The First Step

Zoren embarked on his journey, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of a suitable territory. As he walked, he muttered to himself, mentally ticking off the qualities he needed.

"A good territory needs abundant resources, a defensible position, a strategic location… space for expansion… access to water…" His voice trailed off as he surveyed the terrain, the lessons from countless strategy games echoing in his mind. "Fertile land, safety from natural disasters, a favorable climate, diverse wildlife and vegetation…" he finished, determination lacing his tone.

The land around him was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Gigantic creatures roamed freely, their forms defying the natural order of his world. A boar, the size of a small house, rooted through the underbrush, while above, a Griffin-like creature soared gracefully, its wings casting a vast shadow over the ground below.

"I'll call it a Griffin," Zoren murmured to himself, his eyes wide with awe. "It looks just like the ones in the movies." The flora, too, was astonishing—trees so colossal they seemed to reach the sky, their trunks thick and gnarled, exuding an ancient presence that made him feel minuscule in comparison.

As Zoren continued his journey, the surroundings became denser, and the sunlight gradually faded as he entered a forest so thick that little light reached the ground. The air felt heavier, and a sense of unease settled over him. Despite the unease gnawing at him, he pressed on, determined not to turn back.

The eerie silence was suddenly broken by a rustling in the tall grass nearby. Zoren froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He cautiously moved closer to investigate and was greeted by a terrifying sight—a massive, wolf-like creature hunched over, devouring a dead animal.

The beast's fur was as black as the void, and its eyes glowed a menacing violet, radiating an unnatural hunger. "Damn it," Zoren hissed under his breath, instinctively stepping back. The wolf lifted its head, its powerful jaws pausing as it sniffed the air.

Zoren's blood ran cold; the beast had caught his scent. His legs trembled as he tried to back away quietly, but the moment he shifted his weight, the wolf's eyes locked onto him, and it growled low, a sound that reverberated through the forest like thunder.

Zoren's instincts screamed at him to run, and he did just that. Without looking back, he sprinted through the dense forest, branches and leaves slapping against his face as he tore through the underbrush. Behind him, he could hear the wolf crashing through the foliage, its growls growing louder with each passing second.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Zoren muttered through gritted teeth, his lungs burning as he pushed himself to run faster. He dared a glance back, just in time to see the wolf's violet eyes gleaming in the dark, rapidly closing the distance between them.

Fear clawed at his throat as he spotted a faint glimmer of light ahead. "I don't want to die here!" he shouted, forcing his legs to move even faster, his survival instinct in full control.

As he burst out of the forest, the oppressive darkness gave way to blinding sunlight. Zoren skidded to a stop, his eyes wide with shock at the breathtaking view that greeted him. He stood on a high vantage point, possibly a cliff, overlooking a vast and verdant valley below.

The valley was a patchwork of greenery, with dense forests, flowing rivers, and fertile farmlands. Towering cliffs flanked the valley on either side, their sheer rock faces covered in lush vegetation. The sky was a brilliant blue, with scattered clouds lazily drifting across it, adding to the serene and majestic atmosphere.

Breathing heavily, Zoren turned to see that the wolf had stopped at the edge of the forest, its violet eyes still glowing, but it made no move to follow him into the light. "I guess it's afraid of the light…" he said, relief flooding through him as he watched the creature retreat back into the shadows of the forest.

Zoren took a moment to catch his breath and then looked out over the valley again, realization dawning on him. This place… this could be the territory he was searching for.

He began his descent down the cliff, his eyes never leaving the spot he had chosen. Each step was deliberate, fueled by a mix of determination and anticipation. The land was fertile, the location defensible, and the surroundings rich with resources.

[Do you wish to rule this territory?]

[Yes] [No]

"Yes…" Zoren whispered, his voice filled with determination. He selected [Yes], and as he planted his flag into the ground, the land responded immediately.

A shimmering, shield-like dome formed around the territory, encasing it in a protective barrier.

[CONGRATULATIONS!]

[Quest 1 Complete!]

[Rewards: Territory Shieldx1 (1 Week Protection From Monsters and Other Neutral Units), Summoning Hero Card]

The shield expanded, solidifying his claim on the land.

Zoren's attention shifted to the rewards he had received, particularly the Summoning Hero Card.

