THE DRAGON'S SUBJUGATION
The air in the Scorched Wastelands trembled as Seun stepped across the glass-like battlefield, his shadow soldiers materializing in perfect formation behind him. Twenty-seven dark figures knelt in unison, their hollow eyes fixed on the distant lake of magma where their prey lurked.
**"Monarch,"** they intoned as one, voices like grinding stone.
Seun didn't acknowledge them. He didn't need to. Their loyalty was absolute, their purpose singular.
The System's golden text flared:
**[TARGET CONFIRMED: INFERNIS DRAGON]**
- Threat Classification: S+
- Combat Protocol: Full Subjugation
- Reward: Shadow Dragon General
A geyser of molten rock erupted as the beast announced its presence. The dragon's obsidian scales shimmered with internal fire, its wingspan blotting out the sun as it landed before them with earth-shattering force.
Seun didn't speak.
He simply raised a hand.
**"Kneel."**
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### **THE HUNT**
The shadow soldiers moved as extensions of Seun's will.
1. **The Spear Phalanx** - Twelve warriors dissolved into shadow, reforming mid-air as a living harpoon that pierced the dragon's wing membrane
2. **The Razor Choir** - Seven blade-wielding shadows scaled the beast's flanks, their weapons singing as they carved molten scales from flesh
3. **The Grave Callers** - Eight soldiers merged into a single massive construct, forming shadow chains that anchored the dragon to the earth
The beast roared, its plasma breath incinerating three shadows instantly. They reformed moments later from the surrounding darkness—death meant nothing to the eternal legion.
Seun watched dispassionately as the battle raged. His fingers twitched, adjusting tactics through the System's combat feed:
**[DAMAGE OUTPUT: 37%]
[ADAPTATION RATE: 2.3% PER MINUTE]
[ESTIMATED SUBJUGATION WINDOW: 5 MINUTES 12 SECONDS]**
At the four-minute mark, the dragon attempted to take flight. Seun's eyes narrowed.
**"No."**
His shadow erupted from the ground in twelve barbed lances, impaling the beast's wings and dragging it back to earth. The impact shattered the surrounding rock formations.
---
### **THE NAMING**
With the dragon pinned, Seun approached. His boots left no imprint on the superheated stone.
The beast struggled weakly, its once-bright eyes dimming. It understood now. Understood what stood before it.
Seun placed his palm between its eyes.
**"From this moment, you are Dreadmaw."**
The naming carried weight. The dragon's form convulsed as the shadow conversion began:
1. Molten blood cooled into rivers of liquid obsidian
2. Flame-wreathed scales darkened into armor that drank the light
3. Its wings stretched wider, becoming veils of living night
When the transformation completed, the newly christened Dreadmaw knelt, its massive head pressing into the ground before Seun.
**"Monarch,"** it rumbled, the word vibrating through the earth itself.
Seun turned away before the beast finished speaking.
**"Follow."**
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### **THE DEMESNE'S EXPANSION**
The villa's dimensional borders shuddered as Dreadmaw passed through the shadowgate. The System immediately reconfigured the space:
- The eastern quadrant sank, forming a volcanic caldera for the dragon's residence
- Obsidian spires grew like black teeth along the perimeter
- The training grounds developed heat-resistant terrain
Seun stood on the central balcony as his newest general took its place among the shadows. Below, the legion stood at attention—thirty-seven perfect soldiers, each named and cataloged by the System:
1. **Vexis** (Former Bloodmoon Elite)
2. **Goreth** (Shattered Colossus)
3. **Nyxara** (Phantom Stalker)
...and now...
37. **Dreadmaw** (Infernis Dragon)
They waited in perfect silence.
Seun didn't address them. They required no praise, no motivation. Their existence served one purpose.
The System pulsed with new directives:
**[NEXT TARGET: PHANTOM-CLASS HUNTER "LINA"]
[LOCATION: NIGHTFALL DISTRICT]
[OBJECTIVE: RECRUIT OR REPLACE]**
Seun's shadow cloak billowed as he stepped into the forming portal.
The hunt continued.
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