Kael stood amidst the lifeless corpses of the frost dragon's offspring, his cloak lightly dusted with ice and ash. The battle had been exhilarating, but now it was time to reap the true rewards. He opened his status and gave the system a command.
"Upgrade my level."
[Confirming… Leveling up to 37.]
A surge of energy coursed through him as his body adjusted. He could feel his magic stabilizing, his control over his abilities becoming sharper.
[EXP Consumed: 2,100]
Kael nodded slightly. "Continue."
[Confirming… Leveling up to 38.]
This time, the surge was stronger. His stamina and mana pools felt slightly deeper, his magic refined.
[EXP Consumed: 2,400]
"Again."
[Confirming… Leveling up to 39.]
A familiar rush of power swept over him, though he barely reacted. He had felt this sensation many times before, but this was just another step toward his ultimate goal.
[EXP Consumed: 2,700]
One more.
[Confirming… Leveling up to 40.]
As the final level-up completed, Kael's body felt noticeably stronger. His magic had grown sharper, his stamina slightly increased, and most importantly—he had unlocked a new skill.
[EXP Consumed: 3,000]
[New Skill Unlocked: Voice of Dominion]
Kael's eyes flickered as new knowledge flowed into his mind. Voice of Dominion
, or perhaps something more fittingly called Dominion Voice, granted him the ability to briefly control anyone at least ten levels lower than himself. The duration and effectiveness depended on the opponent's resistance, but against weaker enemies, it would be absolute.
It was not mind control in the traditional sense—it was command made law, forcing an individual to obey against their own will.
"A fitting ability," Kael muttered, testing his voice. No different from before, yet now his words carried an unseen weight, capable of turning allies against one another or forcing even the most defiant warriors to their knees.
At the same moment, he felt a shift in his body. A faint aura radiated from his back, and with a thought, two enormous black wings burst forth. They spread wide, their dark feathers shimmering faintly in the dim light of the cavern.
Ralvok and his quagoa warriors, who had been watching in silence, felt a sense of unease as they witnessed Kael's power grow further. Even without understanding the full extent of his abilities, they knew—this being was far beyond them.
Kael glanced at the quagoa king. "You mentioned the dragon's treasury earlier. Lead me there."
Ralvok nodded immediately. "O-of course, great one. Please follow me."
The cavernous tunnels twisted deeper into the mountains, eventually opening into a grand chamber—a dragon's hoard, untouched for years. Gold coins were piled in mounds, rare gemstones scattered across the floor, and enchanted relics stacked carelessly in the corners.
Kael stepped forward, eyes scanning the treasure. With a flick of his hand, he activated his system's storage space, absorbing the entire hoard into it within seconds.
Even Ralvok, who had long served under dragons, was stunned.
"Incredible… you can store so much wealth so effortlessly…"
Kael barely acknowledged the comment, his mind already elsewhere.
"You said there was another treasury?"
Ralvok hesitated. "Yes… the dwarven treasury. Even the dragons couldn't open it. It is said that inside lies the greatest wealth of the dwarves—weapons, magical forges, enchanted metals, and treasures of old. But the door… nothing has ever been able to break through it."
Kael smirked. "Then let's test that."
The path to the dwarven treasury was carved with intricate stonework, long abandoned. Soon, they arrived at the massive vault doors. Even at a glance, Kael could see the deep scratches and claw marks along the metal. The dragons had tried—and failed—to force their way inside.
He raised his hand, summoning his magic.
"Thunder Dragon."
A massive bolt of lightning coiled around his arm before he hurled it forward. The impact sent electricity coursing through the vault, causing sparks to dance across its intricate carvings. The stone around it shattered slightly, cracks spreading from the force of the attack, but the door itself… remained standing.
Ralvok flinched. "Even that couldn't—"
Kael cut him off with a simple flick of his wrist.
A sky spear formed above his palm. This time, he didn't hold back.
Channeling 50% of his mana, the spear's glow intensified, humming with sheer destructive force. With a sharp motion, he hurled it forward, aiming for the precise center of the vault.
The moment it made contact—
Boom.
A deafening explosion rocked the entire chamber, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The vault door buckled inward, its enchanted metal pierced clean through, and moments later, it collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Ralvok stood frozen.
Even with thousands of years, countless dragons, and an entire army of quagoa attempting to open it—this being had done it in seconds.
Kael stepped forward, entering the treasury without hesitation.
Inside, the room was filled with glimmering gold, silver, and rare crafting materials. Old dwarven armor, enchanted shields, and priceless gemstones lay scattered across the floor. More importantly, the chamber was lined with forges still glowing faintly, their enchantments resisting the passage of time.
Kael raised his hand, and just as before, he absorbed everything into his storage space.
He picked up a single bar of mithril, inspecting it briefly before storing it away. "The dwarves knew how to craft properly."
Ralvok hesitated before speaking. "With this… no kingdom could match your wealth, great one."
Kael didn't respond. He didn't care for gold or status. He only cared for power.
After securing everything, a thought crossed his mind.
"How many quagoa remain under your command?"
Ralvok tensed but answered quickly. "After the battle, we still have around 50,000 warriors scattered through the underground tunnels."
Kael's smirk widened.
That would be more than enough.
He had found a way to farm experience efficiently.
Without even needing to fight himself.
He turned his gaze toward Ralvok, his presence overwhelming. The quagoa king felt a strange weight press down upon him, a command he could not refuse.
Kael spoke with a voice laced with something new—something powerful.
"Prepare your army."
Ralvok instantly lowered his head, body trembling. "As you command, great one."
The next chapter would begin with the execution of his grand plan for power.
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[Kael Drakon - Status]
[Name]: Kael Drakon
[Race]: Demon God
[Level]: 40
[EXP]: 18,740 (Can be used for Leveling or Lottery)
[Stamina]: 700
[Mana]: 2000 (Currently: 640 MP)
- Mana Recovery: 20% MP every 20 minutes
[Skills]:
1. Sky Spear
2. Teleport
3. Thunder Dragon
4. Voice of Dominion
[Passive Abilities]:
1. High-Level Magic Damage Reduction
2. High-Level Magic Damage Increase
3. Negative Status Immunity
4. Demon Wings
[Items]: gold....
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