The card seemed to pulse with a strange energy, promising the chance to summon a powerful commander.

[Summoning Hero Card]

[Chance to get a Powerful Commander]

Green (Rare): 50%

Blue (Super Rare): 30%

Violet (Epic): 12%

Yellow (Legendary): 6%

Red (Hero): 2%

With anticipation, Zoren selected [Yes].

The card began spinning, its colors blending into a blur of light.

"Please, let this be a high-rarity hero," he pleaded to himself, repeating the request fervently. "Please, let this be a high-rarity hero."

As the spinning slowed, a figure emerged from the card, gradually becoming more distinct. The figure was a man dressed in formal Victorian-style clothing—a dark long coat, a light-colored vest, matching trousers, a bow tie, gloves, and high boots. He wore an elaborate crow mask, adding an air of mystery to his appearance. Glasses perched on the mask, giving him an air of intelligence and professionalism.

[Congratulations!]

[You've Got Legendary commander!]

His shock was palpable. "I—I actually summoned a Legendary commander?

"Master, I am honored to serve you," the bird-like figure said, bowing gracefully. " I am Corvus." He added.

Zoren blinked, still processing the appearance of his first-ever summon. "Thank you. This is... new to me. I've never summoned anyone before."

Corvus straightened, his eyes sharp and perceptive behind his glasses. "I understand, Master. I am here to assist in any way I can."

Zoren nodded, a mix of curiosity and determination on his face. "Good. We've got a lot of work ahead of us," he replied. Corvus nodded, his eyes sharp and perceptive behind his glasses. "Indeed, Master. I am at your disposal."

Another screen appeared:

[You Gain a Skill]

[Appraisal(A)]

Grants the ability to examine the properties and attributes of objects, people, or enemies.

[Polyglot (P)]

This skill enables the character to communicate and understand otherworldly languages.

Zoren felt a surge of excitement as he realized the potential of his new abilities.

"Appraisal and Polyglot… this will be incredibly useful," he mused, already thinking of the countless ways he could use it to his advantage.

Zoren activated his appraisal skill to examine Corvus:

[STATUS]

Name: Dr. Corvus Blackwood

Lv: 1

Strength : 7, Vitality : 8, Agility: 7, Intelligent: 13

Skill: Kings of Crows (A) End of Ptolemy (P)

[Kings of Crows (Active)]

Heals some of the slightly wounded units in your army and nearby friendly armies and increases defense of these troops for a short time.

[End of Ptolemy (Passive)]

envelops the user in a powerful healing aura that rapidly restores health to themselves and nearby allies. The skill creates a radiant field that continuously heals injuries.

Zoren's eyes widened as he read through the appraisal results. "Incredible," he muttered. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking. "Now that we have everything sorted, we need to start gathering information about this land."

Corvus nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Agreed, Master. We should assess the resources and any potential risks in the area." With a plan in mind, they began their survey, meticulously observing their surroundings and preparing for the tasks ahead. They set out together, Corvus guiding Zoren through the process.

As they walked, a distant noise reached their ears—shouts and the unmistakable sounds of battle. Zoren and Corvus exchanged a glance before hurrying toward the source of the commotion.

When they arrived, they found themselves on the edge of a brutal conflict. A group of humanoid beetles, each one armored and fierce, was locked in combat with a massive creature that towered over them.

The creature was a terrifying hybrid—a cross between a rhinoceros and a dinosaur, its body encased in spiky blue and black armor. Its horn was sharp and menacing, ready to impale anything that dared to challenge it.

[STATUS]

Name: Dreadhorn

Level: ??

Strength: ?? Vitality: ?? Agility: ?? Intelligence:??

Skill: ??

Zoren narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation. The BeetleFolk were putting up a valiant fight, but they were clearly outmatched. Their leader, a large gray beetle with multiple horns and heavier armor than the others, was holding its ground but showing signs of fatigue. Meanwhile, non-combatant BeetleFolk—children and women—were being protected by the fighting BeetleFolk, who formed a defensive perimeter around them, trying to shield them from harm as the battle raged on.

"We need to help them!" Zoren said urgently, his tone filled with determination as he turned to Corvus. Corvus nodded thoughtfully, his glasses catching the light as he adjusted them. "I shall tend to their wounds and support them in the fight," he replied, his voice calm and steady.

