CHAPTER 22: LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Lucas sensed every movement of the approaching alliance forces through his enhanced perception system. From the command center located in the highest tower of Nightveil Fortress, he observed with eyes gleaming with predatory satisfaction as 23,847 enemy units began surrounding his territory in a formation they deemed impenetrable.

[System: Enemy Position Analysis]

[Alliance Forces: 23,847 units]

[Formation: Triple-layer encirclement]

[Distance: 2.3 kilometers from fortress walls]

[Morale: High confidence]

[Tactical Assessment: Textbook siege approach]

[Weakness Detected: Overconfidence in numbers]

"My King," Selena stepped beside Lucas, crimson eyes flashing with twisted amusement, "they even brought siege equipment. How... thorough of them."

Lucas smiled with a truly terrifying expression as he activated the advanced surveillance system. Through a network of shadow-enhanced reconnaissance units, he could see the exact positions of every enemy commander, their communication patterns, and most importantly—their psychological state.

[System: Leadership Analysis]

[Maximus Dracul: Position - North Command]

[Confidence Level: 78%]

[Tactical Focus: Coordinated assault]

[Seraphina Voidheart: Position - East Command]

[Confidence Level: 65%]

[Tactical Focus: Psychological warfare]

[Theron Stormbreaker: Position - South Command]

[Confidence Level: 82%]

[Tactical Focus: Fortress breach]

Lucas activated the communications device and started listening to real-time conversations between alliance leaders. What he heard was a mixture of confidence and underlying tension.

[System: Communication Intercept]

[Maximus Dracul: "Positions secured. All units ready for a coordinated assault."]

[Seraphina Voidheart: "His fortress seems... quieter than expected. Too quiet."]

[Theron Stormbreaker: "Perhaps he’s finally realized the futility of resistance."]

[Maximus Dracul: "Stay alert. Nightveil isn’t known for conventional responses."]

Lucas stared at the display, his eyes gleaming with cruel anticipation. "They’re starting to doubt. Excellent. Uncertainty is the first step toward despair."

Selena smiled, her expression radiating pure malevolence. "My King, I suggest we begin with a theatrical display. Let them think they have the advantage."

Lucas activated the fortress-wide communication system and began broadcasting a message that would initiate the psychological phase of the elaborate trap.

[System: Psychological Warfare Initiation]

[Broadcast Range: 5 kilometer radius]

[Target: All alliance forces]

[Objective: False vulnerability display]

[Expected Response: Increased aggression]

"Lords of the Continental Alliance," Lucas spoke in a voice carefully modulated to sound defeated and desperate, "I... I see the force you’ve brought. Perhaps... perhaps we can discuss terms?"

The reaction from the alliance forces was immediate and exactly as predicted. Through the surveillance network, Lucas could see expressions of triumph and relief spreading across enemy ranks.

[System: Enemy Response Analysis]

[Morale Increase: 23%]

[Tactical Aggression: Increased]

[Formation Tightening: Confirmed]

[Psychological State: Overconfidence]

[Trap Effectiveness: Optimal]

[Theron Stormbreaker: "He’s breaking! This is our chance!"]

[Maximus Dracul: "Maintain formation. This could be deception."]

[Seraphina Voidheart: "His voice pattern suggests genuine despair. We have him."]

Lucas smiled with a truly terrifying expression as he activated the next phase of elaborate strategy.

"Selena, activate false retreat protocol. Let them think they’re winning."

[System: False Retreat Activation]

[Visible Units: 40% of fortress defenders]

[Retreat Pattern: Apparent disarray]

[Psychological Impact: Enemy confidence boost]

[Hidden Forces: 2,847 Psycho-Vampires]

[Special Unit: 200 Bone Hounds]

[Trap Readiness: 98%]

Selena activated the command interface, her eyes glowing with dark excitement. "My King, I have positioned special units at strategic locations. Alliance forces will march directly into the killing field."

Through the surveillance network, Lucas observed with twisted satisfaction as the alliance forces began advancing with increased confidence. They had taken the bait completely.

[System: Enemy Advance Analysis]

[Advancing Forces: 19,200 units]

[Formation: Overextended]

[Distance to Trap Zone: 800 meters]

[Tactical Discipline: Degrading]

[Opportunity Assessment: Perfect]

[Maximus Dracul: "All units, advance! Maintain formation!"]

