The Great Villain! Seeks Disciples in the Slums...?

Lucian puffed out his chest, holding his Dominion Codex aloft like a divine decree. "I assume this problem has been resolved?"

The coachman forced a laugh, though the nervous edge in his voice betrayed him. "O-Of course! Haha… yeah."

"Good. Until we meet again." With a dramatic snap, Lucian dismissed the codex into oblivion, turning on his heel. Behind him, the dwarf stood frozen, reevaluating every life decision that had led him to this moment.

As Lucian strolled down the bustling street, heads turned—some in confusion, others in silent admiration. His attire, though slightly worn, exuded nobility, setting him apart from the common folk.

"Now then… where should I start?" He mused, scanning his surroundings.

A nearby notice board caught his eye, one headline in particular standing out.

"NEW DARK LORD RISES!"

Lucian's steps halted. His eyes widened. Then, a laugh—loud, incredulous, and utterly maniacal—burst from his lips.

"WHAT!? THIS IDIOT!?" He clutched the edge of the board for support, struggling to contain himself. When his laughter finally subsided, he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning.

"This brute? The Dark Lord?" He scoffed, plucking the poster from the board. "Either the world is desperate to name one, or I'm simply too good."

Without hesitation, he tore the paper into pieces, letting the scraps flutter to the ground like confetti. "No one needs to waste their time on this nonsense." With a satisfied clap, he dusted off the remaining fragments from his gloves.

Unfortunately, his theatrics did not go unnoticed.

A heavy-set guard, clad in full plate armor, marched toward him with purpose. Square-jawed, broad-shouldered, and radiating generic righteousness—he was the very embodiment of 'lawful enforcer.'

"You have violated the law," the guard declared. "I suggest you come with me."

Lucian slowly turned to face him, blinking. "Uhhh…"

Right on cue, the Dominion Codex shimmered back into existence, flipping open with an almost theatrical air.

A new inscription appeared under the Dominion of Villainy:

"Delinquent Terrorizes Town (Common)"

Lucian stared at the words, utterly dumbfounded. "What…?"

The guard, meanwhile, had his own reaction—eyes widening as he took in the sheer thickness of the codex.

"By the gods… What are you?" His grip on his sword tightened, shield raised in immediate defense.

Lucian grinned—villainously, of course—as the perfect plan to set his cult in motion took shape. He leaned in close to the trembling guard, his voice a silken whisper against the man's ear.

"I have descended to judge the living and the dead. Tell me… are you willing to stand against divinity?"

His Dominion Codex pulsed with an ominous glow, deep violet tendrils of light slithering across its surface. The air grew thick—heavy—like an impending storm pressing down on the earth. Shadows stretched unnaturally, flickering as if cast by an unseen flame. The guard's breath hitched, his pupils dilating, his knuckles white as he clutched his sword in sheer terror. A strange, whispering hum vibrated through the cobblestones beneath Lucian's feet, as if the very world acknowledged his presence.

Lucian flicked a glance at the codex, noticing that the Dominion of Villainy text now shimmered a brilliant purple. He blinked. That… wasn't normal.

Every Dominion Codex followed strict rules—abilities only manifested when the conditions were met. And yet, his had just activated something he was certain he hadn't unlocked.

He frowned, flipping through the pages, half-expecting some sort of explanation. None came. The text remained still, its glow fading as if it hadn't just bent the fundamental laws of dominion progression.

"Weird." His fingers traced the page's edge before he shrugged. "Eh, if it works, it works."

The kneeling guard whimpered. Lucian snapped the book shut with a sharp thud and smirked down at him, his confusion already forgotten.

The guard's breath hitched. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he took an uncertain step back. Then, as if an invisible hand had pressed upon his shoulders, he dropped to his knees with a strangled gasp.

"Oh, great lord!" The words burst from his lips, half-worship, half-plea. His fingers clutched Lucian's boots like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. "I never thought I'd see the day!"

Lucian's triumphant smirk faltered as heads turned. Murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd. A few exchanged bewildered glances, as if questioning whether they had truly heard a city guard grovel at some random noble's feet.

"Did he just call him… a lord?"

"Wait, is this some noble I don't recognize?"

"Shhh! You idiot!" Lucian hissed, flicking his gaze between the kneeling guard and the murmuring townsfolk. Thinking fast, he straightened and waved a hand dismissively.

"Nothing to see here, folks! Haha! I just—uh—gave this man a lot of gold! Yep, that's right!" He nodded sagely, as if convincing himself. Yes. That was it. A totally believable excuse. He was not, in fact, trying to indoctrinate this man. Not at all.

Lucian leaned in close to the guard's ear, his voice a low growl of irritation. "Act normal, you idiot."

The guard snapped to attention. "Y-Yes, my lord!" He hastily dusted off his armor, clearing his throat before addressing the onlookers. "Ahem… yes, this kind man here just gave me a generous tip. Nothing to worry about."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, skepticism lingering in their expressions. But faced with a city guard's word, they begrudgingly let the matter slide.

Lucian scanned the area, searching for any lingering suspicious glances. Seeing none, he exhaled in relief. Then, with a dramatic wag of his finger, he chastised the guard as if scolding a misbehaving child.

"You should know better. Revealing the presence of a divine being such as myself to the unworthy? That would bring terrible consequences, you know?"

The guard nodded stiffly. "Of course, my lord."

Lucian arched an eyebrow. He had expected obedience, but this level of submission? It was delightful. Music to his ears.

He sighed theatrically. "Well then, onto business. Do you know where the slums are?"

The guard frowned at the odd request but answered without hesitation. "The western wing of the city, my lord. Why do you ask?"

Lucian's violet eyes gleamed with excitement. "For indoctrination, of course! What self-respecting deity walks around with only one follower?"

The slums—a place brimming with the desperate, the hopeless, and the foolishly faithful. Perfect. There, he would not need power to command loyalty—just the right words, the right promises.

The guard hesitated. "But I thought you didn't want the att—"

Lucian silenced him with a single finger pressed against his lips. "Shush, young one." His tone took on an almost reverent air, laced with something far more dangerous. "The mind of a deity is far beyond mortal comprehension. Just have faith, and you will be rewarded."

The guard swallowed hard. "Y-Yes… of course, my lord."

"Good." Lucian turned on his heel, striding confidently in the direction the guard had indicated. With a casual wave, he bid him farewell—ensuring that with every step, he radiated the aura of nobility. His disguise had to remain flawless.

As Lucian strolled along the cobblestone streets, a particular face kept appearing—on posters, carvings, even cheap figurines in a merchant's stall.

"Who is this?" he muttered, idly picking up one of the trinkets as he walked past.

His question was swiftly answered. Right on cue, the town crier stood atop the city's grand fountain, his voice booming over the bustling square—a scene Lucian had witnessed countless times before, usually while surveying cities from the back of a dragon.

"Hear ye, citizens of Greywood! The goddess has blessed us with a new hero!"

Lucian's steps faltered. His eye twitched.

"Already?" he scoffed, arms crossing. "Don't tell me the so-called hero who 'killed' me just… retired? That's it?" His lip curled in disdain. "He should be grateful he had the honor of slaying a Dark Lord as magnificent as myself!"

Shaking his head, he resumed his march toward the slums—though now, a vein throbbed visibly at his temple.

"Now, a new Dark Lord rises—and as if that weren't enough, another hero has been chosen?!"