Kael sat in silence upon the Throne of Chains.
The obsidian spires of Layer 13 twisted upward like a dark cathedral, fused now with the husk of Layer 12—his first true conquest. Around him, monsters crawled, slithered, and soared. Yet none dared move without his will.
Because Kael was no longer a weak adventurer.
He was Sovereign.
And Sovereigns… commanded worlds.
> [System Update: Sovereign Class - Tier 1 Established]
[New Features Unlocked: Monster Pact | Sovereign Edicts | Core Evolution Tree]
[Warning: Dungeon Depth Breach May Trigger Surface Detection]
Kael's fingers curled over the throne's jagged armrest.
"The surface is already watching."
He smiled darkly.
"Good."
---
Diplomacy with Monsters
"Send them in," Kael said.
Aetherfang growled, then vanished into the dungeon's maze.
Moments later, three figures entered the throne hall—each monstrous, ancient, and powerful. One was a lava-scaled ogre chieftain. Another, a banshee matriarch cloaked in shadow. The third floated—an eyeless wraith with a crown made of bones.
They were not his creations. They were old rulers of their layers. Forgotten monsters. Fugitives from the upper realms. And now, they came to bargain.
"You are no god," the ogre growled, voice like falling stone.
Kael stood, and his shadow darkened the chamber.
"I don't need to be," he said. "I just need to be worse than your nightmares."
> [Sovereign Skill: Monster Pact – Activated]
[Offering: Territory, Evolution Rights, and Blood Tax Reduction]
[Demand: Absolute Fealty]
The system chimed.
> [Three High-Rank Monsters have submitted to your will.]
[Influence +150 | Core Capacity Expanded]
[New Feature Unlocked: Sovereign Court]
Kael returned to his throne.
"Let the surface build armies," he said. "I build monsters."
---
On the Surface – Draxenholt Expedition Protocols
High above the dungeon, the human capital roared with confusion.
Every magical scan, every probe into the Abyssal Dungeon returned warped. Distorted. As if something within was staring back.
And then... came a sound.
A heartbeat. Echoing through mana fields. Felt in every enchanted artifact.
> BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Panic spread.
The King summoned the Abyssal Expedition Unit—the finest warriors, scholars, and mages.
Lira was the first to volunteer.
"I need to know what he's become," she whispered.
---
Back Below – Shaping a Kingdom of Fear
Kael walked through the new Hollow Spire, his citadel at the heart of Layers 12–13.
"Report," he commanded.
Glaiveclaw landed beside him, claws clinking against blackstone.
> "Layer 12 now produces 10,000 spawnable units per cycle."
"Hive Broodlings under your control have begun constructing extensions."
"Dungeon Core has absorbed 68,000 souls since the Broodmother's death."
Kael nodded.
"Begin building the Crown Bastion."
It would be the first structure not of natural dungeon material—but forged by Kael's new magic: Sovereign Shaping.
> [Sovereign Edict: Construct Crown Bastion – Command Accepted]
[Estimated Completion: 3 Cycles]
Aetherfang suddenly howled.
> [Alert: Dimensional Rift Detected – Layer 13's Outer Perimeter Breached]
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"They're here."
---
The Surface Expedition Begins
Lira's boots crunched against broken stone.
Her team—seven elite—moved in formation. Shields raised. Magic at the ready.
"Remember," she said, "we don't engage. We observe."
They stepped into Layer 13.
And the world watched them.
---
Kael's Arena – The First Warning
Kael watched the humans through spectral eyes.
"They send scouts," he said, "as if I am a mystery."
He stood in the throne hall.
And with a gesture, reshaped part of Layer 13 into an arena.
> [Sovereign Command: Trigger Echo Trial]
[Summon Illusion Form – Host: Kael the Pariah King]
The expedition gasped as the floor shifted.
Obsidian pillars rose. Chains slithered. A black fog choked the air.
And then—Kael's illusion appeared, ten meters tall, cloaked in shadows.
"Go back," it said.
The voice shook their bones.
"You stand in the land of the Godbound. Trespass further… and drown in chains."
Then the image shattered.
The group stood silent. Pale. Trembling.
Lira touched her chest.
"…That wasn't magic," she said.
"That was will."
---
Post-Expedition Panic
Hours later, the surface buzzed with reports. The vision had been recorded. The sigil confirmed.
Kael was not just surviving.
He was ruling.
Guilds panicked. Kingdoms began emergency weapon research. The Pope of the Dawnlight Church declared the dungeon "a false hell" and issued a crusade decree.
But Lira?
She stood before the King.
"…We have to talk to him."
"Negotiate?" the King snapped.
"No," she said softly. "Understand him. Because if we don't…"
She turned to the window, looking southward.
"…we'll be kneeling before him."
---
Kael's Evolution Begins
Alone in his chamber, Kael stared into the Heart of the Dungeon Core.
His reflection was no longer human.
> [Shard Assimilation: 29.9%]
[Warning: Approaching Evolution Threshold]
[Next State: Sovereign Form – Tier II]
Kael raised his hand.
"It's time."
He pushed.
Mana burned through his veins. The throne cracked. His body ignited.
> [Shard Assimilation 30.0% Achieved]
[Sovereign Form Unlocked: Godbound Pariah – First Phase]
The Core responded.
Chains erupted from the ground. Symbols of ancient gods flared behind him.
His skin turned black-gold. His eyes burned violet. Wings of void-shadow unfurled from his back.
He screamed—not in pain—but in ascension.
---