Marcus Blackwood was used to control. Control of his friends. Control of his enemies. Control of Vanessa Hart.
But tonight, something felt… off.
Vanessa had returned from upstairs flushed, distracted. She barely met his eyes, her laugh forced when he wrapped an arm around her waist. When she kissed his cheek, it was mechanical—duty, not passion.
And Marcus noticed.
His gaze cut across the room to Ethan Kane, lounging against the bar like he owned it. There was something different about him. His posture screamed confidence, his crimson-tinted eyes gleamed with danger, and worse—girls whispered about him, stealing glances like he was the predator they secretly wanted.
Marcus's jaw clenched. Just days ago, Ethan had been nothing. A bug to squash. Now, he stood there as if he belonged.
And Marcus hated it.
System Notification
[Mission Reminder: Humiliate Marcus Blackwood.] [Condition: Publicly defeat your rival and expose his weakness.] [Reward: Incubus Evolution – Stage One Awakening.]
Selene's sultry voice purred in Ethan's head. "He feels it, Ethan. The cracks forming in his crown. All you need to do is push him."
Ethan smirked, swirling his drink. "And I will."
The Challenge
The party eventually spilled into the mansion's game room, where Marcus thrived. A pool table, dartboard, and poker set awaited, surrounded by a crowd eager to cheer their self-proclaimed king.
"Alright," Marcus announced loudly, his arm still draped over Vanessa. "Who's man enough to face me tonight?"
The crowd chuckled nervously. Everyone knew Marcus hated losing.
Ethan stepped forward, his smirk sharp. "I'll play you."
Gasps rippled through the room. Marcus raised a brow, his lips curling cruelly. "You? Please. Don't embarrass yourself again, Kane."
Ethan's eyes burned crimson in the dim light. "Funny. I was about to say the same to you."
The room erupted with murmurs. A tension filled the air—finally, someone dared to challenge Marcus openly.
Marcus's smile tightened. "Fine. Pool. First to five. Let's see if you've grown a pair."
The Game
They circled the pool table, eyes locked, the crowd buzzing around them. Marcus moved first, breaking hard. Balls scattered, two sinking neatly into the pockets. The crowd cheered.
Ethan waited patiently, silent, his aura radiating calm danger.
When his turn came, he leaned over the table with precision. His hands were steady, his focus unshakable. The cue ball cracked, and two solids sank smoothly.
The crowd gasped again. Vanessa's breath hitched, though she tried to hide it.
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
Turn after turn, Ethan matched him. Every shot was perfect, almost unnatural. His crimson gaze seemed to predict the angles before they happened.
[System Skill Activated: Predator's Focus Lv.1.]
The crowd grew louder with each of Ethan's flawless shots.
"Damn, when did he get so good?" someone whispered.
"Marcus is sweating," another muttered.
By the final shot, Marcus's jaw was tight, his grip on the cue tense. He needed Ethan to miss.
But Ethan didn't miss.
He leaned low, his eyes flicking briefly to Vanessa—just enough for her to blush—before striking the cue ball. The eight sank cleanly into the pocket.
The room exploded. Cheers, laughter, whispers.
Ethan straightened, smirking at Marcus. "Looks like the king bleeds after all."
System Notification
[Mission Complete: Publicly defeat your rival and expose his weakness.] [Reward: Incubus Evolution – Stage One Awakening.]
Ethan staggered slightly as heat surged through him. His body pulsed with energy, his aura expanding. Crimson veins flickered beneath his skin for a heartbeat, his senses sharpening beyond human.
Selene's voice moaned in his mind. "Yes… the first stage of your Incubus evolution. Feel it, Ethan. Strength, hunger, desire. You're no longer just a man—you're becoming a god."
Ethan's smirk widened.
Marcus's Fury
Marcus slammed his cue stick down, the wood cracking. His friends tried to laugh it off, but the humiliation was obvious. His pride had been shattered in front of everyone.
He grabbed Vanessa's wrist roughly. "We're leaving."
She winced, trying to pull away, but Ethan stepped forward, his crimson eyes burning.
"Careful, Marcus," Ethan said softly, his voice carrying enough weight to silence the room. "You're holding her too tight."
The crowd went still. Marcus's nostrils flared. "Stay the hell out of this, Kane."
But Vanessa's gaze betrayed her—wide, conflicted, drawn toward Ethan.
Ethan smirked, delivering the final blow. "Maybe if you knew how to treat her, she wouldn't be looking at me instead."
Gasps erupted. The crowd buzzed like fire.
Marcus's face twisted in rage. He shoved Vanessa aside and lunged at Ethan, fist raised.
Ethan didn't flinch. He caught Marcus's punch midair, his grip ironclad. The crowd roared as Marcus struggled, unable to break free.
Ethan leaned closer, his voice a low growl. "You're not the king anymore, Marcus. I am."
He released him with a shove that sent Marcus stumbling back. The room echoed with whispers, laughter, betrayal.
Marcus's reign had cracked—and Ethan had stolen the throne.
System Notification
[New Mission Unlocked: Expand Your Domain.] [Condition: Build your first true harem of three loyal women.] [Reward: Incubus Evolution – Stage Two.]
Selene purred. "Three women, Ethan. Aria, Vanessa… and one more. Choose wisely. With each conquest, your power grows. And soon, no one—not Marcus, not anyone—will stand against you."
Ethan's crimson eyes scanned the crowd, already hunting his next prey.
Marcus seethed, Vanessa trembled, and the world itself seemed to tilt in Ethan Kane's favor.
The loser was gone. The overlord was rising.