"Alright, let's do this!" Zoren said with renewed vigor, his eyes gleaming with determination. Zoren quickly instructed Corvus to use his healing abilities on the beetles, who were on the verge of collapse from their battle with the Dreadhorn.

Corvus's magic flowed like a cool breeze through the battlefield, mending the beetles' injuries and bolstering their morale. The beetles, now revitalized, regrouped with newfound strength.

Together, Zoren and Corvus devised a strategy. Zoren directed the beetles to adopt defensive formations, utilizing their thick exoskeletons as shields, while Corvus supported them with healing spells. The beetles formed a protective barrier, using their superior numbers to encircle the Dreadhorn.

The battle was fierce, the ground trembling beneath the might of the Dreadhorn's attacks. Its massive horn slashed through the air, tearing up the earth with each furious charge. Zoren kept his focus, shouting commands, while Corvus moved swiftly, healing the injured and enhancing their abilities.

"We have to break its momentum!" Zoren shouted as he watched the Dreadhorn prepare for another charge. "Gray beetle, lead your warriors to flank it from both sides!"

The gray beetle leader, hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "As you command!" he replied, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. The beetles moved as one, coordinating their efforts with precision. Their armored bodies gleamed under the sun as they surrounded the Dreadhorn, using their natural strength and resilience to block its path.

Zoren's heart pounded as he watched the battle unfold. The Dreadhorn's powerful attacks continued to threaten their lines, but the beetles fought with tenacity, bolstered by Corvus's healing and Zoren's tactical guidance.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the tide of battle turned in their favor. With a coordinated strike, The Gray beetle and his warriors managed to bring the Dreadhorn to its knees. Zoren watched as the mighty beast collapsed, exhausted but still alive.

Breathing heavily, Zoren wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm so exhausted!" he panted, feeling the weight of the battle settle into his bones.

[Tameable]

Zoren's eyes widened as he noticed the shimmering text above the Dreadhorn's head. "The Dreadhorn is tameable?!" he exclaimed, excitement bubbling up within him.

He quickly tried to initiate the taming process, his mind already racing with the possibilities of having such a powerful creature under his command. But just as he began, a message appeared before him.

[City Level is Low. Cannot Tame.]

Zoren's excitement deflated in an instant. "Of course, the city level needs to be higher… Damn it!" he growled in frustration, but his tactical mind quickly reconsidered.

"I'll put it in captivity for now. It might come in handy later." He sighed, already planning how he could leverage this creature in the future.

Turning his attention to the humanoid beetles, Zoren approached them with a sincere expression. "Why you were being attacked by the Dreadhorn?" he said, his tone steady.

The gray beetle leader, stepped forward. "We were migrating," he explained, his voice heavy with concern. "Our land is suffering from famine, and we were searching for a new home. The Dreadhorn ambushed us during our journey."

Zoren considered this information carefully. Seeing an opportunity, he said, "I can offer you a place in my territory. We could use your strength, and you could find a new home with us."

The Gray beetle eyes, filled with relief, met Zoren's. "Thank you," he said, his voice softening. "My name is Kaen. We will be grateful for any help you can provide."

Zoren nodded. "Then let's make this work. Together, we'll ensure a better future for both our peoples." As they prepared to return to their newly established territory, a message appeared before Zoren:

[Main Quest 2]

[Quest Name: Build Your Base ]

[Difficulty: E] [Time limit: 48:00:00]

[Objectives: Build a City Hall Build a wall]

[Reward: 1000 Points Random Skill Card]

[Quest Fail: You will lose your protection, and monsters will siege your Village]

Zoren felt a renewed sense of urgency as he read the quest details. "We need to get back and start building immediately," he said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's go."

With his new allies in tow, Zoren led the way back to his territory, his mind already racing with ideas on how to complete the quest and strengthen his fledgling kingdom.

[KINGDOM OVERVIEW]

Kingdom Name: Kingdom_1270548

Server: 204 Power: 5034 City Level: 1

Kingdom Skills: Art of War (P), Polyglot (P), Appraisal (A)

Title: None

Population: 52

Race: (3)Human: 1 Kenku: 1 Beetlefolk: 50