The First Inferno

The twenty-third dawn roared over Kael El's domain, a fiery violet-gold sky blazing across the citadel and its seven territories. Fifty-five dragons soared above, their scales glinting under EX: Dragon Sovereign, while 170,000 subjects marched northwest—warriors gripping scale shields, mages charging mana, and bruisers hefting clubs. Kael strode at the fore, the Stormforged Blade in one hand, EX: Dragonflame Reaver blazing in the other, Stormhide Armor crackling with power. His flirty smirk gleamed, a cool dominance radiating from his relaxed stride as he eyed Syris's forest stronghold, ten miles out, its wooden walls ripe for burning.

Day 23. Eight of ten—Syris goes down today. His dark eyes burned with unwavering confidence, a quiet pride simmering beneath his chill exterior. One hundred seventy thousand souls, seven territories, and a Rising Lord's might—most would've hesitated at a forest fortress. Kael? He thrived, his resilience a steel blaze. Wood's just fuel for my fire.

A sharp ding pierced the march's rhythm, the system panel flaring up.

"Day 23: Post-Peace Period. Territory Level: 3. Population: 170,021 Subjects. Food Stock: 5 Days Remaining. Resource Yield: +20% (Lv. 3 Bonus)."

Kael's smirk widened, a playful edge cutting through the tension. "Five days? Enough for a victory roast." His calm under pressure was unshakable—war was his grind, and he'd stacked the deck. The Lord Map glowed: Syris's stronghold—Level 24, two hundred troops, weak northern walls, B-tier talent. Mira's intel's gold. Let's torch it.

He rallied his crew—Lira, Sylvi, Veyna, Mara, Elys, Nyra, Tora, Lysa, Seryn, Borv, Vira, Rhea, Korr, Thryn, Elyra, Mira, Gorv—mid-march. "Syris's forest is next—Level 24, two hundred grunts, wooden walls. Elys and Rhea burn north, Tora and Gorv smash, Jace traps, Seryn ambushes, Borv tanks, Korr and dragons dive. I'm on Syris. Clear?"

Elys grinned, her staff sparking. "Wood's my kindling—Rhea and I'll light it up."

Kael winked. "Elys, you're my storm. Make it loud." He turned to the Summoning Altar, hauled along by builders, its Mana Crystal pulsing. Five summons left. Let's add speed.

He pressed a hand to the crystal, voice smooth and teasing. "Alright, gorgeous, give me a runner."

The altar flared, and a twenty-second figure emerged—a wiry woman with lightning-fast legs and a short blade. She knelt, voice quick. "Lord Kael, I am Zyra. Perk: Swift Strike – +50% speed, rapid attacks."

Kael's grin turned protective yet playful. "Zyra, huh? A blur's perfect. Flank with Nyra—hit 'em fast." She rose with a nod, her blade flashing, and the system blared.

"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Summon: 1 Subject. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Subjects."

The ground quaked as 10,000 more figures materialized—runners, warriors, mages—swelling his ranks to 180,000. A man with "Fleet Foot" dashed ahead, a woman with "Forest Blaze" sparked embers, and thousands roared allegiance. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. One-eighty? This is my hurricane.

"Runners, with Zyra!" he barked, his cool dominance slicing through the chaos. "Warriors, with Thryn. Dragons, with me. Move!"

By noon, 40,000 warriors reached the forest—trees towered, wooden walls loomed, Syris atop the northern gate in green armor, his B-tier B: Forest Ward (+15% terrain defense) glowing faintly. Kael smirked, raising his reaver. "Elys, Rhea—now!"

Elys's lightning crashed, igniting the northern wall—flames roared as wood splintered. Rhea's whip lashed out, fire spreading, burning troops alive. Tora and Gorv charged, hammer and mace smashing the gate to rubble. Jace's traps snared defenders, Seryn's blade reaped in shadow, Borv tanked arrows, and Zyra blurred through, cutting down ten in a flash. Dragons dove, fire and claws tearing through.

Kael leapt at Syris, who swung a vine-wrapped spear. "You're ash, fool!" Syris barked. Kael dodged, mana surging, and slashed—the reaver's molten edge burned through armor. He thrust the lance—chest pierced, blood soaking the ground.

"Ding! Lord Defeated – Syris, Level 24. XP: 500,236 × 0.1 = 50,024 (2,551,224 with EX: EXP Nova). SSS Talent: 100% Drop Rate. Loot: B: Forest Ward (+15% terrain defense). EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: B: Forest Ward upgraded to EX: Nature's Dominion (+1,500% terrain defense)."

A green aura pulsed around Kael, rooting him to the earth. He smirked. Forest's mine now.

The stronghold fell—hundred dead, hundred surrendered. Kael stood amidst the ashes, relaxed yet commanding. "Mara, fortify. Gavrin, loot."

A final ding rang out.

"Territory Conquered: 8/10 for Lv. 4. XP Gained: 2,551,224. Level Up! Level 25 to Level 28. Stats Increased: +12."

Kael grinned, the violet sky thundering. Syris's toast. Two more.

POV Shift: Zyra

She dashed through ash, her Swift Strike a blur, blood on her blade. Her lord stood there, smirking, the forest bowing. One hundred eighty thousand, and he's climbing higher? She'd run for petty raiders before, but Kael's cool confidence, that protective steel, hooked her. I'll race for him. He's worth it.