CHAPTER 7: NIGHT BEGINS

Lucas released Selena’s hand from her gentle yet deadly kiss, then turned to face the obsidian altar still stained with the blood of the Blood Throne Pact ritual. The new power coursing through his body felt like fire burning every cell, but it was not pain that he felt—it was the pure ecstasy of absolute domination.

"Time to summon the others," Lucas said in a voice that resonated with supernatural authority. He raised both hands, and dark energy began to flow out of his palms like swirling black smoke.

[System Alert]

Vampiric Dominion Activated

Summoning Advanced Undead Units...

Available Summons: Ghoul Footmen, Bone Dogs, Shadow Stalkers

Dark Energy Cost: 200 per unit

Current Dark Energy: 2,847/3,000

"Rise from the darkness," Lucas commanded in a voice that made the air tremble. "Rise and serve your Lord."

The ground around the Night Crypt began to tremble. From the cracks between the ancient stones, rotting hands began to emerge, clawing for a way out. A deep rumbling sound echoed from beneath the ground, as if the earth itself was giving birth to nightmares.

The first to emerge were the Ghoul Footmen—humanoid creatures with rotting greenish skin, sharp claws that glinted in the moonlight, and eyes that burned with a sinister red light. They moved with astonishing speed for the undead, their exposed muscles showing terrifying strength.

[Summoned Unit]

Ghoul Footmen x12

Stats: ATK 45, DEF 30, SPD 60

Special Ability: [Flesh Render] - Causes bleeding damage over time

Loyalty: Absolute

Then came the Bone Dogs—creatures that were once wolves, but were now nothing but bones fused with dark magic. Their eyes burned with blue fire, and each step they took left a trail of ice in the ground. They moved in pack formation, their hunting instincts intact even though their souls had long since died.

[Unit Summoned]

Bone Dogs x8

Stats: ATK 35, DEF 20, SPD 85

Special Ability: [Pack Hunt] - Damage increases when attacking same target

Loyalty: Absolute

Selena stood beside Lucas, her red eyes shining with obsessive admiration. "Magnificent, My King," she whispered as she licked her lips. "I can’t wait to see them tear our enemies to shreds."

Lucas smiled sadistically as he surveyed his new troops. Each unit he had summoned was directly connected to his consciousness—he could feel their hunger, their thirst for blood and violence. These were not mere minions, but extensions of his own will.

"But this isn’t enough," Lucas said, raising his hand once more. "I want something more... personal."

He closed his eyes and concentrated the remaining dark energy. This time, he wasn’t summoning from the ground—but from the deeper shadow dimension. The darkness around them began to move, forming a terrifying silhouette.

[System Alert]

Attempting to summon Elite Unit...

Warning: This will consume all remaining Dark Energy

Proceed? Y/N

"Yes," Lucas answered without hesitation.

From the darkness emerged a figure that made even the Ghouls take a few steps back. Shadow Stalker—an undead assassin whose body was made of pure shadow, only its red eyes clearly visible within the dark silhouette. This creature moved silently, as if walking on air.

[Elite Unit Summoned]

Shadow Stalker x1

Stats: ATK 80, DEF 40, SPD 100

Special Ability: [Shadow Step] - Can teleport behind enemies

Special Ability: [Death Mark] - Marks target for execution

Loyalty: Absolute

"Perfect," Lucas muttered as he felt the connection with Shadow Stalker. This creature was different from the others—she could sense a higher intelligence, a cold cunning, and a more sophisticated hunger.

Selena approached Lucas and whispered in his ear, "My King, our forces are ready. Should we move into Marcus’ territory immediately?"

Lucas stared out the large window that overlooked the enemy territory. The distant firelight looked inviting, like a beacon beckoning to be destroyed. But something in his gut told him that this was too easy.

"No," Lucas said, shaking his head. "We’ll wait. Let them come to us."

Selena looked confused. "My King?"

"Marcus isn’t a fool," Lucas explained as he walked toward the balcony. "He’s already sent spies into our territory. He knows we have new powers. He must be planning something."

As if to prove Lucas’s words, one of the Bone Dogs suddenly raised its head and growled toward the forest. Its blue fire eyes flashed with warning.

[System Alert]

Perimeter Breach Detected

Unknown unit approaching from Southeast

Distance: 500 meters

Threat Level: Unknown

Lucas smiled. "Just in time."

He gave a mental command to the Shadow Stalker, and the creature immediately disappeared into the darkness. In a matter of seconds, Lucas could sense through their connection that the Shadow Stalker had reached the perimeter and was observing the intruder.

What he saw made Lucas laugh—a cold, eerie laugh that sent shivers down even the Ghouls’ spines.

"What did you see, My King?" Selena asked curiously.

"A scout," Lucas replied, still laughing. "But no ordinary scout. He’s carrying equipment that’s too good to be a mere reconnaissance mission."

Through Shadow Stalker’s eyes, Lucas could see a dark-skinned figure moving with impressive stealth. But what caught his attention was the scout’s armor—armor that gleamed with enchantments, and a weapon on his back that radiated a magical aura.

"Assassin," Lucas muttered. "Marcus sent assassins to kill us."

Selena’s red eyes flashed with excitement. "Should I kill him, My King?"

"No," Lucas said, raising his hand. "We’ll play around with him first. I want to see how far Marcus is willing to go."

He gave a series of mental commands to his troops. The Ghoul Footmen began to move into strategic positions, the Bone Dogs spread out to surround the area, and the Death Knights that were already there began to prepare.

"Let him in," Lucas ordered. "We’ll give him a welcome party he’ll never forget."

Shadow Stalker reported that the target was moving closer. Lucas could feel the assassin’s heartbeat through Vampiric Dominion—a rapid but controlled heartbeat, the sign of a nervous but determined professional.

"My King," Selena whispered as she approached Lucas, "I can sense something strange. This assassin... there’s something different about him."

Lucas frowned. Selena had a very sharp instinct for danger, and if she felt something off, then there was likely something more complex than meets the eye.

[System Alert]

Warning: High-level magical signature detected

Target possesses Elite-class equipment

Recommendation: Exercise extreme caution

Before Lucas could respond, the system gave another alert that made his blood run cold:

[System Alert]

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION

Elite Scout approaching

Classification: SS-Rank Threat

Estimated Time to Contact: 3 minutes

Warning: Target may possess Lord-killing capabilities