The fortress creaked like it was breathing.
Liam stood alone in the throne room of Mall Fortress, shadows moving across the stone as the last light of day filtered through shattered glass. Dust floated in the air like ash. The storm was gone... but it had left something behind.
Silence.
Not peace. Not victory.
Absence.
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the cracked floor. His boots dragged over old scars... lines etched in the stone from battles won, from power taken, from bonds forged. Every inch of this place was theirs now. His.
And yet, the silence felt heavier than ever.
Ten wives.
Scattered.
Sent to rule, to defend, to expand what he had claimed. Not because he wanted it. Because the system demanded it. A kingdom didn't run on chaos. It ran on control.
And the system's control had limits.
The pulsing light of the system core flared above the throne.
It spoke again.
---
> [System Alert]
Overlord Status: Ascendant
Bond Count: 10 / 99
Loyalty Sync: 83% – Stable
Mall Fortress Status: Operational
New Directive: Harem Rotation Protocol
Summon Limit – Active
• 1 Bonded Wife per Day – Personal Bond Time
• Emergency Override – 2 Wives (Cooldown: 7 Days)
Purpose: Maintain Loyalty Stability / Prevent Bond Decay / Boost Personal Trials
Consequence: Ignoring Rotation = Power Drain, Loyalty Decay
---
Liam's fist clenched. Not anger. Not surprise.
Restraint.
The system wasn't just managing zones now. It was managing him.
Managing them.
A low growl built in his chest, but he didn't speak. He couldn't. His throat felt tight... tight with the need to act, to pull them back to him, to feel their heat, their breath, their presence. But he couldn't.
Not yet.
He moved to the throne, boots echoing in the hollow chamber. The seat was cold, massive, carved from steel and stone. Not built for comfort. Built for dominance.
Across the armrest, something soft.
A silk ribbon. Red. Twisted slightly, as if dropped on purpose.
Elyra's.
Of course.
He picked it up, fingers sliding along the fabric. Her scent lingered... jasmine, silk, and temptation. The kind that lingered long after she was gone.
A note lay beneath it.
Not written with ink. Burned in with charm.
Miss me yet?
Summon me… or chase me.
But either way, Overlord, you will choose.
Liam's jaw tightened.
The air shifted.
He wasn't alone.
Boots echoed behind him, not slow, not hesitant. Purposeful. Familiar.
He turned before she spoke.
Rena.
Armor scuffed from battle, sword strapped tight to her back, eyes locked on his like he was the last fight left in the world.
She didn't stop at the throne.
She crossed the floor in four steps and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him upright.
"The system didn't summon me," she said, voice low.
Liam didn't speak.
She stepped in close, breath hot, eyes blazing.
"I don't care."
He opened his mouth... but she didn't let him speak.
Her mouth crashed into his, the kiss hard, fierce, hers. Not gentle. Not soft.
Claiming.
When she pulled back, she didn't let go. Her fingers tightened in his coat.
"You sent us away," she said, breathless. "To build an empire."
She pressed him back into the throne, hand flat against his chest.
"Now you sit here alone."
Liam caught her wrist, but didn't push her away.
"It's what the system demanded," he said.
Rena's eyes narrowed. "And what did you want?"
Silence stretched.
Her hand slid lower, fingers brushing the buckle at his waist.
"You built this harem. You took us. Every one of us. Not to be queens scattered in the wind."
She leaned in, lips brushing his ear.
"But to be yours."
The system pulsed hard again.
---
> [System Override]
Unauthorized Summon – Detected
Penalty: None
Bond Depth – Surge (Rena)
New Buff Unlocked: Duel Synergy II – +Combat Reflex / Shared Strike Flow
Loyalty Sync: 85%
---
Liam didn't pull away.
His hand gripped her hip, hard.
"System or not," he said, voice rough, "you're mine."
Rena smiled, slow and dark.
"Prove it."
The horde came before dawn.
Liam stood atop the shattered barricade, sword in hand, staring into the mist that clung to the edge of the ruined parking lot. The silence was wrong. Thick. Heavy. Like the world was holding its breath before it screamed.
Behind him, Mall Fortress waited.
Broken glass, scorched walls, makeshift defenses cobbled together from scrap and desperation. Not a home. Not yet. But it was all he had. And he would defend it.
Rena moved beside him, her armor scuffed from the last fight, her blade slick with old blood. She didn't speak. She didn't need to. Her presence was a weapon on its own... fierce, focused, and stunning.
The sunrise was pale, almost choked out by the ash in the sky.
Then came the sound.
A moan, low and ragged, carried on the wind.
Liam's grip tightened on his sword.
"Positions," he said.
Rena nodded, eyes hard.
"I'll take the west wall."
She didn't wait for permission. She was already moving, long legs striding across the ruined lot like she owned it. Her hair caught the light, loose and wild, and for a moment, Liam watched her go.
Beautiful. Deadly. His first bond.
And now, the reason he wasn't dead.
Another noise cut through the fog... closer. Wet. Hungry.
The horde broke through.
They came in waves, twisted limbs, blood-matted faces, eyes white with hunger. Fifty, maybe more. Too many.
Liam didn't hesitate.
He moved.
Steel met flesh. The first infected went down hard, Liam's sword biting through its neck. Blood sprayed across the cracked pavement, but he didn't stop. He was already turning, already swinging again.
Behind him, Rena fought like fire.
Her blade sang through the horde, her movements brutal and precise. She didn't yell. She didn't waste breath. She simply killed... one after another, a rhythm of violence and grace.
The system pulsed inside Liam's head.
> [System Alert]
Bond Active: Rena – Combat Class
Buff: Duel Guard – Incoming Damage Reduced
Zone Status: Defense Phase Initiated
Survive for 10 Minutes or Eliminate All Threats
Liam moved to cover the eastern gap, cutting down two more infected. Blood soaked his coat. His arms burned. The horde was closing in fast.
A scream echoed from the northern wall.
Too far.
Liam turned... just in time to see the barricade crack.
The horde broke through.
He ran.
Rena reached it first. She slammed into the broken gate with her shoulder, cutting down three more infected in rapid succession.
"Too many," she said, voice tight.
"We hold," Liam snapped. "Or we die."
The system pulsed again.
> [System Alert]
Time Remaining: 6 Minutes
Horde Strength: 30 Remaining
Buff Triggered: Overdrive – Liam / Rena
Effect: Speed + Strength Boost 30 Seconds
Power surged through Liam's limbs.
He moved faster. Hit harder. Every strike cleaved bone, shattered skulls, drove the horde back.
Beside him, Rena burned. Her blade danced in the dawn light, her face streaked with blood and sweat. She was glorious... savage, unbreakable, terrifying.
The horde faltered.
One last infected lunged... Liam caught it midair, drove his sword through its skull.
Silence.
Breathless. Bloody. Alive.
Rena stood beside him, panting.
"Nice timing."
Liam wiped blood from his face.
"You good?"
She glanced down at the carnage, then back at him.
"You're alive. I'm good."
The system pulsed again.
> [System Update]
Horde Repelled – Zone Secured
Bond Sync – Stable
New Alert: Zone Two Opening – Target Approaching
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Rena sheathed her sword.
"So… another one coming?"
Liam looked to the horizon.
"Yeah."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Another wife?"
He didn't answer.
Rena smirked, stepping close, her voice low and sharp.
"Hope she can fight."
Liam exhaled, staring at the sunrise.
Zone Two waited.
The apocalypse wasn't slowing down.
And neither could he.