There were still about two weeks remaining before the battle phase of the Dominion Skirmish began. Ats inteo make the most of this time by tag another quest from his new Css, while simultaneously pushing everyoo reach level 50.

  With most batants averaging level 5her, this would signifitly enhahe potential strength of both him and his overall forces.

  In addition, Ats had already begun recruiting through the Gateway Altar, aiming to expand his total batants t even further. If he could field 100 batants for the battle phase, it would undoubtedly give him a siderable advantage.

  And one more thing—Ats once again received reinforts from a mysterious beor, Luna of the Celestial Vanguard.

  After asking around, Mira expihat Luna and Ember had already visited them twice. This was the sed time they had provided aid to Ats.

  But who were they?

  Acc to Edrik’s assessment, this lord seemed to be support, either out of goodwill or as a means to explore the potential for an allian the future.

  Intriguing…

  Perhaps Ats should sider reag out to this lord, if only to express his gratitude—and possibly uheir true iions.

  [Quest 2: "The Eye of the Storm"]

  [Objective: Navigate through a path filled with fierce winds, lightning strikes, and storm-enhanced creatures.]

  [Location: A stormy open terrain.]

  [Challenges:]

  [- Navigate wind and lightning hazards.]

  [- Use elemental trol to stabilize pathways.]

  Following that, his sed quest presented yet another challehis time requiring him to plete the task in a uniquely demanding enviro. Fortunately, this meant they no longer o return to Fre Peak and could instead move on to explore a new area.

  Ats and Edrik began sing the region surrounding their isnd, searg for a locatioer suited to the requirements of the quest.

  Ohing had bee increasingly clear sihe Dominion Skirmish ision phase began—their isnd, Gacha Haven, was now moving at a noticeably faster pace than before. Its trajectory was shiftiward, steadily carrying them into other territories.

  If this tinued, it ossible that by the time the Dominion Skirmish cluded, they might find themselves near airely new ti.

  “This one,” Edrik said, pointing to the floating s.

  Ats leaned in, reading the details of the floating isnd, Celesthollow.

  He nodded slowly and expahe information for a closer look.

  The isnd was enormous, boasting a unique and varied ndscape. At its heart y a massive ke that dominated much of the terrain. Surrounding the ke were t mountain ranges, expansive forests, and drier regions scattered across the outer areas.

  “The area around here,” Edrik began, “should have stronger winds, which makes it an excellent fit for your quest.”

  “Yes, this is a good choice,” Ats agreed. “And with the rge ke, it’ll also give Zefyros a ce to showcase his skills.”

  With that, the decision was made.

  Ats brought nearly all the isnd's inhabitants with him, leaving only the autonomous Golems and a handful of workers behind to keep essential operations running. With the isnd under protective wards from the system, leaving it temporarily unoccupied was a secure and calcuted choice.

  They nded on a wide, rocky pin dotted with patches rass, right on the edge of the vast ke that stretched out before them. Even at ground level, the wind was strong, pushing against them with force. It was clear that at the higher elevations, the gusts would be even fiercer.

  “We’ll set up camp here,” Edrik instructed.

  Without hesitation, the batants and wot to work, setting up the campsite and preparing for their stay. Sihey po remain on the isnd for several days, returning to Gacha Haven during this period would only waste valuable time.

  Edrik stepped up beside Ats, who stood quietly at the ke’s edge, gazing at the vast expanse of water.

  “I’m sure Zefyros will enjoy himself in a ke this size,” Edrik said with a small nod.

  Ats smirked. “Zefyros, go ahead and py.”

  A burst of water infused with crag electricity erupted, and Zefyros emerged, his rge, expressive eyes glinting with excitement. The spirit beast nded on the ground with a spsh before sprinting toward the ke. With an exuberant leap, it vanished into the water, disappearih the surface.

  “This floating isnd,” Edrik began, “is accessible to both Rank-1 Seekers and Rank-2 Scouts. The level range here is from 50 to 100, but we may also enter monsters exceeding level 100.”

  “That’s good,” Ats replied. “Everyone o focus on reag at least level 50 as quickly as possible.”

  “Uood. I’ll handle everything.”

  Edrik returo the others, promptly taking charge of his assigasks.

