Chapter 125 – Lordship
Kai Xiusu’s Character Sheet flickered with new data.
[You have conquered a city of ten thousand souls. Achievement Unlocked: Special Armor Classhievement — Lordship]
Armor Classhievement — Lordship
"Here shall be my domain, and I shall be the Lordship of the world!" — Conqueror Odic
Traits Acquired:
[Dictatorial Edict]
Charisma +1, Leadership Proficiency +6
Through sheer force, you have subdued city after city. Your tyrannical Leadership instills dread in all who dwell under your rule. Those within your realm—your so-called "subjects"—cannot defy your orders without fear. Moreover, your decrees now take root as natural, unyielding Edicts woven into the very fabric of your territory.
(Note: All Player characters aligned with your faction and residing within your Territory must succeed a Harsh Willpower Roll when attempting to break the law, or be instantly slain. Based on your current Territory size and population, you may currently issue up to 3 active Edicts.)
An invisible Strength wrapped around Kai Xiusu like a mantle of power.
His Charisma surged further—now reaching a staggering 26 points—nearly on par with ancient dragons who had lived for nearly a millennium and whose souls were deeply entwined with the world itself.
And within his mind, a peculiar energy emerged—something akin to Psionic Force, dormant yet waiting to be summoned.
“Dictatorial Edict… interesting.”
“Perfect for controlling Players.”
Players may seem chaotic, wild, and free—but beneath it all, they are bound by the strictest Order of all: the System.
Every action they take, every battle they fight, every level they gain—each follows the unbreakable rules of the System.
Now, with [Dictatorial Edict], Kai Xiusu could become a System Administrator in spirit. He could impose precise, meticulous control over Player behavior—shaping their actions, bending their choices, until obedience became second nature. Until they willingly became Laborers, serving Ashen Hollow without question.
“Let’s see how this works.”
With that thought, Kai Xiusu channeled the invisible force within his will and issued his first Dictatorial Edict.
Knowing the Players as he did, he was certain they would break it—soon.
[Theft is forbidden within this land.]
“Damn, this city’s way bigger than Bathor City,” one Player muttered.
“Yeah.”
“Hear it’s got ten thousand people inside.”
“Holy crap, the model’s so realistic—the city walls look like they’ve stood for centuries.”
The Players stood at the City Gate, gazing up at Telo City’s towering, centuries-old walls—imposing, weather-worn, unyielding.
“So much loot could be hidden in a place this big,” said a Player whose ID was Night Poet.
The others turned sharply, their expressions turning wary. They instinctively stepped back.
Night Poet was a Rogue subclass — [Thief] — now level three, infamous for his pickpocketing skills. Alongside Langli BaiTiao, he was known as one of the Mine Shaft Two Dogs, having stolen countless coins and gear from new Players in Darkness’s Mine Shaft.
His Profession Traits — [Quick Hands] and [Climbing Thief] made him nearly untouchable. He’d steal and vanish before anyone even realized they’d been robbed. Victims were left furious, powerless, and often vented their rage by posting his name on the Forum in helpless fury.
“Get lost, you black beast!”
“Stay away from us!”
The disdain was palpable. After all, he had stolen from over a hundred people.
Night Poet scowled. “I was just commenting. I didn’t do anything. Didn’t steal from you. Why are you acting like I’m about to rob you?”
Once the others had moved on, he pulled out a newly acquired Ring—his fingers curling into a dark, satisfied grin.
[Treasure Ring]
Quality: Common
Description: A remarkably valuable Ring. Can be sold for five gold coins at a Jewelry Shop.
“Hah… nice find.”
With practiced ease, he activated [Climbing Thief], silently scaling the side of a nearby building and leaping onto the rooftop.
Minutes passed.
Then, a Player suddenly froze.
He patted his empty finger.
“Wait… my Ring’s gone!”
“Shit! It’s the black beast!”
He spun around—too late. Night Poet was already gone, vanished into the shadows.
“Next time, I’m tagging him with you!”
“Fucking monster! Pure filth!”
“This was my reward after ten hours of grinding—gone!”
As the Players mourned their losses, Night Poet had already picked the lock on a complex mechanism and slipped into a lavish, opulent Manor.
“Hah… Bathor City was nothing but a dump. And those damn Peacekeepers were a pain.”
“This… this is where real thieves belong.”
Inside, golden chandeliers glowed above ornate redwood cabinets brimming with priceless jewels and rare artifacts.
Night Poet’s eyes lit up with greedy anticipation.
“That Necklace? Worth fifteen gold. That Bracelet? Eleven. This Pendant? Twenty-one. These Earrings? Six.”
“Hah… my darlings… I’m home.”
Suddenly—his body locked up.
His Character Sheet flashed violently.
[You have violated Edict #1: Theft is Forbidden]
[You must make a Willpower Roll]
[Target: 20. Your current roll result: 2]
[Willpower Roll Failed]
[Status: Death]
He barely managed to gasp two words:
“…I fucking—”
Then, a crushing, invisible force exploded inside his skull.
CRACK.
His head burst open like a rotten melon—splattering red and white across the floor.
---
The next day, rumors spread through the city.
In Lord Burton’s manor, several headless corpses were found—scattered across different rooms. All the locks had been forced open.
It was said these were loyalists of Dawson Vileur Earl, sent to assassinate Lord Burton, who had surrendered to Ashen Hollow. But they had walked straight into a trap—previously set, and perfectly executed.
Meanwhile, on the Player Forum, dozens of posts erupted.
> "Officially Protesting the Targeting of Rogue Players!"
> "Is the game bugged?!"
> "What the hell is this Edict?!"
> "Theft is part of the world! Banning it breaks the game’s balance!"
But the replies were overwhelmingly mocking—especially in the Night Poet section of the Forum, where victims celebrated like it was a festival.
> "Good karma. Heaven’s Dao delivers justice in cycles."
> "Look up—no one escapes the Official."
> "Black Beast: I stole your gold. Official: I stole your head."
> "Strongly support! Expand this Edict to Bathor City!"
> "Looks like it’s already synced. Now Peacekeepers can’t catch Thief Players—only native Pickpockets."
> "Justice served. Justice served!"
> "Good job, damn official!"
> "Why haven’t I triggered it yet in Northwind Keep? Is it not updated?"
> "Wandering Beast, why don’t you just die already?!"
Kai Xiusu scrolled through the posts, a faint nod of approval on his face.
The punishment had worked. The message was clear.
They now saw his Edict not as a rule—but as a law of the System itself.
Once that door was open, he could introduce harsher, more rigid rules. Step by step. Gradual progression.
He couldn’t afford to go too far too fast. Push them too hard, and they’d abandon Ashen Hollow altogether.
But slowly… oh, so slowly…
They would learn to obey.
And when they did, they would serve.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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