The world was different. One moment, Selene had been at her apartment, staring out the window as rain drizzled on the city streets. The next, she was standing in the middle of a lush, ancient forest. Towering trees loomed over her, their bark pulsing with faint, glowing veins of energy. A gentle mist hung in the air, thick with the scent of moss and earth.
Then came the voice—cold, mechanical, and impossibly loud:
《Welcome to the Boundless Continent!》
Selene gasped, her heart hammering. It was as if the voice spoke directly into her mind. She wasn’t alone—she could feel it in her gut. Millions of others must be hearing this same announcement.
《You have been chosen as a Citadel Lord. Your task: Build, expand, and conquer. Only one Lord shall rise supreme. The rest will perish.》
Her hands clenched into fists as a shimmering blue screen materialized in front of her. It floated, glowing faintly, its text crisp and clear.
《Randomizing initial barracks type...》
The words glowed for a few moments, and then a new message appeared:
《Congratulations! You have been granted the unique barracks type: Court of the Fae Lords.》
Before Selene could even react, another prompt interrupted her thoughts:
《System Alert: Critical Error Detected》
The screen flickered, and bright red text filled her vision.
《Due to the activation of the Court of the Fae Lords, your race is undergoing an irreversible transformation into the Fae.》
A rush of energy swept through her body. She stumbled, gripping a nearby tree for balance as an overwhelming connection to the forest around her flooded her senses. She could feel the life teeming beneath her feet, the rustle of leaves as if they were alive, and the magic humming in the air. She looked down at her hands, which now glimmered faintly with a golden sheen.
The voice continued, detached and clinical:
《Note: The Fae race is unique and lacks predefined racial advantages. However, as compensation, you will retain all default human racial traits, including:》
Access to the Human World Chat for communication.
Access to the Human Trading System for resource exchanges.
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The 7-day protection period to secure your territory.
《In addition, as a member of the Fae race, you will receive unique enhancements:》
Affinity with natural and magical resources, enhancing resource gathering and efficiency.
Access to Fae-exclusive abilities, including Glamour Veil (stealth mechanics) and Nature’s Nexus (resource amplification).
Automatic 100% loyalty from all Fae within your domain.
Enhanced synergy with the Court of the Fae Lords and its summoned units.
《This transformation will immediately adjust your racial traits, territory alignment, and strategic potential.》
The forest pulsed with radiant light as her body adjusted to its new reality. Selene stumbled again as a glowing reflection of herself appeared in the air—her eyes now sparkled with gold, and her hair shimmered with a faint silver hue. She touched her face, her breath hitching. She wasn’t human anymore. She was... something else.
The screen shifted to a new message:
---
《Lord of the Grove: Selene, Queen of Balance》
《Strength: 0》
《Castle Level: Elementary Grove》
《Castle Base Unit: Fae Lord (Unique Unit)》
《Castle Building(s): Court of the Fae Lords》
《Equipment: None》
《Energy Stones: 0》
《Energy Cores: 0》
---
Selene turned slowly, her surroundings becoming clearer as the transformation completed. In the center of the clearing stood a wooden structure, old and decrepit yet radiating an unmistakable aura of authority. It looked like a large, weathered house built from ancient timber, its carvings alive with faintly glowing runes.
Beyond the structure, nestled within a ring of trees, was another feature: a Fae Circle. It was a ring of stones covered in moss, their surfaces glowing faintly with magical sigils. In the center of the circle, the air shimmered as if charged with raw energy.
A new message flashed before her eyes:
《Court of the Fae Lords is alive with mystical energy!》
《Do you want to summon a Fae Lord?》
《Yes》《No》
Selene hesitated, then pressed 《Yes》. The grove seemed to come alive. The Fae Circle crackled with magic as the sigils flared brighter. Two forms began to materialize within the glowing ring. Slowly, they stepped forward, their movements fluid and graceful.
The first figure was tall and regal, cloaked in frost. Snowflakes swirled around him, and his silver armor gleamed like ice. He exuded calm, unyielding power.
“I am the Fae Lord of Snow,” he said, his voice steady and cool. “I command the frost sprites, the ice wolves, and the snow elementals. My power lies in defense and control, and I am yours to command, Queen of Balance.”
The second figure was a sharp contrast. She burned with a fiery aura, her crimson robes flowing like molten lava. Her golden eyes gleamed with ferocity, and the air around her seemed to ripple with heat.
“I am the Fae Lord of Ember,” she said, her voice fiery and passionate. “I command flame sprites, fire foxes, and lava hounds. My power lies in destruction and aggression. As the Queen of Balance, you hold dominion over me.”
Selene stared at the two, awed by their presence. Snow and Ember. Ice and fire. Opposites, yet bound together by the title she now bore—Queen of Balance.
She straightened, her confidence growing. “I don’t know what this world is or why I’ve been brought here,” she said, her voice firm, “but I do know one thing: We’ll rise together. Let’s begin.”
The Fae Lords bowed deeply, their voices harmonizing as they said, “By your command, Queen of Balance.”
Selene turned toward the decrepit wooden house—the foundation of her grove and her castle. It wasn’t much now, but it was a start. With the Fae Lords at her side, she would conquer this strange world, not as a mere contender, but as the ruler of the Fae.
The Boundless Continent had no idea what was coming.