The sky turned red at 3:42 p.m.
The sun, once bright and warm, now glowed like a dying ember. Ash fell like snow. Screams echoed through the city. Then—silence.
Lucian Hao stood alone in a destroyed subway station, his black coat smeared with blood and soot. He had no wounds. The blood wasn't his.
It never was.
[Dominion System initializing…][Scanning host…][Compatible host detected.][Congratulations, Lucian Hao. You have been chosen to become a Tyrant.]
A cold, robotic voice rang in his mind. Lucian didn't flinch.
He had already seen too much to be surprised by a voice in his head.
[Unique Ability Granted: Ironfire Manipulation.][Base Skill Level: F][Objective: Establish Dominion. Eliminate threats. Rule.]
"Rule… huh."
Lucian chuckled quietly, eyes glowing faintly with ember light.His hand tightened. The iron bars of the subway rail melted under his grip, twisting like warm wax.Power. Real power.
Then came the footsteps.
Three men stumbled into view, filthy and desperate. One held a crowbar. Another carried a pistol with trembling hands.
"Hey!" the leader barked. "Give us that coat. And your bag. Now!"
Lucian looked at them like he was watching insects.
[Warning: Hostiles detected.][Would you like to eliminate them and claim EXP?]
"Yes," Lucian whispered.
Before the gunman could raise his weapon, Lucian lifted a finger.A sliver of molten metal shot forward, piercing the man's skull. He dropped dead before he could scream.
The second man charged, screaming.Lucian waved his hand. A wall of iron rose from the broken tracks, then exploded into molten shards, impaling the man in seconds.
The last one froze, dropped his weapon, and begged, "P-please… I-I didn't mean—"
"You're weak," Lucian said, stepping forward. "And weakness doesn't survive in my world."
He snapped his fingers. The man's body was engulfed in flame.
[3 Enemies Eliminated. +150 EXP][Dominion Level: 1 → 2][New feature unlocked: Command Post Blueprint]
Lucian stood amidst the smoke and ash, eyes cold as iron.
"This world ended," he said softly. "But I've only just begun."