The air on the border of Volks Valley was not only heavy but even hostile, covered by an eternal grayish fog that crawled along the ground like a living entity, devouring the scarce vegetation that dared to grow in that cursed place.
High above, the mountains rose like black fangs, their peaks lost in a dark and eternal sky.
Among them, Ethan walked calmly, ignoring the aura of terror that emanated from the valley. His eyes, which had already become accustomed to the darkness, now scanned the fog with intensity.
At his side, his faithful Valkyrie, Seraphina, walked in silence. Her silver hair shone like a torch in the middle of the gloom, while her six metallic wings vibrated softly, detecting any trace of enemy mana.
"This... this place is perfect," Ethan murmured, stopping right in front of an old wooden sign that warned travelers to turn back.
Seraphina moved silently to his side, her hand squeezing the handle of her lightning spear.
"My Lord, I detect intelligent life several meters from us." She stopped for a moment, her brow furrowed as if she could see through the dense mist. "Their energy is chaotic and charged with malice. They are not common monsters."
Ethan turned, but could only see fog. "They are probably scavengers. This area is known for being full of them." Ethan smiled. 'I will transform myself into the king of this cursed valley.'
After walking for a while through the fog, both found the source of the energy.
There was a small and precarious settlement made of stone and wooden huts rising at the entrance of a gorge.
In the center, a group of men dressed in patched leather armor and with sunken eyes surrounded another group of malnourished villagers.
The leader of the attacking group, a man of large muscles with a scar that ran from his right eye to his chin, held a rusty sword against an old man's neck.
"I told you, old man, the tribute has increased this week!" roared the man with the scar.
Without taking the sword off the old man's neck, he looked up and set his eyes on each of the frightened villagers. "If you don't want us to leave you outside so the night stalkers can feast on your filthy bodies, you better hand over every gold coin you have."
"B-but we don't have anything!" the old man pleaded with a trembling voice. "The Great Tree's last raid took all our crops."
Ethan took a step forward, his footsteps crunching as he stepped on a pile of small stones. The sound attracted the attention of the armed men, who turned in unison, their weapons pointing toward his neck.
"Who the hell are you?" barked the leader, his eyes moving quickly from Ethan's tattered clothes to the beautiful figure of Seraphina.
Soon, his eyes shone with a disgusting lust. He pulled the sword away from the old man's neck, kicked him in the chest, and pointed the tip at Ethan in a lazy gesture.
"Aleskra does not send inspectors to this hole. So, you must be a lost adventurer." He raised his chin with a smile and added, "Hand over the woman and maybe I will let you live."
'These people are truly stupid.'
Seraphina didn't even wait for Ethan's order. In a violent movement, she deployed her wings, releasing a powerful pressure. The mercenaries' eyes widened just before they fell; some were forced to their knees, while others hit the ground face-first.
A slight sigh escaped Ethan. "Remember what we talked about on the way here," he said as he walked among the men who now trembled on the floor. "I cannot become a king without subjects."
"As you wish, my Sovereign," she responded, although her electric blue eyes remained fixed on the leader with a promise of death.
Ethan stopped in front of the man with the scar, who was still trying to fight, though in vain. His hands were at his sides, still clutching his rusty sword.
'Rank D. Trash,' thought Ethan as a system screen appeared before him.
He looked up and scanned everyone present—mercenaries and villagers alike. "Starting today, Volks Valley has a new owner," he declared, his voice resonating strongly, hitting the walls of the gorge and returning as an echo. "I am not from the Aleskra Guild, nor do I serve the Great Tree. I am..." He paused for a dramatic moment. "I am the Sovereign of the Void, and I claim this as my territory."
"Y-You're crazy! This place cannot be governed!" stammered the mercenary with the scar.
Ethan paid him no attention. Ignoring him, he opened the system with a thought.
[Territory detected: Volks Valley.]
[Status: Contaminated / Abandoned.]
[Do you wish to claim the heart of the Valley and establish your first structure?]
A smile formed on Ethan's face.
"Yes."
Suddenly, and in everyone's sight, the eternal fog pulled away from the village, giving way to a column of purple energy that sprouted from the center of the settlement.
The earth shook and the shadows of the valley reacted, converging on a single point and materializing into an obsidian structure that rose ten meters into the sky.
[Construction complete: Altar of the Void (Grade 1!)]
[Effect: Purifies 5% of the surrounding area and unlocks the shadow Recruitment menu.]
The previously heavy air cleared, pushed away by the obsidian altar. The villagers, who before had trembled with terror, now watched in wonder.
"T-The fog is clearing!" exclaimed the old man, his eyes wide with incredulity.
Ethan turned toward the mercenaries and the villagers, his eyes shining with the power of the Void.
"Those who work for me will have protection and food. Those who oppose... will know the Void."
His words made those present shudder, leaving everything in silence for a time until, suddenly, the first of them dared to speak.
"We will follow your orders, Lord!" It was the leader of the mercenaries, now bowing his head until it touched the ground of his own free will.
Seraphina looked satisfied before sheathing her spear with a sharp metallic sound. Then, she walked to Ethan's side.
Although her face remained cold and devoid of emotion, Ethan could tell she was in a good mood.
Ethan observed the depths of the valley, beyond his territory, where the shadows and the fog still loomed.
'Very soon my legion will be complete. Then Kevin, Lucia, and Aleskra will see true terror.'