Dominic stepped out of the golden carriage.
The palace courtyard fell silent as if sensing something wrong.His eyes rose to the balcony — the king stood there, gaze cold and unreadable.
Dominic smirked.
He'd been waiting.
Before his feet were fully on the ground, soldiers surrounded him, weapons drawn.
From behind them came the heavily-armored knight commander — Sir Smith.
His sword pointed, voice sharp and arrogant:
"Give me ONE good reason why I should let you live another second."
Dominic studied him as if he were a curious insect.
"One reason?"He tapped his chin in mock thought."I can't think of any."
He added, voice quiet and chilling:
"But I do know this… That stare — it's the same you used back when I first got here. The one that said I was beneath you."
Dominic's gaze sharpened.
"I don't like it."
He took one slow step forward.
"Move."
Sir Smith's face twitched."ARROGANT BASTARD!" He raised his blade. "Knights — take him—"
BOOM.
A shockwave of pressure exploded from Dominic for just a second.
Strong enough for every knight to drop to a knee.Some collapsed.Even the mage suppressing enchantments flinched.
And suddenly—
Dominic was in front of Sir Smith.
Eyes cold.Voice low.
"I told you — don't waste my time."
Sir Smith swallowed, but pride fought through the fear.
"You… can't be serious… You dare—"
He swung.
CLANG!
Dominic didn't even shift—
His leg was resting on Smith's sword, pinning it down like it meant nothing.
"You really do talk too much, Commander."
Dominic flicked his finger.
A small spark burst into life near his hand—
Then grew.
And grew.
And kept growing.
A swirling inferno of fire hovered above Dominic's fingertip.Heat pulsed in the air — shrubs caught flame. Knights began crawling back.
Even the king leaned forward in disbelief.
Annabel suddenly sprinted out of the entrance.
"DOMINIC! Please — STOP!"
Dominic shrugged.
"I would… but it needs to detonate somewhere."
He smiled.
"Haha. Just kidding."
He snapped — and the flame vanished instantly.
Dominic exhaled softly.
He stepped over the fallen guards and walked toward Annabel.
"Yo, Anny. Long time."
"Dominic…" she sighed in relief, "you're insane."
He ignored that and asked,
"Where's your boyfriend?"
"We broke up the first month."
"Mm.""But he's with the king?"
"Yes."
Dominic smiled coldly.
"Perfect. Let's go say hi."
Annabel blinked.But followed him inside, leaving panic behind.
🎭 Inside the Throne Hall
Every noble eye turned toward him.High priests, elders, royal mages — the weight of the kingdom gathered in one room, and all of it shifted to one man.
Dominic walked forward casually, hands in his pocket.
Jake stood near the throne, trying not to make eye contact.
The king's lips curled downward.
"You return after causing chaos… after humiliating my knights... and you stroll into my hall?"
Dominic bowed slightly.
"You called. So I came."
"You defy order. You act like a god."
"Well," Dominic said softly, "I did clear your main dungeon."
Gasps.
The mage elder stood.
"That's impossible. We've had that crisis documented for—"
"It's gone."
Dominic's voice was flat.
"I cleared it."
"And not just that one. Most of the major cores around your capital have been broken. The lesser ones are still on the grid…"
He pointed lazily to Jake and Annabel.
"Your two pets can handle them."
Jake flinched, lips tightening. Annabel looked at the floor.
Dominic continued.
"I'm not here to threaten the kingdom. I came here to inform it. That its biggest threat is gone."
Silence.
"But," Dominic cocked his head, "you've been demanding my presence."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So here I am."
The king's face was tight. His knuckles white on the throne arm.
"You… think this makes you untouchable?"
Dominic's smile sharpened.
"I don't think."
"I know."
For a moment — just a breath — the sound of a god's heartbeat filled the hall.
Dominic's system window opened quietly inside his mind:
[Dungeon Clearance Rate: 67%][Faith Resonance: 2% — Awaiting Rite][Summon Skill unlocked: Tier 1 Entities]
He hid every trace of it behind a casual gaze.
The king, breathing hard, finally spoke:
"Why? Why would you still help this kingdom after being exiled, humiliated, rejected?"
Dominic turned, walking toward the entrance.
Halfway, he stopped.
Looked over his shoulder.
"Because I don't do it for you."
"I have people I don't want to see dying to your incompetence."
Then he smirked.
"But don't worry. I'll be leaving again soon."
Before anyone could answer—
The massive doors creaked open.
THUD — THUD — THUD.
Heavy bootsteps echoed.
Sir Smith reentered — breathless, face twisted.
"Y-Your Majesty… we've just received word…"
Everyone turned.
"There are no more dungeon spawns within the kingdom. The Monster Surge has... stopped."
Whispers exploded.
The king's eyes widened.
And Dominic smiled, finally turning to leave.
"Oh yeah, one more thing."
He pointed at Jake.
"Try not to die."
And as his figure disappeared beyond the doors—
a surge of wind burst through the hall—
A faint voice echoed only to him:
[SYSTEM: The Great One is pleased.][Next Objective Unlocked: "Claim a Territory."]
The king sat frozen.
Jake swallowed hard.
The elders whispered.
Annabel just stared.
Dominic Mendez walked out.
And for the first time—
They all realized:
He wasn't just a threat.
He was a force of nature.