The crimson mist churned violently as the nine blood dragons moved freely through the streets, attacking anything in their path.
The guards who tried to resist, including the captain who had transformed into what looked like an ancient Dalmatian, froze in place the instant they saw the dragons.
They looked at their sharp claws, then at the nine scarlet dragon heads emerging from the mist, and thought, "Brother, isn't this gap just… way too much?!"
Facing absolute power, they were like paper, torn apart effortlessly. The blood fog enveloped their bodies until they dissipated, merging into the swirling mist.
But this was only the beginning. A killing storm, centered around Reid, was slowly sweeping through the royal capital.
Cradling the little girl in his arms, Reid walked steadily toward the grandest palace in the city center. Wherever he went, the blood dragons cleared the way, leaving no resistance; all opposition turned to dust.
Yet the two of them walked as if nothing had happened. They even chatted casually.
"Hey, that sweet potato vendor earlier looked pretty impressive. Brave guy. I bet he knows someone important. Do you need connections to sell roasted sweet potatoes nowadays?"
"Mm."
"Do you want one? I feel like this trip's gonna be boring."
"No."
"Are you saying that because you don't want to trouble me, or you just don't feel like it?"
"Never mind. I'll bake some for you when we get back."
They continued their quiet conversation, oblivious to the chaos around them.
Behind the windows of houses lining the street, countless eyes peeked out. At first, most were blank, fearful, or indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with them.
This was normal.
But Reid noticed some faces filled with schadenfreude. People who had suffered under oppression now secretly rejoiced at the suffering of their oppressors.
"Human nature," Reid thought. "I just got paid today, I'm in a good mood. I won't stoop to their level. But if any of you dare mock me… you're finished."
"Wha… what's happening outside? It's so noisy…" an elderly voice whispered.
"It's blood! A lot of blood mist! Someone's killing the guards!" a young man peered out from a crack in the shutters, both excited and terrified. "Oh my… they were ripped apart in an instant…"
"Serves them right! Those damned lackeys! They've deserved it for ages!" another voice growled, full of long-suppressed hatred.
"Quiet! Don't let them hear you! Who knows who's doing this…" a woman warned nervously.
"It's different… this time, it feels different…" the young man murmured, eyes fixed outside. "He hasn't touched us… we're still alive!"
"Really? He… he's not taking money?" the old man's voice trembled with disbelief.
"He's heading for the palace! To see the king!" The young man's breathing quickened. "Could it… could it be…"
"Divine punishment… it's divine punishment!" someone whispered in the shadows, voice choked with tears.
"Stop talking nonsense! Let me see… let me see…" Even as the words left their lips, doubt was creeping in.
As Reid advanced, clearing all obstacles in his path, the eyes behind the windows began to change.
The numbness vanished.
Fear faded.
In its place burned astonishment, and then a faint, flickering light hope.
What were they seeing?
The arrogant nobles, reduced to nothing like ants underfoot!
The tyrant king was about to face a disaster unlike any before!
No one knew who this was.
The first to kneel did so before the figure of Reid, faintly visible through the blood mist.
Then, like a rising tide, more and more followed.
They knelt humbly, silently offering long-suppressed gratitude and reverence.
Reid felt the little girl's gaze burning into him, almost scorching him.
He lowered his head to meet her eyes. Within them, flashes of crimson shimmered with faint light.
"See," he said, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling masses, filled with awe and hope, "all they need is someone stronger than their oppressors."
"Once the old fear is gone, they seek a new faith."
His voice was calm, like stating a simple fact unrelated to himself.
"And I," he continued, "just happen to embody their imagination."
"So, I can become their god."
"Easily."
Reid ignored the kneeling crowds behind him. His goal remained clear: the palace.
When he finally stepped before the main gates, the fat king was surrounded by trembling guards.
He collapsed heavily before Reid, forehead smashing against the cold stone.
"My lord! Majestic and supreme master! Welcome!" the king cried. "Surely you are displeased with this land! You are right! These commoners should have been disciplined long ago! I, your humble king… no, I, your humble servant… I am willing to submit! Everything I have… my treasures… my lands… I give to you! I beg your mercy for all my servants and everything under my command!"
Reid's interest peaked, and the blood mist thinned slightly.
He looked down at the king prostrate on the ground.
"Oh? Seems… you're quite practiced at this?"
The king's eyes lit up. A newcomer. He saw a chance to survive.
He lifted his head sharply, smiling even more brightly.
"My lord, you are wise beyond measure! Is this your first time doing such a thing? Completely normal! Absolutely normal! At least, here it is. Yes."
"Out here, in the vast sea, big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp. That is the natural order! Today, you attacked me. Since I cannot overcome you, I must concede. The strong devour the weak it is natural! My humble throne was won in the same way!"
The king's words grew more confident.
"As long as you hand over your wealth and power, pledge obedience, your life is usually spared. You might even be granted a position to help the new ruler govern… Isn't that convenient? After all, those rioters outside, you alone could not handle them, right?"
The king felt relief. This newcomer didn't seem to understand the "rules" here. Perhaps he was easier to manipulate.
Reid had no illusions.
In this century of low productivity, population was everything. Without people, a king was an empty shell.
The nobles ignored the welfare of their subjects, and if the country fell, they could always seize another.
"I see," Reid said, nodding slightly, as if something had clicked. "The strong bullying the weak… an undeniable fact."
The king's face began to glow with satisfaction.
Then Reid's voice continued, chilling to the bone.
"But unfortunately, I hate cycles."
"I prefer complete annihilation."
The king's smile froze.
All that remained was infinite terror and despair.