Chapter 007 : The "Feast"

Ling Ke had changed into formal attire.

Before tonight, he had been emaciated, as if a gentle breeze could knock him over.

But now, after becoming a Herrscher, his body had regained its health.

Better than ever before.

Inside the Domination Theater, he had specially allocated a comfortable bedroom for himself. Now, he stood in front of a full-length mirror that had just been brought in, carefully adjusting his brand-new evening suit.

In the past, he had never worn a tie.

Because there was no need.

No occasion called for it.

But tonight, he wanted to present his most perfect self to all his "guests."

So, he couldn't be shy, couldn't be rude.

He had to be elegant!

To that end, even things he wasn't good at before, he had to learn properly.

Fortunately, after becoming the Herrscher of Domination for this era, his learning ability seemed to have been amplified a thousandfold.

After all, it was a thousand brains working simultaneously.

By that calculation, knowledge and skills that would have taken him two to three years to learn in the past could now be mastered in a single day.

From this perspective alone, perhaps in terms of "innovation ability," he was still far from those top-tier geniuses.

But in terms of "learning ability," he was already unmatched.

With this strength, he had made up his mind to enrich himself as much as possible in the coming days.

Medicine, geography, astronomy, history, social skills, art... he wanted to learn it all.

These intangible treasures could continuously improve his overall literacy.

Even enough to allow him to undergo another transformation.

By then, it would be proven that a Herrscher with brains was the most excellent (terrifying).

Of course, these were all matters for the future.

For now, what he was most focused on was...

"Welcome... no, that tone is too flat."

"Welcome, everyone... is that wording too verbose?"

"Can't lower my head when speaking."

"Back straight, chest out, that changes the entire demeanor."

"Gotta refine my gait too."

In front of the full-length mirror, Ling Ke quickly learned how to tie a tie.

A smile hung on his face, radiating unmistakable anticipation.

He was rehearsing for himself.

He...

had truly gone mad.

No matter how expressive his facial expressions were, as the window to the soul... those lifeless eyes of his would likely never regain their former focus.

A dozen or so minutes later...

Ling Ke raised his hands, like a conductor leading an orchestra, and within his Domination Theater, he carved out a luxurious grand hall.

Long tables, carpets, candlelight... it was very atmospheric.

Dressed in his formal attire, he arrived at the grand doors of the hall.

At this moment, several spatial gates opened.

"You, what do you all want?"

"I'm really just a scientist!"

"Please, don't kill me."

...

From the various spatial gates, several individuals Ling Ke recognized as "familiar faces" were being forced forward by multiple "Domination Puppets: Anby."

Stumbling as they walked, they continued to beg for mercy.

One person was still missing...

Edelweiss Even.

She was being forced to undergo bandaging by the Domination Puppets.

And...

like the others, she too had to change into formal attire.

A moment later, finally...

Creak~

Another spatial gate opened, and Edelweiss, seated in a wheelchair, was pushed into the hall by a "Domination Puppet: Anby."

Now, her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she wore a white evening gown.

The skirt naturally draped down, making it impossible for outsiders to tell that she had lost her legs.

At this moment, Edelweiss's face had turned deathly pale.

Her body was trembling uncontrollably.

And it was at this moment...

"Welcome to the Domination Theater!"

Standing alone at the entrance of the hall, Ling Ke wore a gentle yet elegant smile, bowing slightly like an experienced butler, his hand gracefully extended in a welcoming gesture.

This scene, he had rehearsed countless times.

He held great respect for these "guests."

After all, it was because of them that he had become who he was today.

Now...

"The 'feast' is ready. It is my honor to personally host all of you."

"At the same time, I am deeply grateful that you have chosen to attend."

Ling Ke said with a smile.

The guests exchanged glances.

Had they really chosen to come here?

Obviously, no...

Shing!

Not far away, several "Domination Puppets: Anby" were casually twirling their blades.

Well, naturally, they had "chosen" to come.

Seeing that the "guests" were all so well-mannered, Ling Ke smiled and stepped aside, making way, then gestured toward the interior of the hall.

