The Dominion held its breath.
Frost and flame spiraled violently around the kneeling man.
The Dragon Slayer's body trembled—not from fear, but from resistance. His Title flared against Ethan's palm like a burning brand.
[Subjugation Attempt: In Progress…]
[Success Probability: 42%]
[Dragon Slayer Title Resisting…]
Ethan felt it clearly now.
Titles weren't just buffs.
They were identities.
Narratives.
The world itself reinforcing a role.
Dragon Slayer.
It rejected subservience to dragons.
And Ethan—
Half sovereign, half anomaly—
Was something it could not categorize.
The hunter's eyes burned bright gold as the Title surged.
"You think," he rasped through bloodied teeth, "that you can rewrite what I am?"
Frostfire intensified around Ethan's hand.
"I don't need to rewrite it."
His voice was calm.
"I just need to outrank it."
The Dominion responded instantly.
Ice pillars erupted higher.
Flame veins glowed brighter beneath the shattered stone floor.
