The door slammed shut.
BANG.
The thin apartment walls trembled. Even the distant city noise seemed to pause.
Arien didn't flinch.
His thoughts stopped.
And in that silence—clarity settled in.
Cold. Precise.
Sophia walked in.
Heels striking the floor in a steady rhythm.
Click-clack. Click-clack.
Each step felt deliberate. Practiced.
Her auburn hair swayed as she moved, that familiar smile already in place—sweet on the surface, sharp underneath.
Predatory.
Her eyes locked onto him.
"Arien, babe!"
Her voice carried warmth. Too much warmth.
She moved closer, arms opening for an embrace he didn't return.
"I've got amazing news. There's this job opportunity—big money, way better than that dead-end thing you quit. But we have to work for it, don't you think? Together, like always."
His fists tightened.
Nails pressed into his palms.
The memories surfaced.
Not his—but clear enough.
Every smile she gave had a purpose.Every word had a price.
The old Arien would've agreed instantly.
Grateful. Blind.
But this time—
He saw everything.
Still…
He had no power.
No skills.
No advantage.
Not yet.
So, he smiled.
"Sounds good," he said lightly. "Hey… close your eyes for a second. I've got something for you."
A flicker of suspicion crossed her face.
"A surprise? Since when you do surprises?"
But greed overrode caution.
She closed her eyes.
"Fine. Make it quick."
Arien exhaled slowly.
Then whispered—
"World Enslave."
A soft pulse filled the air.
Something cold formed in his hand.
A black collar.
Smooth metal, engraved with faint glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat.
He stepped forward.
No hesitation.
He placed it around her neck.
"Bind to me," he said quietly."Loyalty absolute. Will unbroken."
The runes ignited.
A low hum spread through the room.
Sophia's eyes snapped open—
Too late.
Her body trembled.
Then—
thud.
She dropped to her knees.
Head lowered.
Breathing uneven.
No scream.
No resistance.
Only submission.
"M… Master…"
Her voice was softer now.
Empty of its earlier edge.
Arien watched her.
Carefully.
There was no satisfaction in it.
Only calculation.
"Transfer everything," he said. "All the money. The villa. The investments. Everything you took."
She moved instantly.
Phone in hand.
Fingers working quickly.
"As you command, Master."
Notifications began appearing.
One after another.
Funds returning.
Balances rising.
Thousands.
Then more.
Enough.
He crouched in front of her.
Lifted her chin.
"Why?" he asked calmly. "Why did you do it?"
A pause.
Then—
"For money," she said. "You were easy. I needed more. A better life."
Her voice didn't waver.
"Also… Kael pushed me. Your best friend. He used me… and I agreed."
Kael.
So that thread existed here too.
Arien's expression didn't change.
"You're useful," he said.
"That's enough."
"Yes, Master."
He stood up.
Mind already moving forward.
DING.
A blue window appeared.
Sub Quest CompletedReward: +50 APDebt: 1000 Gold (to be deducted from future gains)
Skill Unlocked: Stealth Lv.1(Duration: 10 minutes)
Good.
That changes things.
He glanced at the timer.
6 Days 23 Hours 45 Minutes.
Seven days until collapse.
One week before the world breaks.
He exhaled slowly.
Now the real problem began.
Resources.
Shelter.
Control.
Money: limited.
Time: extremely limited.
Trust: nonexistent.
Buying supplies openly would attract attention.
Too much movement.
Too many questions.
So there was only one realistic option.
Take it.
"A heist…" he murmured.
Morality didn't matter anymore.
Not in a world that would be gone in days.
Humans were more dangerous than monsters.
And unprepared humans?
They wouldn't survive anyway.
He turned to Sophia.
"Get a loan. As much as possible."
Then—
"Find a villa. Edge of the city. Two floors minimum. Thick walls. Basement if possible. Boundaries. Defensive potential."
A pause.
"We don't have time."
"Yes, Master."
She moved immediately.
Arien walked to the window.
The city looked normal.
Alive.
Unaware.
Soon—
It wouldn't be.
He opened the map.
Marked key locations.
Warehouses.
Supply routes.
Storage zones.
Ravencross.
First city to fall.
First to burn.
"This time…" he said quietly.
"I won't lose."
His gaze sharpened.
The plan began.
To be continued…