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Chapter 11 – Baby Steps and Monster Trials
Ray sat under the Dawn-Touched Tree in his Domain.
The sky above sparkled with distant stars. Unlike the real world's firm blue ceiling, the Domain's sky shimmered like an ocean turned upside down, ever-shifting with streaks of pink, gold, and violet.
It was calming.
It needed to be calming.
Because Ray was nervous.
> [SYSTEM 15: Alright, Boss Baby. You've got mana. You've got a Dungeon. You've got trees that grow mystical fruit and animals that listen to lullabies.]
It's time to try your first real test. Let's see if your chubby legs can survive combat.]
"I'm three months old," Ray muttered.
> [SYSTEM 15: Inside the Domain, your body's still tiny but your soul carries power. We simulate things here. You train here. You grow here. Without dying in the real world.]
Ray stood up, his body glowing faintly with the misty light of the Dungeon Heart. In this realm, he looked slightly older—more stable. Like a six-year-old version of himself. His hair, once a newborn fuzz, had grown into messy strands of raven black that shimmered at the ends with blue.
His eyes—deep silver—reflected the light of his world.
> [SYSTEM 15: Activate Simulation Protocol—First Trial.]
The Dungeon Heart pulsed.
Stone walls rose around him. The air turned cool and damp.
The floor beneath his feet trembled as a corridor extended ahead, torches lighting by themselves.
> [SYSTEM 15: Objective: Defeat one Trial Beast. No god powers. Just instincts, mana sense, and baby rage.]
"I'm gonna cry all over it."
> [SYSTEM 15: That works too.]
---
The First Beast
A soft growl echoed through the stone chamber.
From the shadows slithered a creature made of moss and bone—its face like a deer skull, body covered in living vines and thorns. Glowing red eyes stared through the hollow sockets.
> [Beast Type: Thornling Wight – Rank 1]
Strength: Moderate
Behavior: Aggressive if provoked. Easily enraged by… loud babies.
Ray smirked.
He stepped forward, letting his mana swirl like fog around his fingers.
"Let's dance."
The creature lunged.
Ray rolled, letting instinct guide him. Not skill. Not talent. Just survival.
His hand touched the stone floor, and like he'd practiced with 15, he channeled. Roots burst from the ground and tangled the Wight's legs.
The creature shrieked, slashing at the vines with clawed limbs.
> [SYSTEM 15: Good reaction. Now—throw something.]
Ray looked around.
Nothing nearby.
Then he pulled off his left sandal and hurled it.
The sandal smacked the Wight right in the skull-face.
A brief pause.
Even the monster looked offended.
Ray was laughing before it roared and charged again.
---
Emotion = Power
The battle raged for minutes.
Ray ducked under blows, weaved through attacks, and manipulated roots and vines to hold the creature back.
But it was wearing him down.
Until he remembered something.
> "Your emotions bleed into the Domain."
He focused.
The fear—the thrill—the joy of surviving.
The Domain responded.
The floor cracked beneath the Thornling. A burst of flowers shot up, glowing blue and gold.
Each flower released pollen-like stardust—drifting into the Wight's body.
The creature slowed.
Staggered.
Then—poof—crumbled into moss and bark.
> [SYSTEM 15: Boss Baby wins. No potion needed. No diaper lost. 10/10.]
Ray collapsed onto the floor, panting.
Even in a dream world, he felt tired. But also… good. Like he'd done something real.
He lay on his back, staring at the shimmering ceiling.
> [SYSTEM 15: That was your first real fight. Many more will come. Harder ones. Stronger beasts. People. Monsters. Gods.]
But remember this moment—because this is where it began.]
Ray closed his eyes.
"I won't forget."Chapter 12 – The Song of the Sunroot Tree
The Domain was growing.
The starlit sky had deepened into a swirling galaxy above, and the earth pulsed with subtle warmth—alive, aware, and increasingly bonded to Ray. His every breath, thought, and emotion left a mark. And now, after his first Dungeon victory, it was time for his reward.
He stood barefoot on the soft grass in front of the God Tree Terminal, a glowing interface shaped like a floating stone tablet. Runes spiraled across its surface, lines of divine coding glowing in gold.
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations. You earned 10 God Points from your Trial.]
[SYSTEM 15: God Shop unlocked. Sub-category: Starter Trees.]
Ray's eyes sparkled as the holographic window popped open before him. Each item pulsed gently with divine light, displaying its essence like a soul exposed.
---
[God Shop – Tree Category: Starter]
1. Sunroot Tree – A radiant tree that bathes its surroundings in vitality and warmth. Boosts Domain growth rate and increases passive healing effects.
