The eleventh day dawned with a pale silver glow spilling across Twilight Domain. Sam stirred from sleep, only to find Indra perched squarely on his chest, storm‑striped fur shimmering faintly in the dim light. The cub's deep blue eyes stared down at him with a pleading look, tail flicking impatiently.
Sam chuckled, brushing a hand across Indra's head. "You're not guarding me, are you? You just want breakfast."
Indra purred, pressing his head against Sam's chin, confirming the suspicion.
Sam glanced out the window. In the courtyard below, Helios lay with wings folded, flames dimmed, absorbing the early morning sunlight. The Phoenix's feathers shimmered faintly, each ray of dawn strengthening his aura.
Sam rose, fed himself and Indra in the kitchen, then headed toward the training grounds.
The training grounds were alive with the sound of sharpening blades and murmured chants. Sam opened the System interface. [Daily Free Troop Summon Available.]
"Solar Warriors," he commanded.
Light flared, and ten armored warriors appeared, shields gleaming, spears ready. They knelt in unison. "Twilight Lord."
Sam nodded. "Find Justin. Receive orders. You'll join the defense."
The warriors saluted and marched off.
Sam turned to One, who had appeared silently at his side. "Where are the Lunar Lizard Knights?"
One bowed. "Lux has gathered all sixty at the Monster Ranch."
Sam's eyes narrowed. "Then that's where we're going."
He woke Helios, who stretched his wings, flames flaring. Indra bounded ahead, stormlight sparking. Together, they made their way to the Monster Ranch.
The Monster Ranch was alive with energy. Sam arrived to see sixty Lunar Knights standing in ritual circles, each paired with a wolf.
The knights bowed as he approached. Even the wolves lowered their heads in respect.
Sam raised a hand. "Continue."
Blood was exchanged, chants spoken. The circles beneath them glowed red and gold, runes spiraling outward. Above the ranch, a small moon appeared, casting silver light. A low howl echoed, and torrents of energy surged into each circle, blinding the onlookers.
Sam received a System message but ignored it, transfixed by the sight.
Ten minutes passed. The energy subsided. When the light cleared, a new troop stood before him:
• Sixty Lunar Lizards clad in white armor, crescent moons etched in gold and amethyst.
• Spears of white wood tipped with silver, glowing faintly purple.
• Shields strapped to their arms, long swords slung across their backs.
• Each knight mounted a massive white wolf, three meters long, two meters tall, fur shimmering like moonlight. Black crescent marks adorned their foreheads, and their eyes glowed deep red.
Sam finally checked his messages:
• Message One: Congratulations on being the first Overlord to create a unique troop type. Reward: Gold Chest.
• Message Two: Congratulations on creating a Tier 5 Unique Troop. Please name this troop.
Sam smiled. "Moonlight Cavalry."
Lux dismounted, kneeling before him. "Thank you, Twilight Lord." The rest followed suit, wolves bowing alongside their riders.
Sam scanned them, confirming each was Tier 5.
"Adjust to your new power and bonds," Sam commanded. "Tonight, you ride to war."
The Moonlight Cavalry cheered, voices echoing across the ranch.
Helios stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "How did you accomplish this?"
Sam exhaled. "The Monster Ranch. It tames beasts, accelerates breeding, and creates ritual bonding circles. And more — it empowers all beasts and monsters raised within it to reach Tier Two before the empowering stops. Every creature raised here begins with strength."
Helios paused, astonished. "I have never heard of such a magic item. To guarantee Tier Two… it is beyond rare."
Sam smiled faintly. "Neither had I. But it will change everything."
Indra growled softly, stormlight flickering, as if agreeing.
Back at the manor, Sam summoned One for a full report. The Shade Assassin appeared silently, bowing low.
"All troops and civilians have returned inside the City Wall," One said. "All forces, except those summoned today and thirty Moon Mages, have reached Tier Four."
Sam leaned forward. "Totals?"
One listed them with precision:
• 10 Shade Assassins — Tier 6
• 60 Moonlight Cavalry — Tier 5
• Solar Warriors — 20 Tier 3, 80 Tier 4
• Moon Mages — 30 Tier 3, 80 Tier 4
• 280 total troops
Loot gathered:
• 1,200 beast cores
• 2 Beast Lord Cores
• 12 Troop Tokens
• 500 wolf hides
• 200 low‑tier weapons
• 50 Earth Serpent eggs (Tier 10 potential)
• A map
Sam's eyes sparkled. He took all the beast cores into his storage ring, along with the map for safekeeping. He kept a few low‑tier swords for practice.
"Give the wolf pelts and low‑tier weapons to the people," Sam ordered. "Melt the weapons into farming tools. Send the Earth Serpent eggs to the Monster Ranch."
At the training grounds, Sam used the 12 Troop Tokens:
• Added 20 Tier 3 Moon Mages.
