The Dire Wolf lunged, a blur of muscle and malice, its fangs dripping saliva, aimed straight for Rylan's throat. Elara screamed, a sharp, piercing sound, while Lyra, though startled, instinctively drew her small knife, a futile gesture against such a beast.
Rylan stood his ground, his eyes narrowed, an almost predatory glint replacing the casual confidence. He didn't draw a weapon. Instead, he channeled the vibrant spiritual energy now coursing through his Foundation Establishment core. He raised a single hand, not to block, but to strike.
As the Dire Wolf closed the distance, Rylan unleashed a concentrated burst of spiritual force. It wasn't a flashy technique, but pure, unadulterated power. His palm connected with the beast's jaw with a sickening crack that echoed through the forest. The impact sent a shockwave through the wolf's head, twisting its powerful body mid-air.
The Dire Wolf, mid-howl, crashed to the ground with a thud, its limbs twitching for a moment before falling limp. A faint wisp of its beast essence, tinged with a predatory spiritual energy, drifted from its body and was almost imperceptibly absorbed by Rylan.
[Ding! Host has defeated a Dire Wolf (Intermediate Beast).][Reward: Minor Cultivation Essence +0.5 (Absorbed).][Conquest Objective (Lyra): "Demonstrate superior strength" — Completed!]
Rylan felt the familiar, subtle hum in his Dantian. Though not as significant as dual cultivation, this combat essence was a welcome bonus. He looked down at the lifeless Dire Wolf, its formidable presence extinguished in a single, decisive strike.
He turned to face Elara and Lyra. Elara was still trembling, her eyes wide with a mixture of terror and awe, staring from the dead wolf to Rylan. Lyra, however, was a statue of stunned silence. Her small knife hung loosely in her hand, forgotten. Her sharp, intelligent eyes, which had initially assessed him with caution, were now fixed on him with naked astonishment, tinged with a hint of fear.
"Are you both alright?" Rylan asked, his voice calm, the adrenaline already receding.
Elara nodded rapidly, still unable to speak, her gaze glued to him as if he had performed a miracle.
Lyra slowly lowered her knife, her expression complex. "You... you killed it," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "A Dire Wolf. With one hand." There was no accusation, only disbelief. Her independence, her self-reliance, seemed to shatter in the face of such raw, casual power. Her mind, so used to practical solutions and known threats, struggled to process this.
"It was a nuisance," Rylan replied simply, dismissing the feat. He knew the impact it had. This was the "superior strength" the System demanded.
The Harem System pulsed again, displaying a new prompt for Lyra:
[Conquest Requirement (Lyra): "Provide a compelling vision for her future." (Remaining)]
Rylan glanced at the System message, then back at Lyra. He walked over to the dead wolf, assessing it. "This will fetch a good price in the nearest town for its pelt and meat," he stated, his tone shifting to a practical one. "Far more than any simple hunting trip from Oakhaven usually yields."
He looked at Lyra, his gaze intense, capturing her full attention. "Lyra, you are resourceful. You work hard. But what does it get you here? Scraps, threats from tax collectors, and dangerous beasts that a normal man cannot face." He swept his hand, indicating the wild path and, implicitly, the mundane village life. "I can offer you more. True security. A path to power that extends beyond the limits of this village, beyond the reach of greedy barons and distant empires."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "You saw what I can do. I do not just clear paths; I can shatter threats. My path is one of ascent, of reclaiming what was lost, and building something greater. Come with me, Lyra. Be a part of this. With your resourcefulness, and my strength, we can carve out a future where you are no longer limited by the mundane, where you truly thrive."
Lyra's eyes widened, her intellect visibly processing his words. Security. Power. A future beyond Oakhaven. It was a compelling vision, far grander than anything she had ever dared to imagine. Her self-reliance, once a shield, now felt like a cage in the face of such overwhelming opportunity. She looked from the dead Dire Wolf to Rylan's unwavering gaze, then finally, to Elara, who was looking at Rylan with unshakeable devotion.
The choice, for Lyra, was becoming clear. The Lustful Emperor offered not just protection, but a destiny.
End of chapter 9