Chapter 3 – A New Threat, The Trial of Domination


    “No way…”


    My breathing was finally settling, but the dungeon still felt thick with tension.


    The crimson mist that had once filled the air had thinned, but traces of it still lingered, seeping into the cracks of the stone walls like living shadows.


    I forced myself to stand, my legs still shaky.


    Elena was kneeling beside me, catching her breath, her head lowered.


    The fading remnants of the blood-red magic circle swirled around her, dissolving into the air.


    The contract was complete.


    I could feel it—power coursing through me, something new, something dark.


    But there was no time to get lost in that sensation.


    Thud… Thud…


    A heavy vibration echoed from deep within the dungeon.


    A cold sweat ran down my back.


    Another monster had just woken up.


    Elena stiffened, her lips parting slightly as she muttered,


    “…I didn’t think the dungeon would react this quickly.”


    Before she could say more, the ground shook violently beneath us.


    The vibrations grew stronger, and a deep metallic rumble filled the air, ringing in my skull.


    Something huge was coming up from below.


    “Elena.”


    I stood up, looking her way.


    She was already pushing herself to her feet, her crimson eyes sharp with focus despite the exhaustion clinging to her limbs.


    “Our contract… it’s real now.”


    My voice was low but firm.


    We might not fully trust each other yet, but right now, we had to fight together.


    Elena’s fingers twitched as she gripped her sword.


    “Don’t get the wrong idea.


    I’m not completely submitting to your power.”


    Her tone was cold, but there was no real resistance in it.


    Good enough.


    For now, we had to deal with whatever was coming.


    ROOOOOAAAARR!


    A monstrous roar shook the dungeon like an earthquake.


    I turned, eyes locking onto the source of the sound.


    A massive armored figure rose from the depths, emerging like a nightmare come to life.


    A system message flickered at the edge of my vision.


    [Guardian of the Dead]


    A chill ran through me.


    It was humanoid, but something was wrong—thick red mist oozed between the gaps in its enormous armor, filling the air with an eerie glow.


    The sheer pressure radiating off it was on another level.


    “This thing… it’s like a mid-tier dungeon boss.”


    Elena murmured, her grip tightening around her sword.


    I didn’t need to be told twice.


    Even without a system prompt, I could feel it—this was different from the monsters we had faced before.


    “Get ready,” I said, crimson energy flickering to life in my hands.


    “The dungeon isn’t going to let us go that easily.”


    Elena didn’t reply, but I could see her preparing a spell, blood-red magic swirling around her blade.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.The cracked stone beneath us pulsed with an ominous glow as if responding to the creature’s presence.


    BOOM!


    The Guardian swung its massive sword, shattering the ground on impact.


    I barely dodged in time, the force sending jagged shards of stone flying.


    Holy shit…


    That thing wasn’t just strong.


    It was ridiculously tanky.


    “This thing’s defenses are insane,” Elena shouted as she slashed forward, sending a crimson arc of energy toward it.


    The Guardian blocked the attack with ease.


    The force threw Elena backward, her boots scraping against the stone floor as she struggled to regain balance.


    I saw my chance.


    I thrust my hand forward, activating my skill.


    [Hand of Domination – Forced Restraint]


    Crimson chains burst from the air, latching onto the Guardian’s massive arm—


    And snapped instantly.


    I froze.


    It just… broke through?


    A cold realization hit me.


    This thing wasn’t like the last monster I restrained.


    It wasn’t something that could be easily dominated.


    “Damn it… this is bad.”


    If this dungeon was truly testing me as a ruler, then this Guardian…


    This thing was the gatekeeper.


    And we were about to get crushed.


    “Elena!”


    I barked her name, and she immediately moved closer, her breath ragged.


    The crimson mist around the Guardian twisted and pulsed, reacting to the presence of my magic.


    “This fight is going nowhere.


    We need to—”


    I hesitated.


    There was only one way to turn the tide.


    “…I need your power.”


    Elena’s crimson eyes flickered with recognition.


    She knew exactly what I meant.


    Sharing magic.


    It wasn’t just borrowing power.


    It was merging it.


    Her expression twisted in irritation, but she didn’t refuse.


    “…Tch. I didn’t expect it to come to this.”


    Despite her complaints, she reached out.


    Her fingers brushed against my hand, and immediately—


    A pulse of power erupted between us.


    It felt like my body had just plugged into a second heart.


    Her corruption and my domination collided, igniting like fire meeting oil.


    BOOOOOOM!


    The Guardian swung again, its attack splitting the ground open.


    But this time, I didn’t dodge.


    I clenched my fist, channeling the newfound surge of magic.


    For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was borrowing power.


    I was controlling it.


    I shaped it into a spear of blood-red light, the energy crackling with violent force.


    “This power you’ve endured…”


    I muttered, feeling the weight of Elena’s strength mixing with mine.


    “…Now it’s mine to wield.”


    The air shattered as the spear materialized in my grip, glowing with the raw essence of domination.


    [Authority of Domination – Final Judgment]


    I hurled it forward.


    The Guardian lifted its sword, trying to block—


    But it wasn’t enough.


    The spear pierced straight through.


    A deafening roar echoed as the creature’s massive armor cracked and shattered, dissolving into black mist.


    It was over.


    “…It’s done.”


    Elena exhaled, still gripping her sword tightly.


    Her body trembled slightly, but her eyes remained sharp, scanning for any remaining threats.


    I finally let my magic fade, turning to look at her.


    Her once-perfect dress was torn in places, revealing faint scars and scratches.


    She had been pushing herself to the limit this entire time.


    And yet—


    Her crimson eyes still burned with defiance.


    Even injured, she refused to show weakness.


    She wiped a trace of blood from her cheek, her hand twitching slightly from exhaustion, but she refused to let it show.


    I stepped closer.


    The contract was real.


    We were connected now.


    But I knew—this wasn’t true domination.


    She wasn’t completely mine.


    Not yet.


    “…You said we’d work together.”


    I spoke slowly, watching her reaction.


    “There’s a lot I’ll need you for.”


    Elena scoffed.


    “Don’t get ahead of yourself.


    I’m only going along with this because I have no other choice.”


    She spoke like she was resisting—


    But she didn’t pull away.


    Her body leaned slightly toward me, almost unconsciously.


    She could fight it all she wanted, but deep down, her instincts already knew.


    The connection between us was real.


    Our eyes met.


    Her crimson gaze flickered, uncertain—


    For just a moment.


    And in that moment, I thought:


    This is just the beginning.


    With exhaustion and exhilaration battling in my mind, I took a slow breath.


    A new path had opened.


    A path that would lead me to absolute power.


    “Let’s go. This dungeon still has secrets left to uncover.”


    I extended my hand.


    Elena hesitated, then sighed.


    “…Fine. But don’t think you can control me.”


    I smirked.


    “We’ll see about that.”


    And with that, we walked forward—


    Deeper into the abyss.