He fell—not through the usual means of air or time, but through the very essence of meaning itself. The void around him buckled and bent, as if it had grown tired of holding him and found his stubbornness amusing. In that moment of descent, the fabric of existence shifted as though he were being judged by forces unfathomable and timeless.
[SYSTEM LOADING…]
The voice that echoed in his consciousness wasn't a voice at all; it was a presence, a logic older than language, communicating not to his ears but directly to the core of his being.
[Initializing Kingdom Core…]
[Scanning host: RIKO VALE]
[Tier 0 confirmed – Mortal Spark: Flicker]
"Flesh. Bone. Breath. A whisper of more."
[You are currently located in: AVATAR WORLD]
[Time Anchor: Six months before the beginning of the canonical cycle.]
As the details of his new reality crystallized, he recalled where he was and when. This time and place belonged to the realm of Avatar. A sudden realization gripped him—he was alive again, reborn into a world rich with elemental forces and mythic spirits. He could almost feel the whispers of ancient beings weaving through the very air he breathed, hinting at stories untold and adventures yet to unfold.
[Status: Reincarnated. Host body constructed. Memory integration complete.]
Then came sensation. A cascade of warmth enveloped him, heat rippling across his skin as the wind tousled his hair. The coarse texture of sand pressed against his back, grounding him in the moment, while the soft rustle of nearby trees whispered secrets he couldn't yet decipher.
He gasped—his first breath in a second life, a breath that brought clarity alongside a twinge of disbelief.
As he blinked his eyes open, they struggled to adjust to the sunlight that flooded his vision, sharp and dazzling—like a blade cutting through the remnants of an otherworldly darkness. Above him, the sky stretched vast and infinite, a stunning blue that seemed to sing with anticipation, as if the universe had eagerly awaited his return. Not just any return, but his.
He lay on the idyllic shore of a lone island, its beaches caressed by clear, gentle waves that lapped at the edges like a soft, welcoming embrace. Towering cliffs loomed to one side, standing majestic and proud—forgotten monuments to ages long past. Nearby, an ancient forest beckoned, its vibrant green foliage whispering tales of spirits dwelling within the trees, lost souls waiting for a purpose to be rekindled.
With a sudden surge of determination, he sat up, feeling the sensation of life suffusing through him. His body felt different—leaner, honed, untouched by the scars and burdens that had marred his previous existence, the life that had ended in flames. He touched his face, fingers tracing the contours of a visage that mirrored rebirth, like a child marveling at its reflection for the first time. He had truly returned—flesh, fingers, breath, and heartbeat surged within him, shimmering with the promise of newfound potential.
Yet, amidst this miraculous awakening, a sense of dislocation gnawed at him. The vivid joy of being alive felt intertwined with a poignant realization: this place—this world—was not home. It was a vibrant realm of possibility and mystery, filled with echoes of magic and elemental forces, but it belonged to another narrative, separate from the life he had known. And yet he felt... powerless.
[Welcome to the Kingdom Core System.]
[Primary Directive: Build. Expand. Reign.]
[Tier Status — Mortal Spark: Flicker (0/5)]
Sub-Tier Meaning:
Flicker – First signs of potential. Weak, unstable.
[System Capabilities Online:]
Summoning: ENABLED
Kingdom Lottery: ENABLED
Kingdom Shop: LOCKED
Status Access: ENABLED
World Travel: LOCKED
Kingdom Map: LOCKED
The words carved themselves into his vision—not blinding, not artificial, but ancient. As if the world itself had decided to grant him a script to follow, etched in the foundation of its being.
Riko narrowed his eyes. If this was some kind of game system, then there had to be more hidden beneath the surface. "System," he said aloud, his voice dry and cracking from disuse, "do you have a newbie gift package?"
There was a brief hum, like an ancient mechanism shifting into place.
[Newbie Package Request: CONFIRMED.]
[Unlocking special blessing: TITLE GRANTED — KING.]
A warmth surged through his chest, different from the sunlight. It was power—not borrowed, not stolen, but bestowed. It hummed in his veins, vibrant and hungry.
[Ability Unlocked: KING'S INHERITANCE]— All abilities, skills, traits, and unique talents of loyal subjects will be added to the KING.
[Tier Advancement: Mortal Spark → Element-Touched → Soulkindled → Veilwalker]— Current Tier: Tier 3 — Veilwalker
— Sub-Tier: Flicker
"Veilwalker…" he whispered. He didn't know what it meant yet, not entirely, but it sounded powerful. It felt like recognition. A nod from the universe that he wasn't just another wanderer. He was something more.
[You now possess the ability to phase into spiritual realms, project your soul, and manipulate energy on a basic level.]
[Summoning Lottery: INITIAL RIGHTS GRANTED]
[Three summons available. Each summon is 100% loyal and bound to the KING. Betrayal: IMPOSSIBLE.]
Riko's eyes widened as he processed the burgeoning possibilities. A crooked grin crept across his face. This wasn't merely a second chance; it was a destiny wrapped in power and potential.
He wasn't a gang boss anymore, living in the shadows of the underworld. Now, he was on the brink of becoming something far more formidable—a king, one who could command the tides of fate and forge his own legacy.
And then came the options like stars scattering across the night sky.
[Would you like to begin your Summoning Lottery? Y/N]
He didn't need to speak his answer aloud; the resolve echoed within him, resonating through every fiber of his being.
Yes.