Chapter 48: Dawn of a New Kingdom

Liam found himself caught in the palpable excitement of the moment, the sensation of victory and new beginnings buzzing like a live current under his skin. He took a deep breath, deliberately slowing his racing heart, grounding himself in the crisp air of the summit.

Bringing forth his status screen, he studied the familiar interface, the lines and numbers that detailed his survivalist class and skills. Yet, an unfamiliar tab drew his attention, nestled right beneath his established abilities. A newly minted section, it bore the title 'Affiliations'. His eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, the novelty of the tab echoing the novelty of their circumstances. It was a testament to the monumental change they had just enacted.

Eagerly, he focused on the section. With a soft pulsating glow, the screen responded, smoothly transitioning to another segment. The sight that greeted him then made his heart flutter.

Boldly inscribed at the top of this new section was the name of their newborn kingdom - 'Dominion of Denali'. It was their victory immortalized in digital script, a tangible evidence of their triumph. The sight of it stirred a sense of pride within him, an affirmation of their hard-fought battle, a beacon signaling the dawn of their new kingdom.

Liam's eyes moved from the grand title of their kingdom to the data presented below. The numbers and statistics all seemed so official, so formal, and then he spotted it – the figure that represented their current population. The number was laughably small, and yet it was also monumental.

"Population: 2," it read, the solitary digit almost comical amidst the grandeur of their surrounding environment. A tiny number, marking the beginning of their mighty kingdom.

He couldn't help but let out a chuckle, the sound echoing amidst the vast mountain range. It was a sound of mirth and satisfaction, filled with the incredulity and delight of their achievement. He glanced at Maria, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Population of two," he repeated, the words sinking in, representing not only their present but also the promise of a future they would build together. The thought was overwhelming, yet exhilarating, a paradox just like their solitary kingdom atop the frost-kissed peak of Denali.

As the echoes of battle and the raw surge of their recent victory began to fade, a calm tranquility settled over the summit of Mount Denali. The fierce wind that had accompanied their fight had quieted, leaving behind a silence that was both serene and stark. The vista around them, bathed in the ethereal glow of their newly established kingdom, was surreal, the tranquility a stark contrast to the primal struggle they had just endured.

Liam turned to Maria, taking in her figure against the desolate, beautiful landscape. She was panting slightly, signs of their recent fight still evident in her demeanor. But her eyes... her eyes were calm, resolute, mirroring the determination that had driven them to this point.

In the wake of the exhilarating battle and the thrill of their victory, he was left with an insatiable curiosity. Maria had been a constant in his life ever since they had met in the system's tutorial. Her presence had been comforting, reassuring, but now, in the stillness of their success, he realized how little he actually knew about her.

"Who are you, really, Maria?" he asked, his voice breaking the stillness. The question hung in the air between them, a testament to the bond they had formed and the mysteries that still lay unanswered.

Liam's question hung in the air between them, as if it had taken physical form and gently settled on the snow-laden ground. Maria looked at him, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It was not a look of amusement, but rather one of contemplation. She seemed to take a moment, her gaze trailing off to the distant, snow-capped peaks surrounding them.

"Who am I, really?" She echoed, a soft sigh escaping her lips as her gaze fell back onto Liam. "I'm... complicated, I guess. Aren't we all?" Her laugh was light, a soft sound that got whisked away by the mountain winds. But then her laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful silence. "I grew up in a remote village," she began, her voice taking on a somber tone.

Life, for her, had been a ceaseless struggle, a constant fight against the odds. Her village was far from the comforts of the city, and survival had been a game of grit and determination. "Life was... tough," she admitted, her eyes reflecting the hard, unforgiving world she had known. The hardship, the toil, the relentless fight for survival – it was all there, reflected in her earthy gaze.

