The moment Hayden claimed his throne, the multiverse reacted. Not with chaos but with silence. A silence so profound it echoed across galaxies, as if infinity itself paused to witness his next move.
The Throne of Eternal Shadow pulsed behind him, each beat sending ripples across reality. His newly formed Shadow Universe hovered before his palm like a swirling dark sun, ready to be shaped by his will.
[New Authority Unlocked: Creator of Domains]
[You may now forge worlds, races, and laws under your dominion.]
Hayden lifted his hand. Shadows spiraled outward, forming continents, oceans, skies, and nebula-filled heavens. Mountains rose with dragon-shaped silhouettes carved from darkness. An entire world raw, limitless awakened beneath his command.
This was Umbra Prime, the first world of his new empire.
A realm built from creation, shadow, and imagination.
His shadow dragons soared over the newborn land, roaring triumphantly. The generals of the Eclipsed Legion knelt as one, their voices reverberating like thunder:
"Long live the Shadow Emperor!"
Selene approached from behind, watching the new world bloom. "You created a world," she whispered. "Not even the System could do that."
Hayden didn't boast he simply breathed.
"It's only the beginning."
The newly formed planet trembled as a cosmic pulse tore across the heavens.
A portal of brilliant white light opened something that had not appeared since the dawn of existence.
Selene stiffened. "No… that's
Hayden's eyes narrowed.
He recognized the presence instantly.
Old.
Ancient.
Absolute.
The voice that thundered through the portal sent even Hayden's dragons collapsing to one knee.
"So… the fallen E rank has remade himself into a god."
A silhouette stepped through tall, luminous, radiating supremacy.
The one who created the first hunters, the first realms, the first laws.
The one who once ruled all existence.
The Absolute Being.
Hayden rose from his throne, shadows twisting protectively around him.
"You finally crawled out of whatever hole you were hiding in."
The Absolute Being smiled coldly.
"You stole my System. My concepts. My power. And now you dare create worlds?"
Hayden's shadow universe flared like a dark star.
"You abandoned the multiverse. I rebuilt it."
For the first time, the Absolute Being's smile faltered.
"You've grown powerful… too powerful."
A spear of pure light formed in his hand.
The air cracked.
Space trembled.
Hayden summoned his Shadow Army. His dragons roared behind him. Umbra Prime itself awakened to defend its creator.
And Hayden spoke, calm, unshaken:
"If you want what's mine… you'll have to take it from the Shadow Emperor."
The battle for the throne of all existence began.