2. Windflute Tree – Produces constant melodic winds. Increases spiritual awareness, mana perception, and emotional clarity.
3. Beastcall Sapling – Summons harmless spirit-beasts that roam the Domain. Good for training or riding. May form bonds later.
4. Crystabloom Vine – Climbs across terrain, purifying mana and gathering natural energy. Can store energy to release during battle.
---
Ray hovered his hand over the Sunroot Tree.
It radiated like morning sunlight—gentle, loving, and ancient. Its leaves shimmered gold, with roots that pulsed like a heartbeat.
> [SYSTEM 15: You sure about this one? No undead? No skeleton poodles? No Shadow Spaghetti Tree™?]
Ray smiled. "Nope. I want this one."
> [SYSTEM 15: Confirmed. Sunroot Tree purchased. Planting…]
---
Birth of a Divine Tree
The ground rumbled.
A beam of golden light struck the earth, forming a circle of runes as the soil lifted and twisted. From it rose a tree—not tall, but radiant. Its bark was smooth, like living marble. Its leaves unfurled like petals of fire-kissed gold.
As the tree fully bloomed, warmth flowed through the Domain.
The air grew rich with the scent of honey and sun-dried grass. The faint aches in Ray's soul vanished, replaced by something hopeful.
He stepped closer.
The tree whispered.
Not with words—but with a song. A hum in his bones. Like a lullaby sung by the sun itself.
> [SYSTEM 15: Sunroot Tree bonded. Domain Harmony +5. Passive regen increased. Mood enhancement: +15%. Chance of singing to yourself: 40%.]
Ray chuckled and leaned against the tree, letting its warmth sink in.
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A Visit From Mom
Back in the real world, Ray stirred in his crib.
His mother, Aria, peeked into the nursery and found him giggling in his sleep, arms raised like he was hugging something.
"He's smiling again," she whispered, brushing his cheek. "So full of dreams…"
Ray's baby body instinctively reached out and held her finger.
His soul, far older and wilder, rested beneath that innocent smile—but in that moment, it didn't matter.
He was her son.
And he was happy.
---
Return to the Domain
When he opened his eyes again, he was back.
He spent the next few hours experimenting. He touched the Sunroot's bark and sent small pulses of emotion—curiosity, gratitude, confusion.
In return, he got back waves of warmth, small pulses of light, even tiny golden fruits that tasted like warm bread and peaches.
He even attempted something weird: planting one of the fruits.
> [SYSTEM 15: What are you doing? You can't plant fruit to grow more trees. That's not how this works.]
"I just wanted to see if it would grow a baby Sunroot," Ray muttered, then paused. "Wait. Is that... a sprout?"
> [SYSTEM 15: …Please tell me that's a rock.]
It wasn't.
A tiny, glowing sprout had emerged where the fruit fell.
Ray grinned wide.
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Chapter 13 – The Beast Who Crawled from Light
Time moved slowly within Ray's Domain, yet progress whispered through every blade of grass.
The Sunroot Tree stood tall now, its roots stretching deeper than before. It pulsed gently with divine energy, its presence a growing anchor to Ray's spiritual world. The golden sprout he'd planted was already a finger tall, shimmering like a baby star.
But something was coming.
The winds changed. The golden light dimmed briefly, and the very ground trembled—not from fear, but anticipation.
---
A New Visitor
> [SYSTEM 15: Alert. Unattuned Beast Signature detected. Possible Domain Guardian or Stray Spirit.]
[SYSTEM 15: Difficulty: Unknown. Mood: Mildly suspicious. Possibly hungry.]
"Suspicious and hungry?" Ray murmured, stretching as he sat under the Sunroot. "Sounds like a cat. Or a girl on her period."
> [SYSTEM 15: I have several things to say to that, but let's not get cancelled in Chapter 13.]
The light above twisted.
A circular ripple of energy broke the calm sky, and from it fell something like a meteor. It crashed into the earth with a gentle thud, flattening nothing, disturbing no grass—yet sending shockwaves through Ray's senses.
He stood, eyes narrowing as a shape emerged from the golden mist.
It was a beast.
Small at first glance—barely bigger than a horse—but coiled with muscle, plated in silvery-white scales. Its body was long and serpentine, with four legs and thick mane-like fins across its back. Its eyes burned with intelligence, like molten bronze.
And it stared directly at him.
> [SYSTEM 15: Unknown creature. Scanning… Scanning… Error. Name not found in records. Do you want to name it?]
Ray blinked. "I can name it?"
> [SYSTEM 15: Yes. But if you name it Bob, I'm leaving this world.]
