Silence followed Locust's death.
Not the calm silence of peace—but the heavy stillness that lingered after something ancient had been erased from existence. The shattered arena slowly stopped trembling, broken stone settling into dust that drifted lazily through the air.
Eseren sat slumped against a fallen pillar, breathing shallowly. Blaze Bang rested across her lap, its glow dimmed, as if exhausted alongside her.
Daniel stood alone at the center of the chamber.
Where Locust had fallen, something remained.
It was small.
No larger than an egg.
Floating a few inches above the ground, the object pulsed with soft, rhythmic light—black and violet interwoven, like a living heart wrapped in shadow. Strange symbols rotated across its surface, constantly shifting, never repeating.
Daniel felt it immediately.
Not hostility.
Recognition.
He stepped closer.
The moment his fingers brushed the surface—
The orb erupted in blinding light.
"Daniel—!" Eseren shouted.
Too late.
The orb shot forward like a streak of lightning and slammed straight into Daniel's face.
Before he could react, it forced itself into his mouth.
His eyes widened.
Something choked him from the inside.
Daniel staggered backward, clutching his throat as an overwhelming pressure crushed his chest. The orb fought its way down, ignoring his resistance, burning as it passed.
His instincts screamed at him to expel it.
But he couldn't.
The thing demanded to be swallowed.
With a guttural gasp, Daniel forced it down.
The pain vanished instantly.
Then—
Darkness bloomed behind his eyes.
Connection established.
A voice echoed within his mind—smooth, feminine, ancient beyond measure.
Domain Core recognized.
Daniel stiffened.
"What are you?" he demanded silently.
I am a System Domain, the voice replied. A self-sustaining echo ecosystem forged by ancient masters. I have awaited an inheritor.
Images flooded his mind.
Endless layered spaces. Monsters born, raised, slaughtered, reborn. Power harvested. Loyalty enforced. Growth without limit.
Daniel's pupils contracted.
"…An inheritance."
Correct.
The presence settled deeper within him, embedding itself into his very soul. He felt it anchor—rooting into his existence as if it had always belonged there.
You are now my master.
Information poured in.
This was no ordinary artifact.
The domain was a living space, capable of growth, evolution, and expansion. A personal dungeon—one that fed upon energy and returned strength exponentially.
You may construct a self-sustaining ecosystem, the voice continued. Beasts raised within my domain will recognize you as their absolute master.
Daniel's mind raced.
"Power source?" he asked.
The demon core.
Daniel's gaze snapped to Locust's remains—or rather, what little remained of them. At the center of the scorched crater lay a fractured crystal core, still radiating immense demonic mana.
Insert demon core to stabilize and awaken full domain functionality.
Daniel did not hesitate.
He reached out, grasped the core, and activated the domain.
Space folded.
The demon core vanished from reality.
Inside Daniel, something roared to life.
The world inside the domain unfolded before him.
Endless darkness gave way to land—vast, malleable, unfinished. Mana surged like invisible rivers, flowing outward from a central nexus where the demon core now floated, bound by glowing chains of runes.
The energy was immense.
Stable.
Domain stabilization: complete.
Mana supply: abundant.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"Can I shape it?"
Yes, the voice answered, a hint of emotion entering her tone. This domain reflects its master's will.
Daniel closed his eyes.
The land responded.
Mountains rose in the distance. Plains formed beneath his feet. Forests bloomed, their roots sinking deep into mana-rich soil. Caverns opened below—dark, layered, perfect for growth and nesting.
He shaped it with precision.
Control.
Purpose.
"This is enough," he said.
The domain settled.
Then he remembered something.
The eggs.
Daniel summoned Void Space and released them into the domain.
The moment the three eggs appeared, the mana reacted violently—streams of energy flowing toward them, wrapping them in gentle light.
Their life force surged.
They stabilized.
Excellent choice, the voice said. This environment will nurture them.
Daniel frowned slightly. "You said 'voice.' But you think… like a person."
There was a pause.
I possess intelligence, she replied softly. Yet I was never named.
Daniel considered this.
"You serve me. You guide my domain. You deserve one."
Silence.
Then—
…You would name me?
"Yes."
Another pause.
"…Lilith."
The domain trembled.
The mana surged joyfully, the very land seeming to breathe.
I like it, Lilith said, unmistakable happiness in her voice. My ancient masters never gave me one.
Daniel allowed himself a faint smile.
"Then you're Lilith from now on."
Weapons and armor manifested next.
Lilith guided him toward a hidden vault within the domain—a massive obsidian chamber that rose from the ground as he approached.
Inside lay relics.
Swords. Spears. Bows. Shields.
But one set called to him.
A suit of dark armor, sleek and majestic, forged from unknown metal that absorbed light rather than reflected it. Crimson runes lined its edges, pulsing faintly with restrained violence.
Daniel touched it.
The armor responded instantly, flowing onto his body like liquid shadow. It was light. Perfectly fitted. Alive with power.
Majestic Abyss Armor, Lilith informed him. Defense scales with your strength.
Daniel nodded.
"Good."
Then his attention returned to the eggs.
"Tell me about them."
Lilith's tone shifted—almost reverent.
The first egg…
The obsidian-black one pulsed.
Heaven-level Wolf Hound.
Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly.
A natural alpha. When matured, it will dominate territory and raise a powerful pack loyal only to you.
The crimson-gold egg stirred next.
Warlock Dragon.
Daniel inhaled sharply.
A dragon that wields both sorcery and destruction. Rare beyond measure.
Finally, the pale white egg shimmered faintly.
Ant Queen.
Daniel blinked.
Lilith continued calmly.
Capable of birthing millions in a single day once matured. Individually weak—but unstoppable in number.
Daniel looked at the eggs, understanding dawning.
"Army," he murmured.
Yes, Lilith confirmed. But they are young.
Her voice softened.
They will require care. Affection. Trust.
Power alone will not earn loyalty.
Daniel placed a hand gently near the eggs.
"I'll raise them properly," he said quietly. "Not as tools."
The eggs pulsed faintly in response.
Lilith seemed… pleased.
They will be invaluable in the future, Master.
Daniel opened his eyes.
Outside the domain, Eseren was still waiting.
And the world beyond the dungeon was far from ready for what he had just inherited.