System: Daily login!!, jackpot on the first day!!!

Taufik stepped into the heart of the Saranjana Kingdom, where a colossal tree stood tall and proud, its immense roots intertwined with the very lifeblood of the land.

The tree's presence was awe-inspiring, ancient, and serene, radiating a quiet authority that even the winds seemed to respect.

To the people of the Saranjana Kingdom, this tree was more than just flora, it was a symbol.

Humans called it the Tree of Protection, the Nyamphs and Elves revered it as the World Tree, while others simply knew it as the Tree of Life.

It was a sacred existence, not just because it protected the kingdom, but also due to its ability to purify the ambient Mana and maintain the harmony of nature and magic. It brought shade, healing, and clarity to life itself.

Yet, despite its reverence, the truth was simpler than legend. The tree was just an ordinary old giant, made sacred by circumstance.

It had been the resting place of Nāgāntaka and Gaia, chosen not for its divine quality but for its peace, peace they needed after a brutal battle with Hercules, one that left Taufik unconscious for five long years, and the two need a place to take care of him, so they choose this tree.

Now, Taufik stood beneath its sprawling boughs once more, the air thick with memories and gentle magic.

Laughter echoed through the glade, the laughter of his children.

As he drew closer, Taufik saw the source of the commotion.

His children clambered atop the enormous, unmoving form of Nāgāntaka, whose massive, bird-like body served as an impromptu playground.

The mighty creature lay there like a statue, wings slightly stretched as if to cradle the joy of the little ones. Alice giggled as she slid down his back, while Litani, Kiara, and Anindha followed, treating the guardian like a living jungle gym.

Nearby, Mathilda, the Spirit of the Tree, stood watching silently, her gaze fond and ancient. Beside her stood Shasha and Erelythe, who kept a respectful distance, yet couldn't suppress the softness in their eyes.

This was supposed to be a sacred place, the core of the Barrier that shielded the entire island of Saranjana from outside threats.

Normally, not even high-ranking officers were allowed here without permission. And yet, his children had turned this sanctum into their playground.

The moment Taufik stepped closer, the atmosphere shifted. The children sensed him. As always, Alice was the first to notice. She turned her head, eyes lighting up.

"Daddy!" She squealed, dashing toward him.

Taufik knelt down just in time to catch her in his arms, his heart warming at her innocent embrace.

"...You took care of your siblings again today, Alice?" He asked gently.

"Yes~" She replied, flashing an angelic smile that always melted his heart.

Unable to resist, Taufik leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Keep looking after your brothers and sisters, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy! I'm a big sister, after all!"

Taufik chuckled, softly ruffling her hair. Alice giggled, ticklish from the gesture.

"Daddy, me too~ Rub my head too~!" Came Litani, puffing her cheeks playfully.

Taufik raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You really take after your mother, Rani"

"Me too~! Me too~!" chorused Kiara and Anindha, jumping in with hopeful eyes.

With a sigh and a smile, Taufik gave in. One by one, he rubbed their heads, a tradition that had somehow become more sacred than the place they stood in.

Then, standing a little apart, were Askara and Anggana, silent observers to the moment. Taufik glanced at them, curious.

"...You two want head pats too?" He asked, half-teasing.

Askara, the more serious of the two, shook his head. Taufik tilted his head slightly.

"What is it then?"

"Daddy... We want to learn to do cool stuff like Big Brother Aksara," Askara said, his voice steady. Anggana nodded quietly beside him.

Taufik approached them, squatting to meet their eyes.

"You want to become strong?" He asked.

"Yes, Daddy!" They answered in unison.

"...Why?"

A pause. The question sank into them like a stone in still water. Taufik waited patiently, knowing his children were more mature than they appeared.

"...We... We want to fight too, Daddy," Askara finally said.

Taufik's smile didn't falter, but there was a weight in his gaze.

"Oops~ Wrong answer," He said gently, then placed a hand on each of their heads. "Come back to me after you've found the right reason. When you know why you want to be strong... Then I'll teach you how to lift a sword"

He rose again, looking over to Alice.

"Sweetie, go on. Keep playing with your brothers and sisters"

Alice stood straight and saluted like a soldier. "Yes, sir!"

She took her sisters' hands and skipped back toward Nāgāntaka. Askara and Anggana followed slowly, their eyes thoughtful, their little steps heavy with a question they couldn't yet answer.

Taufik watched them, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

"At their age, I was still whining to Mom for new toys," He murmured.

He turned toward Shasha and Erelythe. "Go with them. Keep them company"

"As you wish, Master/My lord," They said in unison, bowing before following the children.