[Seraphina Voidheart: "His defenses are crumbling. Press the attack!"]

[Theron Stormbreaker: "Breach teams, prepare for fortress assault!"]

Lucas stared at the approaching forces with eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. "They don’t realize they’re walking into slaughter. How... innocent of them."

Suddenly, Lucas felt a surge of enhanced power as the enemy forces reached the optimal position for trap activation. Visions began flooding his consciousness—images of bone and blood, screams of terror, and expressions of absolute despair on the faces of the alliance leaders.

[System: Trap Activation Sequence]

[Phase 1: Bone Hounds deployment]

[Phase 2: Psycho-Vampire ambush]

[Phase 3: Fortress bombardment]

[Phase 4: Psychological warfare]

[Estimated Casualties: 87% of enemy forces]

[Psychological Impact: Complete morale collapse]

Lucas activated the command interface and spoke in a voice that trembled with dark anticipation.

"Selena, activate all systems. Let the games begin."

[System: Full Combat Activation]

[Bone Hounds: 200 units deployed]

[Psycho-Vampires: 2,847 units engaging]

[Fortress Artillery: 12 Bone Cannons firing]

[Psychological Warfare: Maximum intensity]

[Combat Music: Activated]

The ground started shaking when 200 Bone Hounds emerged from hidden positions in the territory. These creatures, made of compressed bone and dark magic, move at a speed that is impossible for organic beings; their howls echo across the battlefield with a sound that freezes blood in the veins.

[System: Bone Hound Combat Analysis]

[Speed: 340% faster than normal units]

[Damage Output: Catastrophic]

[Fear Factor: Maximum]

[Targeting: Alliance leadership]

[Survival Rate: 0%]

Alliance forces that had been advancing with confidence suddenly found themselves in a nightmare scenario. Bone Hounds tore through their formations with ruthless efficiency, while 2,847 Psycho-Vampires launched coordinated ambushes from multiple directions.

[System: Battle Report - Real Time]

[Casualties: 4,200 enemy units eliminated]

[Time Elapsed: 3 minutes]

[Enemy Morale: Collapse]

[Formation Integrity: Destroyed]

[Retreat Attempts: 67% unsuccessful]

[Panic Level: Maximum]

Lucas activates the battlefield communication system to listen to desperate transmissions from alliance leaders.

[System: Emergency Communication Intercept]

[Maximus Dracul: "What are these creatures?! Fall back! FALL BACK!"]

[Seraphina Voidheart: "This isn’t possible! How did he hide so many units?!"]

[Theron Stormbreaker: "My siege equipment is useless! These things are tearing through armor like paper!"]

[Multiple Units: "Help us! We’re being slaughtered!"]

"My King," Selena spoke in a voice that trembled with pure ecstasy, "alliance forces are in complete disarray. I request permission to pursue survivors."

Lucas stared at the battlefield with eyes burning with twisted satisfaction. Bone Hounds continued their relentless assault, while Psycho-Vampires demonstrated why they were considered apex predators in the Global Lord realm.

[System: Final Battle Statistics]

[Enemy Forces Eliminated: 18,300 units]

[Survivors: 5,547 units]

[Alliance Leadership: 2 dead, 1 critically injured]

[Psychological Impact: Continental-scale terror]

[Territory Gained: 12 enemy strongholds]

[Experience Gained: Massive]

Lucas smiled with a truly terrifying expression as he activated the final phase of the elaborate trap.

"Selena, release the hounds. Let them taste what happens when mortals challenge gods."

Suddenly, Lucas felt another surge of enhanced power as the battlefield filled with the screams of dying enemies. Visions began flooding his consciousness—images of surviving alliance members spreading terror across the Continental Region, cities surrendering without a fight, and most intoxicatingly, the sight of the entire world bowing in complete submission.

[System: Power Evolution Detected]

[Type: Dominance Amplification]

[Effect: Psychological warfare enhancement]

[Scope: Continental influence]

[Warning: Transformation accelerating]

Selena looked at Lucas with eyes that burned with a mixture of awe and dark excitement. "My King, survivors are trying to flee. Shall I start the hunt?"

Lucas stared at the fleeing enemies with eyes that flashed with predatory hunger. "Yes, Selena. Show them what happens when prey tries to escape a predator."