Hello, my name is Ethan Reid. I'm just a regular college student—not a genius, not a chosen one, just a guy who wanted a normal life after graduation. But nope. I died. At freaking twenty. Like, what kind of cosmic joke is that?
And no, it wasn't a god's wrath or Truck-kun this time. I died because I played a game called Realm Forge for a straight week. Yeah, a week. It's this insanely addictive kingdom-building multiplayer game with millions of players—and the moment I saw I could play as my favorite race, the elves, I was all in.
Now, somehow, I've woken up in a random forest... in the game world. Oh—and I'm not even human anymore. I am an elf now. I've got this tiny, graceful body, long pointy ears, platinum white hair, and—get this—heterochromia eyes. One silver, one gold. Sounds cool, right? Except I have no idea what the hell I'm supposed to do. I can't use magic, I have no weapons, and there's no handy tutorial popping up to help me survive.
…
Until a metallic voice suddenly echoed in my mind.
[Welcome, Host, to the world of Realm Forge.][You may now begin building your kingdom and enjoy your new life. Don't worry—you're not alone. Other players have been transported here too. You can communicate with them via World Chat or the private friend chat function.]
"W-Wait… Realm Forge? Is this actually the game world?"
"O-Okay, deep breaths, Ethan. You're not crazy… probably."
"So… this is like one of those insane isekai MMO things? I died from gaming too hard and now I'm literally inside the game?"
"Wait—World Chat? Other players? Oh no. This is Sword Art Online but with more elves and less plot armor."
"Kingdom building, huh? Cool. Cool. Cool… Except I've never built anything in real life besides IKEA furniture."
"Well, I guess first thing's first: don't die again."
"well first things first system"
[[Ethan Reid]
Race: High ElfTitle: King of the ElvesSkill:Elf Summoning Magic
[Elf Summoning Magic]
Type: Royal Skill (Unique to the Elven King)Description: The power to summon elves from across time and space to serve the true High Elf King. Each summoned elf becomes a permanent subject, bound by loyalty, and will live, work, fight, and build under Ethan's command.
Current Limit: 1–10 elves (based on the caster's Magic Power stat)
Summonable Elf Types:
Warrior Elf – Frontline fighter, excels with blades and spears
Archer Elf – Precision ranged unit, perfect for ambushes
Mage Elf – Casts elemental or healing magic
Artisan Elf – Specializes in crafting, building, and resource gathering
Noble Elf (Rare) – May possess leadership skills and influence other elves
Ancient Elf (??? – Locked) – ???
Unique Effects:
Permanent Loyalty: Summoned elves are not temporary. They become part of Ethan's growing kingdom, gain names, and can level up and evolve.
Village Formation: Once 10 elves are summoned, a settlement forms around them. From here, a kingdom can rise.
King's Aura: As King, Ethan emits an aura that strengthens all nearby elves and improves loyalty, morale, and combat effectiveness.
"Damn… am I OP? Did all my lifetime luck just get poured into this one skill? I'm not complaining though…"
He grinned to himself, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"But first things first—hehehehe… let's summon one right now."
He raised his hand, channeling his inner anime protagonist…
He raised his hand dramatically…
Then froze.
"Wait… how much mana do I even have?"
Just as the question formed, a translucent blue panel blinked into existence in front of him:
[Status: Ethan Reid]Race: High ElfTitle: King of the ElvesLevel: 1Mana: 200 / 200Strength: 10Dexterity: 13Intelligence: 42Charisma: 88Luck: ???
Skill:Elf Summoning Magic➤ Mana Cost: 100 MP per summon➤ Current Capacity: 1–2 Elves (Based on Magic Power)➤ Effect: Summons elite elves as permanent loyal subjects
Ethan blinked."…ONE HUNDRED mana per summon?!"
"Bruh, I can only summon two of them before I'm out. These elves better be S-tier or I'm suing God.""Alright… let's burn 100 mana and see what kind of monster I get."
Ethan took a deep breath."Alright… let's do this."
He focused, channeling the strange warmth gathering in his chest. A soft hum of power echoed through the clearing. Blue light gathered in front of him, swirling like a vortex—until, with a soft thoom, it exploded into a radiant glow.
And then she appeared.
An elf.
Beautiful was an understatement. She had flowing golden hair that shimmered like sunlight, and sharp, vivid emerald green eyes that locked onto him with curious intensity. Her figure—Ethan almost choked—was straight out of one of those over-the-top anime posters. Hourglass curves, flawless skin, long legs, and...
"Is she... is she just wearing a bra and panties?!" Ethan panicked internally, nearly biting his tongue.
She blinked, confused at first, her gaze darting around the forest clearing. But the moment her eyes met Ethan's, something changed. She stiffened.
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
Then she dropped to one knee, bowing her head low. Her hand pressed over her heart.
"My King."Her voice was soft, reverent. Almost trembling.
Ethan froze, brain short-circuiting.