Ray grinned, walking slowly forward. "You look like a guardian," he whispered, watching the creature's elegant, feline grace. "A protector made of sunlight and steel."
He raised a hand.
The beast didn't flinch. It lowered its head, letting him touch the warm metal of its skull.
"Your name… is Lumenfang."
---
Bonding
> [SYSTEM 15: New Beast Registered: Lumenfang]
[Lumenfang: Element – Light | Rank – ??? | Status – Trust Forming]
[Lumenfang has bonded with the Domain.]
The creature purred.
Literally purred.
It sounded like a holy engine rumbling across the skies. Even the Sunroot Tree rustled its leaves in approval.
Ray sat beside it, and to his surprise, Lumenfang curled its tail around him.
"This is getting weird," he whispered. "Are we starting a beast collection already?"
> [SYSTEM 15: I told you no Beast Pokémon run. But... I'm not mad. Lumenfang's power is potent. It might become your Domain Guardian.]
---
Real World – 6 Months Old
In Aetherra, Ray's parents were starting to get concerned.
"He's not just crawling," Aria whispered to Ray's father. "He's… mapping. He moves like he knows the house better than I do."
"He growled at my aura training scroll," his father muttered. "It was weirdly effective."
Ray, currently chewing on a wooden spoon, looked innocent enough.
But in his mind, he was testing the Domain-link feature.
He could feel Lumenfang even in his baby body now. A bond stretching between soul and beast. It was faint—but growing stronger.
> [SYSTEM 15: Daily Quest unlocked – Domain Resonance]
[Interact with Domain Entities (0/3) – Reward: 5 God Points]
"Hell yes," Ray gurgled, which came out as, "Gah gah bwuh!"
His mother cooed, thinking it adorable.
---
Training Begins
Back in the Domain, Ray stood with his arms crossed as Lumenfang chased after golden orbs Ray created with the Sunroot's power. These exercises weren't just for fun—they trained movement, agility, and spiritual synchronization.
He was starting to understand something about the Domain.
It wasn't just a home.
It was a mirror of his soul.
The more he laughed, the brighter it became.
The more he trained, the deeper the soil grew.
And the more he loved... the stronger the bonds he formed.
---
End of---
Chapter 14 – The First Test
Ray was no longer just a child.
Yes, physically he was still only six months old in the human world, but his mind and soul were growing at an incredible rate thanks to his bond with the Domain and the gifts from 15.
Today, he was about to face his first real test within his Domain, and it wouldn't be a simple training exercise.
It would be a fight. A battle. One that would test everything he had learned so far.
---
The Challenge Appears
Ray's eyes flickered open.
Lumenfang was already beside him, its glowing eyes tracking his every movement. There was a unique energy in the air today—one Ray couldn't ignore.
> [SYSTEM 15: New challenge initiated.]
[Objective: Defeat 3 Tier 1 Beasts summoned within your Domain.]
[Warning: They are more aggressive than you may anticipate.]
Ray narrowed his eyes. "Tier 1, huh? Just a warm-up?"
> [SYSTEM 15: Technically, yes. But they are hungry. They aren't just 'Tier 1.' They are 'Tier 1+' due to domain synergy. Proceed with caution.]
He grinned. "I got this."
A snap of his fingers echoed through the Domain.
The earth trembled, and the sky shifted as three dark silhouettes materialized before him. They looked like beasts, but there was something off about them—distorted in the way they crawled from the darkness. Each had a shadowy, blurry form, and their eyes gleamed with hunger, flickering in a way that reminded Ray of wolves on a hunt.
A shadow wolf, a spiked boar, and a blood-hound lion stood before him, each one towering in size.
Ray wasn't sure what to think at first. They were all huge, but they didn't seem capable of that much intelligence. Still, the aura they emitted felt… wrong. It wasn't just brute force; it was hunger and malice.
"Great," Ray muttered. "Hungry beasts with a death wish. Let's see if we can teach them a little manners."
---
The Battle Begins
Lumenfang growled, ready for action, its light shimmering in preparation. It locked eyes with the shadow wolf, who leaped forward with surprising speed.
Ray's lips curled into a smirk.
"You've got this, buddy."
He raised his hand.
> [SYSTEM 15: Command issued: Lumenfang – engage first target: Shadow Wolf]
With a howl, Lumenfang shot forward like a beam of light, faster than Ray could blink. The wolf slashed at Lumenfang with a grotesque, jagged claw, but it was too slow. Lumenfang's body was a blur of light, dodging and striking with precision.
The wolf let out a growl of frustration as Lumenfang's claws cut through its thick fur, a crackling sound echoing from the attack. But it didn't fall.
Ray snapped his fingers again, and the earth rumbled.
