Kai kept his gaze fixed on the panel for a few more seconds as the system finished stabilizing in front of him, his fingers slowly coming to a stop while he examined the new interface. “Let’s see…” he muttered as he extended his hand and opened the map once again.

  [System][New Zones Unlocked]

  Kai narrowed his eyes as multiple points of light began appearing across the map, his breathing halting for a second when one of the names became visible: Dragoness Dungeon. He tilted his head slightly while his gaze moved across each of the newly revealed areas. “This…” he murmured, shifting his weight onto his back leg.

  Dragoness Dungeon [Rank: ??]

  He frowned as his fingers tensed slightly. “Unknown?” he said, tilting his chin a little. His gaze dropped toward the other zone as the system expanded the avaible information.

  City and Guild Zone [Dominion required to unlock further zones]

  Kai exhaled through his nose while crossing his arms over his chest. “Dominion?” he murmured, his eyes locked onto the city icon.

  [System][Advice: Become the Guild Leader to conquer the city]

  He blinked once as his gaze settled on the new line. Guild Leader? He tilted his chin slightly as his fingers came to a slow stop. “I don’t think controlling a guild will be that difficult… especially after my recent level increase,” Kai said with a faint smile.

  His gaze returned to the final option as he expanded the avaible information.

  Dragoness Dungeon [Rank: ??][Insufficient Information]

  He frowned as his hand came to rest on his club.

  [System][The Dragoness is susceptible to Dominion][Subjugate her to gain control of the dungeon]

  Subjugate her… he thought as Katherine and the new catgirl, Sira, came to mind. I doubt they’ll mind if I add a dragoness.

  He slowly let out a breath as his fingers began moving across the panel once more.

  A city through guilds.

  “If I head to the Dragoness Dungeon first, I might end up getting killed…” he murmured as he explored other possibilities. “But if I go for the city first and take control of the guild, I can use them as pawns.” A smile slowly formed across his face. “It won’t be as difficult as I thought.”

  His fingers stopped moving as his gaze dropped toward the ground in thought.

  A new life.A new world.Girls who followed him without questioning his every decision.

  Nothing like the shitty life he had before.

  He lifted his gaze again while shifting his weight forward. “Thank you, Goddess,” he murmured, tilting his head slightly.

  [System][Say it again, please]

  He blinked once, narrowing his eyes.

  [System][I couldn’t hear you clearly. Repeat it.]

  He exhaled through his nose while crossing his arms. “Thanks…” he muttered, looking away.

  [System][Again]

  His jaw tightened as his fingers tensed. “No. I’m not repeating it,” he said, tilting his chin slightly. “You’re just like the Greek gods. Equally praise-hungry,” he muttered, shifting his weight onto his other leg.

  [System][Yet you enjoy being praised as well, and you're not a god]

  Kai remained silent for a second, his gaze hardening. He didn’t care. He didn’t need to be understood.

  He extended his hand once more and opened his status panel.

  “Well, after that many levels… I must’ve unlocked something new,” he murmured.

  [System][Detecting user progression]

  Kai narrowed his eyes as multiple lines began appearing in front of him.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 6][Basic Enemy Evaluation][Allows visualization of Target Level and Role]

  “What does that even do?” Kai asked, tilting his chin slightly.

  [System][Previously, you could only visualize the Level and Role of your subordinates][You may now visualize the Level and Role of your enemies]

  Good… I might’ve run into someone stronger without even knowing.

  “What’s next? We still have nine more levels to go,” he murmured while shifting his weight onto his back leg.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 7][Command Aura][Nearby subordinates receive +5% Strength and +5% Defense]

  Kai exhaled through his nose while crossing his arms. “They get stronger when they’re close to me,” he muttered quietly. “Next,” he said with an authoritative tone.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 8][Combat Step][Increases user movement speed during combat maneuvers]

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 9][Mark Target][Damage inflicted by subordinates increases if the target has been previously wounded by the user]

  Kai remained silent for a moment, his gaze hardening.

  I start it… they finish it.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 10][Controlled Fury][Increases speed by 5% and defense proportional to active bonuses]

  His hand rested on the club as he analyzed the description.

  More pressure… without losing control.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 11][Martial Command][Allows mental commands to be issued to linked subordinates][Limitation: Subordinates cannot respond mentally]

  Kai blinked once.

  Commands without speaking.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 12][Impact Ssh][Struck enemies are pushed back several meters]

  His gaze dropped toward his weapon.

  Break formations…

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 13][Vitality Link][Allows the user to transfer HP to prevent a subordinate from falling in battle]

  Kai remained still for a second.

  Keep them alive…

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 14][Crushing Charge][A full-body charge capable of knocking down enemies or breaking formations]

  Useful for opening a path during group combat.

  [System][Skill Unlocked — Level 15][Forced Training][The selected subordinate may obtain 50% of the EXP gained by the user]

  Kai stopped moving.

  “Fifty percent…” he said, savoring the number as he pronounced it. “That means I could make someone level up without them even fighting. I love accelerated growth,” Kai said, visibly pleased.

  Kai slowly closed the panel while shifting his weight forward.

  “Perfect… I need to fight someone. Who will it be?” he murmured as a faint smile appeared on his face.

  Now then.