Ling Ke changed into a formal suit.
Before tonight, he'd been nothing but skin and bone — the kind of frame a stiff breeze could knock over.
But after his Herrscher transformation, his body had already recovered to full health.
Better than ever.
Inside the Theater of Domination, he'd set aside a comfortable bedroom for himself. Now he stood before a full-length mirror that had just been moved in, carefully adjusting the brand-new evening suit.
He'd never tied a tie before in his life.
Never had a reason to.
No occasion for it.
But tonight, he wanted to present his most perfect self to every single 「guest」.
He couldn't be shy. Couldn't be rude.
Be elegant!
For this, even things he'd never been good at had to be properly learned.
Fortunately, after becoming this era's Herrscher of Legion — a thousand minds — his learning capacity seemed to have been amplified a thousandfold as well.
A thousand brains, operating simultaneously.
Do the math: knowledge and skills that used to take him two to three years could now be mastered in a single day.
On that metric alone, his "innovation ability" was probably still nowhere near the top geniuses.
But his "learning ability" had already surpassed anyone alive.
And with that edge, he'd already made plans — he was determined to fill every gap he had in the time ahead.
Medicine, geography, astronomy, history, social skills, art... he wanted to learn all of it.
These invisible assets could continuously elevate every dimension of who he was.
Enough, even, to let him transform a second time.
At that point, the world would learn that a Herrscher with brains was the most outstanding (terrifying).
Of course, all of that was for later.
Right now, the thing he cared about most was ultimately——
"Welcome... no, the tone was too flat."
"Welcome, everyone... is that too long?"
"Don't look down when you speak."
"Back straight, chest out — that changes the entire bearing."
"The pacing needs work too."
In front of the full-length mirror, Ling Ke picked up how to tie a tie remarkably fast.
A smile had been on his face the entire time. Brimming with anticipation so obvious it was almost blinding.
He was rehearsing for himself.
He...
Really had gone mad.
No matter how expressive his face became — as the windows of the soul — those lifeless pupils would probably never recover their former focus again.
More than ten minutes later...
Ling Ke raised both hands, like a conductor leading an orchestra, and partitioned out a luxurious grand hall within his Theater of Domination.
Long table, carpet, candlelight... very atmospheric.
In his formal suit, he walked over and took his place before the grand hall's main entrance.
Then, several Space Gates opened.
"What — what exactly do you want from us?"
"I'm just a scientist, I swear!"
"Please, don't — don't kill me."
...
From each Space Gate, people Ling Ke considered 「familiar faces」 were being herded forward by multiple 「Domination Puppet · Anby」 units.
Stumbling along, still begging for their lives.
One person was still missing...
Edelweiss Even.
She was currently being forced to accept first aid from the Domination Puppets.
And — just like the others — she'd been made to change into formal attire.
Moments later. Finally——
"Creak~"
Another Space Gate opened, and Edelweiss — seated in a wheelchair — was pushed through by a 「Domination Puppet · Anby」.
Her golden hair fell like a waterfall. She'd already been dressed in a white evening gown.
The hem of the skirt draped naturally — making it impossible for an outsider to tell that both her legs were gone.
Her complexion was already deathly pale.
Her body would not stop trembling.
And it was at this moment——
"Welcome to the Theater of Domination!"
Ling Ke, standing alone at the hall entrance, gave a gentle, elegant smile — and like a seasoned butler, bowed slightly and made a graceful welcoming gesture.
This scene, he'd rehearsed countless times.
He was extremely respectful toward these 「guests」.
After all, it was precisely because of them that today's version of him existed.
Right now——
"The 「banquet」 is fully prepared. It is my great honor to personally entertain everyone."
"At the same time, I am deeply grateful that everyone was willing to attend."
Ling Ke smiled as he spoke.
The people present glanced at each other.
Did they really want to come here?
Obviously, no...
"Shing!"
Not far away, several 「Domination Puppet · Anby」 were — deliberately or not — twirling their blades.
Mm. Of course they were willing.
Seeing that all the 「guests」 were being so well-mannered, Ling Ke smiled, stepped aside to make way, and gestured gracefully toward the interior of the hall.
"Please!"
