Dancing on the golden ashes

I watched the beasts around me kneel, their humanoid forms both unsettling and awe-inspiring. Their alien features—a mix of beast and human—reflected the power I now held over them. Strangely enough, I enjoyed it. This was my army. My people. My proof that I had climbed to the top.

From now on, my life would never be the same.

But I was exhausted. Every muscle in my body screamed for rest after the relentless fighting and leveling. I had accomplished my goal—I had grown strong enough to protect my empire and my people. Now, I was finally ready to return.

As I walked, the darkness itself seemed to follow me, my footsteps leaving shadowy imprints on the ground. It took me a moment to realize this was no longer a skill. My Dark Lord Steps had evolved, merging with my very being as a passive ability. Every movement I made was now infused with darkness. I wasn't just wielding it—I was darkness.

Only a month… The thought made me stop for a moment, glancing at the endless horizon.

I couldn't believe that only about a month had passed since I came to this world. I had grown so much, so fast. Too fast. Was this truly my path, or had it been planned for me? The power coursing through me felt intoxicating, but a small voice in the back of my mind whispered: Standing at the peak can be dangerous.

Even so, it felt good.

I glanced at my system screen and felt a swell of pride.

[Current Rank in the World: 10]

A smile tugged at my lips. I was finally among the top ten highest-ranked people in this world. Perhaps, even with this rank, I was already the strongest.

The system chimed, delivering a sweet reminder of my ascension:

[Demon Lord Passive: 2x Increased Stats]

I sighed, a mixture of pride and unease settling in my chest. At this point, it was hard to believe anyone could catch up to me. Not unless they, too, had walked a path as unique as mine—a path where power came in staggering leaps, doubling stats in ways no ordinary being could comprehend.

But the thought lingered: If I've grown this fast… could someone else be out there, growing even faster?

For now, though, I let the thought drift away. This was my time. My empire awaited.

My wings extended, large and imposing, their weight pressing against my back with every movement. They felt powerful—undeniably so—but having them constantly attached to my body was strange. The sensation of the wind brushing against their skin was new, and not entirely pleasant. Then there was the tail. Long and agile, it swayed in the air almost mockingly, moving without my conscious command.

I frowned, feeling my brain struggle to adapt. Every flick of the tail felt alien, as though it had a mind of its own.

I'm not sure if I'll ever like this tail… looks… uncomfortable to sit.

The thought made me glance back at the beasts. Their smiles greeted me, their eyes filled with awe and respect. Among them, the Thunder Tempests stood out, their humanoid forms now reflecting the strength they had gained through countless battles by my side. Seeing them like this filled me with pride. They had been with me the longest, their unwavering loyalty a constant source of comfort.

But the warmth of their admiration couldn't fill the hollow ache in my chest.

The hole in my heart remained.

Ravokar…

The name echoed in my mind, stirring a flood of memories. That wolf had been more than an ally—he had been a true friend. I could almost hear his voice, feel his presence beside me. How I wished he were here, standing by my side, witnessing the heights we had reached together.

For all my strength, all my victories, there was no replacing him. The loneliness gnawed at me, a stark reminder that no amount of power could bring back what I'd lost.

I let out a deep breath, shaking off the weight of the past. There was no time for weakness—not now.

But the emptiness lingered, a quiet whisper at the edge of my thoughts.

"Let's go," I whispered. At my command, all my beasts disappeared, rushing into my body without a single gesture. I no longer needed to raise my hand or even utter a word—just a thought was enough to summon them into my beast world.

Now I could see it clearly within my soul. The beast world wasn't just a concept; it floated in my soul space, orbiting the five radiant souls like a small planet circling a sun. Its vastness was staggering—spacious enough to rival Earth itself. Within, it was a thriving domain, more than sufficient for my beasts to live, grow, and even expand their numbers. My soul power nourished them, keeping them strong, leveling them up, and ensuring they thrived.

I flapped my wings, and red lightning and black flames ignited around them, their combined force propelling me through the air. One powerful stroke carried me past the Blazelia Forest, a place where I had once fought for survival. Another flap brought me to the site of the goblin village, now transformed into a small town. It was a tribute to the fallen, built in their honor, and the sight of it made my cold heart stir, a faint vibration of warmth and sorrow.

