Dancing on the golden ashes

I watched the seven people gather around me, kneeling on the ground and giving me their respect. In that moment, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was such an unordinary experience for someone like me. Still, it wasn't a bad feeling—far from it. Having someone's utmost trust in you was unique, almost foreign. Coming from a family that hadn't trusted me in the end… well, I didn't want to think about that now. It wasn't worth the emotional turmoil.

Instead, I chose to savor this moment here, with people who truly mattered.

Soon, everyone's eyes fell on the last person who had yet to submit to me. The silence was deafening as I stood from my throne, walking slowly toward the man still kneeling on the ground.

"I haven't asked your name yet," I said, my voice low and intimidating.

"Han Seungho," he spat out between sobs and tears. His entire body trembled, and I wasn't sure if he was preparing for death or simply overwhelmed by fear.

Whatever he was expecting, he definitely didn't see what came next.

I placed my hand over his head. This skill felt strange—enslaving a living person was entirely different from binding a beast. I had to reach directly for his soul and brand it with my name. As I infused my soul power into him, Han Seungho began to shake uncontrollably, his entire body convulsing under the pressure.

It was like stepping into a dark abyss. I could feel the flow of my energy, the path it took, but controlling it was another matter entirely. It felt elusive, as if I were fumbling in a void. Minutes passed as I finally reached my destination. The process had clearly taken a toll on him, but did I care? Not in the slightest. If it were someone else, perhaps I'd feel some pity. But for this human garbage? No.

When I reached his soul, it looked… grey, dull, lifeless. I wondered what kind of powers he possessed—if any at all. The feeling was faint, but still there. I etched the characters of my name directly onto his soul, branding him as my slave.

Yes, I know how wrong that sounds, but this isn't Earth. Here, the choices are simple: enslave or kill.

[Congratulations!]

[You have branded your first soul]

[Your soul power has been greatly enhanced]

A sudden surge of energy rushed through me, powerful and intoxicating, boosting my cultivation even further. My entire being felt sharper, stronger.

[Enslaved people: 1/10]

[Reward for fulfilling this requirement: Next soul evolution]
Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire

The message from the system caught me off guard. My lips curled into a smirk. This wasn't just a victory—it was progress. And I would take every step needed to move forward, no matter how dark the path.

My eyes widened as I stared at the system display. Taming beasts was one thing, but humans? The idea was shocking, though strangely fitting for this world. It wasn't a particularly difficult quest—choosing ten people to brand as my own was almost laughably easy. But as I considered it, a thought sparked like lightning in the depths of my memory. Revenge.

And one name burned brighter than all others: Nam Ji-Ho.

The only person who had ever beaten me in a fight. Ruthless, cunning, and well-connected, Nam Ji-Ho wasn't the type to stay quiet. If he was still out there—and I was sure he was—he must have heard about my empire by now. My lips curled into a smirk. Perhaps it was time to remind him that no one could surpass me for long.

Meanwhile, the man at my feet had stopped shaking. His eyes darted around, wide with terror, as though finally comprehending what had just happened.

"How do you address me?" I asked, curiosity dripping from my tone. I wanted to test how this skill truly worked.

"M-Master…" he stammered, the word leaving his lips hesitantly, as if he barely believed it himself. I could see the conflict in his gaze—the shock of submission warring with the remnants of his pride.

And then, as though reality had suddenly crashed down on him, panic set in. He scrambled to his feet, his movements frantic, and tried to run.

"Keep staying on your knees for the next five days," I said softly. Without hesitation, he dropped back to the ground, unable to resist or even speak without my command.

"What was that, Big Sis?" Kim Seong-Hoon's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the man obeying me like a loyal puppy.

"A new skill I picked up on my journey. Why? Are you interested in being my second slave?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, please!" he replied, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Everyone turned to look at him with a mix of shock and disbelief. Just what was wrong with his brain?

"I'll pass…" I said, waving him off without even sparing him a glance.

