The news spread faster than expected.
By the time Kael reached the outer courtyard, whispers had already begun.
"Did you hear? Elder Varyn—"
"Dead. Killed inside the hall."
"Impossible—by who?"
"…Kael."
Silence followed every time his name was spoken.
Fear had already taken root.
Good.
Kael walked forward without stopping, Liora beside him. The disciples they passed quickly stepped aside, lowering their heads.
Submission.
Even without command.
"This won't stay quiet," Liora said.
"It doesn't need to," Kael replied.
In fact—
The louder it spread, the better.
Fear was efficient.
---
As they approached the main path, a group blocked their way.
Five disciples.
Stronger.
Better equipped.
At their center stood a tall man with a scar across his jaw.
Tier 2.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Finally.
Someone worth noticing.
"So," the man said, arms crossed. "You're the one causing trouble."
His tone wasn't fearful.
It was… testing.
"You killed Varyn?"
Kael didn't stop walking.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No explanation.
The man's expression shifted slightly.
"Bold."
His gaze flickered to Liora.
"And you're helping him?"
Liora didn't answer.
Her silence said enough.
The man looked back at Kael.
"Name's Dren."
He stepped forward.
"This branch doesn't belong to you."
Kael stopped.
For the first time.
The air tightened.
"Then who does it belong to?" Kael asked calmly.
Dren smirked.
"To the strong."
Kael's smile returned.
"Good."
A pause.
Then—
"We agree."
The tension snapped.
Dren attacked first.
Fast.
A direct punch aimed at Kael's head.
Kael didn't dodge.
He stepped in.
Their fists collided.
Boom.
Shockwaves spread.
Dren's smirk vanished.
"…You're stronger than I thought."
Kael said nothing.
He attacked again.
Sharper.
More precise.
Liora moved at the same time, intercepting the other disciples.
Steel clashed.
Energy surged.
But the outcome—
Was already decided.
Kael pressed forward relentlessly.
Each strike heavier than the last.
Dren was pushed back.
Step by step.
"No—"
Kael grabbed him.
Pulled him in.
Then drove his knee into Dren's abdomen.
Crack.
The man collapsed.
Kael didn't kill him.
Instead—
He looked down at him.
"Submit."
Dren coughed, blood spilling from his lips.
His eyes burned with defiance—
Then slowly dimmed.
"…Damn you."
A pause.
Then—
"I submit."
---
[Subordinate Acquired: Dren — Tier 2]
[Power Increased]
---
Kael released him.
Then turned.
The remaining disciples had already surrendered.
Of course they had.
Power was absolute.
---
Liora watched quietly.
"You're building something," she said.
Kael glanced at her.
"Yes."
"A faction?"
He smiled faintly.
"No."
His eyes were calm.
"An empire."