Moments later, I saw it—the massive city of Luminara. Nestled in a simple forest, it radiated power and grace, a beacon of my empire's strength. With a final graceful motion, I landed in front of the palace gates. My descent startled those nearby, their wide eyes betraying both awe and fear as guards surrounded me with impressive speed.

"Halt!" A tall man stepped forward, his golden hair catching the light. His stance was firm, his voice commanding as he aimed his weapon at me. "Who are you, and how dare you intrude uninvited into our city!"

I almost laughed. His caution was commendable, and I didn't blame him one bit. After all, I had changed so much that even I would have been surprised if they recognized me instantly.

Before I could respond, a tall, bulky man stepped out of the crowd and smacked the guard on the head with a fist, sending him stumbling.

"Sir Kang Eun-Woo, what are you—?" the guard stammered, bewildered.

But Kang Eun-Woo cut him off, his familiar face splitting into a grin as he turned to me. "Idiot! Don't you recognize your own Empress? Bow before her and apologize, or I'll slap you to death!"

The crowd gasped, whispers spreading like wildfire. Their eyes darted between Kang Eun-Woo and me, realization dawning on their faces. I turned to meet their stunned gazes, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I addressed them.

"I'm back," I said simply, my voice carrying across the growing crowd. "Sorry for taking so long."

Suddenly, the chatter in the city grew louder as people began to realize who I was. From the palace, a small purple fox darted out, her speed impressive as she weaved through the crowd. In the next moment, she leapt into my arms, her soft fur brushing against my face. Her wide, tear-filled eyes gazed up at me, filled with relief and happiness.

"Gaon... I missed you so much!" Malrang cried, her voice trembling. I stroked her head gently, her fluffy ears twitching at my touch. Something inside my cold heart bloomed, a warmth I hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. A tear rolled down my cheek, unbidden, as I held her close.

"I missed you too," I murmured softly, my voice breaking just slightly.

"Big sister Gaon!" A lively voice rang out from the distance. I looked up to see Jieun, her small frame surrounded by a celestial glow as she practically floated across the air with her speed. She threw herself at me, wrapping her tiny arms around my legs with a grip so tight it was as if she'd never let go.

Her tears soaked into my clothes as she sobbed uncontrollably. "I thought you'd never come back!"

"Hi, Jieun," I said, my voice light as I patted her head. "Have you been well?"

Before she could answer, another figure emerged from the palace—Choi Min-Jeong, her pink hair flowing behind her as she rushed forward. Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees before me, her expression filled with awe and reverence.

"Empress Lee Gaon!" she exclaimed, bowing her head low.

"Don't kneel before me, Min-Jeong," I said casually, waving her off. "We're friends, aren't we?"

Her face lit up with a bright smile as she raised her head. "Thank you, Empress," she said, standing with a grace that reflected her position as the general of internal matters.

And then, last but certainly not least, came the most annoying of them all. From afar, I saw Seong-Hoon standing amidst the crowd. The people parted before him as he slowly approached, his eyes locked onto mine. There was a slight glisten to his gaze, betraying an emotion he probably didn't want anyone to see.

I crossed my arms, smirking as I saw his hesitation. "What is this? Are you really going to cry, Seong-Hoon? How pathetic," I teased coldly.

He froze in place, his face falling as sadness flickered across his features. His hesitation almost made me regret my words. Almost.

Without waiting another second, I stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace. His body stiffened in surprise before slowly relaxing, his hands awkwardly hovering as if he didn't know what to do.

"I've missed all of you," I whispered, my voice cracking. Tears streamed down my face, each one carrying the relief of the suffering I had endured in my time away. "Even you, you fool."

Seong-Hoon chuckled softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I've missed you too big sis."

Around us, the crowd watched in silence, their awe palpable as they took in the scene. For a moment, the weight of my trials lifted, replaced by the simple joy of being surrounded by those I cared about.

I was finally home.