"We’ve been observing how you train," the man in heavy armor said as they sat on the camp chairs in an open area near the lake’s edge.
"And I must say, you have an extraordinary fighting spirit!" the man, who introduced himself as Kaelzar, continued with a firm voice. "I’m certain that someone like you would earn a special place in our alliance—if you keep showing this level of determination."
Atlas responded with a faint smile and a respectful bow of his head. "I truly appreciate the compliment. I’m honored."
The discussion carried on, taking a more serious turn as Kaelzar started to outline his offer in greater detail.
"I don’t know if you’ve decided on your target islands yet. But there’s one island that will be highly contested in the next Dominion Skirmish. It’s a unique island—its environment can shift dramatically, and it’s filled with rare resources and monsters that drop valuable materials."
Atlas remained silent, his expression carefully neutral.
Kaelzar continued. "If you agree to join us, even securing an island like that would become a much easier task for you."
Atlas kept his gaze steady, showing no reaction, though his mind raced through the implications.
This offer wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Kaelzar and his people had clearly studied Atlas—perhaps more thoroughly than he had anticipated.
It was likely they had also predicted that he would target this particular island in his plans. After all, given his recent string of victories, it would be easy to assume that a rookie lord, riding on confidence, would aim for a high-risk island to prove his worth.
If Atlas accepted their offer, it would appear as though they were graciously handing over the Dynamic Environment island. But if he refused? The message beneath their words was painfully clear: they would cross paths on the battlefield.
Even though Atlas had never seriously considered joining them from the beginning, the man’s parting words carried an unmistakable weight. It wasn’t just a negotiation. It was both a challenge and a threat, delivered directly to him.
Atlas remained calm, his composure unshaken. His gaze locked on the man before him.
Would they meet on the battlefield?
Would this threat make him back down and abandon his plans to fight for a rank-2 island?
If a threat like this was enough to make him hesitate, how could he ever hope to push himself to grow stronger in the future?
After a brief pause, Atlas bowed his head slightly before responding. "That is an extraordinary offer. I’m truly honored by it all, but with the utmost respect, I must say that I’m not ready to commit to any alliance at this time. Therefore, I’ll have to pass on this remarkable opportunity—for now."
Kaelzar’s lips curved into a faint smile before he rose from his seat. Atlas followed suit, standing to meet him.
The man extended his hand for a handshake, and Atlas accepted it without hesitation.
"Good luck," Kaelzar said before turning away, his two companions following as they walked away.
Atlas stood still, watching them go.
Moments later, he turned and walked back toward the camp.
Without wasting time, everyone began dismantling the camp, gathering their gear and supplies after ten grueling days of training on the island.
Once everything was packed, the teleportation pad was activated, and a large magic circle formed in the clearing. One by one, they stepped into the glowing runes and vanished from Celesthollow.
From a distance, Kaelzar and his companions watched silently as Atlas and his team disappeared.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Why didn’t we just crush him right here?" one of the men growled. "That asshole rejected such an incredible offer. Do you think he’s already found a better deal?"
"No," Kaelzar responded calmly. "I think he’s just drunk on his recent victories. He probably believes he can handle this battle alone."
"Typical rookie mistake!" the man scoffed. "They never truly understand what these wars are about. They think luck will always be on their side!"
Kaelzar’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Let’s see if we meet him in the next Dominion Skirmish. We’ll see how much he regrets turning down the offer we gave him."
Silence fell between them as the sun dipped lower, and night began to settle over Celesthollow.
Kaelzar tilted his head, his gaze following a flock of flying monsters passing overhead. His eyes narrowed at one in particular—a large, bird-like creature.
"That bird," he said quietly. "Kill it."
**
The remaining days leading up to the Dominion Skirmish battle phase were fully dedicated by Atlas and everyone in Gacha Haven to recovering their strength and ensuring their bodies were back in peak condition.
They double-checked every piece of gear and meticulously prepared for what lay ahead. Every strategy, formation, and technical aspect of the upcoming battlefield was drilled into each combatant. Everyone knew their role, their position, and the stakes.
During this final preparation period, Atlas also secured an additional 20 combatants from the Summoning Altar. With that, his forces now stood at 100 combatants, split into five squads, along with 20 workers to support their operations.
On the very day the Dominion Skirmish was set to begin, Atlas, his elite subordinates, and every combatant and worker gathered, fully dressed in their designated battle outfits.
Their uniforms were designed specifically for this moment—a striking combination of dark tones accented with gold patterns, each outfit proudly displaying the Gacha Haven emblem.
They stood in perfectly organized ranks, weapons ready at their sides.
Everyone was at their absolute best. Every wound had healed, every mind was sharp, and every soul was determined to give their all.
The rigorous training over the past few weeks had paid off spectacularly. Many of them had already reached level 50 and achieved their class advancements, marking a major milestone in their growth.
Now, they weren’t just a collection of warriors.
They were a force—ready to make their mark on the battlefield.
Edrik gave a respectful bow toward Atlas before stepping forward to face the gathered troops.
“This battle is crucial,” he began. “The outcome will shape the rapid growth of our island in the days ahead. We can’t afford to treat this lightly.”
He straightened his posture and continued.
“We have three target islands in this Dominion Skirmish,” Edrik continued, his tone steady but firm. “The first, a low to moderate risk island, is Emerald Glade—a land covered in dense forests rich with resources and hidden dangers. Lyrassa and Mira will take the lead, supported by Team Blaze and Team Dusk.”
He paused briefly, letting the troops absorb the information.
“The next island,” Edrik went on, “is Azure Dunes, a moderate to high-risk target. It’s a harsh desert landscape, with shifting sands and a massive lake at its center. This mission will be led by Milo and Karian, commanding Team Aether and Team Eclipse.”
The troops nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the missions assigned to each team.
“And finally, the third and most high-risk island—Shattered Ember Isle. A rank-2 island with volatile terrain and deadly enemies.” He took a step forward. “The assault on this island will be led by an elite team: myself, Morganna, Master Kurogasa, Baldric, and, of course, Lord Atlas. We’ll be supported by Team Cinder.”
Edrik continued, his voice calm but firm.
“For the first week, our priority will be to secure key areas and resources on each island,” Edrik stated. “We will play it safe to assess the terrain, scout threats, and hunt for critical resources and materials we need.”
“After that, we will reassess and adjust our strategy based on the situation,” he continued. “But make no mistake…”
He paused for a moment.
“Once we’ve gathered what we need, we will shift our focus to fortifying and dominating the island that we choose to claim. And that’s when the real battle begins.”
He glanced back at Atlas briefly, then turned his attention to the troops once more.
“This isn’t just about survival. It’s about domination. We’re not here to test the waters. We’re here to claim what’s rightfully ours.”
Everyone’s gaze grew sharper after Edrik’s briefing.
Then, Atlas stepped forward.
He summoned his Legendary-grade Wavebreaker Spear. The moment it materialized, his entire body became cloaked in a radiant aura of deep blue energy mixed with crackling gold lightning.
A swirling current of water formed in the air, spiraling upward before bursting outward. In the midst of it, Zefyros appeared, his form manifesting with his signature roar.
CRAAAKKK!
Atlas gripped the spear tightly.
“We leave together, and we return together,” Atlas declared. “Never abandon your comrades. Never leave behind your brothers, your sisters, your team. We only win by standing united—by combining the strength and will of everyone here.”
“FIRE!”