> [SYSTEM 15: Command issued: Activate Beast Tree – Frost Wolf Tree (Level 1)]
A massive frost wolf emerged from the ground, its crystalline body sparkling like a diamond, with ice spiraling across its fur. It was a summoned beast, bound by Ray's control.
The shadow wolf paused, then growled louder.
"Good luck with that, furball," Ray said under his breath, his eyes shining with focus. "Lumenfang, take the boar. Frost Wolf, help out with the wolf."
The frost wolf obeyed with a howl, charging the shadow wolf. The spiked boar, meanwhile, turned its attention toward Lumenfang, its spiked tusks lowered, aiming for the beast's exposed sides.
Lumenfang darted forward, its form flickering as it danced through the boar's charge, grabbing a spike in its mouth and hurling it away like a toy.
Ray didn't wait.
> [SYSTEM 15: Activate Weapon Tree – Flame Blade (Rare)]
A glowing, fiery blade appeared in his hand, its blade humming with energy.
The blood-hound lion growled and took a step toward him. Ray could feel its raw strength emanating from its bulk—massive and ferocious. But it wasn't fast enough to catch him off guard.
> [SYSTEM 15: Command issued: Flame Strike – Blood-Hound Lion]
Ray slashed downward with the blade, sending a wave of searing fire across the air. The flame lanced across the lion's chest, causing it to roar in agony as the fire burned through its flesh, leaving a deep wound. Its fur sizzled as it staggered back, but the beast wasn't defeated yet.
It was still enraged.
"Not bad for my first fight," Ray mused, grinning. "But it's time to wrap this up."
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The Final Blow
Ray called forth his strongest asset—the Sunroot Tree.
> [SYSTEM 15: Activate Tree: Sunroot Blast]
From the tree's golden roots, a surge of radiant energy shot out, enveloping the battlefield. A beam of pure sunlight shot from the heart of the tree, shining down like a pillar of judgment.
The shadow wolf screeched as it was enveloped by the light, its body disintegrating into mist under the power of the Sunroot's energy.
Lumenfang leapt at the boar with a bright flash of light, its claws tearing through the beast's body in a matter of seconds. The boar collapsed, its form crumbling into shadowy dust.
Finally, the blood-hound lion was struck again by the Flame Blade, its final roar silenced as it burned away completely.
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Victory
Ray stood amidst the battlefield, breathing heavily. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his body alive with the rush of battle.
But there was no time to rest.
> [SYSTEM 15: Quest complete. Rewards: 10 God Points]
[SYSTEM 15: New Beast Tree unlocked – Dragon Vine Tree.]
[SYSTEM 15: You have gained new insights into your power. Congratulations.]
The last of the beasts fell to dust, and Ray's summoned beasts returned to his side, looking expectantly at him.
"Well," he said, wiping his forehead with his sleeve. "That was fun. A bit more work than I expected, but we got through it."
> [SYSTEM 15: If you don't start using these God Points to improve your domain, I'll start questioning the quality of your leadership.]
Ray chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go buy some trees. And maybe a few new toys."
---
End of Chapter 14Chapter 15 – A New Path and New Trials
The first rays of dawn filtered through the leaves of the Sunroot Tree, casting a warm, golden glow across Ray's Domain. He stood at the edge of his territory, staring into the horizon where the magical barrier of his Domain stretched as far as the eye could see. The landscape before him was alive—vibrant, pulsing with energy—and it was only just beginning to grow.
Ray had come a long way since his rebirth. In the short time he'd been aware of his new life and his powers, he had built an army, upgraded his trees, and even begun to understand the depth of his connection to this land. The Sunroot Tree, the Dragon Vine Tree, and his ever-growing army of beasts—they were his foundation. His tools, his soldiers, his allies.
But he knew, deep down, this wasn't enough. If he was to truly fulfill the destiny thrust upon him, he needed more—more power, more control, and more allies. There was a world outside his Domain, a world full of dangers, mysteries, and challenges that would test everything he had gained.
---
The Quest for Expansion
Ray's focus shifted as a sudden voice echoed in his mind.
> [SYSTEM 15: New Quest initiated.]
A list of objectives appeared before him:
> Objective: Expand your Domain by 10%.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Reward: 25 God Points, New Tree Unlock: Shadowflame Tree (Rare).
Ray's eyes narrowed as he read the quest. The idea of expanding his Domain excited him. It meant more power, more resources, and more space for him to grow his forces. The Shadowflame Tree sounded intriguing—a rare tree capable of combining shadow magic and fire, two elements that could enhance his abilities in unexpected ways.
He placed his hand on the ground, feeling the pulse of the land beneath him. A wave of determination surged through him.
