The System's Interface

Dante took a deep breath, the unfamiliar grass beneath him grounding him in this new reality. The System's voice echoed in his mind, ever-present, ever-patient.

"What now?" he muttered.

"Say 'Panel' to access the System Interface," the voice instructed.

Dante hesitated for a moment before complying. "Panel."

A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before him, casting a faint glow in the warm afternoon light.

His gaze lingered on the number. Points. What were they for?

"System, what are these points used for?"

"Points serve as a currency within the Conqueror's System. They are acquired through acts of chaos, such as battle, conquest, and destruction. The scale of an event determines the number of points earned."

Dante frowned. "So, the more destruction I cause, the stronger I become?"

"Correct."

He exhaled slowly. This system had a clear purpose—chaos and conquest. And he had been chosen to wield it.

"Tell me about this realm."

The screen shifted, revealing a new set of information.

===============

Realm Designation: Low-Level Realm

Geography: One mainland

Divisions:

East: Dominated by demons. They are inherently evil and view the Conqueror as a supreme deity.

West: Inhabited by humans, divided into four warring empires:

Empire of Aethelgard

Kingdom of Veridia

Grand Duchy of Solara

Principality of Valerius

Other races exist, primarily as slaves.

The world utilizes mana, aura, and qi.

===============

Dante's eyes narrowed as he studied the information. The division of the land meant that war was inevitable. If he was to follow the System's purpose, he needed to choose where to begin. The demons saw him as a deity, while the humans were locked in war. He could exploit both.

A slow smirk formed on his lips. "Then let's get started."

"System, show me my summoning options."

A new menu unfolded before him.

He tapped on 'Non-Specialized.' A list of troops appeared.

His brow furrowed. "Do they come equipped?"

"No. Equipment must be purchased separately."

Dante's lips pressed into a thin line. He needed weapons. "Show me the shop."

"Request denied. The full catalog is too vast for your current mental capacity. Specify an item or category."

He clicked his tongue. "Fine. How much for an M16?"

Dante exhaled. Arming his men wouldn't be cheap. But he needed firepower.

"Summon five infantry. Each with an M16 and five rounds."

Golden particles materialized in the air, coalescing into five men clad in dark green military uniforms, M16s in hand. Their stances were firm, eyes forward. Soldiers.

For the first time since his death, Dante felt something close to control.

Dante eyed his new troops, their attire reminding him of something familiar.

"System, do I get to decide their uniforms?"

"Yes. All summoned troops require a standardized uniform and emblem."

He thought for a moment before settling on something simple—black military fatigues with a skull emblem. "That will be our brand."

"Acknowledged."

A soft chime rang in his ears. The soldiers' uniforms shifted instantly, now clad in black with the skull emblazoned on their shoulders.

The System's voice broke the silence. "You lack clothing."

Dante's eyes widened as he looked down, realizing that he had been standing in the grass completely naked since his arrival. Heat crawled up his neck.

"Provide clothing," he muttered.

A simple outfit materialized—a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt. He dressed quickly, pretending as if nothing had happened.

"System, how much for basic supplies?"

Dante considered his dwindling points and decided to hold off on spending more. Instead, he turned to his troops.

"We move. Now."

The group set off across the grassland. The days passed in a blur, tension mounting as Dante watched his points remain stagnant. He needed a way to earn more, fast.

On the third day, one of his soldiers knelt, examining the dirt. "Sir, we've got tracks. Carriage. Not old."

Dante's heart pounded. A target. An opportunity.

His lips curled into a grin. "Then let's pay them a visit."

The carriage tracks stretched endlessly through the wilderness, a fading imprint in the damp soil. Dante and his infantry had been following them for days, hoping they would lead to a settlement. His supplies were limited, his soldiers were silent, and his mind was burdened with the weight of his new existence. He needed resources—food, water, and most importantly, more points.

He clenched his fist. Saving points had been a priority, but now he regretted not purchasing a weapon for himself. Relying solely on his summoned infantry left him vulnerable. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

After four grueling days of travel through the dense forest, they finally spotted the outskirts of a village. Wooden huts stood in clusters, smoke curling from chimneys as villagers moved about, oblivious to the danger approaching.

