The battlefield fell silent after the legion's retreat.
Dust settled over the cracked earth. Broken weapons and abandoned shields lay scattered across the plains like forgotten memories.
Where an army once stood—
There was only emptiness.
And at the center of it all, I remained.
Standing.
Unchallenged.
The system panel hovered in front of me.
[DING!]
Regional Authority: Established
Territory Count: 4
– Blackstone City
– Iron Ridge Outpost
– Silver Road Trade Route
– Outer Plains Region
Reputation: Spreading across multiple territories.
Passive growth active.
Power +7.
I exhaled slowly.
Each victory felt heavier now.
Not because of exhaustion.
But because of attention.
The higher I climbed—
The more eyes turned toward me.
Kang Yu approached cautiously.
"The legion has fully retreated," he reported.
"No ambushes. No regrouping."
I nodded.
"They won't come back," I said.
He frowned.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because the next move won't come from them," I replied.
The system pulsed.
[DING!]
High-tier communication approaching.
Origin: Capital Region.
Threat level: Unknown.
A streak of light appeared in the sky.
Fast.
Precise.
It descended toward the battlefield and stopped a few meters in front of me.
A messenger construct.
A floating crystal sphere engraved with golden runes.
Kang Yu stiffened.
"That's… from the capital," he whispered.
The sphere glowed softly.
Then a voice echoed from within it.
"Zhang Wei."
Calm.
Authoritative.
Old.
"You have been summoned."
The system panel flashed.
[DING!]
Capital Summons detected.
Event Type:
Mandatory appearance request.
Origin:
Central Authority of the Capital.
Refusal consequences:
– Capital hostility increased
– Possible large-scale suppression
Acceptance rewards:
– High-tier recognition
– System evolution trigger
– Access to advanced zones
I studied the glowing sphere.
"So the capital finally speaks directly," I murmured.
The voice continued.
"You have conquered territories without sanction.
You have defeated a High Commander of the Iron Banner Legion."
A pause.
"Such actions cannot go unanswered."
The air grew heavier.
Kang Yu clenched his fists.
I remained calm.
"Are you here to threaten me?" I asked.
"No," the voice replied.
"We are here to measure you."
The sphere projected an image.
A massive city of towering walls and golden spires.
The capital.
Even from the projection, its scale felt overwhelming.
"Present yourself at the capital within ten days," the voice said.
"You will be judged."
"Judged?" I asked.
"Evaluated," the voice corrected.
"Those who pass… are welcomed."
"And those who fail?" I asked.
Silence.
Then—
"They disappear."
The projection faded.
The crystal sphere hovered for a moment longer.
Then shot back into the sky and vanished.
Silence returned to the plains.
Kang Yu spoke first.
"You can't go," he said.
"That's a trap."
"Everything is a trap," I replied.
He stared at me.
"That's not reassuring."
The system pulsed again.
[DING!]
Capital Summons accepted.
Countdown initiated:
10 days until arrival deadline.
New Arc Initiated:
Capital Ascension Phase.
Primary Objective:
Survive capital evaluation.
Reward Potential:
Legendary.
My blood stirred.
A new stage.
A bigger battlefield.
Stronger enemies.
Exactly what I needed.
We returned to Blackstone by nightfall.
The city felt different now.
Quieter.
More respectful.
More cautious.
Word of the legion's defeat had already spread.
People bowed as I passed.
Not out of loyalty.
Out of fear.
And fear was enough.
Inside the former Black Fang headquarters, now my command hall, the system panel hovered again.
[DING!]
Regional Authority: Stable.
Subordinate forces: Loyal.
Territory income: Active.
Power +5.
Kang Yu stood nearby, arms crossed.
"You're really going to the capital?" he asked.
"Yes."
"That's suicide," he said bluntly.
I shook my head.
"No," I said.
"It's the next step."
He sighed.
"And what about the region?"
I looked out the window at the city below.
"You'll hold it," I said.
His eyes widened.
"Me?"
"Yes," I replied.
"You've survived this long. That means you're useful."
He didn't look convinced.
But he didn't refuse either.
The system pulsed once more.
[DING!]
Major growth opportunity approaching.
Warning:
Capital contains entities far stronger than current host.
Survival probability:
Unknown.
I smiled faintly.
"Good," I said.
Because the stronger the enemy—
The faster I evolved.
At dawn, I stood at the city gate.
No army.
No escort.
Just myself.
Kang Yu stood behind me.
"You'll come back, right?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I stepped forward.
Beyond the gate.
Beyond the region.
Toward the capital.
The system chimed one last time.
[DING!]
Entering high-tier zone.
Next destination:
The Capital.
Where monsters ruled.
And only the strongest survived.
I smiled.
Perfect.