Kael watched Lord Varien disappear into the forest, his crimson cloak trailing like a flame among the dark trees. The tension lingered in the air long after Varien left. The village elder approached cautiously.
"You've made an enemy," the old man whispered.
Kael's expression stayed calm. "No. I've found training material."
The villagers exchanged worried glances. Kael summoned his system window.
System Update:
New Quest: Establish your territory.
Requirement: Claim a Lordstone.
Reward: Territory Core + Troop Capacity Increase
A glowing marker appeared on his map. The Lordstone wasn't far — but reaching it wouldn't be simple.
Kael tightened his cloak. "Wolf, Drake, Knight… let's move."
---
They traveled deeper into the forest, following the glowing path. Monsters grew stronger the farther they went. Packs of horned boars, stone-skinned ogres, and razor-backed lizards blocked their way, but each encounter only pushed Kael's troops to evolve further.
The silver wolf now towered over Kael's waist, armor-like plates growing naturally across its body.
The fire drake's flames burned hotter, swirling with streaks of white — a sign of mutation.
The spectral knight floated silently, its shadow aura thicker, its lance radiating dark energy.
Kael checked their stats.
Wolf (Evolved Rank 3)
Fire Drake (Evolved Rank 2)
Spectral Knight (Elite Rank)
He nodded, satisfied.
"Good. You're all ready."
---
They reached a clearing. In the center stood a massive crystalline monolith — the Lordstone. It pulsed with ancient power, crackling with blue lines that stretched into the sky.
The moment Kael stepped closer, the ground shook.
A roar tore through the forest.
From beneath the ground, a massive creature erupted — a Burrow Titan, a beast of stone and earth. Its body was covered in jagged armor plates; its fists were the size of boulders.
The system flashed:
Boss Monster: Burrow Titan (Level 25)
Warning: Enemy Lord Varien is approaching this location.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"So Varien wants this Lordstone too."
The trees behind him split apart as Varien marched forward with three fully armored soldiers and a massive flamehound.
"Move out of the way, Kael," Varien growled. "This territory belongs to me."
Kael smirked.
"You can try to take it."
Varien snarled and pointed his sword.
"Then we fight after the Titan dies."
Kael shook his head.
"No. I'll take both."
He raised his hand.
His troops roared in unison.
The Burrow Titan lunged, the earth trembling beneath its weight, and Kael shouted:
"Let's evolve past our limits!"
Battle erupted — Kael versus monster, versus rival lord — a clash that would determine who would become a true ruler in Arcanterra.