• Added 100 Tier 5 Moonlight Cavalry.
Troop total rose to 400, with 160 Tier 5 Cavalry.
Sam then exchanged beast cores for materials and built Monster Ranches in each town. By midday, the domain thrummed with new life and preparation.
Sam ate lunch with Indra, who tried to steal bites from his plate, and discussed war plans with Helios.
Later, he summoned his commanders to the manor. The room filled with knights, mages, and assassins, each bowing before him.
Sam laid out the plan:
• Moon Mages will man the City Wall, supported by Solar Warriors.
• Moonlight Cavalry will form up behind the city gate.
• Siege towers will be allowed to approach within 5 meters before attacking.
• Towers are not to be destroyed — Sam wants them broken down later for farming materials.
• Moon Mages will focus spells on goblins, aiming for non‑lethal injuries on wolves to capture them for ranches.
• Once towers drop bridges, the magic shield will be revealed — the first surprise.
• When enemy morale falters, the Moonlight Cavalry will charge — the second surprise.
Commanders nodded, determination etched into their faces. The plan was bold, but it carried the weight of inevitability.
With the council dismissed, Sam finally opened the Gold Chest he had earned.
Inside were three items:
• Overlord Tier‑Up Crystal
• 1 Gold Troop Token
• Skill Book: Flame Bulwark
Sam stored the crystal carefully, then learned the skill. Flames surged around him, forming a shield that shimmered with protective power.
He picked up the Gold Troop Token, eyes widening. Something about it felt different, heavier.
Far from Twilight Domain, the goblin‑wolf horde pressed forward through the forest. At its head sat the Tier Seven Goblin Rider, armored in jagged steel, his wolf mount snarling beneath him.
A scout approached nervously, bowing low. "Lord Rider… the army is four hours from the Overlord's territory."
The Rider laughed, gnashing sharp teeth. "Perfect. We strike at night. Catch them sleeping."
The scout hesitated. "My lord… there is a wall. A massive wall surrounds the territory."
The Rider chuckled, pointing toward the towering siege engines lumbering behind the army. "Walls fall. Towers rise. Bridges drop. The Overlord will be crushed."
The scout opened his mouth to speak again, but the Rider kicked him hard, sending him sprawling. "Tell the army to prepare. Tonight, we feast."
Back in Twilight Domain, Sam examined the Gold Troop Token. It felt heavier than expected, etched with faint runes. Turning it over, his eyes widened. Tier 10.
He pressed the token into the ground. The earth trembled.
Ten figures rose from the soil, towering three meters tall, clad in silver armor. Each wore a black cloak embroidered with sigils: five with red‑gold Phoenixes, five with blue‑silver Tigers.
• The Phoenix Guard carried greatswords, flames flickering along their blades.
• The Tiger Guard bore spears and shields, lightning crackling across their weapons.
Sam scanned them: Tier 10 Kings Guard Golems.
At the training grounds, he commanded them to demonstrate their power.
Flames roared as the Phoenix Guard swung, arcs of fire slicing through the air. Lightning surged from the Tiger Guard, spears crackling with thunder. Orbs of elemental energy flew, walls of fire and lightning rose to block attacks.
The troops watched in awe, reassured by the sight. Helios's flames flickered brighter, astonished. Indra's stormlight sparked wildly, fascinated by the Tiger cloaks.
Sam smiled faintly. "My personal death squad."
That evening, Sam summoned the System interface. [Daily Gift Roulette Available.]
The wheel spun, eerie music filling the air. The world went dark. Troops froze, Helios flared, Indra growled.
After five seconds, light returned. Sam frowned. "A dud?"
Then a laugh echoed in his mind. "Look down."
Sam glanced at the ground. A black and white spider crawled toward him, palm‑sized, a skull design etched across its body.
System scan: Gluttony Spider, Tier 1 (Demigod potential).
Sam blinked. "Demigod potential…?"
The spider chuckled. "Give me your blood. You'll understand."
Sam pricked his finger, letting blood drip. The spider drank, glowing faintly. Bond complete.
Visions flooded Sam's mind:
• The shadow of a massive spider, larger than a castle, looming over a kingdom.
• Its fangs sank into towers, devouring stone and flesh alike.
• The screams of the people rose, only to be drowned out by a gleeful chuckle from the monstrous arachnid.
• Darkness spread like a tide, the kingdom swallowed whole.
Sam staggered, dread filling him.
Helios and Indra stared, fear in their eyes.
The spider spoke again, voice eerie yet calm. "I will never harm the master. But any enemy of the master is food."
It crawled up Sam's leg, settling on his shoulder. Sam hesitated, unsure if he had made a mistake. Yet he felt power radiating from the bond.
He whispered, "Dionysus. That's your name."
The spider trilled with excitement, skull‑patterned body glowing faintly.
Sam exhaled. "The enemy won't stand a chance."