"This is just the beginning," he muttered. "I've got a long way to go."
---
Preparations for the Quest
Before embarking on the task at hand, Ray knew he needed to prepare his Domain and his army. It wasn't just about expanding the land; it was about fortifying it, making sure no enemy could breach the new borders he would establish. He turned to his Sunroot Tree, which had now grown into an even more majestic form. Its roots had spread deeper into the earth, and its branches seemed to reach toward the sky like pillars of light.
> [SYSTEM 15: Sunroot Tree Level 3 available.]
[Upgrade cost: 20 God Points.]
Ray smiled. His investment had paid off. He had the points to evolve the tree further, and he knew this would make the expansion process much easier.
Without hesitation, Ray tapped the option to upgrade the Sunroot Tree. The tree's golden leaves shimmered, radiating warmth and power. As its form expanded, an aura of healing magic spread throughout the Domain. A bright sun seemed to rise within the heart of the tree, casting a gentle glow across the entire area.
> [SYSTEM 15: Sunroot Tree upgraded to Level 3. You can now increase the natural regeneration of your Domain and summon Sunroot Guardians to defend your territory.]
The Sunroot Guardians were a new feature, a magical defense mechanism. These ethereal beings were created from the very essence of the tree—beings of light and life, capable of healing and protecting. Ray could already feel the sense of safety these guardians brought to his Domain. His army would have a solid foundation to defend against any potential threats.
---
Lumenfang's Growth
Ray turned his attention to Lumenfang, his loyal beast. The majestic wolf was standing at the edge of the clearing, its fur shimmering with elemental energy. Lumenfang had been his first summon, and it had grown stronger with each passing day, but Ray knew there was potential for more.
> [SYSTEM 15: Lumenfang (Level 2) available for upgrade.]
[Upgrade cost: 5 God Points.]
Ray had watched Lumenfang battle, had seen its ferocity and grace in combat, and knew that unlocking its true power would be crucial for the trials ahead. He didn't hesitate. Tapping the upgrade, Ray felt a surge of energy from the beast as it evolved.
Lumenfang's fur darkened, now mixed with streaks of fiery red and golden yellow. Its eyes glowed with a fierce intelligence, the spirit of a predator awakened to its full potential. The energy in the air seemed to bend around it, elemental magic swirling as the wolf's body crackled with raw power.
> [SYSTEM 15: Lumenfang upgraded to Level 3. Lumenfang gains the ability to manipulate elemental energy, conjure flame and lightning, and communicate telepathically with you.]
Ray's grin spread. This was exactly the kind of growth he needed.
---
The First Steps of Expansion
With his trees upgraded and his beast stronger than ever, Ray began the first steps toward expanding his Domain. He had learned that the land itself was alive with magic—every blade of grass, every tree, every stone pulsed with energy. To expand his Domain, he needed to tap into that energy and bend it to his will.
He reached into his God Shop, now full of new items and trees, and found a useful item for the task ahead.
> [SYSTEM 15: Purchase available: Land Shaping Rune (Cost: 15 God Points)]
Ray hesitated for a moment before purchasing the Land Shaping Rune. This powerful item allowed him to manipulate the very fabric of the land, shifting the terrain to create new areas, alter landscapes, and fortify his Domain against invaders.
He held the rune in his hand, feeling the raw power it emanated. With a deep breath, Ray activated it. The ground beneath him trembled slightly as the land began to shift. Rocks rose from the earth, and new trees sprouted, growing tall and powerful as Ray extended the borders of his Domain.
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The Growth of His Army
As Ray focused on expanding his Domain, his army of beasts, which had been growing steadily in numbers, took their positions. Lumenfang, now at its most powerful, led the pack of wolves that had been summoned. The Sunroot Guardians formed an organized defense force around the new borders, ready to protect the Domain from any external threats.
In the distance, Ray could see the Dragon Vine Tree pulsing with energy. Its vines began to stretch outward, slowly but surely wrapping around new areas of his Domain. With each vine, Ray felt a surge of draconic energy course through him, fueling his strength and enhancing his connection to his army.
---
Unforeseen Visitors
Just as Ray began to feel a sense of accomplishment, a low growl echoed through the Domain. Lumenfang's ears perked up, and its hackles raised in defense. Something was coming—something strong.
Ray didn't need to think twice. He immediately summoned his beasts to his side, preparing for the worst. The ground beneath him trembled, and the trees began to sway as if reacting to an incoming force.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Ray's breath hitched in his throat. Monstrous shapes appeared on the horizon, their eyes glowing with malice. The air grew heavy with the scent of smoke and ash. It seemed like the first true challenge was upon him.
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