The battlefield froze.
Not because of fear.
But because reality itself hesitated.
The executioner's sword hung less than an inch from the young man's neck, vibrating violently as invisible force resisted it.
"What the hell—?" the knight muttered.
The kneeling man slowly lifted his head.
Rain mixed with blood on his face, dripping from his chin. His pupils reflected a glowing translucent screen only he could see.
❝SYSTEM ACTIVATED❞❝Welcome, Host❞
His breath hitched.
A system?
After everything… after betrayal, humiliation, and a death sentence—
This?
❝Main Quest: Survive❞❝Time Limit: 10 Minutes❞❝Failure: Death❞
The young man laughed.
Not hysterically.
Not loudly.
Just a dry, broken chuckle.
"Of course," he whispered. "Even fate wants to mock me."
"Enough!" the knight shouted. "Kill him!"
The executioner roared and forced the blade down.
The moment steel touched skin—
❝Host Leveled Up❞❝Level 1 → Level 2❞❝Skill Unlocked: Tactical Insight (Passive)❞
The world shifted.
Information flooded the young man's mind—battle formations, enemy blind spots, muscle tension, reaction delays.
Time slowed.
The sword trajectory appeared as a glowing red line.
He twisted.
The blade grazed his shoulder instead of his neck, slicing deep but not fatal.
Pain exploded.
But so did clarity.
The young man rolled sideways, crashing into the mud as screams erupted around him.
"He dodged!"
"Impossible!"
The forgotten god watched from above, calm and focused.
❝Divine Feedback Received❞❝Growth Applied: ×10,000❞
The god's presence solidified further.
Still weak.
Still hunted.
But no longer fading.
"Good," he murmured. "Struggle more."
On the battlefield, chaos spread.
"Restrain him!" the knight barked.
Too late.
The young man pushed himself up, shackles shattered at his wrists. His eyes were no longer those of a condemned man.
They were sharp.
Calculating.
Cold.
"Tactical Insight…" he muttered. "So this is how you want me to survive?"
He scanned the soldiers.
Five infantry. One knight commander. Formation sloppy. Overconfident.
He smiled grimly.
"Then I'll use you."
He sprinted—not away, but toward them.
"What is he doing?!" someone yelled.
The first soldier thrust his spear.
The young man ducked, grabbed the shaft, twisted his body, and slammed his elbow into the man's throat.
Crunch.
The soldier collapsed, choking.
❝Enemy Neutralized❞❝XP Gained❞
The god felt another surge.
Tiny.
But addictive.
The knight snarled and charged, sword glowing with mana.
"Traitor! You should have died quietly!"
The young man retreated—deliberately sloppy.
He stumbled.
He let fear show.
The knight took the bait.
As the sword came down, the young man stepped inside the swing, grabbed the knight's wrist, and twisted.
Bones snapped.
The sword fell.
A dagger flashed.
Silence followed.
The battlefield went still.
Four soldiers lay dead.
The knight knelt, gasping, blood pooling beneath him.
The young man stood over him, chest heaving.
❝Quest Update❞❝Survive: Completed❞❝Bonus Objective Unlocked❞❝Dominate a Superior❞
He frowned.
"Dominate?"
The forgotten god's voice echoed inside his mind for the first time.
Not loud.
Not commanding.
Controlled.
"Kill him if you want," the god said calmly."Or make him useful."
The young man's eyes widened.
"A… voice?"
"A contract," the god corrected. "Submission grants growth. Death grants nothing."
The knight looked up, terror flooding his eyes.
"You—what are you talking about…?"
The young man crouched.
"You betrayed me," he said softly. "You lied to the king. You ordered my execution."
"I—I was following orders!"
"Good," the young man replied. "Then you'll follow mine now."
He placed a bloodied hand on the knight's chest.
"Swear loyalty," he whispered. "Or bleed out."
The knight trembled.
Pride warred with survival.
Then—
"I swear!" he shouted. "I swear loyalty! Just—just save me!"
❝Domination Successful❞❝Contract Established❞❝Subordinate Acquired❞❝Host Leveled Up❞
The god inhaled sharply.
❝Divine Growth Applied: ×10,000❞
Power roared through his core.
Not enough to fight gods.
But enough to exist.
Enough to scheme.
The young man felt it too—his presence stabilizing, wounds closing slightly, strength returning.
He stood.
"Get up," he ordered.
The knight obeyed instantly.
Fear had turned into obedience.
"This is dangerous," the god thought approvingly. "He learns fast."
Far above, in a realm layered with divine light—
A god frowned.
"That presence again," she muttered. "Impossible. He should be dead."
Another god narrowed his eyes.
"No… he's growing."
Back in the mortal world, the young man wiped blood from his face.
"What are you?" he asked inwardly.
"Your opportunity," the god replied."And your risk."
The young man smirked.
"Good," he said. "I was getting bored dying like trash."
He looked toward the distant capital, fires burning faintly on the horizon.
"They'll regret this."
The forgotten god watched silently.
His first pawn had survived.
His first domination was complete.
And for the first time—
The game had begun.