The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 9: The Calm Before the Storm

Lucian leaned back in his chair, overlooking the massive monitors in his underground command room. Surveillance feeds, encrypted transactions, and apocalypse predictions flickered across the screens. One week. That was all the time left before the first wave of destruction.

He swirled a glass of whiskey in his hand, his mind razor-sharp. The world thought it was safe. The fools spent their days working, drinking, loving—blissfully unaware of the horrors that would soon consume them.

But Lucian was different. He had prepared, stolen, and conquered. His shelter was a fortress, his arsenal unmatched, and his harem growing by the day.

The world would burn, but he would rule over the ashes.

---

A Night with Elena

Lucian entered his lavish bedroom, where Elena waited. She sat on the edge of the bed, her emerald eyes filled with something between awe and hunger.

She was no longer the woman who had begged for her husband's love. She had been reborn in Lucian's arms.

"You were cruel," she murmured, her lips curling into a seductive smirk. "I like that."

Lucian smirked, placing his glass down. "Then you'll love what comes next."

---

Recruiting the Best

The apocalypse wasn't just about survival—it was about domination.

Lucian stood before a group of elite mercenaries, ex-soldiers, and hackers, all of them unaware of his true plans.

"Work for me," he said. "Or die with the rest of the world."

The leader, a scarred veteran named Reed, sneered. "And why the hell should we follow you?"

Lucian's red eyes gleamed. He raised his hand—and in the next instant, every weapon in the room vanished into his storage space.

Gasps. Panic. Fear.

Lucian stepped forward, placing a hand on Reed's shoulder. "Because I am your only chance at survival."

The room fell silent. Then, one by one, they kneeled.

[New Recruits: 12 Elite Fighters]

---

The Fall of a Rival

Lucian wasn't the only one who had sensed something was coming. A billionaire named Victor Lannister had also begun hoarding resources, building a private army.

That wouldn't do.

Lucian arrived at Victor's penthouse, dressed in a sharp black suit. Victor greeted him with an arrogant smirk.

"Lucian. I hear you've been… collecting."

Lucian sipped his drink. "And I hear you've been playing pretend."

Victor laughed. "We should work together."

Lucian leaned in. "No. You should disappear."

Seconds later, Victor's bodyguards collapsed—blood pooling around them.

Victor's smirk faltered. "W-wait—"

Lucian stabbed him through the throat.

The weak had no place in his new world.

[Victor Lannister Eliminated]

[All Assets Seized]

---

Lucian returned to his villa, where his women waited. He poured himself another drink, watching as Elena, Clara, and Irene lounged in silk robes, their eyes locked onto him with devotion.

The apocalypse was near.

And Lucian?

He was ready to take everything.

---

To Be Continued…