Point of View: Kael
We stood at the entrance of an underwater cave, silent and dark. The tension among my soldiers was palpable.
I asked the scout,
"—Are you sure this is the place?"
"Yes, King," he replied. "The tribe is here."
I looked at my troops, some uneasy, but I spoke firmly,
"—Don't worry. I'll handle the Kraken. You take out the rest of the tribe. I'll support you once it's down."
"—Yes, King!" they responded in unison.
I raised my voice toward the cave,
"—For Atlantis!"
"—For Atlantis!" they shouted, and we charged.
The cave was dark, but we were used to the depths. Moments later, massive octopuses emerged from the shadows—members of the tribe defending the Kraken. My soldiers spread out, attacking with precision, coordinated.
I remained alert, waiting for the true enemy. A strike from the darkness made me react instantly.
"—It's out," I murmured.
It emerged. The Kraken was colossal, at least twice the size of its minions. I reinforced my body with origin energy and charged.
The battle was brutal. Its tentacles struck with force, dragging water and some of my soldiers. Its jaws closed with lethal precision, but failure was not an option. I bit one of its tentacles while dodging another.
The Kraken roared, and a white circle appeared from its body. Within seconds, its size and strength multiplied—it was now three times larger than the other octopuses, intimidating and powerful. My eyes hardened.
I activated my skill: Lord of the Ocean. The water around us obeyed my will, forming chains that lashed at its tentacles, twisting it. Every strike was controlled but deadly. Its movements were powerful, but my attacks weakened it.
I concentrated the water, shaping it into a liquid trident and thrust it at its head. The impact knocked it down partially, but it roared in fury, sending a wave that tossed my soldiers.
They were facing the tribe's octopuses—strong but uncoordinated. My troops advanced, cutting and breaking tentacles, while the creatures dodged instinctively, without strategy.
The Kraken slowed. Its muscles weakened under pressure. My water chains gripped its arms and torso. Then my attacks targeted its vulnerable points directly.
Finally, it fell. Its massive body slammed into the cave floor, causing a tremor.
The cave fell silent. My soldiers panted heavily, some injured, but victorious. I approached them and commanded,
"—Good work. Consume their bodies to regain strength quickly. Clear the entrance and secure the area. I'll recover some energy, then we'll seal the cave to rest."
"—Yes, King," they answered.
Unfortunately, three of our soldiers did not survive. I've never liked war because of this; in the ocean, death comes too fast.
I looked around, taking a deep breath as the currents calmed. Victory was ours.
---
Point of View: Ragnar
We stood in front of the tribe's entrance.
They were bears like us… but their fur was dark green, almost like moss stained with dried blood. The system had told me their clan's name, but I didn't bother to remember it.
Names didn't matter.
Only survival did.
We were barely a few meters apart. The air was thick with tension and the scent of war. My subordinates waited for my signal, their breaths forming clouds in the cold.
They knew their task: Exterminate the tribe.
And I…
I would deal with their king.
His level matched mine. Ascended Level 1 (Peak).
Perfect.
We stared each other down. Neither of us flinched.
I bared my fangs and roared with all my strength.
"—ROOOOAR!!"
The ground shook.
And the battle began.
No unnecessary words. We didn't need them.
I charged straight at him. Our claws collided violently, snow and blood flying into the air. Each impact made my bones creak, but it only fueled the fire inside me.
I pushed him back little by little, away from the battlefield. No distractions.
When we were far enough, I smiled, revealing my teeth.
"—You are the king of this place…"
He growled with fury.
"—I know… you cannot understand my words. But we both know the truth."
My gaze turned cold.
"—There can only be one king."
I activated my skill.
—Frost Armor.
Snow whirled around me. Ice solidified over my body, forming thick, sharp armor. The cold penetrated my flesh… and I embraced it.
I would not hold back.
He responded. A white circle appeared under his paws. His body began to grow. Muscles expanded, his shadow covering me.
Now he was twice my size.
Perfect.
"—It's been a long time since I could fight without restraint…" I growled, filled with excitement. "Don't disappoint me."
And we clashed again.
Claw against claw. Fang against fang.
He was stronger. Each strike buried my paws into the frozen ground. I felt ribs crack. Hot blood ran through my fur.
But I…
I was more resilient.
I adapted.
I learned.
Our battle dragged on. The snow was stained red. In the distance, my subordinates had finished with the tribe.
But my opponent kept fighting.
It made me laugh.
"—Hahaha! That's it! Don't give up!"
We were battered. Wounded. Exhausted.
But neither of us would fall.
I charged again.
This time, not with strength… but with intent.
I had memorized his rhythm. His breathing. The slight movement before his strikes.
I dodged.
Counterattacked.
My claw pierced his defense, and my fangs found his throat.
Blood gushed hot.
He fell.
I stepped back slowly, breathing heavily.
I could have ended the battle sooner.
But I didn't want to.
I wanted to feel it. Fight without strategy. Without calculation. Pure instinct.
I looked at his lifeless body.
Then I raised my head to the gray sky.
"—ROOOOOAR!!"
My subordinates answered in unison.
"—ROOOAR!!"
Yes…
When this campaign ends, I will begin another conquest.
Rasganorte no longer excites or challenges me.
But conquering other planets…
They will resist.
And I will savor every battle.