The air changed. Shadows lengthened unnaturally around Auren's feet, swirling like black smoke. His gaze locked onto the younger guard—Dominator's Gaze. The man froze mid-breath, muscles trembling under the invisible weight pressing on his mind.
Auren's voice was low, but it carried like a blade scraping bone. "You feel that? That's just me looking at you. Imagine what happens when I actually try."
The older guard's face drained of color. "S-stop that, you'll—"
Flames burst to life in Auren's right hand, a swirling ball of fire so hot it warped the air. He raised it slowly, deliberately close to the heavy wooden supports of the gate. The crackling heat licked at the iron bindings, making them groan.
"This door," Auren said, "will burn before you can scream for help. And when it falls, the first thing I burn after will be your fucking face."
The younger guard, still locked in Auren's gaze, whimpered. The older one dropped his halberd.
"Wait! Stop! She can enter—just stop whatever the hell you're doing!"
The shadows withdrew, the fireball vanished in a hiss of smoke. Auren stepped back like a man who already knew the outcome.
"Smart choice," he said, brushing past them with Lyara in tow.
The guards exhaled in shaky unison, one muttering under his breath, "Fucking devil…"
Auren smirked without looking back. "I heard that."
And then they were inside, the heavy gates closing behind them like a trap snapping shut—but this time, he was the predator inside the cage.
The streets of Central buzzed with the endless noise of merchants and adventurers, but Auren's focus was fixed. Lyara still wore the tattered, blood-stained scraps from the goblin nest — a silent reminder of where she'd been found.
Before heading to the Adventurers' Guild, he stopped at a clothing shop. The merchant's eyes trailed over Lyara like she was a prize animal for sale, but a single sharp glance from Auren made the man swallow his words. He picked out a simple yet fitting outfit — black leather pants, a deep green tunic that matched her eyes, and boots sturdy enough for travel.
"Change," he said flatly, handing the clothes to her. His tone wasn't a request.
Lyara gave a small nod, vanishing into the shop's changing room. Riven leaned against the counter, watching with that faint, mocking smirk he always had when it came to her.
"You're spoiling her," Riven muttered.
"I'm preparing her," Auren replied without looking at him.
Minutes later, Lyara stepped out, the new clothes fitting her perfectly. She looked more like an adventurer now… and less like a victim. Auren's eyes briefly scanned her from head to toe — not with lust, but with the cold calculation of a man inspecting a weapon.
---
At the Adventurers' Guild, the air was thick with the smell of sweat, ale, and competition. Selena barely looked up until Auren dropped a large cloth bundle on the desk.
When selena unfolded it, fifty pairs of goblin ears spilled out, each tied neatly with string. The stench made a few nearby rookies gag.
"Fifty confirmed kills," Auren said. "Five hundred silver."
The clerk quickly pushed a small pouch forward. The coins inside clinked sharply.
Riven scooped it up with a grin. "Drinks tonight?"
Auren ignored him. Instead, he slid a separate form across the desk. "One more thing. Register her."
The clerk glanced at Lyara, then back at Auren. "Is she… your recruit?"
"She's mine," Auren said without hesitation. "Add her to my team."
Lyara blinked at his words — not in surprise, but in silent acknowledgment. She signed where he told her to sign. Within minutes, she had an Adventurer's ID of her own. Auren tucked it into her palm.
"This keeps us from wasting time on border patrols and idiot guards," he told her quietly. "Now, no one can say you don't belong here."
---
By the time they returned to the hotel, the sun had dipped low, painting the Central skyline in a wash of dying orange.
Niva was at the reception, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly when she saw Lyara standing beside Auren.
"One more room," Auren said, placing coins on the counter.
Niva's lips curled faintly. "For her?"
Auren's gaze didn't waver. "Do your job."
Jealousy flickered in her eyes, but she took the money and handed him a brass key. "Second floor. End of the hall."
Turning to Lyara, Auren's voice was low but firm. "Rest. Tomorrow's going to be longer than today."
She nodded and left for her room without a word.
---
Riven leaned close once she was gone, smirking again. "You're playing a dangerous game, Auren."
Auren's eyes shifted to him — calm, cold, unreadable. "Games are for people who think they have a choice. I'm building a future."
And as he walked away toward his own room, the thought stayed in his mind like a silent vow:
Everyone is a piece. And I decide where they stand.
Now, they entered the room. Riven said, "Wait here for me. I'm going to bring food for us—and for that slave as well."
When he left, a blue transparent screen suddenly popped up.
---
Name: Auren
Age: 20
Race: Human (Enhanced)
Class: Mind Dominion
Level: 7
EXP: 260/400
Mana: 800/1000
---
[SKILLS – MIND DOMINION]
1. Mental Bind
Enhanced focus allows Auren to bind limbs individually at higher levels.
Level 6 → Level 7 Effect:
Duration extended by 4.5 seconds
Can now bind three targets simultaneously
New Bonus: +16% Bind Strength (was 12%)
---
2. Desire Twist
Instills conflicted arousal and obedience in targets.
Level 6 → Level 7 Effect:
Triggers faster and deeper on strong-willed targets
Affects even minor resistance-proof targets
New Bonus: +16% Suggestion Success (was 12%)
---
3. Obedience Seal
Enforces loyalty or silence through psychic imprinting.
Level 6 → Level 7 Effect:
Can now stack 5 Seals simultaneously
Persists through deeper memory wipes and traumatic shock
New Bonus: +16% Duration and Effectiveness (was 12%)
---
4. Pleasure Domination
Reinforces control through layered sensory pleasure.
Level 6 → Level 7 Effect:
Emotional dependence begins after 2nd activation
Can override target's desire to resist
New Bonus: +16% Emotional Bond Rate (was 12%)
---
Inventory – Level 2:
Space – 200/500
Stores anything except living beings; capacity grows with level.
---
[SUPERPOWERS – LIMIT 3/3 SELECTED]
1. Shadow of Submission
A fear-inducing aura that weakens enemy resolve.
Level 6 → Level 7 Power Boost:
Aura Radius: 13 meters (+3)
Willpower Resistance Reduction: +32% (was 28%)
New Bonus: +15% Aura Pressure (was 11%)
---
2. Dominator's Gaze
Short, paralyzing eye contact that forces hesitation or submission.
Level 6 → Level 7 Power Boost:
Suggestion success rate: +27% (was 23%)
Duration: 7 seconds (+3)
New Bonus: +16% Fear Shock Effect (was 12%)
---
3. Psychic Bind
Invisible mental chains that restrict target movement.
Level 6 → Level 7 Power Boost:
Bind Strength: +27% (was 23%)
Affects magical, mana-based, and soul-linked movement
New Bonus: +16% Lockdown Duration (was 12%)
---
[ATTRIBUTES]
Base values increased by +4 each due to level-up.
Attribute Base Value Modifier (Lvl 7 + Bonuses) Final Value
Mind Power 107 +25% 133.75
Domination Influence 92 +20% 110.4
Aura Intensity 77 +20% 92.4
Physical Strength 67 +15% 77.05
Sensory Resistance 62 +15% 71.3