CHAPTER 50: FLAME ESSENCE

{A/N: Actually, guys I had made a mistake in the EXP distribution, you can go back and check, I had updated it, now.}

[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Brandon (Past Life: Alaric Noir)

Race: Human

Age: 19

Title: Slave, Model Servant, (The Fallen King)

Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##

Rank: E-

For next rank- EXP: 300/1800

Stats:

STR: 29

AGI: 28

END: 28

WIL: 35

CHA: 39

INT: 27 (??)

Free stats points: 24

Domination Points: 730

Main Quest: Subjugate Selene Gilmore (49% Progressed)

System Level: 2 (Requires 3000 Domination Points to Upgrade)

Skill Tree: ___

Shop: Basic Tier Items

Obedience Meter: Target Not Found!

Loyalty Meter: Target not found!

Harem Tracker: 0

DP Exchange: Available

??? (Locked – Requires System Level 3)

[Congratulations, Host, for Ranking Up!]

[First-Time Bonus: A New Feature Has Been Added to the Shop!]

[Would you like to check it out now?]

Alaric stared at the hovering panel and, without hesitation, murmured—

"Yes."

🛒 SYSTEM SHOP – BASIC TIER ITEMS

• Minor Healing Potion – 50 DP

Accelerates recovery from minor wounds, bruises, and fatigue.

Standard limit: 5 per week

• Adrenaline Pill – 50 DP

Temporarily boosts all physical stats by 3× for 10 seconds.

Limit: 3 per week

• Focus Elixir – 55 DP

Sharpens mental clarity.

Ideal for deep focus during study, meditation, or tactical planning.

• Shadowstep Token – 90 DP

A single-use token that grants a burst of speed and near-complete silence for 5 seconds.

Perfect for escape, stealth, or quick repositioning.

• Charm Enhancer (Temporary) – 105 DP

Temporarily boosts charisma by +5 for 1 hour.

Warning: May produce exaggerated social effects when combined with high base Charm.

• Steel Dagger – 100 DP

Basic but reliable blade. Durable, balanced, and sharp enough to be deadly in the right hands.

🗓️ MONTHLY SPECIALS – LIMITED STOCK

• Flame Affinity Seed – 700 DP

Unlocks Basic Fire Affinity. Grants passive resistance to heat and access to beginner flame spells.

One-time purchase only.

• Intermediate Flame Spell Pack – 1500 DP

Grants three Intermediate-level fire spells.

Requires Flame Affinity to use.

• Mystic Gear Pack – 5000 DP

Contains:

— Reinforced Cloak

— Storage Ring

— Essence Crystal

Only 1 pack available per month.

• Beginner Combat Manual (Weapon Style Selection) – 800 DP

Grants user a basic weapon style proficiency. Choose one:

— Dual Daggers

— Longsword

— Spearplay

— Unarmed Combat: Brutal Style

Alaric stared at the screen, then blinked.

Once.

Twice.

He opened his mouth slightly, hand reaching toward the panel.

But his fingers brushed right through it, confirming its holographic nature.

"Is this for real..." he muttered under his breath.

Then he exhaled, trying to calm the sudden thrum of excitement in his chest.

Relax. Take a deep breath, then out. In and out. Yeah.

His eyes flicked back to the glowing screen.

A small smile tugged at his lips, and for a fleeting moment, there was a flicker of childlike anticipation sparkling in his gaze.

I’ll finally have magic.

He straightened his back, and spoke in a firm voice with quite resolve.

"Purchase, Flame Affinity Seed."

[Ding!]

[You have purchased a Flame Affinity Seed!]

Then without any hesitation, he opened his inventory.

And inside, there was a glowing ember-like object.

It pulsed faintly like a living heart encased in a crystalized seed. The surface was dark red with fiery orange veins, radiating soft heat and flickers of smoke.

He summoned it into his palm.

The seed materialized above his skin and dropped into his hand with a subtle weight.

It was warm, almost hot to the touch, like holding a coal wrapped in silk.

[Be cautious, Host. The assimilation process may be painful.]

Alaric looked at the system’s warning, then chuckled lightly, shaking his head.

"Always remember this little system."

"No pain, no gain."

And with that, he lifted the seed to his mouth, and swallowed it.

The moment the seed slipped down his throat, a strange warmth bloomed inside him.

It started in his throat, gentle, like sipping a cup of spiced tea.

Then it flowed downward into his chest, spreading into his lungs and ribs like molten honey.

His stomach clenched as the warmth pooled there, then suddenly flared into heat.

The warmth intensified.

Then it burned.

A wave of searing heat surged through his body, as if fire had been poured directly into his veins.

His pulse began to throb violently, now visible, almost glowing beneath his skin.

His temples pounded, muscles tensed and locked, sweat bursting from every pore.

Then came the real pain.

His insides twisted. His skin flushed in a deep red color, steam rising from his arms.

His body had become a furnace, and it was still getting hotter.

"Aghhh!"

A raw guttural cry tore from his throat.

It felt like his blood was boiling, his bones melting.

Then—

Click!

The door creaked open.

And Sari stepped in, her voice was softer than usual but edged with alarm.

"Alaric...?"

Her eyes widened as she saw his skin flushed, body trembling, the heat still radiating from him like a dying ember.

He lay slumped on the bed, face contorted, soaked in sweat.

Then his body stilled.

The invisible flames that had engulfed him slowly began to fade. The crimson tint across his skin lightened, his rapid breathing steadied.

Color of his skin returned to normal, but the air still shimmered faintly around him with residual heat.

Sari stood still at the door.

"Was that...?" she whispered, taking a hesitant step forward towards Alaric.

His obsidian-black hair, damp and disheveled, clung to his forehead.

The faintest red sheen glowed along the strands. His shirt clung to his torso, soaked, outlining every curve of his lean muscles.

His chest rose and fell in uneven gasps... then gradually calmed.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations! Host has awakened a Sub-Path!]

Alaric slowly opened his eyes.

His irises now shimmered with a deep crimson glow, like burning coals pulsing with restrained energy.

He blinked, about to speak—

Then he felt the soft dip of the mattress beside him.

"Alaric," Sari said again.

He turned his head toward her.

Their eyes met. For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Sari broke the silence, voice laced with awe and disbelief.

"I think your Essence Path... has fully awakened."