The northern winds whispered through the ancient trees of the forest as Nyxaris moved with steady purpose. Birds scattered from branches. Small animals paused, sensing a presence they couldn't comprehend. The path was rugged, but his steps were light, cloak fluttering behind him like shadowed mist.
Inside his mind, Zeraldris was calm but focused.
"You feel that?"
"The distortion in the air. Whatever's attacking that village… it's not natural."
Nyxaris narrowed his eyes.
"Let's hope they're still alive."
Soon, smoke curled in the sky—thick, dark, and rising fast.
[Warning: Entering Combat Zone]
[Enemy Signatures Detected: Unknown Species | Estimated Power: C-Rank and rising]
As he crested a ridge, the scene opened up.
A stone-walled village lay below—much larger than the previous one. Massive ogres, easily two meters tall with broad shoulders and hardened muscle, were locked in battle with twisted, multi-limbed creatures oozing black mist. Their weapons clashed, the ground cracked beneath them.
Nyxaris didn't wait.
He jumped from the ridge, cloak swirling, and slammed into the battlefield like a meteor.
BOOM.
The ground cratered. Wind burst outwards. The monstrous creatures froze for half a second—then all eyes turned to him.
"Who the hell…?" one ogre grunted.
"W-Wait—look!" another shouted, bloodied but breathing. "That aura!"
The enemy rushed at him—four of them at once.
Nyxaris extended a hand, and the air twisted.
"Void Pulse."
[SYSTEM NOTICE: You have used a Reality-Breaking Skill. No MP consumed.]
A ripple of magic erupted from his palm, silent and colorless. The creatures didn't even get to scream—they simply unraveled into nothingness, like torn pages vanishing from a book.
Zeraldris chuckled inside him.
"Well. That'll make an impression."
One of the ogres, likely the chief, stepped forward, his left arm wrapped in thick bandages, his axe crackling with red mana.
"…Who are you?"
Nyxaris stood tall. "Someone who came to help."
"Help?" the ogre narrowed his eyes. "For what gain?"
A flash of gold light surged in Nyxaris' view.
[Side Quest Triggered: Gain the Ogre Chief's Trust]
Requirement: Speak truthfully. Do not lie. Ogres value raw strength and honesty.
He looked the chief straight in the eye.
"I'm building a kingdom. One where people like you don't just survive—you thrive. I want you and your people to be part of it."
A few of the younger ogres exchanged confused glances. Whispers started.
The chief grunted. "Talk is cheap."
Nyxaris smirked.
"I agree. That's why I came to fight first."
He turned slightly, sensing movement.
Five more creatures darted from the shadows. One charged directly at an injured ogre child.
"No—!" an ogress screamed.
Nyxaris appeared in front of the child in an instant.
"Worldbreaker's Presence."
His aura exploded outward. The charging creatures hit an invisible wall and crumbled, their bodies breaking apart under the weight of his very existence.
Silence.
Then… the ogres began to cheer.
"THAT'S STRENGTH!"
"A god among men!"
"He… saved her!"
The chief stepped forward again, slower this time. He planted his axe in the ground.
"…You've earned our respect, stranger."
"Nyxaris," he said.
"…Then from this day, I, Borrak, Chief of the Northern Edge, offer you our loyalty."
[SYSTEM QUEST COMPLETE: Ogres of the Northern Edge]
[REWARDS GRANTED: +250,000 Gold | +50 Reputation | Ogre Warrior Unit Unlocked]
Zeraldris' voice hummed, pleased.
"Well done, Emperor. Another stone in the foundation of your future."
Nyxaris glanced at the ogres, already regrouping.
"Let's head back to the village. We've got work to do."
Borrak smirked. "Then lead the way… Lord Nyxaris."
The journey back to the village was long, but spirits were high.
The ogres marched in disciplined lines behind Nyxaris—each carrying supplies, injured comrades, and salvaged weapons. The forest that once loomed with mystery now felt like familiar ground, cleared and calmed by the wake of his growing presence.
Zeraldris' voice echoed softly.
"You're gathering power fast. But it's not just strength… It's belief. That's even rarer."
Nyxaris glanced back at Borrak and the warriors.
"They believe because I showed them a different path."
"And now they'll follow you through fire."
As the village came into view, the goblins near the gate widened their eyes, dropping their tools.
"It's him!"
"Boss Nyxaris is back—and he brought giants with him!"
Erik rushed from one of the buildings, still in his worn-out work coat, eyes scanning the newcomers.
"Whoa… Are those ogres?!"
Nyxaris stepped forward, arms crossed. "Borrak, this is Erik—village leader and one of my trusted allies."
Borrak gave a respectful nod. "You've built something good here. We'll protect it with our lives."
Erik blinked. "That… means a lot."
Cheers started to erupt from the villagers and goblins alike, and children came running out from behind huts, awed by the towering new arrivals.
Then—
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT – QUEST COMPLETED]
[Integration Successful: Ogre Tribe Now Under Your Banner]
[+10 Leadership | +50 Reputation | Access to Ogre Construction and Combat Units]
[New Blueprint Unlocked: Fortress Wall – Tier 1]
Nyxaris smirked.
"Good. We'll need those blueprints soon."
Erik walked beside him as they passed into the village.
"You've done more in a few days than I could've in a lifetime," he said. "What's next?"
Nyxaris paused.
"We assign roles. Expand the fields. Begin building permanent defenses."
Erik nodded. "And the ogres?"
"They'll train the goblins and villagers," Nyxaris said. "This won't just be a town anymore—it'll be a stronghold."
As if on cue—
[SYSTEM QUEST UNLOCKED: Pillars of the Future]
Objective: Establish essential systems within your growing settlement – Military Barracks, Defense Walls, a Central Command Hall, and Food Security Structures.
Rewards: 500,000 Gold | Title: Founder of Dominion | Access to 'Nation-Grade' Developments
Nyxaris smiled to himself.
"This is only the beginning."
"So," Zeraldris mused, "which do you build first?"
Nyxaris looked over the land—the expanding field, the huts being reinforced, the smoke from kitchens. Then he pointed.
"There. We start with the Command Hall."
Erik raised a brow. "You sure?"
"If this world sees me as a leader, I'll give them a throne to remember."
The ground trembled ever so slightly as power pulsed from his fingers. Floating architecture menus opened up before him—blueprints shimmering with glowing lines.
With a wave of his hand, the land began to shape itself.
Stone rose, roots bent away, and workers gathered with excitement as the foundation for the future was carved into reality.
The village had begun to transform—into the heart of an empire.
And at its center stood Nyxaris, cloaked in shadowlight, eyes blazing with divine purpose.