The summoning portal shimmered once more, pulsing with energy as runes danced across its surface. With a blinding burst of light, ten soldiers emerged from the swirling vortex. Each man held a gleaming sword in one hand and a sturdy shield in the other. Their physiques were nothing short of impressive—muscular, disciplined, and brimming with silent determination. Despite their formidable presence, they were clad in light armor that, while flexible, looked somewhat flimsy under close inspection.
Arthur's heart pounded with excitement as he stood before the small force he had summoned. These were his first troops—his first step toward creating an empire. Without delay, he accessed their information panels. Their strength was promising, each soldier rated above average. But he reminded himself to stay grounded. These were still Tier-1 soldiers—initial summonings with a long way to grow.
In this world, soldiers were ranked by both Tier and Rank, ranging from Black to Legendary. Tier referred to their base strength and potential for growth, while rank determined their qualitative power. A Bronze-Rank Tier-1 soldier could effortlessly defeat a squad of Black-Rank Tier-1s. The gap between the ranks was enormous. At the highest end, Legendary-Rank soldiers were said to rival gods themselves.
As the last of the soldiers stepped through the portal, the group as one dropped to a knee. In perfect unison, their voices rang out like thunder.
"Greetings, my lord. Your servants are at your command."
Arthur's chest swelled with pride at the sight. These men were his to command. "Stand up, my subordinates," he said, voice firm and calm. "I am Arthur, and from this moment on, I am your lord. My words are law. My wishes are your orders. Understood?"
"YES, MY LORD!" they bellowed, standing at attention. "YOUR WISH IS OUR GOAL, AND WE WILL FULFILL IT!"
Arthur nodded, satisfied. Their loyalty was unquestionable, and their morale high. "We'll be exploring our surroundings shortly. Prepare yourselves."
"Yes, my lord!"
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Arthur led his small force beyond the protective curtain of his territory. The world outside unfolded like a painting—lush greenery, dense forests, rolling hills, and the faint rustle of unseen wildlife. It was beautiful, but beauty was deceiving. The system had already warned him: danger lurked everywhere, especially during these early stages.
They had limited time before the protection period wore off. Outside that invisible shield, monsters would hunt them without mercy.
As they advanced, Arthur's sharp gaze caught sight of several Tier-2 monsters lurking in the distance. Their eyes glowed menacingly, their muscles rippling beneath scaly hides. If one of those things caught them unprepared, they'd be wiped out instantly. Knowing this, Arthur quickly signaled for his group to retreat into safer terrain.
Eventually, after a cautious detour, Arthur spotted five wolves prowling in the distance. Their sleek fur and glowing eyes gave them a feral grace, but more importantly, a scan confirmed they were Tier-1 monsters.
Relief washed over him. "One of you go and lure those wolves near the territory," he ordered. "We'll use the protective barrier to our advantage and strike them down from within."
One soldier immediately stepped forward. "Yes, my lord! I will lure them," he declared boldly. His name, according to the panel, was Jack.
Arthur noted his confidence and resolve. "I like your bravery, Jack. From now on, you'll serve as captain of these men."
A wide smile lit up Jack's face. "Yes, my lord! I will never disappoint you. My life is yours."
With swift precision, Arthur ordered the others into formation within the boundary of the protected zone. Jack, brave and unshaken, sprinted toward the wolves. The minutes crawled by in tense silence as the group waited. Then, at last, Jack came into view, sprinting full speed, with five snarling wolves right behind him.
"Get ready!" Arthur shouted. "They're coming! Show no mercy!"
The wolves slammed against the invisible barrier, confused by the sudden stop. They growled and snapped, unable to reach their prey. Arthur didn't waste a second.
"KILL THEM!"
The soldiers surged forward as one, weapons slashing and stabbing through the barrier. Their swords met flesh, and snarls filled the air. Jack led the assault with clear direction, calling out commands as his comrades responded with fierce coordination.
The battle dragged on for thirty grueling minutes. Fangs clashed with steel, and blood painted the grass red. Arthur watched every second, heart pounding, pride swelling in his chest as his men fought bravely.
Finally, the last wolf collapsed, lifeless and still. Silence followed.
A glowing blue screen popped up in Arthur's vision.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
*Congratulations, Lord! You have slain 10 Tier-1 wolves and gained 1,000 experience points.*
*You have leveled up. Your current level is now: Level 2 (Tier 1).*
**Stat Gains:**
Strength +1
Agility +1
Intelligence +1
Mana +1
Health +20
Excitement surged through him as he opened his status window.
---
**Name:** Arthur
**Gender:** Male
**Species:** Human
**Occupation:** Lord
**Cultivation:** Rank 1 (Level 2 | EXP: 500/1,000)
**Skills:** None
**Talent:** Luck (Legendary)
**Attributes:**
Strength: 6
Health: 120
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 11
Mana: 1
---
The power radiating within him felt real—tangible. He had grown stronger. This was only the beginning.
Jack soon returned, his armor splattered with blood, his expression calm but alert. He knelt before Arthur once again.
"My lord, the wolves have been slain."
Arthur gave a short nod. "Good. Now clear the area and bring all the wolf corpses to the front of my hut."
"As you command, my lord," Jack said, rising and calling on the others.
Arthur watched with quiet satisfaction as the soldiers worked together, dragging the beasts back with practiced teamwork. His heart pulsed with pride. They were strong. Reliable. Loyal.
He turned and walked toward his hut. The interior was simple—too simple. A small wooden bed stood at the back, barely enough for a night's rest. He sighed but didn't complain. The path to greatness was not paved with comfort.
Ten minutes later, the soldiers returned with the corpses, piling them neatly before the hut. Jack stepped forward.
"My lord, we have brought the wolf corpses as ordered," he said with another salute.
Arthur gave him a nod of approval. "Excellent work, Jack. Now assist the others with gathering resources and continuing construction on the huts."
Jack saluted once more and jogged off to fulfill the command.
Arthur turned to the pile of bloody carcasses. His legendary **Luck** talent was tingling—he could feel it. There might be something valuable inside those corpses. Something rare. Something game-changing.
"Let's see what I can get from these," he muttered, excitement rising again.
As he stepped forward, the possibilities danced through his mind. This was the beginning of his journey. With each slain beast, with every resource gathered and every ally gained, he would take another step toward building the empire he dreamed of.
The world was dangerous. Ruthless. But so was he. And he had no intention of staying weak.
---