Aaron_Sg

When Leon dies unexpectedly, he awakens in a medieval fantasy world where countless Lords compete for dominance. Each Lord must develop their own territory, recruit armies, and battle for power—all while governed by game-like mechanics.

But Leon isn’t just any Lord. Granted the unique ability Sovereign Extraction, he can absorb the essence of fallen enemies, acquiring their skills, materials, and even abilities.

Starting with a barren land, a handful of settlers, and a wooden castle, Leon must build his domain from nothing. But dangers lurk everywhere—rival Lords, monstrous beasts, and ancient forces vying for control of the world.

With his growing power, Leon will carve his path to the top, one extraction at a time.

Kingdoms will fall. Enemies will kneel. And Leon… will reign supreme.

Sovereign Lord: Rise of The Extraction King

The discovery of fresh footprints by the river had put Leon on edge. Up until now, he had assumed they were alone in this land. The system had dropped him into the wilderness, granted him a territory, and left him to develop it. But this…

This meant they weren't the only ones out here.

As they followed the trail deeper into the woods, Leon kept his grip firm on his sword. Garrick walked beside him, sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. The two hunters—Rolf and Doran—moved with quiet precision, bows at the ready.

The deeper they went, the heavier the silence became. Birds had stopped singing. Even the wind barely rustled the leaves.

The footprints led them to a small clearing—and a gruesome sight.

A makeshift camp lay abandoned, torn apart as if something had ripped through it with savage force. The ground was littered with scattered belongings—broken weapons, torn cloth, and dried bloodstains.

Garrick knelt, picking up a shattered spear. "These weren't amateurs. Whoever they were, they knew how to fight."

Leon frowned. "And yet, something wiped them out."

Doran, the scout, examined the ground. "The tracks are strange. Some of them just… disappear." He pointed to a spot where footprints simply ended. "Like something dragged them up into the trees."

Leon's eyes flicked upward. The thick canopy swayed gently, but nothing moved.

This wasn't just a skirmish. Something had hunted these people down.

And whatever did it… might still be out there.

The others followed, weapons drawn. The tension in the air was suffocating.

Rolf muttered, "We should leave. Now."

Step by step, they retreated, keeping their eyes on the trees, on the shadows shifting between the branches. The feeling of being watched grew stronger.

Something leaped from the trees with inhuman speed.

Leon barely had time to react. A dark shape, humanoid yet… wrong. Too fast. Too silent.

It crashed into Doran, taking him down before he could even scream.

Leon slashed instinctively, but the creature vanished into the shadows, dragging Doran with it.

The man's strangled cry cut off abruptly.

They sprinted through the forest, the shadows moving around them. Whatever was hunting them, it wasn't alone. Shapes darted between the trees, just out of reach, just beyond sight.

Leon cursed as he heard the low, guttural clicks echoing from the darkness. A hunting call. A message.

Garrick turned mid-stride, hurling a throwing knife into the shadows. A shriek of pain followed, but the creatures didn't stop.

The treeline broke open ahead—the river was close.

Leon pushed forward, heart pounding, until they burst into the open, their boots kicking up dirt as they skidded to a halt near the water's edge.

They lingered at the tree line, their red, glowing eyes visible in the darkness. Watching. Waiting.

Leon exhaled, chest rising and falling rapidly.

And whatever else lived here… did not welcome them.

Chapter 7 – The Hidden Threat