The morning was quiet. Auren sat at the dining table, eating the breakfast Velora and Lyara had prepared. They stood by his side silently, heads lowered like obedient servants.
He didn't thank them. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth slowly. "You both did well… but now, it's time for your real work."
Their eyes lifted nervously.
Auren's lips curved. "You'll serve me not only in the house, but in every way I command. If you fail, your punishment will be pain mixed with pleasure until you beg for more."
Velora's cheeks flushed, shame and fear mixing, while Lyara's breath caught in her throat. They both nodded quickly, unable to resist his gaze.
Satisfied, Auren stood. "Stay here. I'm going outside. Don't disappoint me when I return."
---
Exploring the Central
The streets of Central were loud and busy, filled with merchants, adventurers, and travelers from all corners of the region. Auren walked calmly through the crowd, his cold blue eyes watching everything. He noticed how people moved aside for stronger warriors, how power decided respect in this place.
He smiled faintly. "Then let's see how far I can go."
But his thoughts were cut short when a man blocked his path. He was tall, with muscles like stone, his presence heavy and sharp. His group of followers stood behind him, smirking.
"You look weak, boy," the man said, cracking his knuckles. "Central doesn't welcome outsiders like you. Get lost."
Auren tilted his head, his smile thin. "Move."
The man laughed loudly, then swung his fist. Auren blocked, but the sheer strength sent him stumbling back. His chest burned, his body shaken.
The man stepped forward again, eyes wild. "Pathetic. You can't even handle one punch."
For the first time, Auren felt the sharp edge of being powerless in pure strength. But then, his system pulsed.
[Skill Creator: Active]
Auren's lips curved. "Fine… let's create."
He focused, his hand glowing with blue light.
Skill Created: Stone Fist
Transforms user's hand into solid rock. Increases striking power massively.
His arm hardened, his fingers turning into stone. Auren smirked and swung his fist.
CRACK!
The punch smashed into the man's jaw. His eyes rolled back, and his giant frame collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, unconscious.
The crowd gasped. Whispers filled the street.
But the man's partners shouted in rage, pulling weapons. "You'll pay for that!"
Auren's eyes glowed cold.
[Psychic Bind – Active]
Invisible chains snapped around their limbs. They screamed, unable to move.
[Dominator's Gaze – Active]
His eyes locked on theirs, and their anger turned to fear. Their bodies shook as they dropped their weapons, falling to their knees.
The crowd stared, stunned, as Auren released them. The group crawled away, broken and terrified.
Silence fell before someone whispered, "He's… a magician."
Another voice followed, louder. "No… he's more than that. He's a dominator!"
Eyes turned toward Auren with a mix of fear and respect. For the first time, his name began to spread through Central.
Auren looked around, his smile cruel and calm. "Good. Let them remember me."
After the fight, Auren's name spread everywhere in the Central. People started whispering about him in the streets. Some feared him, some admired him. But Auren didn't care about their words. Inside his heart, he already decided his next target— the King of the Central.
He wanted the throne. He wanted to rule this city, to control everyone under him, and to enjoy the power that came with kingship.
But Auren was smart. He knew he couldn't just walk into the palace and take the crown. He needed people on his side, strong allies, and loyal followers who would support him when the time came.
So, Auren started moving carefully. He went to the taverns, the training grounds, the markets. He spoke with warriors, adventurers, and merchants. He used his charm and his psychic skills to bend a few minds, making them think he was their best friend.
Velora and Lyara stayed close to him like loyal pets, always following his commands. Many people noticed them and started to wonder who this man was, walking with such beauty at his side.
At night, when he rested in his room, Auren looked at the ceiling with a grin.
"Step by step, I'll take everything. The throne, the city… and then the whole world."
The hunger in his eyes was no longer just for pleasure—it was for power.
Auren walked through the streets of Central with a calm face, but inside his mind, he was already planning something big. He wanted more than fame, more than respect—he wanted the throne of Central. He wanted to be the King.
To do that, he knew he couldn't move alone. He needed people, allies who would stand beside him. Not just weak ones, but strong men and women who could fight, who had influence, and who could spread his name everywhere.
The taverns were filled with adventurers. The markets were crowded with merchants. Everywhere he looked, he saw faces—some greedy, some broken, some hungry for power. Auren smiled. Perfect place to find tools, he thought.
That evening, he sat at a long table in the tavern. His aura was calm, but his eyes carried authority. One by one, people started coming closer—young adventurers curious about the man who defeated the city's strongest fighter. Some asked questions, some tried to challenge him, but most just wanted to know more.
Auren spoke little, but every word he said carried weight. He offered them hope, money, and strength. "Follow me," he told them, "and your names will never be forgotten in Central."
Slowly, he began building his circle—first with adventurers who admired his power, then with merchants who wanted protection for their trade. Even a few guards secretly came to him, whispering about their hatred for the current king.
In just a few days, Auren was no longer just a magician. He became a rising leader, someone who was gathering people like a magnet.
But in his heart, he knew this was just the beginning. To take down a king, he had to play smart. He had to be patient, ruthless, and always one step ahead.
That night, lying in his bed with Lyara and Velora by his side, Auren looked at the ceiling and whispered, "The throne is mine… and nothing will stop me."