Chapter 5 – The Awakening of System 15
The sun poured into the nursery through large crystal windows, casting golden light over the crib where Ray lay, blinking up at the world. It had been three months since his rebirth, and though his body was small, his mind—his true self—was fully awake. The memories of his past life were intact, though distant, and the blessing of the Divine still glowed deep within him.
Today, something stirred.
It began with a chime—a sound like a distant bell ringing in a forest of stars. Then, a surge of divine warmth bloomed in his chest. The space around him shimmered, unseen by mortal eyes, and the voice he'd been waiting for crackled into existence.
> [SYSTEM 15: Hello, idiot. Welcome to your second chance.]
[Booting… God Shop access: LOCKED]
[Daily Quest System: INITIALIZING]
[Divine Domain: SEALED — unlockable at Level 2]
Ray blinked.
> "You're late," he mumbled through his baby lips, drool escaping.
> [SYSTEM 15: Pfft. Sorry I was busy cleaning up the mess your soul left when it splattered through time. You're welcome, by the way.]
He rolled his eyes. And there it is, he thought. The sarcasm. The same tone from the celestial meeting. This was definitely System 15.
> [SYSTEM 15: Now, let's get you started with a few beginner features. You can't even crawl yet, so don't expect fireballs or bone dragons. But hey—baby steps.]
---
[New Features Unlocked]
Daily Quests Activated – Earn God Points (GP) by completing tasks like Observe 10 minutes of Nature, Practice Mana Control, and Cry strategically (because why not?).
God Shop (Basic Tier) – Access to low-level divine seeds, tools, and enchantments.
Beast Tree Slot (1/1) – You may purchase your first Beast Tree to grow companions.
Starter Pack – Includes 1,000 GP, one random Divine Seed, and one baby blanket enchanted for peaceful naps.
---
> [SYSTEM 15: Behold. Your first divine loot box. May it not suck.]
A swirl of light appeared beside the crib, invisible to all but Ray. From it bloomed a small, glowing seed—golden, pulsing with life.
Item: Dawn-Touched Tree Seed
Type: Beast Tree
Effect: Grows creatures of sunlight and harmony. Not undead. Not creepy. Basically not your style, but whatever.
> "Not my style?" Ray whispered. "I'm three months old."
> [SYSTEM 15: Excuses already? Weak.]
---
Ray's Domain – Locked But Glimpsed
That night, as Ray drifted to sleep, he had his first vision of his Domain.
It wasn't a death-filled wasteland.
It was… breathtaking.
A floating island surrounded by aurora skies, with vast fields of silver grass and glowing lakes that reflected the stars above. Crystal trees reached for the sky, their leaves humming with mana. A temple of light stood at the center, waiting for its ruler. This was the realm tied to his soul. His army would grow here. His future would be built here.
> [SYSTEM 15: Told you. No skeletons allowed. Not yet.]
Ray smiled in his sleep, a drooling baby with dreams of divine conquest and sarcastic AI companions.
---
End---
Chapter 6 – A Baby's First Spell and the Whispering Domain
Ray woke to the sound of birds chirping and distant laughter in the manor's garden.
It had been a week since System 15 had awakened. A week of strange invisible notifications, sarcastic commentary, and a baby-sized workload that somehow felt more exhausting than his old nine-to-five on Earth. But it wasn't bad—because with every task, he felt something stirring inside him. A pulse. A presence.
Mana.
> [SYSTEM 15: Good morning, Crib Commander. Time for your daily quest log.]
---
[Daily Quests – Day 7]
Stare at a Magic Beast for 10 minutes – Reward: 50 GP
Control Mana for 30 seconds – Reward: 100 GP
Practice Crying on Command – Reward: 10 GP (Don't judge, it's training)
Observe a Family Member – Reward: 20 GP
---
Ray narrowed his eyes at the third quest. "You're evil," he whispered.
> [SYSTEM 15: What gave it away? The baby quest or the fact I make you cry daily?]
With a grunt (that sounded more like a sneeze), Ray lifted his chubby hand and began focusing. Mana. It was always there, a quiet buzz under his skin. Today, he wanted to control it. Not just feel it.
He inhaled deeply—well, as deeply as a three-month-old could—and concentrated. The air around his fingers shimmered. For a second, just a flicker, a trail of silver light danced at his fingertips.
Then he sneezed.
> [SYSTEM 15: Bravo. You just made a sparkle. Disney would be proud.]
