Silence hung heavy.
But this was no ordinary silence—it was a suffocating void, as if the world itself held its breath in fear.
In the dim chamber of nobility, only the flicker of wall-mounted candles danced upon the black marble floor. The faint scent of aged wood and incense lingered, wrapping the room in a cold aristocratic aura. Lucian stood tall, his silhouette slicing through the darkness. His midnight cloak flowed like eternal mist. His disheveled silver-white hair partially shadowed his forehead, while his blood-red eyes reflected a cold gleam—cursed gems burning with ruthless clarity.
Before him, Seraphina knelt—her body trembling, not from fear, but because her will had been ripped away. Her eyes were hollow, silent. As if her soul had been shackled, leaving behind only a perfect puppet of its master.
Yet behind that calm mask, her eyelid twitched briefly. A single tear traced down her cheek—not from terror, but the body's last protest to a heart that no longer owned the right to feel.
╔════════════════════════════════╗
[Dominance System – Integration Level 1: SUCCESS]
[Subject: Seraphina]
[Status: Locked at Low Hierarchy]
[Compliance: 100%]
[Mode: Obedient Puppet (Manual Override: Active)]
[Mental Node: Anchored | Original Emotion: Suppressed]
╚════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian narrowed his eyes, silently reading the panel.
“Low Hierarchy... means no free will.”
Then a voice echoed, flat and calm—like a whisper from the abyss.
"Command me, Master," Seraphina spoke.
Lucian tilted his head slightly, withholding reply.
“Pitiful... but beautiful.”
Another panel appeared, breathing slowly like a shadow’s exhale:
╔════════════════════════════════╗
[New Module Unlocked: MINDCHAIN]
[Type: Multi-Target Psychological Control]
[Status: Partially Locked]
[Activation Requirement: 3 Subjects with Full Compliance]
[Core Energy: Basic → Moderate]
╚════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian scanned the data, raising an eyebrow.
“This is not magic... nor technology. It is a dominance system. Will tamed. Souls conquered.”
“A spiritual virus, forging a throne from obedience.”
A slow, chilling smile curved his lips—cold and unsettling.
“Not power... but dominance. True authority does not destroy—it subjugates.”
A new panel flashed like lightning striking a still lake:
╔════════════════════════════════╗
[Veylor Bloodline Synchronization]
[Access to Former Lord’s Memory Fragments – Status: Unstable]
[Warning: Personality Distortion Risk – 4.8%]
[Activate?] [Y/N]
╚════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian stared at the screen as time seemed to slow.
“One click, and I could become a shadow of the past…”
He whispered coldly:
"I am not a shadow of the past. Old thrones are built on blood and heritage. I will build mine on severed wills—starting from one puppet, conquering a world."
[N]
A silent touch on the panel. Absolute refusal.
Suddenly, the floor trembled faintly. A red symbol ignited in midair—a black skull cracked with shards of cursed light.
╔════════════════════════════════╗
[System Trigger: Unstable Aura Detection]
[Enemy Target Detected – Academy Hunter Agent (Level 22)]
[Status: Anomaly Hunt Active]
[Estimated Arrival: 6 Minutes 41 Seconds]
╚════════════════════════════════╝
Lucian hissed softly.
“Finally... the hunters begin to scent blood.”
He raised his hand. Another panel appeared, obeying like a loyal servant.
╔════════════════════════════════╗
[Activation: Spiritual Concealment Lv.1]
[Effect: Suppress Will Fluctuations]
[Duration: 8 Minutes]
[Cost: 12% Core Energy]
[Status: Active]
╚════════════════════════════════╝
The aura around him faded drastically. Silence swallowed the air. His existence was cloaked in an invisible mist—his presence erased from the world.
Lucian glanced back.
“Seraphina.”
The girl responded instantly, without pause, without breath:
“Ready, Master.”
“You will be my first shadow.”
She stepped forward. Her silhouette crossed the flickering candlelight, as if darkness itself bowed to her steps.
“Let’s welcome them... like a noble welcomes rats in his palace.”
And this noble... enjoyed the sound of cracking skulls.