"Wow… how time flies."
Dominic blinked, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped out of his room. The hallway lit up softly, reacting to his presence—his system-imbued villa was slowly evolving into something far beyond this world. Stretching his arms with a quiet yawn, he glanced out the tall crystal-glass window. The once-chaotic, cursed forest now pulsed with purity. Trees shimmered with life, the air clearer than ever.
"System," he muttered, casually walking toward the kitchen, "what more can I do with this land?"
[SYSTEM: QUERY RECEIVED.]
This forest, while initially estimated at 5,000 acres, has now fully integrated into your domain. Recalculated via Earth metrics… it spans exactly 7,476 acres.
Dominic froze mid-step.
"…Wait, 7,476?" He opened the fridge, pulled out a chilled energy drink can, and popped it open. "That's bigger than I thought."
A wild grin stretched across his face.
"That's just 2,500 less than my dad's Zambian empire city." He whispered with a low chuckle. "So why don't I build mine here?"
He climbed up to the rooftop with the drink in hand, breathing in the divine breeze.
TING!
[ALERT: Multiple knights are approaching the eastern border of your territory.]
[Reason for arrival: Investigation triggered by purification surge.]
[Notable Presence Detected: Jake Avers and Annabel Rowe.]
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
"Jake… and Annabel?"
Without a second thought, he activated his All-Seeing Eye. Instantly, his pupils flickered with radiant light as the world slowed down. Veins glowed faintly around his temple. Everything within the forest trembled in his awareness.
And there they were.
Marching in plated formation—Avelion's silver-plated knights. Jake led the middle row, clad in polished hero gear, Annabel just behind him. They moved cautiously but with purpose, stepping past forest vines that had once been cursed but now bloomed with light.
But the longer Dominic stared, the heavier the backlash. A sharp jolt cracked through his skull, and the vision faded.
He clutched his head, teeth gritted.
"…Still can't hold it long."
His calm face turned darker.
"Let's prepare to welcome our guests."
With a thought, he opened his status.
➤ [ STATUS WINDOW: DOMINIC MENDEZ ]
Name: Dominic Mendez Level: 78
Age: 18 Race: Human (Modified)
Title: Outcast God Synchronization: 10.0%
Health (HP): 10,000 Mana (MP): 4,000
Qi: 20 Years Cultivation Divine Power: 6,000
Faith Resonance: 10
Attributes:
• Strength: 531 • Agility: 509 • Defense: 523
• Intellect: 545 • Willpower: 592 • Charisma: 501
• Luck: 50
Skills:
• All Resistance (Lv. 10)
• Chain Combat Mastery (Passive)
• Elemental Mastery – Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning
• Intimidation (Passive)
• All-Seeing Eye
• Domain Control
Traits:
• Divine Spark
• Lone Origin
• Adaptation Engine
• Domain Lord
• ??? (Locked)
• ??? (Locked)
Inventory:
• Guardian's Blade (Mythic – Sealed)
• Sharp Twinfang Daggers (Rare)
• Cloak of Blue Veil (Mystic)
• System Tablet
• Gold: 154,245
• Health Potion Flask ×6
Dominic swiped over to the shop interface.
"Let's decorate."
He selected a zone around the villa and activated Territory Modification Mode. First came the paved roads—interlocked stone slabs lined with glowing blue veins, stretching from the forest's edge to his doorstep. Next, he constructed a front gate with black metal bars and divine gold trims, standing tall like something out of a futuristic Earth city.
He added a waiting area outside the gates—modern steel chairs, a canopy for shade, even a clean marble-tiled platform. For flair, he placed glowing lantern posts along the road, each powered by divine mana crystals.
"Time to bring in transport."
Under the Carriage category, Dominic scrolled until he found something familiar—a sleek, autonomous mana-powered carriage, mimicking a vintage Earth car. Black exterior, gold rims. He bought it for 20,000 gold.
He wasn't done.
He purchased an Earth-style trench coat, sleek dress shoes, and a modern outfit to match. The total cost tallied up to 31,000 gold, leaving his new balance at 123,275.
"Alright. Let's freshen up and meet our guests properly."
He descended into the house, cleaned up, styled his hair, and wore the long coat like a king in waiting.
DING!
[The knights are now inside your forest.]
"Let them come." Dominic smirked. "I even made them a road."
— Meanwhile: Knight Division, Eastern Border of the Purified Forest —
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Knight boots echoed on the interlocked stone path.
"Captain Marcellus," one of the soldiers called out, "what is… this?"
The captain frowned, scratching his grey beard beneath his helmet.
"A road. But who the hell builds a paved road deep inside a cursed forest?"
Jake slowed down, narrowing his eyes. "Be careful. I have a bad feeling."
Annabel added, "This place… it feels unnatural."
Marcellus raised his gauntleted fist. "Stay sharp. Even if it's a trap, our orders are clear—find the source of purification. Bring back the one responsible… dead or alive."
The moment they took another step—
BOOM.
A sudden pulse of divine pressure swept across them.
Even if just for a second, their lungs locked up. Knees weakened. Several knights gasped and fell to one knee, gripping their swords.
"What… was that?" one choked out.
They looked ahead and saw it.
A massive, fenced villa. White marble walls. Golden accents. Chairs neatly arranged in a waiting zone. And right in front, a glowing black-gold carriage, humming with otherworldly energy.
Jake and Annabel froze.
"…No way," Jake whispered. "That's… that's from Earth."
Annabel trembled. "Someone like us… lives here?"
Suddenly, the tall gate hissed and slid open on its own. Like clockwork.
Marcellus stepped forward, sword raised.
"Whoever you are, by order of King Eldric—reveal yourself and explain your presence in our land! Choose your next words wisely!"
The mansion door creaked open.
Footsteps echoed.
And out walked a young man—elegantly dressed, hair brushed back, his very posture oozing calm and command. His aura? Like that of a sleeping god.
None of them recognized his face.
But when he spoke… two of them froze.
"Yo... It's been a long time, yeah?"
Jake's eyes widened. His grip on his sword faltered.
"…D—Dominic?"
Dominic smiled coldly.
"Welcome to my empire."
TO BE CONTINUED…