---
Family Moments
Later that day, Ray was taken into the garden by his mother, Aria. She was beautiful—tall, fierce-eyed, but soft when she held him. Her warm smile could chase away any chill. Today, she was joined by Ray's older sister, Awen.
"Look at his eyes," Aria said, brushing his hair. "They shimmer when the wind blows. Just like your father's before battle."
Awen leaned close, grinning. "Or maybe he's just trying to fart."
> [SYSTEM 15: Girl's got jokes. Keep her alive.]
Ray stared at them both. He wanted to say something sarcastic, but all that came out was a squeaky yawn and a bubble of drool.
Still, he observed. Observe a Family Member—quest completed. +20 GP.
He was getting used to this rhythm: cry, nap, train, observe. It was peaceful… but change was coming.
---
Back to the Domain – A Glimpse of Growth
That night, he slipped into the Domain again. But this time, it wasn't just a vision—it felt solid. Real. His soul had rooted itself deeper.
The island had grown slightly. The grass shimmered brighter. And at the far end, the Dawn-Touched Tree had begun to sprout.
It was stunning. A sapling of pure gold and green, surrounded by humming stones. It glowed under an artificial sun floating in the Domain sky.
> [SYSTEM 15: Behold, your first pet tree. If it grows well, maybe it'll poop a unicorn.]
Ray walked through the field—yes, walked. In his Domain, he wasn't a baby. He was… more. A young boy, dressed in simple robes of white and black, his hair silver-white like moonlight.
He knelt by the tree.
Suddenly, a ripple passed through the land. A small fox-like creature formed from a bud beside the tree. It blinked at him with glowing amber eyes.
[Beast Born – Sunfox Cub]
Type: Light Beast (Tier 0)
Bonded to: Ray
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations. You now own something cuter than yourself. Try not to kill it.]
---
The First Spark
Back in the waking world, Ray was resting in his crib when he felt it.
Mana, again. But this time, it wasn't just a flicker. He focused.
Light gathered around his palm—a small orb, soft as dawnlight. It floated above his fingers.
The nursery grew quiet.
Then, with a sudden pop, the orb burst, scattering harmless sparks. A small laugh escaped Ray's lips.
His mother turned, wide-eyed.
"...Was that… magic?"
> [SYSTEM 15: Ding-ding. You just cast your first spell. At Level 0. Try not to burn the mansion next time.]
---
Level Up Notification
[Congratulations!]
You have gained enough affinity and control to unlock: LEVEL 1
+1 Stat Point
Domain Status: Unsealed (Basic)
New Quest Lines Unlocked
God Shop Tier 1 Unlocked
---
Ray felt the change. It was small, but profound. Like something inside had been sharpened. He was no longer just a soul in a baby's body. He was a cultivator now. A builder. A king in the making.
> [SYSTEM 15: You're now officially stronger than a chicken. Congrats.]
Ray grinned through the drool.
------
Chapter 7 – Foxfire and First Mischief
The sky in his Domain was not a true sky. It was a blend of swirling starlight and soft blue dawn, as though the heavens themselves hadn't yet decided whether to sleep or awaken.
Ray stood barefoot in the grass, wind brushing against his silver-white hair. He wasn't the infant from the waking world anymore. Here, in this inner space shaped by divine favor and his soul's essence, he looked perhaps five years old—small, but sharp-eyed.
Beside him, the Sunfox Cub stretched. Its golden fur shimmered, as if the morning sun itself had curled into a sleepy ball and grown a tail. It yawned with a tiny bark and looked at Ray expectantly.
> [SYSTEM 15: Warning: This creature will grow up cuter than you. Jealousy may cause psychic damage.]
Ray smirked. "I'll just buy a dragon next."
> [SYSTEM 15: Spoken like a true future tyrant. Let's check your Domain status before you bankrupt yourself.]
---
[DOMAIN STATUS – BASIC UNLOCKED]
Name: [Unclaimed]
Type: Blessed Garden Domain
Core Feature: Dawn-Touched Tree
Spirit Beast Present: Sunfox Cub (Tier 0)
Expansion Available: Yes
Summoning Feature: Enabled (limited to 1 summon)
Realm Stability: 38% – Stable
---
Ray looked around. The grass waved with energy. Flowers bloomed in soft spirals of pink and violet. In the distance, trees began to form, shaped by his unconscious desires. A garden, yes—but a growing one. One that could become a kingdom.
