On a quiet day in the Great Fire Kingdom, while Yui was running after Rin trying to convince him to taste the fiery sweets (which he refused with his cold expression), Ryo and Infernus were strolling through the corridors of the ancient royal palace, built atop a dormant volcano.
The place was covered with centuries-old dust, and the walls bore carvings and inscriptions in a forgotten language.
Suddenly… Ryo stopped.
Ryo (in a low voice):
"What is this…?"
There was a massive mural, half of it shattered, but the remaining part was engraved with terrifying precision.
Black lines, flames, a strange planet… and a man standing in space.
Infernus (astonished):
"...This is indeed a strange carving, existing since very ancient times… I never knew it was here before."
Ryo lightly touched the wall and accidentally pressed a hidden button.
An ancient text appeared before them, glowing, and words told a forgotten legend lost through history, no one remembers it anymore:
'Thalorsa… the legend from which everything began.'
'Thalorsa'
In ancient times, before the middle ages, it was told that a person stood somewhere above the sky and the earth, holding a small core in his hands…
From it, everything began.
Rin and Yui suddenly joined after hearing the strange sound from the mural.
Yui (looking astonished):
"What is this story…? Are we living on a planet made by someone?"
Rin (calmly, while thinking):
"That person… what do you think he is?"
Infernus (in a soft voice):
"If this is true…"
Ryo:
"Hmm… maybe it's just a legend, not real?"
They completely ignored Ryo.
The four returned outside, sitting near the lava waterfall flowing from the depths of the kingdom.
Yui (laughing, throwing a piece of meat into the lava):
"Oh, look! Volcanic barbecue is faster than our stove!"
Infernus:
"Childhood innocence… in the midst of a crazy universe."
Rin (dryly):
"You're cooking on a volcano's crater… don't talk about innocence."
Everyone laughed.
…
Night fell.
Everyone went to sleep except Ryo, who was thinking about something and slipped out of the window and set off.
He walked silently, alone…
Returning to the place where it all began…
The tree he had created.
It stood tall, glowing with a strange calm, its leaves displaying the life of creation, and its hanging fruits swaying with the wind, as if waiting for the one for whom it had been planted.
Ryo stood silently, staring at the tree…
Ryo (whispering):
"It's time…"
Without hesitation…
He extended his hand and devoured the first fruit.
Then the second… then the third… then the tenth…
Until not a single fruit remained.
Suddenly…
A terrifying aura erupted from his body, like fiery lightning, tearing the clouds above him, splitting the sky in half with its light.
His body began to tremble…
His eyes burned with pure white light…
His mouth exhaled a heavenly glow…
His skin cracked, and from within, a strong light radiated.
All of nature fell silent.
Birds flew away in terror.
The winds bowed.
The sky shivered.
Then…
A beam of light shot vertically from Ryo into the sky.
It pierced the clouds, embraced the stars, and covered the entire continent.
People across the continent lifted their heads, their eyes wide, hearts trembling:
"What is this…?"
From behind that light… Ryo emerged.
Same features. Same eyes.
But he… was no longer himself.
Same form… but his presence had changed…
The ground shook beneath his feet as he returned, and the sky blinked under his light.
The system opened its window automatically:
[Congratulations, host Ryo… you have reached an advanced stage.
This entire continent feels your presence.
Your power has increased greatly.
Note: Not all skills and abilities can be contained, so they will be merged into two… New skills activated: (Continental Domination) and (Continent's Will) "maximum level"]
Important things about the new skill, Continental Domination:
The skill evolves with the user… for example, if the user reaches a new level, its control abilities increase.
Description:
This skill allows the user to have complete control over the surrounding environment on a continental scale. Any continent the user enters is considered under their control — from elements, gravity, to even the will of beings.
Core Abilities:
Law of Territorial Sovereignty
Upon entering a continent, Ryo activates the "Seal of Sovereignty," and everything within the continent comes under his influence.
All living beings feel his presence and are weighed down by his authority.
He can nullify any ability or magic used against him within the continent.
Continental Environmental Control
Ryo can change the weather, gravity, and elemental states.
He can unleash earthquakes, explosions, or calm everything with a single gesture.
Will Suppression
Anyone within the continent can have their thoughts silenced, their decisions frozen, or be forced to kneel with a glance.
Those below the user's level are affected automatically by this aura.
Manifestation Aura
Ryo's aura creates immense pressure, making even kings and emperors kneel under its weight.
Monsters, jinn, or dragons of low or medium levels cannot resist it.
The aura destroys any weak magic within a 10-meter radius.
Its only weakness: it has no effect against those of equal or higher level than the user.
Important things about the new skill, Continent's Will:
A unique ability linked to Continental Domination.
Description:
A power born from uniting all abilities and skills of the planet's inhabitants, generating a living will within the continent itself, obeying Ryo even without words.
Unique Abilities of Continent's Will:
Comprehensive Awareness:
Every being, movement, or thought within the continent becomes visible to Ryo as if displayed before his eyes.
He can see the hidden, the disguised, and even thoughts of betrayal or enemy intentions.
Judgment:
Ryo can choose someone within the continent and impose the "Will's Judgment."
The person is paralyzed physically and spiritually for one full minute, their consciousness pulled to the heart of the continent, where Ryo judges them.
Those with malicious intent toward Ryo are exiled from the continent forever and anywhere Ryo steps.
Ryo can temporarily merge with the Continent's Will, gaining:
Immense physical strength
Superhuman sight and hearing across the continent
Full mobility anywhere on the continent
When does the Continent's Will activate?
It activates automatically if Ryo senses:
Betrayal by someone within the continent
Threat from a higher being
Or manually, by saying:
"Rise, O Will of the Continent."
Its usage duration: 20 minutes only.
Ryo looked at his hands…
He felt no heaviness, no arrogance… only absolute silence and calm.
Ryo (in a low, reassuring voice):
"...I am no longer who I was."
In the heart of the Great Fire Kingdom, Rin shivered for the first time.
He looked at the sky and smiled faintly:
"Ryo… you've returned with something monstrous this time."
…
A faint laugh escaped from Ryo, then he walked calmly through the silence that followed the explosion of his power…
Whispering to the world:
"From now on… nothing will ever be the same."
To be continued…