CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 314 - TEAM GALE TAKES FLIGHT

Atlas stood atop the Ceremonial Plaza, the grand stage where a total of 656 combatants, 163 workers, and 13 elite subordinates had gathered, forming a wide circle around him that bright morning. And of course, he didn’t forget. Their youngest residents were there too: one tiny baby cradled in gentle arms, and one little boy standing proudly near the front.

In just a few more minutes, the current Lord Battle Season would officially conclude, marking the end of everyone’s long and exhausting struggle.

It all began with Atlas’s first victory in rank-1: a defense battle against Alaric Van Helhausen, the Lord of the Isle of Nova Cogs. A commander who controlled legions of drones capable of devastating aerial assaults. Atlas, aided by Morganna, Lyrassa, and Serenith, managed to win that fight swiftly, bringing down Alaric himself and securing his first triumph.

Soon after he reached level 100, and that victory propelled Atlas to rank 2, unlocking his next class advancement.

Then came the arrival of Vienne, who brought a refreshing new energy to Gacha Haven. Atlas’s first battle as a rank-2 lord was an all-out confrontation against Selvara, which ended with Selvara’s surrender. She later joined Atlas, taking command of Team Hydros alongside Dullorak.

Not long after, another defense battle came. This time against Karmina, a lord who could summon and command vast numbers of spirit beasts. Without specialized countermeasures, Atlas would have been torn apart by the sheer force of those creatures. Yet, he managed to withstand the assault and forced Karmina into retreat, choosing not to pursue her further.

Then came the clash with the grand alliance led by Bolin, a conflict that brought heavy damage to Luna and Brigid. Brigid’s forces suffered the most, and after much deliberation, she decided to join Atlas. But only after an all-out confrontation. In the end, Atlas defeated her in a one-on-one battle fought in the spirit of friendship.

Still, Bolin’s alliance refused to fade quietly. Two of their lords challenged Atlas directly. He accepted one of them, a defense battle against Bai Yun.

That fight was fierce and relentless. Bai Yun’s ability to battle in the air gave him a huge advantage, leaving Atlas struggling since he had no flight capabilities of his own. Yet with Lyrassa’s support, Atlas managed to turn the tide. He killed Bai Yun in the end and claimed his aerial forces. Over two hundred strong, as part of his own army. It was a monumental victory.

Two enemy lords slain, one forced to retreat, one surrendered, and one joined his cause. A flawless record. At least, it should have been.

If Atlas had wanted to push for an even higher score, he should have used his remaining slot for one more defense battle. Yet, he simply hadn’t had the time. Most of his days throughout the Lord Battle Season had been devoted to intense training, completing his class quest, and preparing himself for his next class advancement.

But now, at long last, the final moment had arrived.

[The current Season of the Lord Battle has concluded.]

[Calculating the score...]

The familiar system interface appeared before his eyes.

[You successfully defended your island three times.]

[You achieved victory in the All-Out Confrontation Battle two times.]

[Your overall score is: SS.]

[Congratulations!]

"What?! SS?"

Atlas blinked, stunned for a brief second as he stared at the glowing letters in disbelief.

That score was even higher than the one he had received in the previous season. He wasn’t about to complain, of course. Though he had missed the chance for an additional battle, this result exceeded all expectations.

Perhaps the system had factored in the challenge level. The fact that Atlas had only recently ascended to rank two, yet still managed to triumph over lords with far greater experience and larger forces. Whatever the reason, he was more than satisfied.

Suppressing a grin, Atlas turned toward the gathered crowd and raised his hand. "Everyone," he called out, "we did it. SS score!"

The moment the result spread among them, an eruption of cheers broke the morning calm.

The notifications continued to unfold.

[All residents of Gacha Haven have earned 350,000 bonus experience points each.]

[All residents of Gacha Haven have gained 20 bonus stat points each.]

[You have received the participation token for the next Lord Battle Event. Details for the event will be announced soon.]

Nice, the additional rewards were truly remarkable. Three hundred and fifty thousand experience points might not seem like much. Especially for those who had already reached level 100 and beyond, where even a single level required over one million experience points.

But still, it was a solid bonus. Even more impressive were the 20 bonus stat points granted to everyone, the equivalent of gaining two full levels in an instant. It was extraordinary.

Atlas also successfully secured the participation token for the next Lord Battle Event, and he couldn’t help but feel a quiet thrill of anticipation. Whatever the system had prepared next, he was ready to face it.

[You have received an Arcane Shard bonus of 3,200.]

[You have received a Standard Ticket bonus of 10 tickets.]

Even more surprising was the Arcane Shard reward. Enough for twenty pulls on the exclusive banners, and the ten standard tickets on top of that. Very nice! Thirty pulls in total.

Thirty chances might not sound like much, but in the world of summons, that amount could change everything. With a bit of luck, those pulls could bring him a powerful new summon or even a rare item that might completely alter the balance of his entire force.

He couldn’t help but smile slightly at the thought.

Once the celebration of their victory settled down, Atlas stepped forward again to make a new announcement.

"Gorden and Krythalis, our newly ranked-S elite subordinate. Both of you, step onto the stage."

The two figures moved forward through the crowd.

Atlas looked at them both, then turned to address everyone gathered. "With the addition of Gorden and Krythalis, as well as the two hundred aerial forces we’ve obtained, I hereby inaugurate our new squad. The Ninth Team! From this day onward, it will be known as Team Gale!"

A wave of murmurs and cheers swept through the assembly as Atlas continued, "Gorden will serve as the team leader, and Krythalis will act as their supervisor. Team Gale will receive one hundred aerial forces under their command, while the remaining hundred will be distributed among the other teams to maintain balance across our divisions."

Both men bowed deeply toward Atlas.

For now, Team Gale would stand as the largest and most specialized division within Gacha Haven. Atlas’s intent was clear: they would serve as the primary aerial defense unit, ready to counter any airborne assaults in future battles.

Still, this was only the beginning. Atlas planned to continue expanding their total forces in preparation for the upcoming Lord Battle Event.

His next goal was clear, nine hundred troops in total. With each of the nine teams commanding one hundred members, the formation would finally achieve the perfect balance he envisioned for Gacha Haven’s growing might.

That day, a grand celebration was held to mark their victory. The plaza was soon filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of freshly prepared dishes.

The special feast had been carefully planned and executed under the direct supervision of Orren, their rank-A elite subordinate and professional chef. Every meal was crafted to perfection, from roasted meats to delicate pastries, each plate a reflection of Orren’s unmatched culinary mastery.

Atlas made sure everyone could truly relax and enjoy the moment. He announced that all residents of Gacha Haven would be granted a full week of rest. They were even free to travel to the lower lands if they wished, though supervision and a few restrictions would still apply.

Yet even as laughter and music filled the plaza, Atlas couldn’t let himself rest. Behind his calm smile, his mind was already occupied with the next set of problems waiting for him. There were still plans to finish, systems to improve, and preparations to make for what was coming. He didn’t have much time to spare.

First, he needed to find a solution for the limited population of the Arachnyte Specters in Shattered Ember. Then, he had to secure the resources and materials required to construct the Storm Generator he had obtained from his rank-up reward. That project alone would change everything for Gacha Haven. Atlas knew it.

He exhaled softly and looked out at the crowd of his people.

What a never-ending responsibility, huh? he thought with a faint smile.