One word. Tone perfectly light.
But no one dared refuse.
Before long, the 「guests」 filed in one after another and took their seats.
Ling Ke moved to the head of the table but did not sit down.
In truth, up to this point, none of the 「guests」 had any idea who this seemingly polished and refined black-haired young man actually was.
Then, at a certain moment, Edelweiss glanced at Ling Ke's profile — and something clicked. An overlap. A face she knew.
!!!
She trembled even more violently.
She understood instantly what he was really here for.
But before she could open her mouth——
"To be honest, tonight feels a bit like my 「graduation ceremony」."
Ling Ke chuckled. "Everyone here is the very first batch of 「guests」 I've invited."
"Everyone here is also my most respected 「mentors」."
"Yes — over these past years, every one of you, in this special institution called the West Asia Branch, taught me so many things by your own shining example."
As he spoke, he picked up a wine glass filled with red wine.
He walked slowly, stopping first behind Dr. Antonio. "Put yourself in others' shoes."
Then he moved to Dr. Egas's side. "Do not covet fame and fortune."
Then Dr. Moniz. "Upright and incorruptible."
The branch director of the West Asia Branch: "Support the weak with strength."
"And..."
Finally, he stopped beside the terrified-looking Edelweiss. "Simple compassion."
Her breathing choked.
Ling Ke kept walking. Kept speaking. "All of you taught me that these virtues, in this world..."
"Are not needed!"
He'd returned to the head of the table.
Edelweiss was seated to his left.
"I——"
"Please don't be impatient, Miss Edelweiss."
Ling Ke smiled and turned his head, cutting her off.
He set down the wine glass — even though he'd walked a full circle around the long table, he hadn't drunk a single drop.
He simply continued wearing that professional smile and spoke at a measured pace: "To repay everyone's kindness in resolving my doubts, this unworthy self has meticulously prepared a few small programs."
"Believe me. Tonight's performance will absolutely let everyone... remember it for all eternity."
At that, he raised his hand and clapped.
The sound was like a command.
The grand hall's main door opened once more.
Every pair of eyes was drawn toward it.
Gray-haired, red-eyed maids entered the room one after another.
They, too, had been loaded with a Game Character Template — the one Ling Ke had just drawn.
[Game Character Template: Rina] [Origin: Zenless Zone Zero] [Character Traits: Level Mechanism, HP Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Equipment Indestructible, Electric Attribute, Support Attribute, Character Switching...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack — Beat the Idiot, Normal Attack — Chase Away the Fool, Dodge — Smooth the Skirt, Dash Attack — Sudden Scare, Dodge Counter — Bangboo Revival...] [Background Talent: High Ether Aptitude Constitution...] [Related Info: Full name — Alexandrina Sebastiane. Affiliated with the Victoria Mafia... ahem, affiliated with 「Victoria Housekeeping」 — a professional maid service. As a maid, she is skilled at cleaning — whether it's garbage or enemies...]
The group of 「Domination Puppet · Rina」 each carried a lidded tray. None of them walked — instead, they floated freely through the air, gliding forward with an eerie elegance.
That was Rina's unique mode of movement.
They set the trays gently before every 「guest」.
No more, no less — three per person.
After finishing, the maids did not leave.
Five remained, each standing beside one of the five 「guests」.
At the head of the table, Ling Ke smiled. "Now — the first program."
"Please, 「guests」, choose tonight's dishes for yourselves."
"And don't worry — I won't do mystery boxes. That would be teasing you."
"That would be rude."
He gestured with his right hand. "You're welcome to see every dish before you decide — there's no rush."
"If the portions feel too small and you're worried about leaving hungry, choosing 「everything」 is also perfectly fine."
"Then — the first dish..."
He snapped his fingers.
The maids beside them smiled and lifted the first set of covers.
The next moment——
"Skitter skitter skitter~"
!!!
Every single 「guest」 at the table felt their stomach lurch.
Hands flew to mouths. Several nearly vomited on the spot.
But in front of the current Ling Ke, they didn't dare.
Because what was on the plates...
Densely packed... cockroaches.
Every single one had its leg segments torn off. Just like the current Edelweiss.
They were wriggling. Struggling.
Still alive.