"I— I will never surrender... ROOOOAAAARRR—!!"
"Wrong answer," Selene said coldly.
Before the Cross-Tail Dragon could finish, the violet light around her hands flared brilliantly. The Imaginary Claw gripping its neck tightened with crushing force—while another massive claw materialized in midair, clamping around the dragon's writhing body.
Crackle—snap—!!
No matter how it struggled—whether through lightning, storms, or the slicing winds of its dimensional filaments—it could not break free.
Then both claws twisted simultaneously, one clockwise, the other counterclockwise. The dragon's colossal body stretched taut, joints popping audibly as its bones groaned under the pressure.
"It seems pain has dulled your sense of place..." Selene said with a chilling calm. "Then allow me to remind you."
The two Imaginary Claws moved again—this time with brutal precision. Like wringing a rope, they twisted the dragon's body until the sound of tearing flesh filled the air.
Rip—crack—!
Splurt—!!
Silver-white fur and thick scales tore apart, blood spraying across the sky. Massive gashes split open along the dragon's back as chunks of flesh and muscle gave way under the crushing pressure.
"ROOOAAAAARRRR!!!"
Its anguished roar echoed through the heavens.
Selene's crimson eyes gleamed with ruthless light. "Enough. I'm done wasting time. Submit—or I'll tear you apart, piece by piece."
Her voice cut through the air like a blade, every syllable weighted with command and malice. The aura around her deepened, oppressive and feral, radiating a cruelty that made even the sea tremble.
Gulp—
Standing on the deck of the flagship, Wave swallowed hard. Watching the Cross-Tail Dragon—a beast so massive it dwarfed mountains—being manhandled like a helpless chick made his blood run cold. The empress' words still echoed in his ears.
It wasn't just the words. It was her presence. That terrible, abyssal pressure that hung in the air. He didn't know if the dragon was terrified, but he was certain of one thing—he was.
So this... is the new ruler of the Empire?
"P-professor..." Wave whispered, trembling. "H-her Majesty... she's so... brutal—"
BOOM!!
"I... have terms... RAAAAGH—!!"
The dragon's desperate cry was cut short by another wrenching twist. Wave turned toward the sound—his eyes widened.
The Cross-Tail Dragon's storm domain had completely vanished. The once-blue sky was now enveloped by a vast crimson-violet veil, and from within it emerged countless spectral claws of pure Imaginary energy.
One by one, they reached out—two, three, four—until the dragon's entire body was bound, leaving only its battered head exposed, blood spilling from its maw.
Selene's gaze was cold and merciless. "Terms? I didn't hear you. So, once more—submit... or die."
The Cross-Tail Dragon could barely remain conscious. Its body was numb; pain seared through every nerve. Its golden eyes, once blazing with power, now flickered dimly. Every muscle, every vein screamed in agony. The only thing keeping it aloft was the very grip that tormented it.
Meeting Selene's gaze, the dragon felt something it hadn't known in centuries—fear. It could tell, with absolute certainty, that this woman meant every word. If it defied her again, she would make good on her promise.
She's not human... she's a monster in a human's form...
"...Hrrk—cough... F-fine... I... I submit..." the dragon rasped weakly, blood dripping from its jaws.
"A wise choice."
At once, the suffocating pressure surrounding Selene dissipated. The Imaginary Claws loosened their hold, and the Cross-Tail Dragon felt its crushing torment ease, replaced by a strange, eerie calm.
"Huff... huff..." The Cross-Tail Dragon panted heavily, its breaths like hurricane gales as it stared at the figure before it—this human empress, far more resplendent and terrible than the First Emperor himself.
After a long silence, the dragon finally spoke in a low, uneasy tone. "Human Empre—no... Your Majesty. What do you intend to do with me?"
"Do with you? Simple—mark you."
The moment Selene's words fell, the Imaginary Claws binding the dragon dissolved, melting into streams of violet-red liquid that flowed across its wounded body.
"Wh—what is this..." A tingling sensation spread through its flesh, and the Cross-Tail Dragon couldn't help but groan as the torn muscles and scales began to regenerate rapidly before its eyes.
"Do not resist," Selene said coolly. "Relax your mind. It's merely a master-servant seal. While it repairs your body, it also ensures I can control you when needed. Understand that I do not trust you."
Hearing her explanation, the Cross-Tail Dragon let out a deep sigh. After a moment, it lowered its enormous head in acknowledgment.
The law of the Danger Beast world was simple—strength ruled. If she was stronger, submission was natural. There was no shame in yielding to power.
Of course, perhaps part of the dragon's mind whispered another thought: A hundred years... that's nothing. I'll outlive her. Let her enjoy her victory while she can. Once she's gone, I'll be free again.
Unfortunately for the dragon, it did not yet know—Selene was immortal.
After a short while, Selene nodded. "Your body has mostly recovered. The scales will take time to regrow, but you should be able to fly again now, correct?"
"Yes... I can," the dragon rumbled.
"Good. Then you may return to your lair. I've inscribed a coordinate within you. I can summon you at will." Her gaze sharpened, and her tone grew dangerous. "When I call, you will come immediately. If I sense even a hint of hesitation... you know the consequences."
With that, Selene released her grip.
"I understand..." The dragon flexed its wings slowly, testing its strength. Feeling control return to its limbs, it turned and began flying east—back toward the Desolate Islands of the Eastern Sea.
"Hm?" Just as it was about to depart, Selene's voice stopped it once more.
"Oh, right. The tsunami I caused earlier—you'll deal with it." She smiled faintly. "If I receive even a single report from local officials asking for disaster relief, I'll have your hide."
"..." The dragon froze midair, then silently nodded, flapping its colossal wings even faster as it vanished into the horizon.
...
Selene chuckled softly, shaking her head as she gazed up at the sun reemerging from behind the clouds, its golden light reflecting across the calm sea.
"Mmhm... everything is in place now," she murmured. "It's time to unify this world."