The First Mark

Chapter 18: The First Mark

The air in Seoul was crisp, the streets bustling with life. Pedestrians walked past towering skyscrapers, oblivious to the impending doom that awaited them in less than a month. Lucian, however, thrived in the chaos of the unsuspecting world. His system interface flickered in his vision, evaluating every woman he passed.

87… 89… 91… 93…

Then he saw her.

The girl stood outside a high-end café, sipping an iced coffee. Her golden-brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, her emerald-green eyes sharp and intelligent. She was perfect—a 94.

Lucian smirked. His next prize.

He moved in smoothly, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. The girl noticed him immediately, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty flickering across her delicate features.

"Can I… help you?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

Lucian chuckled, taking a step closer. "Yes."

She shifted uncomfortably, but her gaze never left his. Lucian could already see the internal conflict—fear laced with intrigue.

"The world is about to end," he murmured, his breath brushing against her ear. "And you're coming with me."

She inhaled sharply. "W-what?"

Lucian smiled, his hand reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You heard me."

Her lips parted, but before she could protest, Lucian moved swiftly, his iron grip encircling her delicate wrist. She gasped, her coffee slipping from her fingers and shattering against the pavement.

"Hey!"

Several bystanders turned to stare. Lucian ignored them.

The girl struggled, her green eyes wide with alarm. "Let me go!"

Lucian leaned in, his voice dark and commanding. "No."

She trembled beneath his gaze. "W-who are you?"

Lucian smirked. "Your only chance at survival."

With that, he pulled her close, his body radiating a dominance that sent a shiver down her spine.

And for the first time in her life, she felt truly powerless.

—

Breaking Point

The ride back to Lucian's fortress-like villa was silent. The girl—whose name, according to her ID, was Sophia Choi—sat in the passenger seat of his black Bugatti Divo, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

She hadn't spoken since he had dragged her from the café.

Lucian glanced at her, his smirk never fading. "You're quiet."

Sophia's emerald eyes flashed with defiance. "What do you want from me?"

Lucian chuckled, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel. "Everything."

Her breath hitched. "You're insane."

Lucian turned to her at a red light, his gaze piercing. "No, Sophia. I'm just ahead of the curve."

The car accelerated as the light changed, roaring through the streets like a beast unleashed.

Lucian leaned back, watching the city blur past. "You should be thanking me."

Sophia scoffed. "For what? Kidnapping me?"

Lucian's smirk deepened. "For saving you."

Sophia clenched her fists. "From what?"

Lucian's eyes gleamed. "The apocalypse."

Silence stretched between them.

Sophia's lips parted slightly. "…You're serious."

Lucian nodded. "Deadly."

Sophia swallowed hard, but she didn't press further. She was smart—she had already sensed that resisting him was futile.

She wasn't like Evelyn.

She wasn't terrified.

She was curious.

Lucian chuckled to himself. This would be fun.

—

A Predator's Den

The moment they stepped into Lucian's fortress-like villa, Evelyn appeared at the top of the grand staircase.

Her gaze hardened the moment she saw Sophia.

Lucian smirked. "Jealous?"

Evelyn's lips thinned. "You brought another one."

Lucian tilted his head. "Of course."

Sophia, still shaken, glanced between them. "Who is she?"

Lucian's smirk widened. "My first conquest."

Evelyn's hands clenched at her sides. "I'm not yours."

Lucian laughed, his voice rich with amusement. "Oh, Evelyn… keep telling yourself that."

Sophia shifted uneasily. "I don't understand… what is this place?"

Lucian turned to her, his crimson eyes darkening. "Your new home."

Sophia's breath caught.

Lucian stepped forward, towering over her. "You belong to me now."

Sophia swallowed. "I—"

Lucian gripped her chin, tilting her face up. "Say it."

Sophia trembled, but to Lucian's delight, her fear was laced with something else—a strange, thrilling submission.

"…I belong to you."

Lucian's smirk deepened.

Perfect.

—

The Chains That Bind

Lucian wasted no time. He had secured Sophia—now, it was time to prepare.

With only weeks left until the apocalypse, he needed to stockpile more supplies, more weapons, more women.

He sat in his study, his system interface glowing before him.

[New Objective: Secure 5 More Women with a Score of 90+]

Lucian smirked.

Easy.

The city was filled with beautiful women, and with his money, power, and sheer dominance, he could take whoever he wanted.

He leaned back, stretching his arms.

Let the hunt continue.

—

To Be Continued…