The lizard crashed into the barrier again, its scales scraping against the invisible wall. Its hissing roars echoed through the air like war drums.
Kael stood just behind the shimmering dome, watching the beast with a predator's patience.
"Black Iron-tier… a small thing, but my first prey in this land."
Through his awakened vision, golden text appeared above the creature's head:
[Desert Fog Lizard, Black Iron-Tier Elementary Grade][Loot: 2 Mist Cores (100%), Desert Lizard Meat (20–1%), Water Bag (3%), Sword Shield Soldier Certificate (0.1%)]
A faint smile crossed his lips. So this is the taste of my Legendary talent… certainty.
"Bai Yi," Kael said quietly, "blind it."
The archer took a breath, pulled back her bow, and shot. The arrow struck the lizard's right eye.
The beast screamed, thrashing against the barrier with wild fury.
"Keep firing. The rest of you—stones, sand, anything you have—make it suffer."
They obeyed immediately. Arrows and rocks pelted the monster from the safety of the dome. Minutes later, another arrow from Bai Yi buried itself deep in its throat. The lizard convulsed, stumbled back, and collapsed into the sand with one last hiss.
A notification flashed across Kael's vision:
[Your subject Bai Yi has slain a Black Iron-Tier Elementary Grade Desert Fog Lizard.][Promotion Energy +1. Loots are condensed.]
A warm feeling spread through Kael's limbs, strength buzzing in his bones.
[Novice Lord Notice: 90% of Promotion Energy strengthens your forces; 10% returns to you.]
"So, the more they kill, the stronger I become. Even if I never draw my own blade, the world itself pushes for conquest."
Bai Yi walked over. "My Lord, should we bring the corpse inside?"
Kael nodded once. She surveyed the area beyond the barrier and signaled for the others to join her. Together, they dragged the massive carcass into their territory, laying it before him like an offering.
"My Lord," Bai Yi said, "we must claim the loot quickly, or the body will dissolve into fog within two hours."
"Can you retrieve it?" Kael asked.
"Yes, but my luck has never been good. I've pulled five pieces of meat at best. Some soldiers talk about finding water, but I've never seen it."
Kael's eyes sparkled. Luck? Luck belongs to the unchosen.
He stepped forward and placed a hand on the cooling scales.
[Do you wish to retrieve the loot?]
"Yes."
The corpse vanished in an instant, replaced by a dazzling array of items scattered across the sand. Mist Cores glinted like captured moons. Fresh red meat steamed slightly in the heat. A small water skin lay among them. And—most valuable of all—a thin, worn booklet stamped with the image of a soldier holding a sword and shield.
Bai Yi stared. "Water… and something I've never seen before. My Lord, your fortune is incredible."
Kael ignored the comment and knelt to pick up the booklet.
[Item: Sword Shield Soldier Class Change Certificate]Basic Soldier Class Change Tool. Grants the bearer the profession of Sword Shield Soldier, a set of Black Iron-tier equipment, one year of battle experience, and the strength of Black Iron-Tier Elementary Grade.
Kael's mind raced. Rare. Too rare to waste. I need specialists, but not at this level for myself.
He looked at his gathered followers. "Which of you has the will to stand in the front rank, shield in hand, blade ready to strike down what comes for us?"
Two men stepped forward without doubt. Kael assessed them—measuring, weighing. One had the raw build and hidden strength of a future commander.
"You," he said, pointing. "Name."
"Zhang Cang, my Lord."
Kael tossed him the certificate. "Prove you deserve it."
Zhang Cang pressed the booklet to his chest. Light erupted around him, armor and weapons emerging over his body as if formed from air itself. When the glow faded, he stood taller, his eyes filled with the knowledge of battle that had not been there before.
He knelt, his voice strong. "My Lord, you've given me strength. My life is yours."
A new notification blinked:
[Zhang Cang – Loyalty: 92]
Kael allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Unshakable.
The desert wind swept through the camp, carrying the scent of blood and sand. Somewhere beyond the dunes, more creatures stirred in the heat haze.
And Kael Ardyn was ready to take everything they had.