'Oh. Oh no. She's hot. She's half-naked. And she just called me king—this game is insane.'
"Rise up and tell me your name."
The words came out without warning, and Ethan's mind screamed at him. 'What the hell? Did I just say that? What am I doing?'
His hand shot up to his forehead, but before he could even react to the ridiculousness of what he just said, Elyndra rose gracefully from her kneeling position. Her golden hair shimmered, cascading down her back like strands of sunlight. Her emerald eyes met his with a mixture of awe and respect, her posture perfect, standing with an otherworldly elegance.
"My name is Elyndra," she spoke with a calm yet commanding tone, her voice as melodic as it was powerful. "Grand Mage of the Elven Kingdom, loyal servant to the King."
'What the hell? Grand Mage?' Ethan's brain short-circuited for a moment. 'I just summoned the Grand Mage? She's the one kneeling before me?'
He quickly glanced at the status screen, his heart racing.
[Status: Elyndra - Grand Mage of the Elven Kingdom]Race: Elf (High Elven Lineage)Level: 950Mana: 150000 / 150000Skills:➤ Arcane Mastery➤ Elemental Summoning➤ Healing Wave➤ Teleportation➤ Magical Resistance➤ Loyalty to the King (Passive)Title: Grand MageLoyalty: Absolute
"Level 950?! Mana 150,000?!" Ethan gaped, his heart skipping a beat. "Did I seriously summon a god-tier mage with just one click? This is beyond OP."
Elyndra stood before him, waiting patiently, her expression serene. She wasn't even phased by Ethan's shock—she was used to this, perhaps. She was used to power. To being the most elite of her kind.
But then, something about her made her seem... different. Like she was more than just a servant. 'She's loyal to me? Me?'
Ethan rubbed his face. "Okay, okay… this is happening. I just summoned the Grand Mage of the elves, who's basically the most powerful person in the world right now—and she's my servant. What the hell am I even supposed to do with this?"
Elyndra, still kneeling before him, smiled faintly as if she'd read his mind. Her voice was calm, but beneath it, there was an undeniable edge of respect. "You are the King now, my liege. I am your servant. I shall guide you, protect you, and serve you loyally."
Ethan stared at her, then glanced at his own hands, as if wondering if he was dreaming."So… I'm a king now? Like, for real?"
Her smile deepened. "For real, my King."
Elyndra's calm smile never wavered as she looked at Ethan."Shall we begin, my King?" Her voice was soft but carried authority, like she was waiting for him to give the command.
Ethan scratched his head, still trying to wrap his mind around everything. But he needed to make a decision. He had a Grand Mage by his side, and now he was in this world for who knows what reason. The least he could do was try to make use of his new power.
"Uh, sure. Let's see... you know, maybe you could kill some weak monsters? Show me what you can do?" Ethan said, trying to sound confident even though his voice wavered a bit.
"As you wish, my King."
In the blink of an eye, Elyndra was gone—her figure a blur as she disappeared into the forest. Ethan blinked and quickly followed. He couldn't afford to just stand around and do nothing.
Minutes later, Ethan heard the unmistakable sound of explosions from deeper in the woods. He followed the noise and quickly stumbled upon the scene.
Elyndra stood effortlessly in the center of a small clearing, surrounded by what had once been a group of goblin-like creatures. They were barely level 1-10, and now they were little more than ashes. Elyndra's hands glowed with arcane energy as she summoned a torrent of fire, effortlessly incinerating the monsters in seconds.
"Is that… it?" Ethan stared in awe as the last goblin disintegrated into a pile of charred remains.
Elyndra turned back to him, her expression unchanged. "For now, they were weak. But they serve as a reminder—power must always be wielded with care."
Ethan's heart was still racing. "Yeah, uh, you're definitely a beast, Elyndra. But can you show me... other stuff? Maybe something that's not just instant death?"
Elyndra nodded, and with a wave of her hand, the ashes of the goblins swirled into the air and disappeared. She stepped aside and gestured for Ethan to look. "Do you wish to summon again?"
"Right," Ethan muttered, taking a deep breath. "Let's give this a shot."
He focused on his Elf Summoning Magic, feeling the familiar surge of power gather. But this time, instead of trying to summon a powerhouse, he decided to try something more practical.
A flash of light erupted, and from the glowing circle, another elf appeared. This one looked far more… ordinary. Instead of regal golden hair or glowing eyes, this elf was dressed in simple but practical clothing—working garb, to be specific.
He had messy brown hair, a modest tunic, and a tool belt packed with hammers, chisels, and other carpenter's tools. He looked a little bewildered, glancing around at his surroundings with wide eyes before locking gaze with Ethan.
"Hello, sir!" The carpenter elf greeted enthusiastically. "My name is Brel, and I am a carpenter elf, at your service!"
Ethan blinked. "Wait, carpenter elf?" He glanced at Elyndra, who just nodded. "Is this... normal?"