"Empress, if I may," Lee Seo-Yeon's voice chimed in from one side. I noticed her body inching closer to me, her posture almost predatory. From the other side, Seong-Hoon moved closer as well, his eyes locking with hers in a silent battle of wills. Sparks seemed to fly between them, as if lightning was clashing in the air around me. Seriously, what was wrong with these people?

"Speak," I said with a sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, her voice almost trembling. "This skill of yours is truly magnificent and so powerful. Do you think with this skill we could…?" She hesitated, her words catching in her throat as she gulped audibly, clearly nervous about finishing her thought.

"Take over the world?" I replied, turning her question back on her. Her eyes widened in shock, and she bit her lip nervously.

"Y-Yes…" she stammered.

I glanced around, catching the expectant expressions on everyone's faces. Some looked intrigued and approving, while others were more reserved, unsure of my response. It was written all over their eyes.

"We'll see about that," I said casually, leaning back. "World domination without a reason isn't really my cup of tea. But trust me, if they ever cross me, I'll deal with them."

The room shifted with mixed reactions. The new arrivals were divided. Lee Seo-Yeon seemed thrilled at the prospect of world domination; her eyes gleamed with anticipation. I could tell she was the type who would jump at the chance to conquer. The two men, however, seemed relieved at my decision. Maybe they understood the weight of such an endeavor better than she did.

What surprised me the most, though, was Jieun's expression—she seemed almost… upset by my response. I tilted my head, silently wondering where this kid's path would take her one day. As long as she remained my ally, I'd support her, no matter what decisions she made.

And so, five days passed peacefully. Han Seungho remained kneeling on the ground, as per my orders. No food or drink was given to him—he didn't deserve it. After all, many women had suffered and died by his hands.

When I finally allowed him to rise, he struggled, his body too weak to comply. I instructed a few of the servants—yes, some kind souls had volunteered to serve me—to bathe him and ensure he was properly fed. We had an upcoming journey, and I needed him in enough shape to lead us. My goal was clear: to take over his kingdom, free the women there, and enforce laws that prohibited people from acting like idiots or wild beasts. Was it a bit excessive? Maybe. But to me, it was justified.

Once he was cleaned up, I noticed he didn't look as bad as I initially thought. But calling himself the "Handsome Emperor"? That was leagues beyond reality.

"Lead the way to your empire," I commanded, my tone firm and unyielding.

"Yes… Master," Han Seungho replied reluctantly, his voice still carrying hints of defiance. I decided to let it slide for now—I'd work on breaking that reluctance later.

For this journey, I chose to bring along the new trio. They were ecstatic at the opportunity, practically radiating excitement. Malrang, of course, tagged along as well—not because I asked, but because she insisted. There was no arguing with that fox once she made up her mind.

"How long will it take?" I asked, my gaze fixed on Seungho.

"On foot? Around twenty days," he replied quickly.

"Twenty…" I repeated, my expression twisting. That wasn't going to work for me. I liked efficiency, and twenty days sounded like an eternity.

Without another word, my hand glowed with a black light as two massive dragons emerged before everyone, their forms materializing from my beast world. The crowd gasped as the creatures roared, their power palpable.

The molten dragon looked as powerful as ever. Our eyes locked, and she sneered at me, still most likely holding a grudge from the time I beat her in a fight. Despite that, she'd been behaving well lately. I noticed how she subtly moved closer to the golden flood dragon, their bodies briefly touching. The flood dragon, in contrast, stood tall and smiled at me warmly, a stark difference from the molten dragon's attitude. Yet, even as they were opposites in demeanor, there seemed to be something unspoken between them, a connection forming.

I couldn't help but wonder if there was something going on between those two. The thought made me itch with curiosity. I wanted so badly to enter my own beast world to see what they were up to when I wasn't around. The unknown was killing me.

"Let's do it in three!" I declared, my voice brimming with anticipation for the adventure ahead.