The second sun had just begun to dip behind the rocky hills, casting the alien world in a golden-orange hue. The ground trembled faintly,distant monsters, or perhaps the pulse of something deeper. Rin stood at the head of a thousand guild members, their armor glinting under the dual suns as they approached the valley where the rumored treasure had drawn attention from both kingdoms.
It had been three days since entering the gate. The initial chaos was over. Now, alliances were forming, whispers carried through the ranks, and all roads led to the same place,this valley.
Rin had heard the rumors,an artifact buried in a collapsed temple deep beneath the hills, something that could enhance bloodline purity or awaken dormant potential. No one knew if it was real, but the sheer presence of elite forces from both kingdoms proved it wasn't just a myth.
As Rin crested the final ridge, the sight below took his breath.
Thousands of soldiers stood in organized formations, camps sprawled out like a temporary war city. Banners flapped with pride,red for the southern kingdom, silver for the eastern. The air was thick with tension. One wrong word could ignite a battle. Yet for now, it was peace. An uneasy truce.
Rin's eyes scanned the field. His heart skipped a beat.
There they were,his own guild's main force. The fifth prince, towering and regal, his draconic horns elegantly curved and plated in gold, stood beside Rin's cousin,son of the guildmaster, Valen. Both were surrounded by guards, their blood purity likely ranging from 30% to 40%.
But at the center of the eastern camp stood a man who stole all presence from the others. Tall, with long silver hair and crimson eyes that glowed faintly even in daylight. Horns curled upward like blades. That was Valek Solas, the guildmaster's eldest son. 67% purity. A true dragon among men. He was the type of man who could shift the tide of battle simply by arriving.
Rin exhaled slowly. "So this is the stage I have to stand on."
He waved his hand, signaling his squad to halt. "We'll camp just outside the perimeter. No one moves without my word."
They obeyed without question. Respect was growing.
Rin walked forward alone, toward the group of high-ranking nobles. The guards at the perimeter eyed him warily but made no move to stop him. After all, he bore royal blood.
He approached his cousins, head held high. When he got close, he offered a deep bow.
"Greetings, cousins," he said smoothly. "It's good to see you all well."
The fifth prince barely glanced at him. A nod.
Rin's cousin, Valen's son, gave the same,expression unreadable.
No insults. No greetings. No acknowledgment. Cold and distant.
Rin straightened, smiling calmly on the outside. Inside, he scoffed.
So that's how it is. I'm not worth their words.
He didn't mind. Not really. After all, he wasn't here to gain their favor. He was here to observe, to understand… and to find opportunities.
The fifth prince turned his attention back to the map laid out before them. "The scouts report tremors beneath the ruins. Something is waking up. We don't know what it is, but neither do they. So far, they're holding position like us."
Valek crossed his arms. "We'll act only if they do."
Rin stood quietly, absorbing the conversation. Every word gave him more clarity about how this world operated. Respect came from bloodline, yes,but influence came from bold action and power.
And right now, he wasn't powerful enough. Not yet.
But soon.
Behind him, his system pinged softly.
> [Tyrant Path +20 Points: Observation from Subordinates and Nobles]
Rin's smile deepened slightly. They were watching him. Measuring him.
Good.
Let them watch.
He stepped away from the command group and returned to his forces, who quickly opened a path for him.
"Send a scouting team," he said. "Discreetly. I want to know the layout of the ruins and who is stationed where."
A knight bowed. "Yes, Lord Rin."
He sat near a fire, hands resting on his knees. The treasure might be real. Or not. But what mattered was what people believed. As long as both kingdoms saw value, conflict was inevitable. And conflict bred chaos.
Rin stared at the ruins in the distance. His dragon blood stirred faintly. He could feel it.
Something big was coming.