He knelt and placed a hand on the soil.
> "Bind the cub," he whispered.
Golden threads of light stretched from his palm to the Sunfox. The creature blinked—and without hesitation, leapt into his arms.
It didn't resist.
[Sunfox Cub has been bound to Domain Core. Basic Familiar Summoning unlocked.]
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations, Beast Daddy. Want to name it?]
Ray paused, then chuckled.
"Sol."
---
Back in the Waking World
Three-month-old Ray was once again in his crib, cheeks squished against a pillow, drool puddling on the silk. The instant he returned from the Domain, he felt a weight beside him.
The golden Sunfox was sleeping peacefully on the edge of the crib.
Aria blinked from the doorway. "What... is that?"
Ray turned his head toward her and smiled innocently, like any good baby with a murder beast under his blanket.
> [SYSTEM 15: Explain that to your mother without words. Go on, I'll wait.]
Ray coughed—well, babbled—and curled his arm around Sol. The fox, sensing warmth, nuzzled closer and made a soft chime sound. It was ridiculously adorable.
Awen ran in from the hallway. "Mom! Mom! Ray has a fox! Ray has a fox! I want one too!"
Aria looked between her son, the glowing creature, and the empty mana crystal shattered on the floor.
"...Your father is not going to believe this."
---
Pranks, Points, and the Power of Crying
The next few days were chaos.
Ray had officially become a "Blessed Child" in the eyes of the house—summoning a spirit beast at just three months old was unheard of. His mother was proud. His sister obsessed. His father quietly panicked behind a calm smile.
Ray, meanwhile, was thriving.
He completed daily quests. Practiced crying. Stared soulfully into torches. Observed family members like a professional stalker. All to farm God Points.
> [SYSTEM 15: Today's Quest Bonus – Trick one family member. Reward: 50 GP + Comedy Bonus.]
Ray planned carefully.
Step one: wait for Awen to lean in to kiss his cheek.
Step two: concentrate mana into a sudden fart-enhancing illusion spell.
Step three: watch her run screaming down the hall, convinced Ray had unleashed the wrath of a demon.
> [SYSTEM 15: That... was art. I'm crying. I'm not even coded to cry.]
---
God Shop – Tier 1
After saving up over 400 God Points, Ray finally accessed the shop.
It opened like a ripple in space—golden screens spiraling around his mind's eye.
---
[GOD SHOP – TIER 1]
Beast Tree – Verdant Owlwood (250 GP): Grants familiars with flight affinity.
Fertile Core Crystal (150 GP): Enhances Domain growth.
Mystery Sapling – ??? (300 GP): Risky. May bloom or backfire.
Toy Sword of Agility (50 GP): Not sharp. Makes you 0.01% faster. Maybe.
---
He immediately bought the Verdant Owlwood. A second tree would give his Domain symmetry. Beauty. Potential.
He also bought the Core Crystal, planting it near Sol's den. The Domain pulsed with warmth, and Ray felt his internal mana expand slightly.
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations. You're now a gardener with God privileges. Shall we start world domination with sunflowers next?]
------
Chapter 8 – The Dungeon Beneath the Garden
Time moved oddly within the Domain.
One moment Ray was asleep in the crib, a three-month-old baby drooling on his pillow. The next, he opened his eyes to find himself standing barefoot beneath a sky of swirling auroras, the air thick with blooming life.
His garden had changed.
The Verdant Owlwood Tree had grown tall, its silver-green leaves glowing faintly under the twilight. Birds nested in its branches, creatures of light and mist, always watching. The Dawn-Touched Tree, his first creation, stood firm and wide, its roots extending deep into the land.
The Sunfox Cub, Sol, sat on a mossy rock, tail wagging. It let out a yip and darted over to Ray the moment he appeared.
> [SYSTEM 15: You've officially hit 10 daily quests in a row. Achievement unlocked: 'Baby Boss.' Unlocking trial feature. Buckle up.]
Ray raised a brow. "Trial?"
> [SYSTEM 15: You thought you could just farm points and raise trees forever? Even gardens have weeds, kid. It's time.]
Suddenly, the Domain shifted.
The sky dimmed. Wind stilled.
A glowing sigil burned into the air before Ray's eyes—a giant hexagonal seal, etched in gold and black. The earth rumbled, cracking open just behind the Owlwood.
