— The Arcane Retaliation —
Clang!
The iron door slammed shut, sealing Eren and Kane inside the cramped confinement cell.
Kane let out a bitter laugh. As the warden of this very prison, he never imagined he'd see the inside of a solitary cell himself.
In the adjacent cell, Eren sat cross-legged on the cold floor, calm and composed. He held a single strand of hair in his palm and murmured an incantation under his breath. "Dean, you'll learn that some people are never to be crossed."
This strand of hair, plucked unnoticed from Dean's head using a subtle pulse of energy as they passed each other, was the key.
With it, Eren could activate the Liuren Soul-Compelling Art—a mystical technique allowing him to peer into Dean's deepest secrets and compel him to voice hidden truths.
A man of Dean's stature undoubtedly harbored dark, unspeakable secrets. Once exposed, they would ensure Dean's eternal ruin.
Without delay, Eren swiftly carved an intricate, esoteric array onto the floor, placing Dean's hair at its center. Bringing his fingers together, he uttered a low command:
"Array, arise!"
The air instantly warped, a faint, eerie light flashed and then vanished.
In the next instant, Eren's spiritual sense unfurled like invisible threads, piercing straight into the core of Dean's soul.---
Dean, meanwhile, was basking in his triumph, amazed at how easily he had seemingly crushed Eren.
He immediately dialed a secure number. "Mr. Erskine, the task you assigned is complete. Please inform Young Master Vale that I, Dean, pledge my unwavering loyalty to him."
This all traced back to just yesterday—
— A Bargain of Hearts —
Bay Manor Villa
Damien Vale had just finished his cultivation session, his entire body radiating an intimidating aura of power.
Seraphine, who had been waiting nearby, felt waves of shock roll through her. She had assumed Damien was just another spoiled heir, obsessed with pleasure and women.
Now, she realized how wrong she had been. His cultivation level alone placed him far above any ordinary scion.
Objectively, he was a perfect match. But her heart already belonged to Eren; there was simply no room for anyone else.
Seeing Damien conclude his practice, Seraphine nervously stepped forward.
"Young Master Damien, I beg you, spare Eren. If you grant him his life, I will do anything you ask from now on."
Damien's face darkened instantly, his gaze locking onto her like a vise.
"We're to be married at the end of the month—and you dare plead for your ex-lover?"
"Seraphine, do you truly believe I am incapable of killing?"
His icy stare sent chills down her spine, making her heart pound wildly with primal fear. The man's presence was utterly terrifying.
But Seraphine knew if she didn't stand her ground, Eren was truly finished.
She took a deep breath, forcing down her terror, and gritted her teeth.
"Damien, you stole me away, tore us apart... I've let all that go. I ended things with Eren and agreed to marry you.
So why did you have to frame him?
Have him imprisoned! Sentenced to death!"
Growing more resolute with each word, she ended with a cold threat: "If you don't release Eren, I would rather die than marry you."
"Audacious!" Damien roared, humiliation surging through him as if he'd been publicly shamed. Enraged, he smashed a nearby table with his fist, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at Seraphine.
Unafraid of death itself, Seraphine met his gaze without flinching.
The tension between them crackled in the air, thick and dangerous.
Finally, Damien narrowed his eyes, conceding. "You win. After our wedding, I will find a way to have him released.
But let me be clear once more: I did not have him imprisoned."
In his eyes, Eren was nothing but an ant, unworthy of any significant effort.
Seraphine let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave.
Only once outside the villa did she realize her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
Two silent streams of tears traced down her cheeks as she whispered to the wind, "Eren... this is the most I can do for you."
Damien immediately summoned his confidant, Erskine. "I've heard that Eren has bribed the warden and can now come and go from the prison as he pleases. I want Seraphine secure and undisturbed until the wedding. Go and have the Mayor handle it."
"Young Master, that fool is seeking death. Shall I have him eliminated?" Erskine offered obsequiously.
Damien, however, shook his head. "I promised Seraphine I'd spare his wretched life. I won't let a mere insect jeopardize my long-laid plans. However... teaching him a sharp lesson is permissible."
— The Mayor's Confession —
Hanging up the phone, Dean could barely contain his excitement. Becoming a trusted ally of Young Master Vale promised limitless prospects; rising to rule over an entire province was not an impossible dream.
"Eren, oh Eren, I must thank you. If not for you, I wouldn't have climbed into Vale's graces so swiftly. Rest assured, before your execution, I will make sure you are... thoroughly taken care of."
With this thought, he ordered his driver, "Turn around, back to the prison." He intended to deliver a painful lesson to Eren personally.
The driver had just executed the U-turn when Dean suddenly shuddered. His eyes glazed over, becoming vacant and lifeless.
"Turn around," he commanded again, his voice flat. "Head for the Anti-Corruption Bureau."
"Understood," the driver replied, though inwardly cursing, 'Damn it! Just turned around and now another U-turn? Are you messing with me?'
Dean strode into the Anti-Corruption Bureau and loudly declared, "I wish to confess!"
"What? You're confessing?"
