With the village now officially a Tier-2 settlement, the entire atmosphere had changed.
No longer did it feel like a scattered group of survivors camped in a clearing. Now, there were paved roads, tiered buildings, glowing mana lampposts at intersections, and even banners—deep crimson with a golden phoenix, the crest of Lord Arjun's dominion.
The people walked taller. They held their heads high.
But Arjun knew better than to relax.
The Bloodroot Dominion had retreated, yes—but they hadn't been defeated completely. And with new land to claim and a chance to spread influence, expansion was no longer a choice. It was a necessity.
[System Notification]Sub-Territory Feature Unlocked: Outpost Construction→ You may now establish Outposts beyond your central village to expand your control and resource intake.→ Current Limit: 1 Outpost→ Recommended Location: The Whispering Plains (20 km East)
Arjun stared at the notification hovering before him.
The Whispering Plains… He'd heard of them. A massive expanse of golden grassland stretching toward the edge of the known Dominion Zone. It was unclaimed but rumored to be crawling with both monsters and rogue lords.
Still, the potential benefits were undeniable.
He summoned his council.
Inside the newly refurbished war room—walls lined with beast-leather maps, tactical tokens, and charts—Arjun sat at the head of the table.
Seated with him were:
Priya, his sister and Beast Egg Specialist
Shayra, the Spear of the Flame and elite warrior
Gorvak, the blacksmith turned Defense Chief
Ena, a new addition—a former Bloodroot prisoner who had pledged herself to Arjun's cause after seeing his leadership during the siege. She was a scout and a rogue, with extensive knowledge of the eastern regions.
"The Whispering Plains are fertile," Ena began, spreading a detailed map. "Rich in medicinal herbs, magical fauna, and several known mana wells."
"And the threats?" Arjun asked.
"Roaming beast packs. Wyverns. And... something bigger. A creature the locals called the Wraithhowl. No one who's tried to tame the Plains has come back with a full report."
"That's where we set up our first Outpost," Arjun said without hesitation.
The others exchanged looks.
"It's a risky gamble," Gorvak grunted. "But if we pull it off…"
"We'll have enough herbs and mana stones to power three villages," Priya finished.
Arjun stood.
"Prepare a construction convoy. We march at dawn."
The caravan was a majestic sight—forty soldiers, four massive mana oxen dragging wagons of supplies, two construction foremen, a full medical team, and Arjun's core team. Priya rode on Kaala, who was fully healed and larger than ever after her recent evolution into a Nightfang Alpha.
They reached the border of the Whispering Plains in less than a day. But the moment they crossed into its golden expanse, a heavy silence fell.
No birdsong. No wind. Just the tall yellow grass swaying unnaturally, like it whispered secrets to itself.
"It's too quiet," Shayra said, gripping her spear tightly.
"Keep formation," Arjun ordered. "Scouts ahead. Ena, you're with me."
They moved cautiously until they found a flat, elevated hill in the middle of the plains—perfect for sightlines and defense.
Arjun activated the blueprint.
[System Notification]Outpost Construction Initiated: Whispering Plains Watch→ Time Required: 6 Hours→ Protection Aura Active During Construction→ Potential Hostile Forces Detected in Range: Unknown Beasts
The men began setting up perimeter walls using rapid-deploy mana tiles. Priya placed beast markers to deter smaller predators. Arjun activated his Lord skill to accelerate construction.
The outpost came to life like a blooming flower—watchtowers, basic barracks, and a small mana well hub formed the bones of what would soon be a strong forward base.
But just as the sun dipped toward the horizon…
A howl ripped through the skies.
And then another.
And another.
Arjun ran up the half-completed watchtower and stared eastward.
From the distant hills emerged dozens of glowing eyes.
"They're coming," Ena hissed, bow already drawn.
From the shadows of the tall grass came a stampede of Shadowmanes—lion-like beasts with flowing dark fur and venomous claws. At their center was something bigger—a towering beast cloaked in black mist with skeletal wings and glowing green eyes.
The Wraithhowl.
"DEFENSIVE POSITIONS!" Arjun bellowed.
The next fifteen minutes were chaos.
Shayra led a spear phalanx to intercept the first wave. Priya unleashed Kaala, who tore through the Shadowmanes like thunder incarnate. Arjun activated Flame Commander Mode, his sword glowing with red-hot arcs as he carved through beast after beast.
Suddenly, the Wraithhowl leapt.
Straight at the center tower.
Straight at him.
Boss Fight: Wraithhowl, King of the Whispering PlainsLevel: 35Affinity: Shadow + WindThreat Level: EpicSkills:→ [Phantom Claw]→ [Terror Roar]→ [Flesh Stealer]→ [Soulbound Howl]
"PRIYA, NOW!" Arjun yelled.
She nodded and activated her drop skill.
[Beast Egg Surge – Tier Bonus Activated!]→ Drop Enhancement Active→ Target Beast Rarity Detected: Epic→ Egg Drop Probability Boosted to 98%
Kaala launched at the Wraithhowl, biting deep into its flank, while Arjun dodged a phantom swipe and drove his flaming sword into its underbelly. The creature screamed—a shriek so foul it made two soldiers collapse on the spot, blood dripping from their ears.
But Arjun didn't stop.
He climbed its back, plunged his sword into its spine—and with a final roar—
He severed its head.
[System Notification]You have defeated Wraithhowl – Epic Beast.→ EXP Gained: +80,000→ Territory Influence Increased→ Whispering Plains officially under your control→ Drop Item: [Beast Egg – Wraithhowl Pup] (Legendary)→ Drop Item: [Shadowcore Fang – Epic]→ Beast Habitat Eligible for Upgrade
Priya laughed, breathless. "Legendary egg. You lucky bastard."
Arjun collapsed onto the blood-slick grass, grinning like a madman.
"That's how you build an empire."
By sunrise, the outpost was fortified. Guards patrolled. Fires burned in braziers. The Wraithhowl's skull was mounted atop the eastern gate—a warning and a symbol.
They named it Outpost Dawnwatch.
Later, as Arjun stood atop the central tower, Shayra joined him again.
"I thought we were done for," she admitted softly.
"But we weren't," he replied. "Because we fight together."
She looked at him for a long time before saying, "If you keep this up… one day, you'll be more than a Lord. You'll be a legend."
He turned to her. "I'm not doing it alone."
She stepped close.
And this time, she kissed him—not a brush on the cheek, but a real one. Deep, fierce, and with the unspoken heat of every battle fought at his side.
When she pulled back, her cheeks were red. But she didn't look away.
Neither did he.
"Let's see what legends are made of," he whispered.