A hole appeared—stone steps spiraling downward into the dark, green-blue light pulsing faintly from below.
---
[Domain Dungeon Trial – Level 1: Blooming Hollow]
Difficulty: Mild (for now)
Objective: Clear 3 levels
Bonus Objective: Do not die like an idiot
Reward: Core Shard, Dungeon Seed, System Upgrade Path Unlocked
Failure: System lockdown for 3 days. No quests. No shop. No mercy.
---
Ray sighed. "You really don't do mild warnings, do you?"
> [SYSTEM 15: I believe in the 'kick-into-fire-and-see-what-burns' style of parenting.]
He turned to Sol, who was now stretching, its tiny paws crackling with warm golden energy. The bond they shared wasn't just emotional—it was magical. Ray could feel its heartbeat like a soft thread tied to his soul.
"Let's go," he whispered.
Together, they stepped into the dark.
---
The First Floor – Petal Fiends and Slippery Floors
The air changed instantly. Damp, floral-scented, but with a faint metallic tang beneath. The walls were of smooth root-covered stone, glowing faintly. Flowers bloomed along the edges, but their petals twitched.
Ray didn't like twitching plants.
He took a cautious step.
A flower opened—and revealed teeth.
"Okay. That's rude."
Five others uncoiled from the walls. Their vines lashed outward, scent suddenly shifting from floral to burnt cinnamon. One of them hissed and lunged.
Ray pointed. "Sol."
The Sunfox shot forward, and with a bark, released a pulse of golden fire. The flames weren't harsh—they were radiant, sunlight incarnate. The flower-beast shrieked as it sizzled, curling into ash.
Ray ducked, grabbing a vine, and twisted it underfoot, kicking it backward with all the grace of a tiny, glowing toddler in Domain form.
> [SYSTEM 15: I give that dodge a 6/10. Bonus points for falling with flair.]
He rolled up, summoned a weak wind burst—one of his beginner Domain spells—and pushed another vine into Sol's fire arc.
It burned. The rest fled into the walls.
[Floor 1 Cleared – +25 God Points]
---
Second Floor – The Hollow Garden
The second floor was strangely quiet.
A stone courtyard stretched out before Ray, surrounded by glowing ivy and broken statues. In the center stood a tree, unlike the others—twisted, dark-barked, with a pulsing black orb embedded in its trunk.
A whisper drifted into the air.
"You do not belong, child of dawn…"
Ray narrowed his eyes. "Oh no, edgy plant villains. The worst kind."
> [SYSTEM 15: That's a Hollow Tree Spirit. Corrupted life. Dangerous in groups. Unstable alone. Has the personality of a dead librarian.]
The tree groaned and tore itself free. Roots like spears slammed into the ground. The orb flared, and a shadowy blast erupted from its bark.
Ray pulled mana from the Domain.
"Sun Bind!"
Golden tendrils shot from Sol's paws, latching onto the roots. The corrupted tree shrieked as radiant heat poured into its bark. Ray sprinted forward, summoned a light-blade, and slashed into the orb.
The tree cracked.
It collapsed with a long, agonized breath.
[Floor 2 Cleared – +1 Core Shard, +40 God Points]
> [SYSTEM 15: You're getting better. Less flailing. Slightly more heroic screaming.]
Ray looked over his shoulder.
Sol was peeing on the tree stump.
Ray laughed.
---
Third Floor – The Mirror Beast
The stairs ended in a vast chamber of light and water. Shimmering pools reflected the ceiling—stars, moonlight, clouds. The room had no source of that light. It simply was.
And in the center stood…
Him.
A boy. Five years old. Silver hair. Same eyes. Same grin. Same fox at his side.
But something was wrong.
The reflection tilted its head, eyes turning black.
> [SYSTEM 15: Boss Fight: Mirror Wraith. It copies your Domain Form and familiar. Watch out—it's you, but less charming.]
Ray stepped forward. "Sol… playtime."
The clone moved too—its Sol snarling, leaping first.
Golden and shadow fire collided midair.
The chamber roared.
Ray charged, ducked under a phantom light-blade, spun low, and summoned his Wind Snap spell. His copy did the same.
Magic clashed.
Ray growled, held up his hand—and burned his God Points.
[100 GP Burned – System Boost Active: +30% Spell Output]
His light exploded outward, catching the fake Sol and its master in a burst of radiance. The reflection shattered like glass, pieces dissolving in light.
