Chapter 92 - Spiritforge Haven

Zefyros, the Arclume Drakeling Spirit Beast seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself in the pond, splashing around while some of the troops bravely dipped their feet into the water, playfully splashing at the spirit beast. 

Zefyros responded in kind—not just with water, but with waves that surged playfully over them, drenching everyone in the process.

As the laughter grew, more troops joined in, turning the pond into a lively scene of fun with the newborn spirit beast. Despite his crackling electric charge, Zefyros seemed to have gained enough control to make it more tolerable for those around him. 

While the tingling shocks in the water were still noticeable, they were no longer enough to deter anyone from joining in.

Atlas, observing from the edge of the pond, decided to join the fun. He sat at the water's edge, dipping his feet into the cool, electrified pool, and beckoned to Zefyros with a wave of his hand. The drakeling leapt onto Atlas's lap, its wide, curious eyes locking onto him.

With a steady breath, Atlas nicked his fingertip with his thumbnail, allowing a single drop of blood to fall onto Zefyros's head. As the blood landed, a faint glow of elemental particles gathered, swirling and cascading over the drakeling before sinking into its form.

[Establishing a contract with the Spirit Beast, Arclume Drakeling...]

[Synchronizing both parties...]

[Congratulations! The contract has been successfully created. You have bonded the Arclume Drakeling as your spirit beast contractor.]

Atlas's vision filled with system notifications:

[Due to the contract, new skills have been unlocked as a result of synchronization.]

[You have unlocked a new skill: Spiritforge Haven]

[The contracted beast can now merge with one chosen item to act as its vessel, creating a pocket dimension for regeneration and recovery while enhancing the item's performance.]

[Elemental compatibility will affect the final outcome.]

A vessel for Zefyros would not only allow the beast to recuperate but also amplify the power of a weapon or piece of equipment in ways he could only begin to imagine. 

Atlas quickly decided on the best option for where to house Zefyros. He drew the Wavebreaker Spear, its surface already beginning to shimmer with water energy and crackling electricity.

[Applying Spiritforge Haven to Legendary-grade Wavebreaker Spear]

The spear's appearance shifted, the lightning crackling more fiercely, and a powerful surge of water flowing along its length.

"Now, Zefyros, retreat to your Haven."

Creaakkk...

The beast dissolved into pure energy and flowed into the spear.

Atlas stood still for a moment, spinning the spear experimentally in his hand. He immediately noticed how much lighter it felt, its movements imbued with a newfound push of vibrant energy. The enhancement from Zefyros' essence wasn't just cosmetic—it significantly amplified the weapon's potential.

With this fusion, he could now channel the spear's abilities alongside Zefyros' own skills, creating a formidable synergy.

What an upgrade!

Curious to test the balance, Atlas summoned Zefyros again. This technique would make it far easier to carry the creature wherever he went, seamlessly blending strength and mobility.

With the contracted beast fully settled, Atlas and his elite subordinates turned their attention to reviewing their strategy for the upcoming week. The current season's battles were nearing their end, and Atlas still had one attack token left to use.

Edrik had already identified a target for their challenge. For months, he had been monitoring the movements of various floating islands nearby. This vigilance paid off, as the system periodically updated the status and development of these islands, offering valuable insights into potential opponents.

The chosen target still had an available challenge slot, which was surprising. Even other lords within the same division hadn't dared to challenge this particular opponent. The hesitation likely stemmed from the sheer size of the target's army—nearly double the average force of lords at their rank.

Moreover, the progress of this lord's floating island throughout the season was impressive. The consistent wins in battles and also potentially did an all-out confrontation once.

With the target set, Atlas wasted no time submitting the battle challenge. This final confrontation held the potential to be a season-defining event for their team.

Now, all they could do was wait for the opposing lord to respond to the challenge. A defensive stance would work in their favor, but if the response came as an all-out confrontation, it would be an exhilarating phase for Gacha Haven and its residents—it would mark their very first full-scale war at this level.

With only seven days left before the battle season concluded, Atlas decided to postpone on leveling himself up to 50, and would do it after wrapping up his last battle. This would allow him to fully concentrate on the task at hand without unnecessary distractions.

In the meantime, the team adjusted their training schedule for the coming days, reducing the intensity and duration of their sessions. This change was a strategic move to ensure everyone remained in peak condition should their challenge be accepted. It also served to prevent the dulling of their combat instincts, which could happen if they ceased training entirely.

This balanced approach aimed to keep the team sharp and ready for the real battle while avoiding unnecessary fatigue. Every preparation was being fine-tuned to ensure they could perform at their best when the decisive moment arrived.

Over the past two months of relentless training, nearly every combatant on the team had undergone remarkable upgrades. They unlocked new talents, gained new skills, and achieved significant level boosts.

Their hunts at Flare Peak also proved fruitful, yielding valuable items like skill scrolls and materials that strengthened the entire team. These resources were instrumental in enhancing their combat readiness.

In terms of fortifications, Atlas had established four Flame Beacons on each side of Gacha Haven, significantly bolstering its defenses. While these improvements wouldn't play a role in the upcoming all-out confrontation—since the battle would take place in a neutral Warzone—they underscored the team's growing strength and preparedness.

Finally, the fourth day arrived, and with it came the long-awaited decision from their opponent.

[Ragnor of The Infernal Reach accepts the challenge for the all-out confrontation.]

Edrik's prediction was spot on. Their carefully crafted strategy had worked. By keeping their troop count minimal but focusing on elite quality, they created the illusion of being a weaker force. This made their opponent underestimate them, believing that fewer numbers meant less of a threat.

In war, troop count was the easiest metric to judge strength, and their opponent boasted nearly four times as many soldiers as Atlas's forces. 

The challenge ahead was immense. Each member of Atlas's team would need to take responsibility for defeating at least three enemies during the battle. This wasn't just a test of strategy—it was a trial of skill, resolve, and unity.

Even so, one crucial factor couldn't be ignored—several elite subordinates in Atlas's arsenal were capable of handling multiple opponents at once during the battle. Additionally, even non-combat roles like the Resource Manager, Blacksmith, and even a Gardener were set to contribute meaningfully to the war effort.

[The battle will commence in 13 hours.]

[The countdown begins now.]

Thirteen hours provided enough time to rest and finalize preparations. This was shaping up to be a monumental battle, and Atlas could see the resolve and confidence in the eyes of his subordinates.

Yet, those thirteen hours stretched endlessly. Some of them even thought it might have been better if the countdown were only thirteen minutes—it would have spared them the weight of anticipation.

Until…

It was time. Everyone readied themselves. The moment they had prepared for was finally here.

***

(Author's Note:)

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