Shin's brow furrowed as he turned to Heart.
"Heart… what's happening? What do these notifications mean?"
"They're signs that your kingdom is thriving, big brother," Heart replied with a cheerful lilt. "Once you reach Level 10, you'll gain the right to add two deities to your pantheon."
Shin exhaled, relieved. But his gaze soon turned to the gathered beastkin, dark elves, oni, hybrids, and those with fractured magic cores.
"You're probably wondering why I called you here," he began, his voice calm but resolute. "I am Shin, the heir of the Void Dragon King and the Succubus Queen. My father left me a message—one that claimed each of you has the potential to become Dragon-Born. That potential is tied to your loyalty… and your strength."
He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, he raised his voice.
"So now I ask—what do you choose?"
Without hesitation, they dropped to one knee.
"We choose to follow you, Lord Shin!"
Shin nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Those of you with damaged cores—report to the healers. I've prepared potions to restore your mana."
Once they returned, the real transformations began.
⸻
The Moon Shadow Elves
Shin turned to the dark elves.
"From this day forward," he declared, "you shall be known as the Moon Shadow Elves."
Each of the 110 dark elves drank a drop of his blood. Their bodies shimmered with power as the transformation took hold.
Traits Gained:
• Lunar Control – Strength increases under moonlight, peaking during full moons.
• Shadowmeld – Perfect invisibility in shadows, undetectable even by magic.
• Voidstep – Short-range teleportation through the void of night.
• Nyx's Embrace – Heightened senses in darkness and immunity to moonlight-induced illusions.
Their loyalty etched in blood, the eldest stepped forward, eyes glowing.
"Thank you, Master Shin. We are reborn—shadow and moonlight bound. We will be your silent blades and watchful eyes."
Velzard, watching quietly, murmured, "They're magnificent. You've birthed a force that thrives where light fears to tread."
Shin nodded, gaze hard with purpose.
"Rise, my Moon Shadow Elves. The night belongs to us now."
Ding!
Primordial Goddess Nyx is interested in your kingdom.
⸻
The Mountain Splitters
Next were the oni.
Shin approached them, sensing immense strength—but also… incompleteness.
"You possess great power, but that alone is not enough," he said. "I won't just strengthen you—I'll reconnect you to the primal might of your ancestors. Those who once split mountains with their bare hands."
All 110 oni knelt, solemn and still.
With a drop of blood imbued with ancestral essence, Shin raised his hand. The earth trembled.
"I name you Mountain Splitters," he declared. "Heirs to a forgotten might. The earth remembers you—and now, through me, you shall remember yourselves."
Glowing shards of draconic essence rained upon the oni. As they absorbed the energy, ancient runes etched across their obsidian skin. Their horns gleamed like sacred peaks, their eyes blazing gold.
Traits Gained:
• Echo of the Ancients – Instinctive mastery of titan techniques.
• Mountain's Resolve – Bodies now as resilient as living stone.
• Primordial Slam – Earth-shattering strikes that devastate entire fields.
• Seismic Awakening – When pushed, channel ancient titanic rage for a brief period of unstoppable destruction.
Ding!
Primordial God of Earth Titans Kronos is interested in your kingdom.
Their leader stepped forward, voice deep as thunder.
"We feel them… our ancestors. Their strength… their will. It lives in us again."
Velzard murmured in awe, "You haven't just given them strength, Shin—you've restored their souls."
Shin nodded, quiet pride in his voice.
"And now they will make the earth tremble once more."
⸻
The Neiman Guard and Mountain Kings
He called forth the beastkin. 55 lions. 55 tigers.
The lions stood tall, golden and white manes glowing with regal might. One among them bore a black and crimson mane—a warrior born to lead.
The tiger beastkin radiated silent ferocity. Their movements were sharp, their striped bodies honed. Among them, twin white tigers stood—serene, but brimming with potential.
⸻
The Neiman Guard
Turning to the lions, Shin spoke:
"You will be the shield of my kingdom. The spear of my wrath. I name you Neiman Guard—unshakable in loyalty, unmatched in strength."
Golden light surged through them. Muscles tightened. Tactics, formations, and battlefield instincts flooded their minds. They pounded their chests in unison.
"We are the Neiman Guard!"
⸻
The Mountain Kings
He turned to the tigers.
"You are the kings of the wild. Silent hunters. Apex predators. I name you Mountain Kings."
Their forms shifted. Sinew strengthened. Stripes shimmered with molten gold. Their reflexes became deadly, their presence fearsome.
Their growls became thunder.
"Rise," Shin commanded.
They stood transformed—dragon-infused lords of the hunt.
"From this day forward, you are the sovereigns of the wild. The world will tremble beneath your shadow."
⸻
The Awakening of Byakko's Heirs
Then his gaze fell on the twin white tiger beastkin. Power pulsed within them—latent, ancestral.
"You've yet to realize your true strength," Shin said softly. "But I will awaken it."
His voice rose with divine resonance.
"I bestow upon you the Byakko Lineage. Awaken the power of the White Tiger of the West!"
Light burst from them. Their coats shimmered with lightning. Ancient sigils blazed across their fur. Celestial power surged through their veins.
Ding!
Byakko's Blessing activated.
They roared—a sound that split the sky.
Velzard, eyes narrowed, asked, "Why are their powers stronger than Ri Shin's? Isn't he also of Byakko's bloodline?"
Shin turned inward.
"Heart," he called.
Yes, big brother?
"Why are the twins more powerful?"
A pause. Then her voice returned, more serious.
Ri Shin's bloodline is diluted—faded over generations. The twins? Their lineage was never mixed. Dormant… but pure. You didn't awaken a fragment. You reignited the original.
Shin's expression darkened with realization.
"So they carry a primal connection to Byakko…"
Exactly. Their potential exceeds Ri Shin's in both power and spiritual depth. They are true heirs to Byakko's will.
Shin's resolve hardened.
"Then I'll ensure they live up to that legacy."
The twins knelt, unaware of the conversation—but glowing with divine might.
"We serve, my lord," they said in unison.
Thunder cracked across the heavens. The age of the White Tiger had returned.
⸻
Kael'Rath – Warden of Flame
Lastly, Shin approached the lion with the black and crimson mane.
"You're different," he said softly. "Your blood burns brighter. You were born to lead."
Raising his hand, Shin poured his divine will into his naming.
"I name you Kael'Rath, Bearer of the Crimson Flame. Warden of the Neiman Guard. Let your roar set the sky ablaze."
Power erupted. Crimson and obsidian flames danced across his body. His eyes—one gold, one crimson—burned with unyielding strength.
"Rise, Kael'Rath."
He stood, every inch a warlord. The others straightened behind him, recognizing their commander.
"Lead them well," Shin said. "And the world will tremble."
Kael'Rath bowed.
"I will not fail you, my lord."
⸻
The Hybrids Awaken
At last, Shin turned to the hybrids. He poured his dragon blood into each of them, awakening long-dormant powers—a fusion of their parentage rising to the surface. They trembled as new skills, instincts, and bloodline abilities flooded their souls—no longer lost, but reborn.
Their transformation was not just physical—it was a reclamation of identity.
And in the heart of it all, Shin stood—proud, powerful, and ready to lead them into the era of Legends.