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"I became a thief to survive, long before the system ever came into play." Her confession hung in the frigid air, a stark testament to the world she had come from. Her past had shaped her, honed her into the fierce warrior she was today. It was a past of resilience and resourcefulness, of facing the harshest conditions and emerging stronger. As she shared her story with Liam, her eyes never wavered from his, revealing the raw strength and determination that was Maria – a survivalist at heart, much like him.

describe this in detail, Liam should be surprised to hear how far she made it and that there was someone so high above her: Liam nodded, another question coming to mind. "How did the tournament go for you?"

Maria shrugged. "I reached the finals."

The mention of this elicited a surprised look from Liam. The fact that Maria had made it to the finals, was nothing short of remarkable. He looked at her, newfound respect coloring his gaze.

"The finals?" He repeated, his voice echoing off the icy walls of their mountain kingdom. It was hard to imagine that Maria, tough as she was, had stood against the cream of the crop. But then again, considering the ease with which she had helped him establish their kingdom, perhaps he shouldn't have been so surprised.

Maria simply shrugged, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes, the finals. But I stood no chance in the final match." Her statement was delivered with a surprising amount of casualness, as if she was discussing the weather rather than a defining moment of her life.

Liam frowned, curious. The tournament was notoriously challenging, and the idea of someone so overpoweringly skilled that even Maria didn't stand a chance was a sobering thought. It left him wondering just how far the rabbit hole of power levels went in this new world of theirs. He was left with a deeper curiosity about Maria, and a sobering understanding of the monumental task they had undertaken with their new kingdom.

As the snow lightly dusted the terrain of their new kingdom, Maria turned towards Liam, her eyes filled with both anticipation and a flicker of uncertainty. "Then what are we going to do now?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper, carried away by the icy winds. "How will we build this kingdom?"

Liam looked out towards the snow-covered landscape, a kingdom that was theirs to shape and mold. His gaze roamed over the untouched snow, the looming mountain peaks, the sparse vegetation clinging to life against the biting cold. It was a harsh, unforgiving landscape, but it was theirs. And within it, Liam saw potential - the potential for growth, for prosperity, for a sanctuary that could stand against the harshest of odds.

Turning back towards Maria, he grinned, his eyes sparkling with an unquenchable spirit of adventure. "We'll figure it out, Maria," he said, his voice echoing with confidence and determination. His grin widened, an infectious display of optimism that seemed to momentarily brighten the bleak surroundings. "We'll figure it out."

Sitting in the stillness of their newfound sanctuary, Liam turned his gaze from the icy landscape to Maria. His face was solemn, thoughtful as he broke the silence, "There's something else I need to do, Maria," he began, his voice steady but laced with a hint of urgency.

Liam cast his gaze toward Maria, a serious intentness reflected in his eyes. He broke the comforting silence with an unexpected declaration, "I need to leave this place soon. I've got to go where my sister was before the tutorial"

Maria's surprise was evident. She blinked at him, taken aback. "Leave? But what about our kingdom? Can it stand without us?" Her gaze roved over their newly founded land, questions swirling in her eyes.

Liam merely shrugged, a half-smile dancing on his lips. "We'll figure it out," he echoed his previous sentiment. He looked back at her, adding, "You're welcome to come with me, Maria."

Her surprise deepened, turning into contemplation. There was silence again, but this one was charged, heavy with the weight of decision-making. Finally, Maria shook her head, her voice soft yet resolute. "I can't, Liam. I... I have my own things to attend to."

Liam nodded, his expression understanding, albeit tinged with disappointment. His gaze drifted off into the distance, lost in his thoughts. But he was resilient. He knew this was just another challenge, another twist in his path. His journey was far from over, and his resolve to find his sister was unwavering.

Level: 15

Race: Human

Class: Survivalist

Profession: Explorer

Skills: Endurance, Weapon of Opportunity, Rapid Regeneration, Stealth, Crisis Instinct, Last Stand, Dance of the Wild,

Traits: Fearless, Detest the Heavens, Refusal to Join the Fallen

Faith: N/A

Blessing: Nature

Affiliations: Dominion of Denali(King)