Chapter 6: Cold Indulgence
Kael Draven rolled through the city in his armored truck, the cyberpunk fortress a gleaming sentinel in his rearview mirror. Twenty days until the apocalypse, and while his domain was secure, he wanted more—more solar panels for redundancy, more seeds for the hydroponics. The system hadn't prompted him, but Kael wasn't one to sit idle. The mall was a goldmine for last-minute grabs, and he'd heard of a specialty store with solar farming kits. Plus, the chaos of a crowded Saturday suited his mood—he wanted to flex, to feel the world bend before it broke.
The truck's matte-black hull drew stares as he parked, its low hum cutting through the chatter of shoppers. He stepped out, dressed sharp—black leather jacket, tailored jeans, boots that clicked with authority. His enhanced perception caught every detail: the clerk sneaking a cigarette behind the food court, a kid dropping his ice cream two aisles over. The Ruthlessness Aura clung to him, making people step aside without knowing why.
Inside, he hit the tech store first, charming the clerk into a discount on a stack of solar panels and a portable farming kit—LED grow lights, nutrient packs, the works. "For a school project," he lied, flashing that disarming grin laced with his Charisma Boost. The clerk blushed and threw in extra batteries. Kael loaded it into a cart, already calculating how it'd integrate with the fortress's fusion reactors.
Then he heard them—giggles, heels clacking, a familiar perfume cutting through the mall's sterile air. The cheerleader squad.
"Kael!" Sasha squealed, bounding over with Mia and Lila in tow. The rest of the twelve trailed behind, a kaleidoscope of tight tops and glossy lips. They swarmed him, all chatter and fluttering lashes, oblivious to the end creeping closer.
"Fancy seeing you here," Mia teased, twirling a strand of brunette hair.
"Looking hotter than ever," Lila added, her redhead boldness undimmed.
Kael smirked, leaning against his cart. "Couldn't stay away from me, huh?" His voice dripped with that new edge, and their eyes sparkled—hooked, as always. Around them, other girls in the mall glanced over, whispering, jealousy flickering in their stares. Perfect.
"Why don't I treat you?" he said, gesturing to the sprawl of stores. "Anything you want. My tab."
Their squeals echoed, drawing more eyes. Sasha grabbed his arm, dragging him to a designer boutique, while Mia and Lila raided a jewelry counter. He played the part—doting, generous, tossing out compliments like confetti. Bags piled up: dresses, necklaces, heels, perfumes. He dropped thousands without blinking, the black card a bottomless well. Girls outside the squad glared, clutching their cheap bags tighter, some snapping photos of the handsome mystery guy spoiling a dozen beauties.
"God, Kael, you're the best," Sasha gushed, modeling a sapphire pendant.
"Marry me already," Mia joked, dangling earrings that caught the light.
He laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes. This was fun—a game, a flex—but the warmth he'd once felt for them was gone, hollowed out by the tyrant he'd become. They didn't notice, too drunk on his generosity.
Back at the fortress, the mood shifted. The cheerleaders piled into the command center, oohing at the neon glow and sleek tech, bags strewn across the touchscreen table. Kael watched them, detached, the solar kits forgotten in the truck. The system pinged faintly—**[Suggestion: Expand influence]—but he ignored it. He wanted something else now, something raw.
"Upstairs," he said, voice flat, cutting through their chatter. They followed, giggling, expecting the playful Kael from before. His tower suite awaited, the smart-glass dimmed to a smoky haze, the bed a vast battlefield of silk.
What followed was mechanical, ruthless. He took them—Sasha first, then Mia, Lila, the rest in a blur—his enhanced stamina driving him like a machine. No kisses, no tenderness, just cold precision. Their gasps filled the air, but his face stayed blank, green eyes empty as he moved from one to the next. The Ruthlessness Aura pressed down, silencing any protests, turning their excitement into something strained, submissive. He didn't care about their pleasure, their feelings—only the act, the dominance, the proof of his control.
When it was over, they sprawled across the bed, flushed and dazed, murmuring half-hearted praise. "That was… intense," Lila panted, searching his face for something he wouldn't give.
"You're unreal," Sasha added, voice shaky.
Kael stood, pulling on his jacket, not a bead of sweat on him. "Get dressed. Grayson'll drive you home." His tone was ice, dismissive. They obeyed, confused but too spent to argue, filing out with their bags like scolded kids.
Alone, he stood at the window, the fortress's shield shimmering faintly. The system chimed:
[Hidden Task Completed: Assert Dominance Over Allies]
[Reward Unlocked: Emotional Detachment (Minor) – Reduced empathy, heightened focus]
He didn't smile. The detachment settled into him, a steel wall around what little humanity lingered. The cheerleaders were tools, the mall a stage—nothing more. Twenty days left, and he'd shed another layer of the old Kael. The tyrant didn't need warmth, only power.
Outside, the city glittered, fragile and doomed. Inside, the fortress waited, a cyberpunk beast ready for its master's command.