Kai didn't plan to own land.
He certainly didn't plan to build a city.
But life in Eternova Online had a way of handing him cheat-level chaos when he least expected it.
It all began with an item drop.
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Dropped Item: Land Deed Fragment (Minor Zone, Type C)
> "Grants the owner a 20x20 meter plot of land in any unclaimed wilderness zone."
Kai stared at it.
> "Huh. Cute. I can build a hut."
Then he tapped his hidden Codewalker interface.
> Override: Modify Land Deed Fragment
→ Change area: 20x20m → 2.5km x 2.5km
→ Add resource nodes: Rare Herbs, Mythril Veins, Mana Springs
→ Add visual terrain: Waterfalls, Mountain ridge, Ancient Ruins
→ Rename zone: "Arcadia Vale"
He grinned.
> "Let's make this interesting."
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Location: Arcadia Vale – Formerly Empty Wilderness Zone
When Kai planted the modified deed crystal, the system responded with a stunned pause.
> "Unclaimed Territory Registered: Arcadia Vale"
Ownership: Kai (Novice Class – Confirmed)
Area: 6.25 km²
Status: Under Administrative Review
Then, a magical chime sounded.
> You have triggered a Hidden Royal Response Event. Report to the nearest Monarch.
Kai blinked. "Oh. That's new."
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A Few Hours Later – Royal Palace of Grand Aurelia
Kai stood before King Eldran—a tall, regal NPC with glowing gold armor and sharp blue eyes.
"Land claims of this scale are not meant for… commoners," the King said, eyeing Kai's Novice tag. "This territory is nearly the size of a small city-state."
Kai tried to shrug innocently. "I just followed the process."
The King narrowed his eyes. "Fine. We shall allow your claim. But you must meet three conditions."
> 1. Pay monthly tribute based on total land size (calculated in gold coins).
2. Attract 1,000 unique player visits within 30 days.
3. Survive without PvP invasion for 1 month—after which protection will be lifted.
Kai swallowed. "And if I fail?"
"You lose the land. And your head. Figuratively."
> [New Quest: Lord of Arcadia Vale]
Status: Active
Tribute Due: 50,000 Gold in 30 Days
Visitors Needed: 1,000
PvP Protection Time Remaining: 30 days
"Welp," Kai muttered. "Time to build an empire."
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Week 1: The Foundation
Back in Arcadia Vale, Kai began crafting.
> Codewalker Skill: Terrain Editor
→ Create: Roads, Shop Plazas, Resource Stations, Guard Towers
→ Style: Medieval-Tech Fusion
→ Add Housing Nodes: 100+
He then visited Pipkin, his now-powerful potion friend.
> "We're opening a storefront. You'll be head alchemist."
Pipkin sparkled with joy. "With signage?"
Kai grinned. "Big, glowing signage."
They opened the Potion Plaza, with signs like:
> "Buy 2, Explode 1 Free!"
"Heals Your Soul (and HP)!"
"Drink at your own risk!"
Then Kai rewrote the local monster data:
> Mob: Wild Boar → Wild Rune-Tusk (Lv. 30, Rare Drop, 3x XP)
Mob: Small Spider → Venomfang Widow (Lv. 40, Unique Venom)
→ Rare Drops: Crafting materials, pet eggs, disguise masks
Suddenly, Arcadia Vale became a grinding paradise.
Word spread fast.
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Week 2: Adventurer Surge
Forums buzzed:
> "New City? Arcadia Vale?"
"XP is cracked out here. The mobs drop vanity loot too."
"Pipkin's potions are better than raid loot now!"
"There's a teleport crystal now? TAKE MY MONEY."
Kai added an idea:
> Entry Ticket: 2 Gold Coins
Daily pass. No camping. No freeloaders.
It worked.
Gold trickled in. Traders, mercenaries, and random explorers began arriving.
> 1,000 visitors goal? Almost halfway.
But Kai's joy faded as he checked tribute math.
> "Oh crap. The land area affects the tribute fee… which I cheated to enlarge."
He'd need 50,000 gold, not 5,000.
---
Week 3: Aria Returns
Aria_Mira teleported in, landing beside the marketplace.
She gazed across Arcadia Vale—now a blooming city with NPC workers, stone walls, weapon vendors, and a bustling quest board.
"I leave for two weeks and you've built an entire kingdom."
Kai smirked. "It's not a kingdom until I crown myself. Wanna be royal advisor?"
Aria chuckled. "How about guild representative instead? I want a Valkyrion headquarters here."
Kai blinked. "Seriously?"
"We've been looking for neutral territory. If you auction building plots… every top guild will bid."
Kai paused. "You think people will pay to build here?"
"Your city is protected, stocked with high-level monsters, rare potions, and a functioning economy. Of course they'll pay."
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Week 4: Auction Fever & Tribute Panic
Kai launched a silent auction for shop buildings.
> Shop Plot A: 20x20 – Starting bid: 2,000G
Plot B (near the plaza): 5,000G
Guild Building HQ Zone: Private Invite Only
Within 12 hours:
> Crimson Eclipse bid 8,000G
Frostveil Order bid 10,000G
Valkyrion reserved their plot with priority
Independent trader groups requested stalls at the city gate
Kai was stunned.
> Gold Earned: 41,900G
Visitors Logged: 972
Tribute Due: 50,000G in 4 Days
He added a final touch:
> Create Festival Event: "Monsters & Mead!"
Ticket Price: 5G
Includes temporary XP boost and participation loot
Result? Adventurers flooded the city.
Kai passed the tribute goal.
---
System Message:
> "Congratulations. Arcadia Vale has met all criteria."
Protection Time Remaining: 3 Days
PvP Zone: Will activate soon
Tribute Paid: 50,000G
---
Final Scene: The King's Message
> "Impressive," said King Eldran, reading the reports. "He turned cheat luck into a functioning city in a month."
A shadowy figure behind the throne spoke. "Shall I investigate him, your majesty?"
"No," Eldran said. "For now… let him play. The real test comes when the protection ends."