The afternoon sun cast long golden rays through the canopy of trees, draping the forest floor in a mosaic of light and shadow. Arthur stood tall over the corpses of the slain wolves, their once-proud forms now bloodied and broken. Their coarse, grey fur was matted with crimson, bearing silent witness to the fierce battle that had just unfolded. The scent of iron lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of crushed leaves and fresh soil.
Curious, Arthur crouched beside one of the bodies and reached out to touch it. The moment his fingertips brushed the cooling fur, a soft *ding* echoed in his mind. A translucent blue window blinked into existence before his eyes.
> [Do you want to extract wolf corpse?]
His heart skipped a beat. Hands trembling with anticipation, he pressed 'Yes.'
Immediately, the corpses shimmered with ethereal light. Golden particles rose into the air, swirling like fireflies in a summer breeze. As the bodies dissolved, they left behind neatly organized piles of resources resting on the blood-soaked grass.
Another prompt appeared, its glowing text radiating a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
> [Congratulations! Wolf corpse extraction successful. You have obtained:
> • Meat: 200 units (Fresh quality)
> • Wolf Bones (Rare crafting material – Suitable for weapon crafting)
> • Bronze Rank Tier-1 Soldier Cards: Wolf Knight ×10]
Arthur's breath caught in his throat. Slowly, reverently, he picked up one of the soldier cards. It gleamed with a metallic bronze hue, far more radiant than the dull black cards he was used to seeing. A snarling wolf emblem shimmered on its surface, alive with a faint magical aura.
"Holy hell," he whispered, eyes wide. "Bronze-rank cards!"
He knew exactly what that meant. In this world, soldier ranks weren't just decorative—they dictated power, ability, and dominance on the battlefield. A single Bronze-rank warrior could easily defeat a squad of Black-rank soldiers. This wasn't just an upgrade; it was a complete transformation of his military capabilities.
Without wasting another second, Arthur sprinted toward the summoning portal. The ancient stone archway stood at the heart of his budding territory, pulsing with latent energy. Intricate runes glowed along its frame, humming with power. The air around it shimmered, as if reality itself bent slightly in its presence.
With determination, Arthur threw all ten cards into the swirling vortex at the portal's core.
A brilliant burst of bronze light exploded outward, momentarily blinding him. He instinctively shielded his eyes, squinting through the radiance. When the light finally faded, ten formidable figures stood before him.
Clad in expertly crafted bronze armor, the new soldiers radiated power. Their breastplates bore the mark of the wolf, teeth bared and eyes glowing with silent menace. Chainmail protected the gaps between their joints, and heavy cloaks fluttered behind them like the banners of a conquering army. Each held a sword etched with runes and a shield emblazoned with the visage of a wolf mid-hunt.
Their presence was overwhelming—disciplined, precise, and fiercely loyal. The aura they projected was unmistakable: these were not mere foot soldiers. These were Wolf Knights.
As one, they dropped to their knees, the sound of their armor creating a metallic rhythm that echoed across the clearing.
"Greetings, my lord!" they thundered in unison, voices powerful enough to send a flock of nearby birds fleeing into the sky. "We pledge our lives and our blades to your service!"
Arthur felt a surge of pride mixed with awe. These were elite warriors—soldiers who could change the fate of a battle. And they were his.
"Rise, Wolf Knights," he commanded, doing his best to project the calm authority of a seasoned leader. "Your strength and loyalty honor me. I have two tasks for you. First, aid the civilians in constructing their homes. Then, establish a proper military encampment for yourselves and the others."
He paused for a moment, gauging their reaction.
"You'll find ten Black-rank soldiers already in my service. I expect unity and discipline. From now on, you are one pack."
The knights responded instantly, rising to their feet with the precision of a drilled formation. "As you command, my lord!" they declared, before turning as one and marching off to their assignments.
Arthur stood alone for a moment, watching them disappear into the distance. A wide grin spread across his face.
"Being a lord definitely has its perks," he chuckled.
Curious about the progress of his fellow lords, Arthur opened his regional chat window. A translucent interface hovered before him, alive with scrolling text and lively banter.
> [RegionalChat]
> LordSlayer777: "Just took down a Tier-1 goblin! Lost a soldier, though. Three goblins for one troop—not worth it."
> NewbLord42: "Wait, you actually killed a goblin? I can't even hurt them…"
> DragonHunter: "Noobs. I've taken out five Tier-1 goblins already. No good drops, though."
> UnluckyLord: "My talent sucks. Completely useless."
> TierlessKing: "Preach. RNG gods hate me."
> GuildMaster_Wannabe: "What if we weak-talent lords formed a guild? Strength in numbers?"
The chat exploded with enthusiasm. Hundreds of "I'm in!" messages filled the screen. Arthur leaned back, intrigued by the sudden alliance forming among the less fortunate lords.
"Using numbers to compensate for quality," he muttered thoughtfully. "A sound strategy. I'll keep an eye on them."
Switching to the trading center, Arthur's eyes lit up. The value of food—especially meat—was skyrocketing. Many lords were struggling to feed their civilians and soldiers, and desperation was setting in. Some were even offering weapons, blueprints, and crafting materials in exchange.
Perfect.
He moved quickly, listing 100 units of meat for sale—just under market value, enough to undercut competitors and spark a frenzy. Then, with a few quick gestures, he composed a message and sent it across the regional network.
> [Trade Announcement – Arthur's Exchange]
> "Attention fellow lords! Arthur's Exchange is now open. Seeking equipment, treasures, crafting materials, and valuable information. Willing to trade fresh meat in bulk. Fair offers only. Message directly to negotiate."
The response was immediate. Pings and messages poured in as desperate lords tried to strike a deal. Arthur's grin widened.
Power could be earned through strength of arms, but it could also be seized through strategy, negotiation, and foresight. With elite soldiers, a stable food supply, and a growing foothold in the trading economy, Arthur's dominion was evolving rapidly.
As he stood at the center of his territory, watching the flurry of activity around him, one thought resonated in his mind.
This was only the beginning.
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THANK YOU GUYS FOR READING MY NOVEL. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SUPPORT ME AND GIVE ME SONE NEW IDEAS.....