Even if Tigerfang was only a Tier-0 Artifact—often called Tierless because it could be bound by any type of War Rune—it was of exceptional quality. Five Stars meant it was of Epic Grade. A treasure like this was extremely rare.
"Why didn't you use that money to expand your territory?! You could've doubled your reach inside the Primordial Domain with the fortune you spent!" Kael Vireon shouted before he could stop himself. He didn't want his older brother to suffer setbacks because of him.
But Daniel Vireon's stern expression silenced him. The weight of his gaze said more than words.
"Take it and try to bind it to your War Rune. If the toll is too high, I have some lower-rated weapons you can use instead," Daniel said coldly. "I don't care what you think about the cost. You need to be as strong as possible to survive in the Primordial Domain. If you reject this now, you might regret it with your life."
Kael swallowed his retort. He had never seen his brother so intense. Silently, he picked up Tigerfang, gripping the hilt with reverence as he willed his War Rune to initiate the binding process.
A thin, thread-like white tendril extended from the rune glowing faintly on the back of Kael's right hand. It wavered in the air, searching for the Artifact to bind with. Kael brought Tigerfang closer, and the connection snapped into place.
Even Daniel observed closely, his memories flashing back to when he made his first bond—rushed, painful, and reckless.
Kael, however, was calm and methodical. He willed the process to slow. A warm sensation bloomed inside him, spreading throughout his muscles and nerves like flowing molten gold. He could feel the strength pouring into him. His senses sharpened. His muscles tensed with new energy.
But the warmth didn't last.
Soon, the heat turned searing. His vision swam. His body trembled from the strain. Sweat soaked his clothes and poured down his forehead. But he held on until finally—
Thump.
Kael collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, his War Rune retracting the white tendril.
His entire body felt scorched, but his mind was filled with triumph.
'I did it... just barely. An Epic Tierless Artifact... That's my limit for now... but this power... it's insane.'
Kael sat up slowly, clenching his fists. His strength and agility had more than doubled, and his awareness had sharpened drastically.
'I swear I'll repay this, brother. This... this is just the beginning.'
Kael closed his eyes, concentrating. He focused on the inner workings of his War Rune—just as he had studied for years. His consciousness drifted inward. He saw it: a brilliant core of light deep within him, pulsing steadily.
Around that light, Tigerfang hovered like an illusion, a translucent phantom orbiting the War Rune's essence. That was the Artifact's mark—its enhancement sealed into his soul.
It was not just a weapon anymore. It was part of him.
"I have other Starless and One-Star Tierless Artifacts," Daniel offered cautiously. "If you think you can take more—"
"I'm already at my limit," Kael interrupted, voice ragged but smiling. "Thanks, Danny."
Daniel muttered under his breath, clearly frustrated. "If only your War Rune had a bigger storage space… I could've given you more. Some healing salves, emergency scrolls, even food."
'Since when did you turn into this doting big brother?' Kael thought with amusement. But he was deeply moved. The man who once grumbled through training was now a nervous wreck trying to give Kael every advantage he could.
Kael rested for the next half hour, letting his body adjust to the Artifact's enhancements. Once his breathing normalized, he stood before the White Gate.
The gate shimmered with radiant light, smooth and otherworldly. It wasn't mechanical or magical in a traditional sense—it was something else, something older.
He would only be allowed to bring what he wore, the Artifacts bound to his War Rune, and whatever was stored inside the rune. No bags. No tech. No backup.
And in the Primordial Domain, even basic science lost its grip on reality.
"I'll take my leave now," Kael said, standing tall. "Don't wait for me. Focus on your own territory. I'll return only once the protection barrier ends—and when I'm sure my realm won't crumble the moment I step out."
Daniel recited his warnings one last time—how time moved differently in the Domain, what to avoid, what to prioritize. Kael just smiled.
"If your Soul Trait is garbage, don't feel discouraged," Daniel added. "You can always abandon the territory and join mine. I'll find a place for you."
'You're possessed, aren't you?' Kael almost said aloud, but held his tongue.
The gate's glow intensified. Kael reached out.
This was it.
His chance to rewrite his fate... to uncover his bloodline's forgotten power... to turn the curse of their family into glory.
He stepped forward and vanished into the White Gate.
Daniel stared at the shimmering archway until it faded into glowing particles.
"Please… let him awaken in a good realm. A strong realm. One that won't bury him alive…"
---
Kael's consciousness twisted as space bent around him. He was surrounded by blackness at first—weightless, pulled along by an unseen current. Then came the stars. Then the light. Then...
His feet touched solid ground.
A warm wind caressed his skin. Sunlight filtered down through a canopy of towering emerald trees.
A jungle?
No—something more than that. This place was alive in a way the modern world had forgotten.
Kael was no longer in Laki City. No skyscrapers. No traffic.
He was now standing in his territory within the Primordial Domain.
But before he could fully grasp his surroundings, movement in the distance caught his eye.
A figure approached.
Familiar.
Fluffy white fur, an aura of playful danger.
Kael's jaw dropped.
"…Fluffy?"
His eyes sparkled.
'Is this why Daniel's addicted to this place?'
The Primordial Domain had already begun to unveil its wonders.