Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

Some people had the Beast Taming class, which allowed them to communicate with monsters more easily, even tame them and turn the creatures into loyal companions who fought by their side.

Atlas wondered if he could do the same, without needing the required class.

He'd already made a contract with Zefyros, his Spirit Beast. But Zefyros wasn't a monster like this bird. He was different.

The distinction between Spirit Beasts and monsters was clear. Spirit Beasts were made of pure energy, even if their bodies were destroyed, they could reform over time. Monsters, on the other hand, were living creatures. They bled. They could be injured. They could die.

The wind howled in Atlas's ears as they descended rapidly. When they were close enough to the earth, Atlas leapt from the bird's back without hesitation.

He hit the ground hard, his boots sinking into the dirt as the impact rippled through his legs.

Standing tall, Atlas glanced back at the bird, who continued to circle above the camp.

"Hey you, come with me!" he yelled again. "I'm building a bigger island. You'll love it."

The bird gave a loud screech, but still didn't leave.

Kurogasa approached from the side and stood next to Atlas, his gaze following the same direction up toward the monster bird that still circled above them.

"Looks like it's thinking about it," Kurogasa muttered.

Atlas turned to him. "You can understand them, Kurogasa?"

"Not exactly, My Lord," Kurogasa replied with a faint shrug. "But I can tell… the bird is considering it."

"Can they understand me?"

"Not in the way you mean," Kurogasa explained. "They don't understand human language. But they can understand your intentions."

Atlas nodded slowly, processing the information. His gaze remained locked on the bird. "I want to bring it to my island."

For a moment, both of them stood in silence, watching the creature glide effortlessly through the sky. The light was fading fast now, but the bird didn't come down. It continued to circle, keeping its distance.

"We can return to this place another time," Kurogasa suggested. "The bird won't disappear."

Atlas remained quiet for a moment.

Then he spoke softly. "What if someone kills the bird while we're away?"

Kurogasa didn't answer immediately.

Monsters like this didn't linger long in one place. And in a world filled with awakeners, nothing was guaranteed to be there tomorrow.

Especially if Karian spotted a bird monster like this. He'd probably decapitate it with his greatsword without a second thought, and then roast the bird for his dinner alone.

Time passed, and the troops began returning to the camp. They staggered in from all directions, collapsing wherever they could find a spot, their bodies battered and worn from battle.

The hunting had taken a toll on everyone. It wasn't just a matter of stamina; it had drained their energy and focus. Still, they had done well. Now, at least, they'd have some time to rest before the Dominion Skirmish began.

Kurogasa leaned in slightly to Atlas and murmured, "My Lord, we have a visitor."

Atlas shifted his attention to where Kurogasa gestured.

Walking toward their camp, he saw familiar figures. The man who had previously offered him a place in their alliance. Two companions flanked him as they crossed the rough terrain.

Even after all these days, they hadn't left the island. It seemed their offer to Atlas wasn't something they planned to give up on so easily.

The question now was, had they come with a better offer? Or was this their final attempt to sway him before he cut ties with them for good?

Atlas exchanged a quick glance with Edrik and Kurogasa before stepping forward to meet the visitors.

The three men approaching weren't ordinary combatants. They carried themselves with the unmistakable authority of Rank-2 Lords.

"Let's see what they want this time," he murmured as he approached.

**

"We've been observing how you train," the man in heavy armor said as they sat on the camp chairs in an open area near the lake's edge.

"And I must say, you have an extraordinary fighting spirit!" declared the man, who had introduced himself as Kaelzar. "I'm certain that someone like you would earn a special place in our alliance. If you keep showing this level of determination, you'll become an ally we can truly rely on. And we have no doubt about that."

Atlas responded with a faint smile and a respectful bow of his head. "I truly appreciate the compliment. I'm honored."

The discussion carried on, taking a more serious turn as Kaelzar started to outline his offer in greater detail.

"I don't know if you've decided on your target islands yet. But there's one island that will be highly contested in the next Dominion Skirmish. It's a unique island, its environment can shift dramatically, and it's filled with rare resources and monsters that drop valuable materials."

Atlas remained silent, his expression carefully neutral.

Kaelzar continued. "If you agree to join us, even securing an island like that would become a much easier task for you."

Atlas kept his gaze steady, showing no reaction, though his mind raced through the implications.

This offer wasn't as simple as it seemed. Kaelzar and his people had clearly studied Atlas, perhaps more thoroughly than he had anticipated.

It was likely they had also predicted that he would target this particular island in his plans. After all, given his recent string of victories, it would be easy to assume that a rookie lord, riding on confidence, would aim for a high-risk island to prove his worth.

If Atlas accepted their offer, it would appear as though they were graciously handing over the Dynamic Environment island. But if he refused? The message beneath their words was painfully clear: they would cross paths on the battlefield.

Even though Atlas had never seriously considered joining them from the beginning, the man's parting words carried an unmistakable weight. It wasn't just a negotiation. It was both a challenge and a threat, delivered directly to him.

Atlas remained calm, his composure unshaken. His gaze locked on the man before him.

Would they meet on the battlefield?

Would this threat make him back down and abandon his plans to fight for a rank-2 island?

If a threat like this was enough to make him hesitate, how could he ever hope to push himself to grow stronger in the future?

After a brief pause, Atlas bowed his head slightly before responding.

"That is an extraordinary offer. I'm truly honored by it all, but with the utmost respect, I must say that I'm not ready to commit to any alliance at this time. Therefore, I'll have to pass on this remarkable opportunity, for now."

Kaelzar's lips curved into a faint smile before he rose from his seat. Atlas followed suit, standing to meet him.

The man extended his hand for a handshake, and Atlas accepted it without hesitation.

"Good luck," Kaelzar said before turning away, his two companions following as they walked away.

Atlas stood still, watching them go.

**

Moments later, Atlas turned and walked back toward the camp.

Without wasting time, everyone began dismantling the camp, gathering their gear and supplies after ten grueling days of training on the island.

Once everything was packed, the teleportation pad was activated, and a large magic circle formed in the clearing. One by one, they stepped into the glowing runes and vanished from Celesthollow.

From a distance, Kaelzar and his companions watched silently as Atlas and his team disappeared.

"Why didn't we just crush him right here?" one of the men growled. "That asshole rejected such an incredible offer. Do you think he's already found a better deal?"

"No," Kaelzar replied calmly. "I think he's high on his recent victories. He probably believes he can take on this war by himself."

"Classic rookie mistake!" the man scoffed. "They never really grasp what these wars are about. They think luck's some kind of permanent shield!"

Kaelzar's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let's see if we meet him in the next Dominion Skirmish. We'll see how much he regrets turning down the offer we gave him."

Silence fell between them as the sun dipped lower, and night began to settle over Celesthollow.

Kaelzar tilted his head, his gaze following a flock of flying monsters passing overhead. His eyes narrowed at one in particular.

"That bird," he said quietly. "Kill it. No, kill them all."