Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System

Chapter 101 - Luminaria Grove

Atlas and his team had returned from the Lower Lands after visiting the families of soldiers who had fallen in the last battle. However, for two of them, there were no surviving relatives, leaving their stories to fade with no one left to remember them.

With the tributes complete, Atlas shifted his focus to the impending end of the Season Battle. As the midday sun bathed Gacha Haven in a warm glow, a familiar notification appeared before him, signaling the culmination of his efforts.

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

[Calculating the score...]

[You successfully defended your island five times.]

[You executed a successful Counter Attack once.]

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

[Your overall score is: S.]

[Congratulations!]

The notifications continued to unfold.

[All residents of Gacha Haven have earned 50,000 bonus experience points.]

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

[You have gained an additional 20 bonus stat points.]

[You have received the Dominion Skirmish Token Battle.]

[You have reached Level 50.]

[EXP: 44,835 / 228,266]

[Congratulations! You have reached Level 50. You are now eligible to undertake the Class Advancement Quest.]

[Displaying available classes for advancement...]

Atlas paused for a moment, reviewing everything he had gained from the current season battle.

His score was S! That should be incredible, right?

But, was this truly the highest score possible?

He dug deeper into the system and discovered there were still higher tiers: SS and SSS. The realization that he hadn't even come close to those scores left him wondering—did someone need to defeat every single Lord they encountered to achieve such heights?

This Lord Battle was really designed to push everyone to kill each other.

As for the rewards, there were experience points—50K of them. At first glance, it seemed like a massive amount, but it wasn't even enough for a full level-up. Still, there was no need to despair, as every participant on the island received 20 stat points, equivalent to leveling up twice.

On top of that, Atlas had earned an additional 20 stat points, meaning it was as though he'd leveled up four times in total!

Then there was the real prize: a Dominion Skirmish battle token. This was one of the most valuable items in any seasonal battle because it granted the chance to fight for control of a new, unoccupied island.

The Dominion Skirmish itself was another massive battle—arguably even larger in scale—since multiple Lords could compete for the same unoccupied island. It promised to be a brutal showdown.

More detailed information about the battle was expected soon, but one thing was certain: it would take place before the next season battle began.

Finally, Atlas reached level 50! This milestone unlocked a class advancement quest for him. However, he decided to hold off for now.

He wanted to thoroughly review the available class options, but he wouldn't do it alone.

He planned to discuss it with some of his elite subordinates. Not all of them, though—just Edrik and Kurogasa, the most level-headed among them, and maybe Karian and Baldric too.

Atlas summoned his status screen and couldn't help but smile at the display in front of him.

[Name: Atlas Blackthorn]

[Level: 50]

[Strength: 219 | Agility: 125 | Intelligence: 72 | Constitution: 126 | Stamina: 132]

[Available Stat Points: 80]

[Job: The Lord]

[Class: Warrior (Class Advancement Available)]

[Ironclad Will (S) - Tactical Awareness (A) - Instinctual Command (A) - Elemental Spear Mastery (S) - Elemental Dominion (S) - Commanding Presence (S) - Bloodbound Vigor (S)]

80 available stat points!

Atlas took a moment to carefully consider how he would allocate them. His fighting style so far had heavily relied on the spear—a weapon that demanded high Strength to maximize its physical attack power.

Naturally, this meant Strength would be a top priority.

He already had decent survivability, thanks to his defensive skills and even a regeneration ability, but boosting his Constitution further would improve his health and physical defenses, making him more durable in drawn-out battles.

Stamina was another essential area to enhance. It directly influenced his endurance in combat, ensuring he could sustain long fights without faltering. This was especially crucial in large-scale battles where prolonged effort could determine the victor.

Then there was Intelligence. Recently, he had acquired a spear with magic-based area skills, which could become a game-changer in large-scale fights. Leveraging those abilities effectively would require developing his magical aptitude, making Intelligence a secondary focus.

