Episode 3 - Scene 5 : GIME THE LOOT !

Location: Edge of the Macchabé Forest - Zero Island

The sea breeze howled in gusts, whipping sand into the air around the wreckage of the battle. The salty scent of iodine mixed with the mist, while the ozone layer, still heavy with the violence of the clash, enveloped the atmosphere. The waves crashed against the shore, breaking the silence with their deafening roar. The ground, marked by William's attacks, seemed to breathe in sync with the shockwave that had rattled the scene.

There he stood, alone, his eyes fixed on the horizon, his mind caught in a strange dance between the ecstasy of victory and lingering anxiety. The warm sand sifted under his gloves, and he closed his eyes for a moment, the bitter taste of sweat still on his lips.

— William (thinking, eyes closed): It wasn't just a creature... It took all my strength to bring it down. But is there more to this? A mere scout or some ancient intelligence that's been watching me from the start?

The wind, carrying the sea's breath, brushed against his skin, a constant reminder of the island's omnipresence. The salty air stung his lungs, each breath a slap of harsh reality.

Suddenly, a bluish glow appeared before him, shattering the spiral of his thoughts. A hungry smile curled across his tired lips, his muscles tightening like springs ready to snap.

— William (thinking): Winning... that's one thing. But what comes next? That... that's going to be something else.

A translucent screen formed, and the rewards from the battle scrolled in front of his eyes:

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LOOT OBTAINED

• 3 x Abyssal Pearls (Worth 300,000 World Coins)

• 3 x Coconut Crab Shell (Rare Material – High protection, adaptable to armor)

• 2 x Titan Claw (Natural Weapon – Can be reforged into blade or assault claw)

• 2 x Abyssal Crystal (Elemental Nexus – unknown energy, potentially exploitable)

• 1 x Adaptation Scale (Armor Enhancement – Boosts resistance and agility)

• 3 x Nexus Fragment (Rare Component for reconstruction – Essential for summoning advanced structures)

Daily Bonus

• 1 x Guild Token (Deployment available – Allows summoning of a portable base and support NPCs)

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His gaze lingered on the Guild Token with a spark of intrigue. A quick smile spread across his face, full of promise.

— William (intrigued, smiling): A guild token… Wait, does this mean I can already build a base?

The Iris interface glowed with a nearly tangible blue, a soft yet firm voice ringing out.

— Iris (with a hint of satisfaction): Correct. You have accumulated enough resources to lay the foundations of your first base. With your reconstruction power, you can evolve this outpost based on the materials and essences you encounter.

A wave of satisfaction washed over William. This wasn't just material gain. It was power. A weapon. A way to fortify his position in this merciless world.

His smile widened as a new window appeared, detailing the NPCs he could deploy to assist him on his journey. His eyes gleamed with greed, already plotting the next steps.

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DEPLOYABLE NPCs

• Wandering Blacksmith (Creation and enhancement of combat and survival equipment)

• Nomadic Architect (Specializes in construction and terrain optimization – Essential for strengthening the base)

• Librarian of the Void (Access to new knowledge and spells based on collected fragments)

• Phantom Explorer (Advanced mapping of the environment – Locates resources and hazards)

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• William (bursting out laughing, excitement palpable): So, I can actually build my own guild, with NPCs to help me level up… Damn, this is genius!

• Iris (with a touch of amusement): You're starting to understand, Master William. This world bends to the rules you impose.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through William's body. The idea of such power, such freedom in a world so vast and hostile… It was almost too good to be true. But he wasn't the type to doubt. He knew he had to seize this opportunity.

He brushed the Guild Token, activating the deployment function.

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DEPLOYMENT IN PROGRESS

• Zone validated

• Beach selected

• Using natural resources

• Materials required: Adapting…

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A blinding explosion shook the ground beneath him. A beam of pure energy shot up from the earth, striking the horizon like a lightning bolt hitting a calm sea. The sand swirled into the air, illuminated by the brilliance of raw energy. The waves in the background froze for an instant, as if suspended in time, before folding back on themselves in a heavy sigh.

The world around him seemed to twist and fold under the impact of this power. The ground vibrated, reshaping under William's will.

A reinforced tent slowly emerged from the sand, merging with the landscape as if it had always been there. The energy of the earth, rocks, and sand harmonized in an almost supernatural dance, fusing to create the structure. Beside it, a forge began to form, its contours sharpening in a whirlwind of material.

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— William (a carnivorous smile spreading across his lips, voice vibrating with implacable satisfaction): Here lies the first stone of my empire.

He let the words float in the air, merging with the roar of the sea. It wasn't arrogance. No, it was the announcement of a new era, a prophecy etched in the moment. The air seemed to carry this promise, as if the wind itself whispered secrets he was not yet ready to hear.

But deep inside, he knew this victory was but a fragment of what he would have to endure to build something greater. He wasn't naive. The empire he had begun forging wouldn't be built without sacrifices, without bloody struggles. But instead of fearing that, it fueled his determination. It nourished his soul with fire.

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— William (eyes glowing with a fierce light, voice low yet sharp): I won't stop here.

He closed his eyes for a moment, the salty sea air filling his nostrils, the breeze against his skin pulling him back to reality. Everything was just the beginning, a spark in an ocean of endless possibilities.

This victory, this first step, was merely the prologue. But something inside him had changed. He was no longer just a survivor; he was now an actor, a conqueror of the world around him. The wind blew around him, sweeping away the last relics of the old era, while, in the shadows, war was taking shape on the horizon, forging the birth of an empire.

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— William (in a breath, voice trembling slightly with unwavering determination): Dark Iluzion is operational again!

He closed his eyes, fatigue slowly overtaking his mind, and the sea seemed to answer his call, enveloping him in one last whisper before his body finally succumbed to exhaustion. He collapsed slowly, the wind still there, faithful, but his dreams already far in the mist of what was to come. His empire... he could still only see its shadow.