> "The world doesn't reward those who merely survive—it remembers those who dare to reshape it."
— Ancient Nexus Proverb, attributed to the First Architect
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[Location: Nexus Lobby – Core Hall]
The Nexus Lobby was alive.
An endless space, ever-shifting, teeming with thousands—no, millions—of entities from different planets, species, timelines, and dimensions. Earthlings, reptilian tyrants, beastkin nobles, cybernetic monks, and even sentient elemental fogs all mingled under the domed sky of glowing constellations.
Floating screens displayed global rankings. Each one displayed system-generated stats, rotating through:
[Top Architect Candidates]
[Fastest Territory Expansion Rates]
[Organizations with S+ Growth]
[Unique Talent Acquisitions]
The name "Aric Valen" had begun flickering near the lower edge of the "Architect Candidate" chart.
---
[System Message – Lobby Core Update Active]
> [Due to multiple players acquiring Origin Sigils, new features have been added to the Nexus Lobby:]
1. Territory Simulation Chambers – Build-test your domain before deploying real resources.
2. Auction Tower – Trade rare skills, blueprints, summoned protectors, or sigils.
3. Architect's Wall – A mysterious mural containing 7 keyhole slots. Only those with Origin Sigils may approach.
4. Organization Founding Pavilion – Form guilds, factions, merchant cartels, or religious orders.
5. Interdimensional Voice Nexus – Global chat with tag filters: [Territory], [Combat], [Recruitment], [Trade], [Drama]
6. Sigil Flame Leaderboards – A live chart tracking active Sigil users, their kills, territory size, and summon slots used.
7. Hidden Quest Fountain – Rumors say whispering your deepest desire into it might trigger a World-Shift Mission...
---
Aric stood by the Architect's Wall, now buzzing faintly with energy from his newly acquired Sigil. Six keyholes remained unlit, but the first glowed dimly where he had touched it.
A voice rang out behind him.
> "One of the Seven, huh?"
Aric turned. A tall man with crimson skin, long white hair, and glowing tattoos was approaching. His status floated above him:
> Name: Riven Duskveil
Race: Astral Ifrit
Class: Flame-Warp Architect
Territory: Sunbrand Continent
Talent Rank: S
Place Rank: SS
Summon Slots: 42
Organization: [Solar Ash Dominion – Leader]
> "Don't let the early shine blind you, rookie. When more of us start unlocking Sigils, this game'll change. Fast."
Aric shrugged. "Let it come. I've barely started."
> "Heh. I like your mouth. Let's see if your territory talks as loud."
Riven vanished into flame.
---
[Establishment Expansion Unlocked]
Aric returned to his current domain—The Boundless Inn—a humble SS-Ranked inn floating on a fractured island tethered to the Lobby. Now, thanks to his Sigil, he had the option to expand.
> [You are eligible to evolve your Territory: Boundless Inn → Independent Village Core]
> Benefits of Evolution:
Unlock territory crafting grid (100x100m)
Access to Territory Blueprint Market
Ability to appoint a Vice-Administrator
Summon slot capacity increased: 7 → 15
Access to Territory Quests and Events
Chance to attract unique Visitors (SS–EX Rank)
> Cost of Evolution:
Resource Tokens: 500
Territory Core Crystal: 1 (Acquired)
Minimum Authority Level: 2 (You have 3)
> [Confirm Evolution?]
Aric smirked.
> "Let's get building."
---
[World Lore Flashback – The Lost Architects]
According to ancient logs from The System Archives, there were once Nine Prime Architects who shaped universes. They encoded the laws of space, time, and creation.
But they were betrayed.
By one of their own.
The result? The Origin Sigils were split, scattered across multiple worlds. Each Sigil now searched for a worthy wielder who could reshape the realm.
Those who bore a Sigil became Architect Candidates—potential successors to the original creators of reality.
Aric's journey had just placed him among them.
But only one could become the True Architect.
And the others?
> "Will be erased," said the Mask of Deletion in a flicker of remembered code.
---
[World Building Feature: Organization Creation Pavilion]
Back in the Nexus Lobby, Aric explored the new Organization Pavilion.
He was greeted by a mechanical humanoid with a crown-shaped processor.
> "Welcome, Candidate. You may now create your own Organization."
"Please choose one:"
[Faction]: Military-focused, territory conquest & warfare
[Order]: Religious or ideological expansion, influence points
[Syndicate]: Trade, espionage, underground markets
[Guild]: Mixed-skill cooperative group, elite missions
[House]: Bloodline or family-based legacy growth
[Colony]: Frontier builders, fast expansion rates
Aric chose Guild.
> [Guild Name: Irregular Genesis]
Motto: "What is broken, can be remade better."
Type: Hybrid Guild
Bonuses: Flexible recruitment, blueprint adaptability, clone-sharing rights
He assigned temporary roles to a few of his top-performing clones.
Clone 4 – Vice Leader
Clone 7 – Research Director
Clone 11 – Raid Commander
Clone 13 – Recruitment Bot (literal chatbot clone)
---
[Summon Balance Adjustment System – Addressing Infinite Slots]
To prevent overflow or game-breaking power imbalance:
> New Rule Detected
[Summon Rebalance Protocol v1.2 Activated]
Those with infinite summon slots (like Aric's potential) must adhere to this logic:
First Free Summon: One-time bonus
Additional Summons require:
Summon Tokens (earned via combat, quests, events)
Stability Ratio: World Fragments weaken if over-summoned
Summon Sync Cost: Tied to the wielder's Talent Rank and Territory Level
Summon Loyalty Cost: The more protectors, the more diluted command authority
These systems ensure that even infinite potential has strategic weight.
Aric had no problem with that.
> "I never said I wanted everything now. I want everything eventually."
---
[Mystery Thread – The Architect's Echo]
Later that night, Aric received a private message in the Voice Nexus.
> Sender Unknown – Name Hidden
Message: "One Sigil opens the door. But the Seventh… breaks the world."
"The Architect is not gone. He sleeps beneath Layer 99."
"Whatever you do, don't enter the Tomb of the Forgotten Scripts until your foundation can rewrite you."
Aric stared at the message.
And smiled.
> "Guess we're heading deeper next."
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End of Chapter 10
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