The man’s grip shifted slightly on Alaric’s shoulder, fingers pressing in tighter for a breath, then loosening, just enough to suggest he was reevaluating what stood in front of him.
Hmm...
His gaze swept over Alaric again, slower this ti.
It’s just like before, he doesn’t look much stronger, so why is he too calm and confident? Is he bluffing?
His jaw tightened.
Or, could he be hiding his strength?
He didn’t release him yet. If anything, his stance settled more solid.
Alaric stayed still, leaning against the stone wall, arms relaxed at his sides. Like it ant nothing.
Though, in truth, his muscles were coiled, every nerve was on edge. He clicked his tongue softly, cursing in his head.
Just buy it, oaf.
Then the man’s eyes flickered, just a little.
And Alaric saw it.
A mont of doubt.
He moved slowly, deliberately, and placed a hand on the man’s wrist. Not gripping. Just touching.
A small, unfriendly smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Like I said before," he said, in a mild, amused tone. "I thought you might have sothing I’m looking for."
The man didn’t answer, but his grip eased.
A beat passed.
"But," Alaric added, eyes narrowing, "Maybe I was wrong."
He let the words hang.
Alaric slowly lifted the man’s hand from his shoulder.
"Sorry for bothering you," he muttered and turned.
Though he’d barely taken a step when a hand clamped down on his shoulder again.
"Who said you can go, brat?"
Crap. That failed too.
The next second, he was yanked back again and slamd against the alley wall.
Fingers wrapped around his throat, hard and unyielding.
"Who are you? Who sent you?" the man growled, eyes cold.
Of course. That was just a bluff. Nothing else.
The man’s grip tightened.
"Urgh—" Alaric choked, hands clutching the bulky man’s wrist.
Shit. He’s stronger than I thought.
Then, he channeled his Essence through his palms.
"Argh!"
The man let out a sharp grunt as fla flared up his arm. He staggered back, swatting at the fire with a growl.
[ 20 DP]
Alaric dropped into a crouch, coughing, one hand at his throat. His breaths ca fast and shallow.
Shop
🛒 SYSTEM SHOP – BASIC TIER ITEMS
• Minor Healing Potion – 50 DP
Accelerates recovery from minor wounds, bruises, and fatigue.
Standard limit: 5 per week
• Adrenaline Pill – 100 DP
Temporarily boosts any one stat by 2× for 10 seconds.
Limit: 3 per week
• Focus Elixir – 55 DP
Sharpens ntal clarity.
Ideal for deep focus during study, ditation, or tactical planning.
• Shadowstep Token – 90 DP
A single-use token that grants a burst of speed and near-complete silence for 5 seconds.
Perfect for escape, stealth, or quick repositioning.
• Charm Enhancer (Temporary) – 105 DP
Temporarily boosts charisma by 5 for 1 hour.
Warning: May produce exaggerated social effects when combined with high base Charm.
• Steel Dagger – 100 DP
Basic but reliable blade. Durable, balanced, and sharp enough to be deadly in the right hands.
🗓️ MONTHLY SPECIALS – LIMITED STOCK
• Interdiate Fla Spell Pack – 1500 DP
Grants three Interdiate-level fire spells.
Requires Fla Affinity to use.
• Mystic Gear Pack – 5000 DP
Contains:
— Reinforced Cloak
— Storage Ring
— Essence Crystal
Only 1 pack available per month.
• Beginner Combat Manual (Weapon Style Selection) – 800 DP
Grants user a basic weapon style proficiency. Choose one:
— Dual Daggers
— Longsword
— Spearplay
— Unard Combat: Brutal Style
Alaric’s eyes narrowed as the interface flashed before him.
What kind of joke is this?
His expression twisted when he saw the change in his Shop panel.
anwhile, the man had unsheathed his blade, fury burning in his gaze.
"You’ve done it now, boy," he hissed and lunged.
Alaric jumped back, barely dodging the slash, and thrust out his palm—
[]
[]
Two blasts of fla surged forward.
The man twisted, sidestepping one, then slashed clean through the second.
[It’s not a joke. Since Host has ranked up, the effects of previous pills have degraded automatically.]
He shot another one, but the man dodged again.
Then slashed.
Alaric dropped into a roll, missing the blade by hair’s length.
He clicked his tongue.
Buy Adrenaline Pills.
[Ding!]
[Purchase Completed.]
[x1 Adrenaline Pill transferred to Inventory.]
The blade ca again, fast and precise.
Alaric kicked off a nearby crate, flipping up and over it.
As he landed, he grabbed a tal canister from the stack and hurled it straight at the man.
The man slashed it mid-air, but Alaric was already retreating, his boots skidding as he jumped back to widen the gap.
Status
[STATUS WINDOW]
Na: Brandon (Past Life: Alaric Noir)
Race: Human
Age: 19
Title: Slave, Model Servant, (The Fallen King)
Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##
Sub-Path: Fla Essence
Rank: E-
EXP For next rank- 350 / 1800
Stats:
STR: 29
AGI: 28
END: 28
WIL: 35
CHA: 39
INT: 28 (??)
Free stats points: 24
Domination Points: 80 —> 150 —> 50
Main Quest: Subjugate Selene Gilmore (49% Progressed)
System Level: 2 (Requires 3000 Domination Points to Upgrade)
Skill Tree: Basic Fire spell
Shop: Basic Tier Items
Obedience ter: Target Not Found!
Loyalty ter: Target not found!
Harem Tracker: 0
DP Exchange: Available
??? (Locked – Requires System Level 3)
Allocate 1 free stat point to strength, others to agility.
STR: 29 —> 30
Free stats points: 23
AGI: 28 —> 51
He suddenly felt his body becoming lighter, sensing sharpening.
Then, he reached into his inventory and summoned two Adrenaline Pills.
One he just freshly purchased, the other from the cave when Renard had him surrounded, and had been unused until now.
He swallowed both of them at once.
[x2 Adrenaline Pills used.]
[Select the stats to boost.]
Swoosh!
The blade sliced through the air toward his face.
Alaric jerked his head aside, barely dodging the blade and caught the man’s wrist mid-swing.
"Endurance," he growled, eyes narrowing.
END: 28 —> 56
A sudden surge flooded his body, his muscles hardened, nerves braced for impact.
"And Strength."
STR: 30 —> 60
His other arm cocked back.
A pulse of raw power surged down his fist, his limbs felt heavier, fuller, like a dam had burst inside his bones.
Then he slamd his knuckles into the man’s gut.
Smack!
The man’s body bent forward with a grunt, air knocked out of his lungs.
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