Finally, there was Agility. To balance his combat style, which relied on heavy physical attacks, he would need the speed and reflexes that only Agility could provide. It was crucial to ensure his movements remained fluid and his attacks fast, making him a versatile warrior.

After weighing each factor carefully, Atlas finalized his stat allocation, confident that this balanced distribution would make him an even more formidable Lord in the battles to come.

[Spend 20 Stat Points into Strength]

[Spend 10 Stat Points into Agility]

[Spend 20 Stat Points into Intelligence]

[Spend 10 Stat Points into Constitution]

[Spend 20 Stat Points into Stamina]

[Strength: 239 | Agility: 135 | Intelligence: 92 | Constitution: 136 | Stamina: 152]

"Nice? Yes, this is good!"

Atlas smiled in satisfaction as he looked over his updated status. The balanced distribution of his stat points left him eager to keep upgrading his talents, leveling up, and acquiring powerful new skills.

And there was no need to worry—soon, he'd unlock an advanced class that would bring even more abilities to his arsenal.

Stepping out of his room, he inhaled the crisp, fresh air, feeling it fill his lungs.

The Gacha Haven had truly become a serene and inviting place to live. Wide expanses of grass stretched out, dotted with vibrant flowers, towering trees, and neatly cultivated gardens filled with fruits—and an abundance of carrots.

Today was a day off for everyone, and the island residents were scattered about, enjoying the break. Some sat outside, sharing food and conversation, while others helped Mira in the gardens.

Atlas couldn't help but smile as he took in the tranquil scene. The calmness of the island belied the blood, sweat, and countless battles fought to secure this peace. He exhaled deeply, letting his thoughts wander.

He soon made his way to a unique part of the island—a small area encircled by a flowing river. At its heart was a tiny island, home to a single, extraordinary tree. This tree had grown from an A-rank item he had obtained: the Spirit Grove Seed. After planting it, the seed had blossomed into something truly magical.

The tree, now known as Luminaria Grove, stood tall and majestic. Its translucent leaves shimmered, shifting between hues of green and faint gold. Its roots exuded a soft, misty aura, and delicate orbs of light floated lazily around its canopy.

This was no ordinary tree. Anyone near it would receive a series of powerful buffs that lasted for a significant duration:

[Health Regeneration: Accelerates healing over time.]

[Mana Regeneration: Quickly replenishes magical energy.]

[Increased Defense: Boosts physical and magical resistance.]

[Attack Boost: Enhances either physical or magical attack power.]

[Movement Speed: Slightly improves mobility within the area of effect.]

The duration of these buffs ranged from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on individual conditions. Interestingly, some people received longer buffs while others experienced shorter effects.

According to Lyrassa, this variation was linked to each person's elemental affinity. Atlas, for example, enjoyed a near-maximum buff duration of just over 8 minutes—a significant advantage.

Once someone moved away from the tree, the buffs would persist for their remaining duration, but being near the tree accelerated the regeneration of these effects almost 2-fold. This made the tree not just magical, but a strategic asset for the island.

Beyond its practical benefits, the Luminaria Grove also had a calming presence. Simply sitting near the base of the tree could fill someone with a profound sense of peace.

However, access to the tree was strictly regulated by Mira, who fiercely protected its sanctity. She didn't allow just anyone to set foot on the small island where the tree stood, let alone climb it!

Her reasoning?

"Its beauty would diminish if people trampled around it," she had declared.

Of course, this rule didn't apply to Atlas. As the island's leader, he was free to visit the tree whenever he pleased. Smirking at the memory of Mira's strict enforcement, he stepped closer, appreciating the tranquil energy radiating from the tree.

Atlas sat down at the base of the tree, closing his eyes for a moment. The soft rustle of the glowing leaves above, the gentle hum of the tree's magic, and the cool breeze flowing through the area all combined to create a sense of perfect calm.

Just as he was sinking deeper into the peaceful atmosphere, a soft, melodic voice broke through his thoughts.

"My Lord... you seem to be enjoying this moment a lot."

The words reached his ears, pulling him back to the present. He opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips as he turned to see who had spoken.