  Meanwhile, Kurogasa, as usual, took on the role of scout. Without a word, he vanished from sight, heading out to explore the isnd. His mission was clear: identify any potential threats, especially those reted to other Lords who might also be present on the isnd.

  Ats li the keside, inhaling the crisp, refreshing breeze. The cool wind carried a sense of calm that seemed to revitalize him without his scious realization. For a moment, it was as though the weight of his responsibilities lightened, leaving him feeling reinvigorated.

  Life in Gacha Haven had bee increasingly pleasant over time. The isnd had grer and more vibrant, with lush grass and serene areas for rexatio, no matter how improved it was, the isnd still felt fined, its size limiting its potential.

  That inning a new isnd in the Dominion Skirmish was so crucial. Seg more territory would signifitly expand his resources and opportunities. If Ats could cim an isnd as vast as Celesthollow, the isnd he currently stood, the possibilities frowth would be immense.

  Of course, a rger isnd would e with its own challenges. He would need more defeructures and an increased number of troops to ensure proper security. However, the trade-off was worth it. A spacious is they wouldn’t all be crammed into the same small area, forced to see the same faces day and night.

  The idea of spreading out and enjoying the freedom of a rger domain was a tantalizing prospect.

  Ats was still wearing the Mountain Leaper Bands, a bracelet that allowed him to leap great heights, and the Mana Glider Cloak, ahat enabled him to float momentarily in mid-air. Standing at the edge of the ke, he prepared to get a better view of the area from above.

  Lyrassa and Mira approached Ats, standing oher side of him at the ke’s edge.

  “My Lord…” Mira’s voice was filled with excitement as she gnced around. “I’m sooo happy… This pce is beautiful,” she said, letting out a soft ugh.

  Then, with a mischievous giggle, she added, “Imagine if we could fill an isnd this big with carrots.”

  Ats turo her, chug as he gently ruffled her hair. “Let’s see if we win a new isnd in the battle, okay?”

  Mira beamed at him, her eyes sparkling. “Yes! I’ll be excited to kill lots of eoo.”

  Her cheerful, ione made her words sound even more uling.

  Ats couldn’t help but grin at her unique mix of sweetness and menace.

  “Well then,” he said, stretg his arms. “Let me take a look at this isnd from above first.”

  With that, he crouched slightly, a pyful grin spreading across his face as he focused himself.

  Ats eled all his strength into his legs, his muscles tensing as the grouh him cracked slightly from the pressure. At the peak of his preparation, he sprang upward with explosive force, rocketing into the sky.

  His body shot through the air, cutting through the wind with ease. Simultaneously, the air elemental particles imosphere seemed to respond to his movement, ing around him and accelerating his ast. The wind whipped past his body, and the sensation of s freely was exhirating.

  At the apex of his jump, he activated the Mana Glider Cloak. His body was caught by the wind aly carried fliding in the dire of the ke. The rush of air against him created a sense of both freedom and trol as he moved through the skies.

  Ats took a moment to s the isnd from his elevated position, but most of it was obscured by clouds. The view wasn’t much different from what the system’s dispy of the isnd had already shown him.

  However, being at such a height gave him a uniquely exhirating sense of freedom.

  By now, any fear of heights had long since faded. The altitude, which might once have been daunting, no longer fazed him. Was it because of the grueling self-imposed training he had endured? Had he grown so aced to pushing past his limits that even fear itself had dulled?

  As the effect of the Mana Glider Cloak wore off, Ats began to fall, gravity reg him.

  He suddenly realized he had drifted slightly over the ke. Looking down, he saw he was about to plunge directly into the water.

  Swimming wasn’t the problem—he could swim just fihe real was what might lurk beh the surfabsp;

  What if there was a high-level monster in the ke? That could plicate things quickly.

  “My Lord… be careful!” Mira’s sharp voice echoed from the keshore.

  Ats's dest quied, the wind rushing past his ears. As he he water, a disturbaed below him.

  A massive explosion of water shot skyward, scattering droplets like rain.

  From the depths emerged a monstrous fish—a titanic creature with jagged, glowing scales and sharp fins that cut through the air. Its glowing eyes locked onto Ats, and its gaping maw, lined with razor-sharp teeth, seemed rge enough to swallow him whole.

  Ats had no time to hesitate—this was trouble.

  [Rare - Riftscale Titan Lv. 55]