The staff, recognizing the powerful Mayor, immediately snapped to attention, escorting him to an interrogation room and activating the recording equipment.
As Dean laid out his crimes, the officials grew increasingly horrified and outraged.
The scale of his corruption was staggering, his deeds utterly heinous.
Any single one of his offenses was enough to warrant the death penalty.
Instantly, the entire Bureau was thrown into an uproar, swiftly forming a special task force to investigate based on his testimony.
Evidence was quickly secured, irrefutable and damning.
Bypassing a formal trial, Dean was directly shackled and transported to prison for detention.
Only then did Dean snap back to his senses. Terror seized him, so profound he lost control of his bladder on the spot.
"I've been wronged!" he screamed hoarsely, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Despair crashed over him.
Mere hours ago, he was the revered Mayor; now, he was an irredeemable convict.
He couldn't comprehend it. Why would he confess of his own will? Was he... possessed?
Suddenly, a horrifying realization dawned on him, sending a chill deep into his bones, as if plunging him straight into hell.
He should have realized it sooner.
How could a mere death row inmate command such obedience from the prison warden?
Without extraordinary means, how was that possible?
Eren was undoubtedly a figure of unimaginable power and terror. But now, it was far too late.
There were no second chances in this world.
Shackled and clad in a standard prisoner's uniform, Dean was being led towards the solitary cells when he saw Eren and Kane emerging from one.
Eren spotted Dean, a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips. He showed no surprise at the sight.
Dean trembled violently, his eyes flooding with sheer terror.
He dropped to his knees with a thud, scrambling forward on all fours until he was before Eren, and began kowtowing desperately, his forehead striking the hard floor.
"Mr. Eren—no, Lord Eren! I was wrong! I shouldn't have targeted you! It was all Damien Vale's doing!" I beg you, save me! From now on, I will obey your every word, I will be your most loyal servant!"
Dean knew with chilling certainty that Eren was his only possible salvation now. A single nod from him could spare his life.
A look of utter disdain crossed Eren's face. "Become my servant? You aren't even worthy. Facing judgment is the only fate you deserve."
With that, Eren strode away, leaving Dean kneeling on the cold floor, staring blankly at his retreating back, consumed by bitter, futile regret.
— A New Game —
Back in his private cell, a cold smirk curved Eren's lips.
He saw straight through Damien Vale's ploy—just another trick to prove dominance over Seraphine.
Did he really think such childish tactics could shake him? Pathetic.
He was already thinking about how to strike back when Arden entered.
"Mr. Eren," Arden began carefully, "Dean's downfall... that was your doing, wasn't it?"
Eren met his gaze for a few silent seconds, then smiled. "Of course."
Arden exhaled slowly. Even though he'd guessed it, hearing the confirmation sent a chill down his spine.
Such methods—silent, precise, unstoppable—were terrifying.
Thank God he had chosen to stand with Eren, not against him.
"Mr. Eren, that move was brilliant," he said, bowing slightly. "I can't even find the right words."
Eren waved him off. "Commissioner Arden, the Mayor's seat is vacant. Do you want it?"
Arden froze. The offer was everything he'd dreamed of—and feared.
"You... would help me?"
"You've helped me plenty," Eren said evenly. "It's only fair I return the favor."
Arden's eyes lit up. "Then... thank you, Mr. Eren! But how will you do it? Many still covet that seat, and I lack the qualifications—"
Eren cut him off with a faint smile. "Get me a strand of hair from one of your competitors. I'll handle the rest."
Arden blinked, stunned, then nodded quickly. "Understood. I'll have it ready by tomorrow."
"Good. And from now on, perhaps I should call you Mayor Arden."
Eren's tone was calm, but the weight behind his words made Arden's heart pound.
"I have a few small requests," Eren added.
"Please, say the word."
"First, promote Kane. He's loyal to me."
"Done."
"Second, I expect the same... conveniences you've provided so far."
"Of course."
"Third—and most important—while I'll deal with your rivals' backing in secret, the rest of the battle is yours. The votes, the influence, the politics—win them yourself."
Arden clasped his hands. "Agreed! Whatever you ask, consider it done."
Eren nodded, his expression unreadable. "That will do."
As Arden turned to leave, Eren's voice came again, low and sharp.
"Wait."
He took out a jade talisman. "Keep this with you. It might save your life."
Arden accepted it without hesitation. "Thank you, Mr. Eren."
When he was gone, the cell fell silent once more.
Eren leaned back, a faint gleam in his eyes. Damien Vale... enjoy your peace while it lasts.
---
A few days later, Eren was still confined within the prison, though his influence remained untouched.
A new male guard now served him.
Casually, Eren asked, "By the way, I haven't seen Aveline around lately. Where is she?"
"She rejoined her team," the guard replied. "After you helped her trace her father's killer, she went after the syndicate behind it."
Eren nodded slightly. "So, she's back with the GVA."
He turned his gaze toward the dim light seeping through the bars.
The storm he'd set in motion was far from over—and somewhere out there, another one was about to begin.