Chapter 50: Clan
As Niko selected the "Territory" option on his status screen, something incredible unfolded before his eyes. A map appeared, similar to the one he had seen under the "Map" option, but with distinct differences. This map was far more intricate, displaying not only the landscape but also color-coded sections that spread across the territory. Some areas were shaded in darker colors, while others displayed bright hues, and there were strange badges representing various groups scattered throughout.
As he tried to zoom in to inspect the details, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
A new screen materialized, startling him.
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Due to owning a territory, you can create a Clan. Please choose a name.
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Niko was taken aback by the unexpected prompt. A clan? This world truly was more like a game than he ever imagined. He paused for a moment, contemplating his options. Creating a clan seemed like an unavoidable task, and although it felt odd to him, there was no other path forward. His mind raced through names before settling on one that felt meaningful and appropriate for the journey he was on.
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Clan Name: Dark Hope
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Why "Dark Hope"? It was simple yet deeply symbolic. He was the hope for his sister, lost in this world for far too long. If she was still alive, Niko vowed to protect and save her. He knew the road to her salvation would be paved in darkness, but he would become the light she needed, no matter how grim the journey became. This world had already shown him its cruelest sides, and he understood more darkness would follow before any real hope could be restored.
After confirming the name, another screen appeared for clan customization. Niko set about designing a flag, carefully choosing the elements that would represent Dark Hope. He settled on a black background with golden trim, in the center of which was a ghastly skull, its features fading into the dark backdrop like a spirit emerging from the abyss. It felt perfect—foreboding and mysterious, a symbol that would instill fear in their enemies and strength in their allies.
When Niko confirmed the design, the air around them seemed to pulse with energy, and something remarkable happened.
“Woah!” Ivanic exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe as he spun around, his eyes wide in disbelief. The entire castle seemed to ripple and shift in response to Niko's choice, as though the very stone and wood were bending to his will.
Slowly but surely, the room began to change. The once-weathered furniture darkened to a rich black, as if soaked in shadows, yet somehow more regal. Golden accents emerged like veins of precious metal, outlining the edges of tables, chairs, and even the walls themselves. Every surface gleamed with a newfound luster, the gloom of the castle replaced by a more purposeful darkness—a darkness that exuded power, not neglect.
Above them, gonfalon banners unfurled from the high ceilings, descending like sentinels of their new domain. Each banner was draped in black with the emblem of Dark Hope proudly displayed in the center. The skull insignia, fading into an ethereal swirl of shadows, seemed almost alive as it stared down from every corner of the room. The castle wasn’t just responding—it was transforming into a reflection of Niko’s new dominion.
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"What is this?" Ivanic asked, his voice filled with astonishment as he continued to take in the surroundings. His eyes, now glancing down at his robe, widened even further. With a look of confusion and curiosity, he touched his chest, where the once-plain fabric had been altered. “Clan?” he muttered, tracing the newly emblazoned insignia on his chest. The once-simple robe had morphed to match the color scheme of the room—jet black with golden accents, the skull insignia of Dark Hope now boldly displayed on his chest and arm.
The transformation hadn’t stopped at Ivanic. Niko looked down at himself, noticing that his own robe had undergone a similar change. The swirling emblem of Dark Hope was now proudly stitched into the fabric, declaring him the leader of this clan. The very essence of the castle, the environment, and now even their attire seemed to pulse with the power of his newfound authority.
It was as if the castle itself had pledged allegiance to Niko's reign.
“There are perks to this, it seems,” Niko mused aloud, a satisfied smile creeping across his face.
“Invite the others too!” Ivanic said eagerly, clearly impressed by the newfound power of their clan.
Niko shook his head. "No, it doesn't work that way. Those who want to join need to be near me to receive the invitation."
Despite the conversation, Niko’s attention remained fixed on the map in front of him. The map now displayed a dark, sprawling territory under his control, represented by the colors and emblem of Dark Hope. But there was more—far more than just his domain. There were other flags, other colors scattered across the map, indicating rival territories.
The first flag that caught Niko’s attention was disturbingly close to his own territory. It was a blue and green sphere on a white background, marking the territory of a clan called "Tera." Niko frowned as recognition dawned on him—this was the settlement he had recently fled from. Their lands clashed with his own, meaning that a conflict was likely inevitable.
Questions swirled in Niko’s mind. Why hadn't Tera warned anyone about this territory's dangers? Had they known about the dungeon and stayed silent? Or was there something even more sinister at play?
Pushing those thoughts aside for now, Niko focused on the other territories.
To the northeast lay a region called "Sword Peak," marked by a lone purple sword on a black background. Niko had heard of this place before—it was said to be the domain of the Old Monster, a figure feared by the inhabitants of Tera. Stories of the Old Monster were spoken in whispers, the tales of his power and ruthlessness enough to chill anyone’s blood. This was not a place to tread lightly.
Another flag drew Niko's attention to the west. It was a hideous pink and green emblem, a pig's head with two crossed axes behind it. The clan name was “Pig's Den.” Niko remembered the strange, brutish creatures from the dungeon—those weren’t just random monsters. They had intelligence, purpose, and now, he understood, a territory of their own. This confirmed his suspicion—humans weren’t the only race in this world. The Pigs Den was evidence that other intelligent species existed here, and they were as territorial as any human faction. He had also remembered that in the description of the Uproot Poison, there was a group called the Rat Race, which further validated his thoughts. Maybe there were many strange races in the universe being summoned here?
The more he explored the map, the more uneasy Niko became. Two more territories stood out—"The Church of Abaddon," whose flag bore clasped hands surrounded by golden wings on a white background, and "The Green Alliance," represented by a dark green tree on a lighter green background. Niko knew nothing of these groups, but he could sense the danger they posed. Each territory was like a piece of a deadly game board, and he had just become a player.
Niko’s mind raced. What was his next move? Should he lay low, bide his time, and build his strength? No. That wasn’t enough. He needed power—domination. This world had already shown him that the weak were devoured, and he refused to be prey any longer.
His eyes gleamed with determination as a dark thought crossed his mind.
“I want power. I want domination. And I’ll crush anyone who stands in my way, as at the end of the day, power will allow me to see my sister..”