From behind, a deep voice rumbled, filled with warmth.

"Master, is the meeting over?" Nāgāntaka asked, stepping beside him.

"It's still going," Taufik replied. "I just left early. I have something else to take care of"

"Do you need my assistance?"

"I do. Do you know where Lembu and Basukhi are?"

"They've been outside since your return. Lembu said he wanted to show Basukhi what the Earth is like"

"Let them be then. You'll suffice"

Nāgāntaka tilted his head, curious. "What's our destination, Master?"

"There's a Realm Gate that's been opening too often lately. I want to investigate it. And I don't feel like flying alone today"

Nāgāntaka chuckled. "It would be an honor. It's been a long time since I carried you on my back"

"Then let's go," Taufik said, already climbing onto Nāgāntaka's massive shoulders.

He looked at Mathilda, still standing like a silent sentinel beneath the tree.

"I leave this place to you"

"It shall be protected, Your Majesty," Mathilda said, bowing low with reverence.

With a mighty flap of wings, Nāgāntaka took off. The sky opened above them, the Barrier of Saranjana parting just enough for them to soar through.

And once they were beyond it, the rift sealed again, as if they had never passed.

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As the wind howled softly past them, high above the clouds, Taufik sat atop Nāgāntaka's broad back, gazing down at the glimmering horizon beyond Saranjana Island.

'...System, can you detect how many Realm Gates have been opened?'

[DING]

[Real-Time Calculation Complete]

[Currently detected: 267 Realm Gates active, and the number continues to rise, Master]

Taufik narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of that number settle on his shoulders.

'...That many? Where are they all coming from? And how are they connected to Earth?'

[All of them trace back to a single epoch, Master, an era before humanity walked the Earth. The Age of Gods]

[It was a time when angels and demons still waged open war on Earth's surface. Extraterrestrial beings descended to Earth via the Realm Gates, surviving the chaos and eventually being deified by early human civilizations]

[As humans arrived, the war between angelic and demonic forces was interrupted. Many of these divine beings remained and integrated into the world's myths. Their Realm Gates, once conduits between dimensions, merged with Earth and became dormant as these gods either departed or died in battle. Those who died left their Realm Gates permanently fused with the land]

[However, with the sealing of Gaia, Earth's Mana source was drained, and these Realm Gates became inactive for millennia]

[Now, thanks to your creation of the New Earth Core, the planet's Mana has not only returned, it has become purer and more abundant than ever. This surge has reactivated the Realm Gates]

Taufik let out a deep breath, half-exasperated.

'So... This is my doing again. *Sigh* Is there no way to close them?'

[Negative, Master. These Realm Gates have fully assimilated with Earth's spiritual and physical structure. They are now permanent, interwoven into the planet itself. There is no known method to remove or seal them without causing severe instability]

'So, the only choice left is… Using Rewrite, right?'

[Yes, Master]

Taufik stared ahead, the clouds parting to reveal distant sparkles of light, possibly more gates pulsing with newly awakened energy.

'...Is there anyone on the other side of these gates, any race or god who might be willing to cooperate or, at the very least, not be hostile toward humanity?'

[Yes, Master. The gods who once allied themselves with the angels hold no hatred for humans. However...]

'...However, the problem lies with the gods who sided with the demons, doesn't it?'

[Indeed, Master. Those aligned with demonic forces will view the reactivation of the Realm Gates as an opportunity to conquer and rule Earth in the name of the Demons]

'...I see. So, we can allow the "good" Realm Gates to remain as they are, but the "bad" ones...' Taufik paused, an idea flashing in his mind. 'Hmm... Wait. That might actually work'

[You have an idea, Master?]

Taufik smirked.

'Oh yes... And I think it might be genius'

He turned his gaze toward Nāgāntaka, who was gliding effortlessly above the clouds.

"Nāgāntaka," Taufik called out, "you know that profession that's become all the rage lately? The Diver?"

Nāgāntaka tilted his large head slightly, his voice rumbling. "Yes, Master. Divers are those who venture into The Crack and return with power, knowledge, and rare artifacts. Why do you ask?"

Taufik's smirk widened. "I just thought of a brilliant way to deal with the Realm Gates and help humanity grow stronger at the same time"

He leaned forward, gripping the feathers on Nāgāntaka's neck.

"But for now, let's start with the nearest Realm Gate. We've got some scouting to do"

"Understood, Master," Nāgāntaka replied. With a powerful beat of his wings, the skies bent around them, the clouds parting as the majestic bird soared towards the unknown energy pulsing in the distance, towards the gates of forgotten worlds, now open once again.

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