Elyndra smiled, though there was a hint of amusement in her gaze. "The summons depend on the magic you channel, my King. And it seems you've summoned a skilled craftsman. He will be useful in constructing your kingdom."
Ethan turned back to Brel, still processing. "So, you're a carpenter? Can you, like, build me a house?"
Brel grinned. "Of course! I can build you structures of any kind, my King! From simple huts to grand castles, I'm your elf!"
"Well, that's... practical," Ethan said, half-relieved and half-skeptical. "Alright, go ahead and, uh... build me something, I guess. Let's start small."
As Brel got to work, Ethan watched in awe as the elf quickly pulled out his tools and started creating intricate wooden structures from thin air, shaping them with precision and speed that seemed almost supernatural. In no time, a small but functional wooden shelter had begun to take form.
[System Message]Ethan Reid has reached Level 2+50 Mana+5 Strength+5 Dexterity+10 Intelligence
Ethan blinked as a notification appeared in front of him. "I... leveled up? From watching him make a house?" He was still processing it all when Elyndra spoke again.
"The act of summoning, and the work your subjects do, will help you grow, my King. Even in the beginning, you will find your power and influence growing with each new elf summoned."
Ethan nodded slowly, still trying to understand everything that was happening. He had a Grand Mage and now a carpenter at his service. Not bad for someone who just woke up in a random forest.
"Alright, I've got a Grand Mage, a carpenter, and... what else could I possibly need?" Ethan muttered to himself, his mind already running wild with the possibilities.
Ethan leaned against a tree, his arms crossed as he observed Brel working tirelessly on the structure. The carpenter elf's movements were fluid, his hammer ringing with each strike as wooden beams began to come together, forming the skeleton of what would eventually be a small yet sturdy house.
"Not bad for a carpenter, huh?" Ethan muttered, half to himself. Watching Brel's efficiency made him feel like he had his first real asset in this strange new world. Still, the whole "Elf Summoning" thing was so overwhelming.
"Alright, Elyndra," Ethan called out after a while. "How about you take care of the creatures in a 10 km radius around us? Just clear out anything dangerous while I keep an eye on Brel."
Elyndra, who had been standing quietly by Ethan's side, turned to him with a nod. "As you wish, my King."
In the blink of an eye, she vanished again, her figure dissipating into the forest with barely a sound. Ethan didn't even see her move; it was as if she was part of the wind itself.
[System Notification]Elyndra has engaged in combat. Creatures in a 10 km radius will be eliminated.
Ethan turned his attention back to Brel, who was already carving out intricate details on the house's frame. The elf seemed unfazed by the construction work, his concentration unbroken. Ethan had to admit, this was impressive. But it also gave him a sense of unease—was this really all he was supposed to do now? Sit back and watch while others did the work?
He tried to shake off the feeling. 'I'm a king, right? I'm supposed to have people doing things for me. It's... fine. Everything is fine.' He nodded to himself, though he still felt out of his depth.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Elyndra was making quick work of the creatures nearby.
She appeared in a clearing where a pack of wild beasts—giant wolves—had been prowling. Their massive forms stood at least three meters tall, and their glowing yellow eyes locked onto Elyndra as she stepped forward. But instead of showing fear, the wolves bared their teeth, growling low.
"How unfortunate," Elyndra said, her voice smooth and calm, like she was commenting on a passing breeze. "But I must insist."
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned an orb of fire, which whizzed toward the first wolf, exploding on impact. The force of the blast sent the creature flying backward, its body scorched and smoking. As the pack began to retreat, Elyndra snapped her fingers again, this time summoning a whirlwind of arcane energy that tore through the trees, chasing down the remaining wolves. Within moments, they were all vanquished, their fur littering the forest floor as ashes.
[System Notification]Elyndra has defeated 7 Level 10 Wild Wolves.Elyndra has gained 100 experience.The area is now cleared of hostile creatures.
Ethan, watching from afar, was in awe. He didn't even need to see the details; he could hear the rumble of magic from far away and the eerie silence that followed. Elyndra was clearly beyond powerful. His first instinct was to rush over and see what happened, but he stayed where he was, his eyes still on Brel, who was now finishing up the roof of the house.
"I really lucked out with these summons," Ethan muttered to himself, still trying to get used to the idea that he had absolute power over these creatures now. "And, man, the house looks great!"
The house wasn't anything too extravagant, but it had a sturdy foundation, well-fitted walls, and even a small front porch. Brel seemed to have a natural talent for making everything seem... well, perfect.
"How much longer?" Ethan called out, his curiosity piqued.
"Only a few more minutes, my King." Brel gave him a smile, hammering the last nail into place.
Ethan hesitated for a moment before he finally decided to open the World Chat. It had been lingering in his mind since he first heard about it, and now that he had a bit of time to kill while Brel finished up the house, he figured it couldn't hurt to see what was going on.
He tapped the panel in front of him, and a glowing message box appeared, displaying the latest chatter from the other players.