posts, and assisting with essential tasks like clearing rubble and fortifying homes. For the first time in years, a semblance of peace and order began to settle over the small, remote settlement.
Once the village was secure and my men assigned to their duties, I, accompanied by Olivia, Tsunade, and Kaelen, ventured to the pirate ship. We salvaged what we could: useful tools, sturdy timbers, and a few crude, but functional, weapons and pieces of armor that could be repurposed for my growing force. I even tried to store the entire ship in my inventory, only to find it far too massive to fit. "We'll have to hide it as best we can," I instructed my men. "Tsunade, Olivia, get back to the village and keep things steady." They nodded, understanding the urgency.
As we continued salvaging, deep within the captain's quarters, we stumbled upon a logbook and a detailed, blood-stained map. My blood ran cold as I examined them. This seemingly defeated pirate crew was merely an advance party. Their true captain, a name scrawled with ominous pride, was indeed searching for a remote island to establish a new base, and this island was circled on the map. The logbook detailed their numbers: a force surpassing three hundred, a massive armada that would soon arrive. This wasn't a skirmish; this was a prelude to a full-scale invasion. The dread of facing such overwhelming numbers washed over me, a chilling realization that my current strength was laughably insufficient. This pirate boss wasn't just a threat; their arrival was a ticking clock.
Afterwards, while contemplating how to gain more power before the inevitable return of the main pirate crew, a radical thought came to me. The divine. My goddess, surely, would appreciate new followers. What if she could grant me strength in exchange? I directed my men to create a crude, makeshift shrine. With readily available stones and wooden planks, they fashioned a simple altar, a focal point for devotion. Once complete, I instructed my loyal men to persuade the villagers to pray to the goddess.
This act of gathering faith from the villagers, even if initially hesitant, triggered a hidden mission completion:
Hidden Mission Complete: Awakening of Faith
Rewards: Multiverse Mission Plugin for this System.
A new path, terrifying yet exhilarating, opened before me. I immediately opened the Multiverse Mission Plugin for my System. A dazzling, yet terrifying, list of available missions unfolded, each entry a gateway to unimaginable worlds and unparalleled power:
Difficulty: LEGENDARY
Mission: The Chimera Revival War
World: Hunter x Hunter (Dark Continent)
Description: Second-generation Chimera Ants have returned — smarter and organized. Lead a warband or face extinction.
Reward: Chimera Queen Bloodline + Blood Serum of Ant King
Difficulty: HARD
Mission: Eclipse Stand
World: Black Clover
Description: Dark Triad remnant army rises with cursed beasts and anti-magic fog. Lead a squad to hold a key frontline.
Reward: Clover Tome Summoning ritual
Difficulty: MODERATE
Mission: Dragon's Refuge
World: The Hobbit
Description: Explore the ruins near the dragon's lair to find ancient weapons. Beware goblins and traps.
Reward: Dwarf smith + 5% of total loot value
Difficulty: HARD
Mission: Siege of Helm's Deep
World: The Lord of the Rings
Description: Hold the fortress walls as hordes of orcs and Uruk-hai relentlessly attack. Coordinate defenses and reinforcements.
Reward: Orc army's bodies and loots + Mithril Chainmail
Difficulty: HARD
Mission: Wolf Hunt
World: The Witcher
Description: Track and slay a group of deadly werewolves terrorizing a village. Requires both swordsmanship and magic.
Reward: Order of Witchers
Difficulty: LEGENDARY (due to current strength)
Mission: Nurture the Chosen
World: Game of Thrones
Description: Chosen are no longer capable of surviving and thriving. Realign their fate to become queen and destroy the Winter Lord.
Reward: Dragonlord Bloodline + 3 Dragon Eggs
Difficulty: LEGENDARY (due to current strength)
Mission: Unify the Seven Warring States
World: Kingdom
Description: Lead a multi-year campaign to unify the fractured states under one banner.
Reward: King's Banner + Unifier's Helm
I stared at the list, my mind reeling from the sheer scale of the challenges and the unimaginable power of the rewards. The quiet village, once my entire world, now felt like a tiny, fragile island. The path to true strength, and the salvation of my people from the impending pirate threat, stretched across the boundless multiverse. I just needed to choose my first step.