To all my readers—thank you. We've just hit 1,000 views. I appreciate every single one of you who's been following Zihad's story, diving into Dream Land Fantasy, and supporting the quiet genius behind it all. As we step deeper into this game world, I'd love it if you dropped some Power Stones to help this novel grow even faster. Now, back to the adventure—
The moment Zihad reentered the game, the vibrant hues of the Dream Land Fantasy world welcomed him like an old friend. The air shimmered with magic, and his footsteps echoed softly on the marble floor of the Forgotten Sanctuary, where his Phantom Reaper had last logged off.
He checked his status. Still Level 12.
"Not bad for day one," he muttered to himself, glancing at the clock in the corner of his UI. It was still early in-game morning, just a few hours after the demon raid.
A soft hum surrounded him—his undead summons still stood silently around him. Shadow Wraiths floated, cloaked in swirling darkness, while his Skeletal Knight, Revenant, waited patiently by the portal.
But something felt different.
He opened his message logs. A system alert blinked at the top:
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Due to overwhelming activity and an unknown bug, selected players have been flagged for "Pioneer Integration." Please report any unusual events. You've been granted 1x Pioneer Blessing.]
His eyes narrowed. "Unknown bug? Pioneer Blessing?"
A golden icon appeared in his inventory. The description was vague:
[Pioneer's Blessing: A mysterious gift given to the first chosen player. Effects unknown.]
Zihad hesitated. This wasn't part of the original code.
He activated it.
A blinding light enveloped him, and a string of ancient runes wrapped around his body.
[You've awakened an Advanced Class Path: Phantom Sovereign.]
[Your summons gain sentience and evolve.]
[+25% magic and physical resistance to all undead. +10% shadow-based skill damage.]
[Skill Unlocked: "Soul Bind."]
Zihad's eyes widened. That was definitely not part of the code.
"Looks like the AI's learning faster than I expected," he muttered, both impressed and cautious. He looked at his wraiths. Their forms were now more distinct—shadows shaped like actual people, with glowing eyes that observed their surroundings.
Revenant stepped forward. "Orders, my king?"
Zihad blinked.
It spoke.
He glanced at the system log again, heart racing. "So the Pioneer Integration... it's pushing the AI deeper. It's rewriting itself."
But now wasn't the time to panic.
It was time to take advantage of it.
He opened the world map. Word had spread—players were gathering in the Shadowfang Wastes for a hidden boss event that had only a 0.05% spawn chance. Dozens of high-tier guilds were making their way there. Guilds Zihad knew well from watching the leaderboards.
But he wasn't going to join them.
He had other plans.
There was a secret dungeon beneath the Hollowed Graveyard—he coded it himself and buried it deep, accessible only by using a unique sequence of shadow steps across cursed gravestones. No one had discovered it yet.
Until now.
He arrived by nightfall. The sky was dark purple, and the twisted trees whispered as he stepped between rows of rotting headstones. Revenant stood beside him, blade drawn. The wraiths scouted ahead.
Zihad activated his stealth.
Three quick steps across the grave markers. Then a jump. A dash to the northernmost grave. One final blink step.
The earth trembled.
A stairway of bones erupted from the ground.
[Secret Dungeon Unlocked: Crypt of the Forgotten King]
He grinned.
Inside, the air was thick with miasma. His summons fought off the dungeon's horrors—ghouls, banshees, and bone dragons with ease. Soul Bind proved powerful, tethering enemy bosses and draining their strength.
At the final chamber, a massive coffin pulsed with cursed energy.
[Boss Appeared: The Forgotten King – Level 45 (???)]
Even Zihad hadn't balanced this boss fully. It was experimental code—too strong for early players. He created it as a late-game trial.
But now he would face it.
For real.
The Forgotten King rose with a roar. Its armor glowed with ancient runes, and its voice echoed like thunder.
"Phantom Reaper... or shall I say, Phantom Sovereign."
Zihad smirked. "So, you know me?"
"I know all creators who seek power."
It charged.
The battle was chaos. Spells collided, shadows clashed, and death energy swirled like a vortex. Revenant fought fiercely, blade clashing against the King's dark axe. The wraiths cast spells, controlling space and corrupting light. Zihad unleashed Phantom Execution, chaining together a 15-hit combo that left afterimages in the air.
He used Soul Bind.
The King roared, slowed by invisible chains.
But it wasn't enough.
With one mighty swing, the King shattered three of Zihad's summons. The health bar dropped.
Then—
[Phantom Sovereign's Will Triggered: 1% HP – Immortality for 10 Seconds. Cooldown: 1 Week]
Zihad activated Death Surge. A tidal wave of darkness exploded from him, reforming his summons, pushing the King back.
[Boss Defeated: The Forgotten King]
[You've obtained: Crown of Eternal Dusk – Mythic Artifact]
[Hidden Title Unlocked: Sovereign of Death]
He panted, surrounded by black mist.
This was no longer the game he designed.
It was evolving.
And so was he.
Thanks again for the 1,000 views. If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave some Power Stones! More chapters coming soon—Zihad's journey is just beginning.
End of Chapter 12