The Birth of an Empire

Chapter 23: The Birth of an Empire

Lucian stood at the center of the bloodstained bunker, the scent of death still lingering in the air. The survivors—those who hadn't been slaughtered—stood trembling before him.

Fear. Submission. Desperation.

Exactly what he wanted.

Evelyn wiped her blade clean, her cold gaze scanning the terrified crowd. "What do we do with them?"

Lucian smirked. "We make them choose—serve or die."

The silence in the room was deafening.

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A Kingdom of the Strong

One of the men, a younger survivor with dirt-streaked skin, hesitated before stepping forward. "We… We'll follow you. Just don't kill us."

Lucian's red eyes pierced through him. "Swear your loyalty."

"I swear!" the man gasped.

One by one, the survivors dropped to their knees.

"Good." Lucian turned to Evelyn. "Gather them. From now on, this bunker is ours."

Evelyn nodded. She had already accepted his rule. The others would, too—or they would be erased.

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The Hunt for Power

Taking the bunker was only the first step. Lucian needed more—more weapons, more resources, more people.

But the world outside was a wasteland of monsters and lawless gangs.

Evelyn leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "There are rumors of another settlement nearby. They have food, fuel, and weapons."

Lucian's smirk deepened.

"Then we take it."

She chuckled. "You never stop, do you?"

"Not until I rule everything."

Evelyn's gaze softened—but there was admiration in her eyes.

Lucian was unstoppable.

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The Next Move

That night, Lucian stood atop the bunker's rooftop, staring at the moonlit ruins beyond.

His army was growing. His power was increasing.

But this was only the beginning.

The world would soon know his name.

And they would fear it.

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To Be Continued…