CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 301 - THE GREEN TEMPEST

[You have received Rank-S Character: Krythalis - The Green Tempest]

Atlas observed the figure standing before him, quietly studying the details. He couldn’t immediately tell whether the man was a beastkin or simply someone clad in intricate armor. But the more he looked, the clearer it became. His eyes were too natural, and the mouth, if that was a mouth, glowed faintly with life, not machinery.

Still, if this was an insect-type beastkin, it didn’t answer the biggest question: what kind of insect? He had wings. Two pairs, like a bee or wasp. Two antennae curled from his head. Yet his form, heavily armored and imposing, didn’t quite match anything familiar. Maybe a mantis type? Or a hornet?

Before Atlas could dwell further, the figure seemed to register what had just happened, realizing he’d been summoned. The area around them remained quiet, the crowd holding their breath, curiosity hanging heavy in the air. Unlike the chaos that had come with the last two summons, this one felt composed and measured.

The figure dropped to one knee before Atlas. And even kneeling, he was still tall. One hand pressed against his chest, and his voice rang out, strong and unwavering, with a tone of deep respect:

"I once stood as a lord. Failed in battle, defeated, brought down by my own misjudgment. In that fall, I lost everything: my people, my floating islands, my name. I should have vanished with them.

"Yet here I stand, granted a second chance. I know my past has ended... but I am not yet finished.

"Though the strength I now hold is different from before, I pledge it all to you. Every breath, every strike, every wingbeat, will serve your command.

"I am of the Wasp-type, an Aerial Ravager. My domain is the sky. I am bound to Air, Wind, Storm, and Lightning. I specialize in aerial warfare. The skies belong to me, and under my wings, I can summon an aerial legion and dominate the battlefield above."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The way he spoke, it was like Edrik’s polish, but rawer, more honest. Where Edrik’s words often felt too smooth, too well-rehearsed, this man spoke with conviction, and it struck deep.

Atlas gave a faint smile and nodded once.

"Welcome. I hope Gacha Haven becomes a place that meets your expectations. And I look forward to what we can build together, with you, and everyone who calls this island home.

"This is a Rank-2 floating island for now... but with the strength of our elite subordinates, our summons, and our growing forces. We are chasing something far greater.

"Now rise, Krythalis."

The beastkin stood tall once more, his form solid, unwavering, and striking in its intensity. Around them, not a single voice rose to mock or jest, none dared. Not like they had with the last two summons.

Atlas turned to face the crowd, raising his voice just enough to carry across the gathering. He introduced the new summon, and the response was immediate. Thunderous applause and loud cheers rang out.

It was rare. Even the last Rank-S summon hadn’t been welcomed like this. In fact, from the moment Dullorak had arrived, the jokes had started flying.

After the applause settled, Atlas asked Krythalis to demonstrate his abilities. The beastkin nodded once, then beat his dual pairs of wings in a rapid blur. With a sharp bzzzt, he shot into the air. So fast it left a ripple in the air behind him.

His speed was stunning, possibly on par with Serenith’s flight. Maybe even faster?

In a straight race, Krythalis might edge her out. But if Serenith kicked in her boosters, she’d probably still win in sheer acceleration. Still, his agility in the sky was unmatched. And now, with his lightning affinity, he would synergize well with Atlas himself.

The skies above darkened without warning. The wind began swirling violently. A crack of thunder echoed overhead, followed by spiraling air currents forming into mini tornadoes that tore across the sky.

Whoa...

Everyone watched, wide-eyed, as Krythalis unleashed his power.

Then, with a flick of his wings, he launched a volley of wind-like needles. Sharp and fast, slicing through the air with terrifying precision. It was clear now: this man could absolutely dominate the aerial battlefield against large forces.

Just then, Serenith hovered nearby, landing gracefully beside Atlas.

"The buffs he provides... They boost aerial fighters. Speed, and stamina," she said.

Next, Krythalis raised his arm, and the air shimmered.

A buzzing, coordinated hum filled the sky as he summoned an insect-type aerial legion. Smaller units swarming in formation. There were dozens: sleek Mantis-Hornet hybrids, bulky Rhinoceros Beetle variants, and deadly Wasp-Bee hybrids. Each group looked like it had its own combat specialty.

It was clear these weren’t just showpieces, they were a real tactical force.

Atlas took a moment to inspect Krythalis’s detailed status, and what he saw only deepened his impression.

[Name: Krythalis]

[Level: 132]

[Strength: 302 | Agility: 530 | Intelligence: 298 | Constitution: 298 | Stamina: 360]

[Job: Specialized Fighter]

[Aether-Linked Hive Consciousness (S) - Empyrean Rebirth Instinct (SS) - Bladewing Anatomy (S) - Storm-Reading Reflex (SS) - War Scholar Mindset (S) - Observation Discipline (S) - Loyal Construct Code (A)]

The level? 132.

Higher than any other summon currently on the island. Far above the average.

Even more telling was the stat allocation. It was a clear, deliberate build, full agility. Everything about him was optimized for speed, movement, and swift, decisive attacks in the air. He was built to be a skyborne assassin, meant to tear through large groups of enemies with precision and overwhelming speed.

As for talents, while there were no SSS-rated ones, almost every single one sat firmly above S. That alone made it a solid, high-tier combination.

[Aether-Linked Hive Consciousness: Shares perception and sensory feedback across all nearby drones and constructs simultaneously.]

[Empyrean Rebirth Instinct: When critically damaged, the body sheds its outer layer and detonates in radiant wind, leaving behind a cocoon that reforms once ambient mana stabilizes.]

[Bladewing Anatomy: Wing edges harden into mono-molecular blades capable of slashing through reinforced materials when charged.]

[Storm-Reading Reflex: Nervous system detects micro-changes in pressure, predicting enemy movement before visual confirmation.]

[War Scholar Mindset: Catalogs every opponent’s movement style for future encounters, building predictive combat models.]

[Observation Discipline: Rarely engages without full data; studies weather, terrain, and enemy rhythm before committing.]

[Loyal Construct Code: Programmed with immutable loyalty; prioritizes protection of the summoner’s aerial domain above self-preservation.]

And there was one particular talent that caught Atlas’s attention: a revival mechanic. It wasn’t quite as miraculous as Phoenix Mockery, like the one Serenith possessed, but it gave Krythalis a second chance. A failsafe, letting him recover from devastating damage. Another layer of survivability to an already elite aerial warrior.

40 tickets were spent, and one Rank-S successfully pulled early. A jackpot. The celebration that night slowly drew to a close with laughter, music, and the kind of electric energy that only a legendary pull could stir.

But for Atlas, the night was far from over.

After the festivities, he gathered all of his elite subordinates, without exception. Alongside them, the squad leaders and other key figures within Gacha Haven, all were summoned to a council.

Two challenges had already been issued to Atlas.

And with only one day left in the Lord Battle Season, the enemy islands were already drawing close. If those challenges were accepted, there wouldn’t be long before battle would begin.

Preparations had to be made. Now!