Dante and his men crouched in the undergrowth, watching from a distance.

"System, what are the possible outcomes?" Dante asked in a low whisper.

"Peaceful interaction may lead to temporary shelter and minor resources. Violent conquest ensures points, supplies, and absolute control."

Dante exhaled sharply. The answer was obvious.

Raising a hand, he gestured for his men to prepare. The five soldiers, already knowing their purpose, checked their M16s in practiced silence.

As they approached, two guards standing at the village entrance took notice. They were dressed in crude leather armor, their spears resting lazily in their hands. Their expressions flickered between suspicion and curiosity.

Dante gave them a slow nod. One of the guards hesitated before lowering his spear slightly. That was their mistake.

"Fire."

The sudden roar of gunfire shattered the village's peace. The guards dropped instantly, their bodies crumpling to the dirt as crimson pooled beneath them.

Screams erupted. Villagers ran out of their homes, only to be gunned down in seconds. Chaos spread like wildfire. Some tried to fight back with rusted swords and makeshift weapons. It was hopeless.

Dante stood amidst the slaughter, surveying his soldiers' efficiency. He held onto a loaded magazine in his hand, resisting the urge to waste ammo. This was a numbers game, and he intended to win it smartly.

Minutes later, the village was silent. Smoke rose from burning huts, bodies littered the ground, and the acrid scent of blood filled the air. Dante's men regrouped, standing at attention, awaiting orders.

A blue notification screen materialized before him.

A cruel smile tugged at Dante's lips.

However, his amusement faded as he focused on the unfamiliar term—Knight Apprentice. He frowned.

"System," he said slowly. "Who is a Knight Apprentice?"

The response was immediate.

"Knight Apprentice: A Rank 1 individual who has begun their journey into aura manipulation."

Dante's eyes narrowed. There was more to this world's power system than he had realized. He needed to understand it fully.

"The world follows a structured power system," the System continued, bringing up a detailed breakdown.

===============

Rank 1: Apprentice

Begins to sense and control mana.

Focuses on basic mana circulation.

Rank 2: Beginner

Can channel mana to enhance physical abilities or cast small spells.

Rank 3: Intermediate

Specializes in a magic branch or combat style.

Gains access to stronger spells or techniques.

Rank 4: Advanced

Can cast high-level spells or execute advanced combat maneuvers.

Rank 5: Nascent

Body undergoes changes, enhancing mana capacity and resilience.

Rank 6: Great

Mana forms a protective barrier and strengthens internal organs.

Rank 7: Arch

Unlocks a temporary 'demigod form' by sacrificing a portion of lifespan.

Mana becomes reactive to thoughts, granting immense power.

===============

Dante absorbed the information carefully. "And what about lifespan?"

"Manaless individuals have a natural lifespan of approximately 100 years. Advancing in rank extends this lifespan by 50 years per rank. Arch-rank beings possess a potential lifespan of 500 years."

Dante's mind raced. The longer someone lived, the stronger they could become.

"But mana isn't the only power system, is it?" he asked.

"Correct," the System replied. "Mana gives rise to mages. Aura gives rise to knights. Other energies exist, such as qi, origin energy, and law energy, but they are beyond this realm's limitations."

Dante nodded slowly. "And what's the strongest power rank available in this world?"

"Arch-rank is the highest achievable level."

His fingers tapped against his rifle. He had just wiped out an entire village of manaless individuals. But what about mages? What about knights?

Dante exhaled, his grip tightening. "Can I summon individuals with mana or aura?"

"No," the System stated flatly. "You are restricted to summoning manaless humans. This limitation exists because you were born in a low-tier realm that consists solely of humans and manaless."

Dante scowled. "So my troops can never surpass the weakest level?"

"Correct."

He clenched his jaw, already seeing a potential flaw in his strategy. His soldiers, no matter how many he summoned, would always be inferior to the true powerhouses of this world.

He needed a solution.

His mind spun with ideas—how to counter magic, how to defeat knights, and how to work around his summoning restrictions.

The battlefield wasn't just about numbers. It was about knowledge. And he would master it.

Dante looked at the burning village behind him. This was only the beginning.

A smirk formed on his lips.

"I'll find a way."