The Great Fall, or for some, they call it The First Catalyst.
It was the catastrophe that shattered the civilization and merged the very universe into one.
The Earth was just one of the unfortunate planets that suffered the blow of this catastrophe, rebuilding the very essence of the planet and expanding its size to hundreds, perhaps even thousands.
Ever since the coming of the first catalyst, the humans of the Earth, as well as other creatures from other universes, weaved in a single world—Leaxuire.
The predicament a lord must surpass inside the Endless Abyss, The Catalysts, is the re-enactment of the Great Fall. A fragment of the event that befalls humanity and the whole universe. It was a challenge that a lord must pass on.
...
The Day of the First Catalyst, Inside Haven's Domain
Kreig has reached level 2, Tier 1, after purging the monsters outside his domain. His status now is as follows:
Lord Name: Kreig Haven
Resonance Name: Haven
Lord level: Level 2, Tier 1
Resonance: Soulbound (unique)
Essence: 1005/20000
Domain Name: Haven
Domain area: 1km
Lord skills:
Dominion Grasp
– Allows the lord to visualize his domain on his head.
– Allows the lord to give visuals of the surroundings and explored terrain to his subjects.
Extraction (Unranked):
– Allows the lord to subjugate or extract Resonance and essence from the enemy lord's domains.
Summon (Unranked):
– Summon units to fight for the lord using summoning stones dropped by monsters in the abyss.
Dominion's Eye – Allows the lord to perceive their subjects' loyalty.
Barrier cooldown: 51 minutes, 19 seconds.
...
I reached level two... and I summoned at least 25 more combatants. We should be ready now, yet there's a certain unease brimming inside my head... Fear, perhaps?
Kreig's thought lingered on his head as he watched his territory flourish every day. The veil of a thin barrier that separated his domain from the outside has slowly been diminishing, getting buried into the nothingness with each passing second.
I'm at least 10 times stronger than when I was first summoned... No, probably at least hundreds. Fighting the monsters here enhanced not only my fighting experience but also my survival skills.
He thought, thinking how knowing nothing might've helped him this time around.
Now, at level 2, I unlocked a new helpful skill. Among all my subjects, Exel and Durian are the most loyal ones. I guess that's to be expected, but everything seems stable with everyone.
He thought, observing his units that are preparing for the first catalyst and the disappearance of the barrier.
There are only 30 minutes left until the disappearance of the barrier. At the same time when the first catalyst will emerge to challenge him.
We prepared the best way we could. If that wasn't enough... I can only blame my weakness...
Kreig couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
He can now easily kill the night monsters without the help of the barrier, but he was not invincible, and he knew that. It was perhaps because of that awareness that he was cautious, always taking the front for his subjects.
It will exactly be 12 at noon when the barrier will disappear.
Everything will shift by then...
After being a lord for a week now, he felt he had experienced quite a lot already. He can now also show his subordinates a glimpse of the area they've already explored, which will be helpful for their growth in the future.
Now then... I shall discuss the plan with them and consult with Exel.
He thought, before slowly banishing himself in the shadows, underneath the Domain's Hall.
Inside the Hall were Exel and Durian. Being the longest resident of the domain, they were the ones he trusted the most in most tasks.
"My lord, there should be around 20 minutes before the barrier completely disappears. Right now, your domain is slowly acclimating to the outside of the barriers. My lord, please do be prepared... catalysts are recollection of great catastrophes, not only of those that befall like natural disasters, but also of those that summon greater disaster than calamities themselves, something tangible, something we could only brace to fight and risk our lives to." Exel excalimed to his lord, his face turning pale at his revelation.
Kreig clicked his tongue inwardly, but quickly regained his calm.
"I know. But that is exactly why I must stay calm... If the others were to see me fret, even just for a moment, our morale will be lost, therefore, the battle will too... If there were to be a fight, lives would be lost... but that, too, will be a valuable experience if won... Although I, myself, would wish to win a battle such as this, whether nature or whatever may come, death is something already beyond my control..." Kreig replied, his face in defeat.
"Besides, I could feel dissatisfaction among them; they'd feel ashamed that I'd always step up for them when danger came," Kreig added as he shook his head apologetically.
"My lord! It's quite the ooopposite! I require your understanding, my lord! But though you may be right, as such experienced knights as myself, they might not grow if you spoon-feed them too much!" Durian's enthuasiasm hinted in his voice.
"W-what do you mean by that, Durian?" Kreig muttered, hearing his subordinate's voice, he couldn't help but conceal a laugh.
"Myy lord! Simply saying that, they must experience struggle too! If they cannot, even once, experience defeat, they will not grow!" Durian answers flawlessly.
"Then are you suggesting that I be rougher to them?" Kreig asked, his head leading sideward.
"It can be said like that, my lord!" Durian replied.
"I see," Kreig nodded.
"Now...for our strategy."
...
Time flew fast, and it was only minutes left until the barrier completely vanished.
There were still no signs of changes around the edges of the domain, but in their heart brew something terrifyingly close to fear brewed.
Kreig armed himself with the armor he'd painstakingly looted from his journey, though it was rather shabby, it was in a far better condition than the one he bought from the Dwarf.
"Any minute from now, dear subjects!" His voice sliced through the silence, his demeanor instilling the hearts of the onlookers.
He has not settled on how to call his summons, but for convenience's sake, he decided whatever.
"In minutes, the barrier will disappear, and only then will our true journey begin. My soldiers," He paused, his eyes surveying the field.
"Remember, our journey has yet to be started, but! As your lord, my duty to you all will never end!"
"Give your life to me and I shall give mine too! Remember my name, carve my name in your hearts and minds! I, your only lord, Kreig Haven!"
His declaration reverberated in the air, as the barrier slowly vanished in a breeze, flickering and fluctuating, he continued:
"Now, we will set forth in a battle with lives on the line. I have no use for people who are scared! Remember your resolve, your reasons why you fight! Why is it that you want to survive? Is it the companionship that you've felt while living inside my domain!? Is it the friendship discovered amidst battles that's giving you the inspiration!?" He paused as he slowly unsheathed his sword, pointing it into the air.
"If so, then fear not, my soldiers! This is but the beginning of our anguish! Death will be but a start! Remember, your death shall not be meaningless under my banner! For your names will be remembered for as long as this lord lives!" He paused, his breath turning ragged.
"Now, my soldiers! I must ask you all! How would you like to die an honorable death!?"
Under the influence of his speech, his subjects' morale surged to its highest. They began chanting fanatically, as if they were a cult under his supervision.
"Heil, the lord of Haven!
"We will follow the lord!"
"Heil, the lord of Haven!"
"For our lord is Haven!"
Barrier Remaining Time: 20 seconds...
"This fight shall not be the end, my soldiers! This is, but the first of our wars together!"
Barrier Remaining Time: 14 seconds...
"Heil, the lord of Haven!"
Barrier Remaining Time: 10 seconds...
Barrier Remaining Time: 6 seconds...
Barrier Remaining Time: 0 seconds
PShhSH—