"Please!"

A single word, spoken lightly.

But no one dared to refuse.

Before long, the "guests" entered the hall one after another and took their seats.

Ling Ke moved to the head of the table but did not sit down.

In fact, even now, these "guests" were still puzzled.

They had no idea who this seemingly polite black-haired young man in front of them was.

However, at a certain moment, Edelweiss, looking at Ling Ke's profile, suddenly overlapped it with someone else in her mind...

!!!

She trembled even more violently.

She instantly understood his true purpose.

But before she could cry out...

"Actually, today feels like a 'graduation' of sorts for me."

Ling Ke chuckled softly. "All of you here are the first batch of 'guests' I've invited."

"And each of you is a 'mentor' I deeply respect."

"Yes, over the past few years, it was all of you, at this special 'institution' that is the West Asia Branch, who taught me so much through your actions."

As he spoke, he picked up a wine glass filled with red wine.

He walked slowly, first stopping behind Dr. Antonio. "Empathy."

Then he moved to Dr. Aegis's side. "Indifference to fame and fortune."

Next was Dr. Moniz. "Integrity."

The director of the West Asia Branch, "Supporting the weak with strength."

"And..."

Finally, he stopped beside the terrified Edelweiss, "Pure, simple compassion."

Her breath hitched.

Ling Ke continued to walk, saying, "You made me realize that these virtues, in this world..."

"Are not needed!"

He had returned to the head of the table.

Edelweiss sat to his left.

"I..."

"Please don't be impatient, Miss Edelweiss."

Ling Ke smiled and tilted his head, interrupting her.

He set down the wine glass in his hand. Despite having walked around the long table, he hadn't taken a single sip of wine.

Still wearing a professional smile, he slowly said, "To repay your kindness in enlightening me, I, though unworthy, have prepared a few small performances."

"I believe tonight's show will absolutely leave you all... unforgettable."

At this point, he clapped his hands.

This gesture seemed to be a signal.

The grand doors of the hall opened once more.

Everyone's attention was drawn.

One after another, gray-haired, red-eyed maids entered the room.

They were all loaded with the game character template Ling Ke had just drawn.

[Game Character Template: Lina]

[From: Zenless Zone Zero]

[Character Traits: Level Mechanism, Health Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Electric Attribute, Support Trait, Character Switch...]

[Game Skills: Normal Attack: Beat the Fool, Normal Attack: Chase Away the Idiot, Dodge: Smooth the Skirt, Dash Attack: Sudden Fright, Dodge Counter: Bunbun Revival...]

[Background Talent: High Ether Affinity...]

[Related Introduction: Full Name: Alexandrina Sabastian, affiliated with the Victoria Mafia... ahem, affiliated with "Victoria Housekeeping," a professional maid. As a maid, she excels at cleaning, whether it's trash or enemies...]

At this moment, a group of "Domination Puppets: Lina" each carried a covered tray, not walking but instead floating gracefully through the air.

This was Lina's unique way of moving.

They gently placed the trays in front of each "guest."

No more, no less—each person received three.

After completing this task, the maids did not leave.

Instead, five remained, standing beside the five "guests."

At the head of the table, Ling Ke smiled and said, "Now, for the first small performance."

"Please, 'guests,' choose your dishes for tonight."

"Of course, I won't play games like blind boxes to mess with you."

"That would be rude."

Ling Ke gestured with his right hand, "It's not too late for the 'guests' to make their choices after seeing the dishes."

"If you feel the portions are too small and you're still hungry, you can choose 'all of them.'"

"So, the first dish..."

He snapped his fingers.

The maids beside him smiled and lifted the first lid.

In the next moment...

Sizzle~

!!!

The "guests" present all felt a wave of nausea.

They instinctively covered their mouths, almost vomiting.

But in front of Ling Ke now, they didn't dare to vomit.

Yet what they saw...

On the plate was a dense mass of... cockroaches.

All of them had their legs removed, just like Edelweiss now.

They wriggled, struggled.

They were still alive.

(TL/N: diabolical.. damnn!)