The system sighed from within the dark orb within in Elias' consciousness space.
"You punk don't know anything," it grumbled in its usual proud and condescending tone. "Let this powerful one explain it properly."
Its golden eyes narrowed, and its small draconic body coiled gracefully in the air like a serpent as it began to explain.
> [Every being has untapped potential buried deep within them. Even those who seem to have reached the peak still carry strength they haven't unlocked. The average person only uses about 30 to 40 percent of that potential. Truly elite warriors might reach 70, maybe 80 percent. But…]
Its voice lowered slightly, becoming serious.
> […During real life and death moments—when the soul screams to survive and the mind is pushed aside by raw instinct—some people manage to go beyond their limits, drawing from a deeper strength they didn't even know they had. That's why they suddenly explode with speed, strength, awareness.]
> [That's what real combat potential means. And that's why your summon, Vael, even though he has the same stats as you, fights like a completely different beast.]
> [His experience is etched into his body. Every life-and-death fight has shaped his reflexes. His instincts are sharp—like a dagger drawn again and again in battle. That's what makes him stronger.]
Elias' eyes slowly widened, a faint glimmer appearing in them as he listened. The gears in his mind began to turn faster and faster.
Now it all made sense.
That's why, in all those fantasy stories he read back on Earth, the noble families always sent their talented offspring into wild, dangerous places. It wasn't because they wanted them dead. It was because they knew that true growth was born under pressure—under the threat of death.
That was how real warriors were made.
It wasn't just about power. It was about instinct. About toughness. Depth. Experience.
It also explained why some talented rookies still lost badly to older veterans. Because the veterans had survived countless deadly fights, and those struggles had forced them to tap into a greater part of their hidden potential. Their instincts were sharp, their reactions faster.
"...So that's how it is," Elias muttered under his breath.
His brows furrowed slightly as he processed it all.
No wonder so many stories talked about near-death experiences leading to sudden breakthroughs. It was because the body, desperate to survive, dug deeper into the strength hidden within.
From inside the dark orb, the system watched Elias' expression closely, seeing the light of understanding spark in his eyes.
> [Hmph. Looks like you finally get it, punk. Well, of course you should be thankful to have someone like me—this exalted one—to explain things to you—]
"Mute."
Elias cut in flatly, without even blinking.
Inside the orb, the small golden dragon flared with rage. Its glowing scales pulsed with fury.
"YOOOU—!"
Its voice roared like thunder, shaking the dark space inside the orb.
Meanwhile, completely unaware of any of this, Elias simply narrowed his eyes in thought as he processed the truth he had just learned.
'Untapped potential… huh.'
A long sigh slipped from his lips as he finally got up. His body was sore, and his clothes were soaked with sweat and covered in dirt.
Without wasting time, he peeled off his shirt and grabbed the Everflow Flask. Pouring the fresh, cool water over himself, he let it wash away the grime and exhaustion.
The cold water refreshed him—both body and mind.
Then he summoned a clean, plain tunic and trousers from his inventory and quickly wore them. He had stocked up a lot of basic clothing over the past few days.
Washing clothes used up time and water. But buying cheap, clean ones only cost a few Karma Points. Right now, time and water were more valuable than KP.
Once he was dressed, Elias got to work on making dinner. This time, he chose a different recipe from the system shop. He bought the ingredients and started cooking right away.
The Dire Wolf Bone Broth Soup had been delicious, but after eating it for several days straight, even his appetite was starting to drop. He needed something different—something that would refresh his taste buds.
As the rich aroma filled the air, Elias smiled faintly. He cooked in silence. Once the food was ready, he ate quietly. When he finished, he washed all the utensils and stored everything neatly back into his inventory.
It was already late. Night had long since fallen, and a deep tiredness settled into his bones.
Without wasting any more time, Elias entered the new two-storey house and made his way upstairs.
He pushed open the door to his room—it was the biggest room on the upper floor.
The space was modest but comfortable. The bed stand was one he crafted himself, and on it lay a soft bed he had purchased from the system. A sturdy nightstand stood beside it, and there was a hand-crafted wooden chest resting against the wall. A small shelf for daily essentials was placed in one corner of the room.
Near that corner, a wall mirror with a polished wooden frame hung neatly—another item he had bought from the system.
The whole setup wasn't fancy or luxurious, but it was a huge improvement compared to the old shack he had been sleeping in just a few days ago.
Elias moved toward the bed and dropped onto it. The softness of the mattress and the warmth of the blanket welcomed him instantly.
It was far better than the rough pile of Ashveil grass he used to sleep on.
He didn't even try to stay awake.
The moment his eyes closed, sleep took him.
---
The next morning
A sweet, high-pitched voice echoed in his head.
"[Master~ There are a bunch of humans outside the territory dome.]"
Elias groaned and slowly blinked his eyes open as he returned to consciousness.
"Ahh… they're here," he muttered while rubbing his face and sitting up slowly.
It was just like the plot from the game.
The reason he had wanted to delay dealing with the Dire Wolf pack until after finishing the two-storey house… was because in the original Emperor's Dominion storyline, defeating the first major threat always triggered the arrival of the first group of people.
He hadn't been completely sure if things would play out the same way here.
But now, it was clear they did.
He let out a small breath of relief.
"Looks like I worried for nothing."
"Alia," he called softly, "how many people are there?"
"[Un~ One moment please, Master~]"
There was a short pause.
Inside the Lord Seal, Alia floated in her usual golden glow. Her small form focused as she activated her scanning ability.
The Lord Seal allowed her to manage all the major systems of the territory—tracking residents, monitoring buildings, watching over defenses—and even extending her senses a short distance outside the dome. Her range was small for now, but as the territory developed, her power would grow with it.
That was why high-level territories were so hard to sneak into. You'd be noticed the moment you got close.
"[There are thirty-three humans, Master. Two are seriously injured and need urgent medical attention. The rest also have some light wounds.]"
Elias' brows creased slightly, then relaxed. He nodded slowly.
Just like the plot.
The first wave of settlers was always a group of refugees—people running from danger who happened to find the newly-built territory by chance.
It matched perfectly.
And now… they were here.
A wide grin appeared on Elias' face.
He stood up with energy flowing through his body. He changed clothes—this time into something more formal.
He had prepared this outfit in advance just for this moment. As a Lord, it was important to make a strong first impression.
He wore a deep navy-blue tunic lined with silver stitching, a black waist sash with a faint golden rune at the edge. Over it, he draped a short dark grey mantle trimmed with blue. Plain dark pants and clean leather boots completed the look.
With everything in place, Elias stepped up to the wall-mounted mirror and looked at his reflection.
A handsome face stared back at him. His green eyes were steady, and his slightly messy dark hair gave him a calm but confident look.
He adjusted his collar and let out a steady breath.
"Alright," he said to himself.
"Let's get this done."