Chapter 5: Throne of Vermin
The forest was a different beast at night—quieter, darker, yet pulsing with life just out of sight. Kael ran with newfound stamina, the System subtly reinforcing his body. His breaths came steady, his eyes adjusted easily to the dark.
Objective: Conquer the Goblin Nest
Location: Hollow Fang Den
Estimated Defenders: 12 (F-Grade), 1 (E-Grade Goblin Shaman)
Time Remaining on Inquisitor Displacement: 2 hours, 41 minutes
Reward: Demon Seed Core (Rank F), Domain Slot Activation
Kael crouched behind a fallen log, overlooking the clearing. The goblin den was little more than a collapsed cave reinforced with bones, twigs, and whatever filth the creatures had scavenged.
A dozen goblins snarled, fought, or gnawed on dead animals. A taller one—green skin cracked with glowing runes—stood at the center, muttering over a pit of bubbling tar. The Shaman.
Kael took a slow breath.
Skill Activated: [Infernal Command – Rank F]
Effect: Allows mental domination of low-intelligence targets within 10 meters.
Cost: 12 Soul Energy
Soul Energy Available: 29/50
He crept to the edge of the clearing, heart pounding.
One wrong move, and they'd swarm him.
Ten meters… nine…
A spark flared in his eyes.
Command Initiated: Target – Lesser Goblin (x2)
The nearest goblins froze mid-snarl. Their eyes went glassy, then filled with red light. They turned slowly—and without warning, attacked their brethren.
Shrieks filled the den as chaos exploded. Goblins squealed, biting, stabbing, confused and enraged.
Kael struck from the shadows, wielding a jagged branch like a club. He crushed skulls with brutal precision, relying on stealth and misdirection. One, two, five dead—then the Shaman screamed.
"Kra'shak!"
Magic flared—green fire surged toward him.
Kael dove, rolling across gravel and bone, barely dodging the blast.
Warning: Soul Energy Low (9/50)
The Shaman approached, snarling curses in a guttural tongue.
Kael raised his hand.
"Command."
Failed: Target intelligence too high
Recommend: Physical or magical engagement
Kael growled and leapt forward. He wasn't a warrior, but rage gave him strength. He tackled the Shaman into the pit, and the two crashed into the bubbling tar.
Screams echoed through the forest—one goblin's, one almost human.
Kael rose from the pit, covered in ichor, gasping.
The Shaman did not.
Nest Cleared.
Domain Slot Unlocked.
Demon Seed Core (F-Rank) Acquired.
The cave pulsed as black energy surged from the walls, flowing into Kael.
Would you like to claim this location as your First Domain?
Kael looked around—the carnage, the blood, the raw potential.
"Yes," he whispered.
Domain Established: Hollow Fang Den
Domain Level: 0
Resources: 0
Territory Control: 1/100
Features: Corruption Field (Weak), Goblin Spawnpoint (Dormant)
Demonic Title Gained: "Scourge of the Forgotten Den"
System Note: Domains grow in power as you expand, corrupt, and dominate.
Kael dropped to his knees, overwhelmed by the surge of strength. It wasn't joy he felt.
It was purpose.
Back in the village, Inquisitor Vale stood alone in the chapel, holding the silver locket in his gloved hand.
He stared at it for a long time.
"He's growing," he murmured. "The corruption isn't just present… it's anchored."
He turned toward the door, eyes cold.
"No more hiding."
Ready for Chapter 6, where Kael begins shaping his Domain and faces his first minion choice—