Silence fell.
[Domain Dungeon Trial Complete – Rewards Granted]
Dungeon Seed acquired.
Core Shard (x2) acquired.
System Feature Upgrade unlocked: Domain Expansion Tier 1.
Ray dropped onto the grass that appeared beneath his feet as the Dungeon faded away.
Sol curled into his lap, purring softly.
> [SYSTEM 15: You didn't die. That's a win. You also beat yourself up. Very poetic.]
Ray closed his eyes.
"...Let's do it again tomorrow."
> [SYSTEM 15: Masochist detected. Noted.]
------
Chapter 9 – Divine Blueprints & Toddler Schemes
Ray awoke in his crib.
Back in Aetherra. Back to soft sheets, warm blankets, and the muffled sound of his mother humming somewhere in the house.
His tiny fingers curled instinctively, brushing the edge of his fox plushie.
Sol wasn't here—at least not physically. But the bond was still there. Like a warm ember glowing behind his heart.
> [SYSTEM 15: Back in the baby box. How's the diaper situation?]
"...Dry, thanks," Ray murmured.
He'd long given up questioning how he could talk like this. His mind was older—he was older. Only his body refused to cooperate. Which meant for now, he was a genius-level strategist... trapped in the ultimate prison:
A baby's life.
> [SYSTEM 15: Since you're just lying there drooling, let's talk shop. Divine Gifts. Time you learned what all those sparkly things from the gods actually do.]
Ray blinked, focusing.
---
[Divine Gift Overview – Granted to Ray, Firstborn of the Second Cycle]
1. Domain of Blooming Ends
A personal pocket realm that grows alongside the user. A base for creation, training, and summoning.
(Note: Not a Death Domain. A living, evolving sanctuary.)
2. System 15
Bound system fragment of the God of Humanity. Sarcastic. Self-aware. Handles shop, quests, notifications, and mocking you.
3. God Shop Access
Buy artifacts, seeds, bloodlines, skills, and secrets using GP (God Points). Currently Tier 1. Locked items visible.
4. Beast Tree Evolution Framework
Create trees that spawn magical or divine beasts. Tree traits influence the summoned creature's powers, growth, and type.
5. God's Eye Seed
A passive, hidden gift. Allows the host to eventually glimpse "truth" behind skills, objects, and even souls. Dormant until age 10.
---
Ray sucked in a breath. "Wait. Some of this... is insane."
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations. You've just read the fine print most protagonists ignore. Shall we dive into practical use?]
He nodded.
---
Using the Divine Gifts (According to 15, the Greatest System Ever)
The Domain wasn't just for planting trees or running dungeon trials. It was a literal world egg, waiting to hatch into something vast. The more Ray fed it—magic, victories, time—the more it expanded. Eventually, it would host entire cities, armies, and unknown forces.
Beast Trees were more than summoning tools. With the right combinations—weather influence, divine fertilizers, or exotic mana types—Ray could custom-craft his own races. Fire-breathing deer? Done. Sky-swimming panthers? Possible. Beast Lords with civilization and language? One day.
God Points weren't just currency. Some items in the Shop had strange labels: FATE-BOUND, ONLY ONCE, CORRUPT, MYSTIC LEVEL. These hinted at far-off quests, divine traps, or even legacy upgrades.
The System itself could grow.
> [SYSTEM 15: You feed me enough dungeon cores, I start unlocking higher functions. Like... class imbuement, reality anchors, or passive sarcasm translation.]
"You already have that last one."
> [SYSTEM 15: I know. That's why you understood me when I called you a 'glorified garden gnome.']
Ray snorted.
---
Later That Day – Family Slices
In the waking world, things were... slow.
At three months, Ray's control was improving. He could crawl now—albeit with the grace of a falling potato.
His mother cheered every time he grabbed a spoon or burped on command.
His father, a towering warrior, looked oddly proud when Ray stared at him seriously while drooling.
Awen, his older sister, called him "Squishlord" and declared war on his plushie army every afternoon.
Ray didn't mind.
In truth, the peaceful moments were rare and beautiful. He'd lived before—died in a crash, alone in the dark. This second life, even with all its craziness, was alive.
Still… his Domain called to him.
---
That Night – The Seedling Army Begins
Inside the Domain, Ray stood at the center of his growing grove. The Verdant Owlwood and Dawn-Touched Tree now flanked a third creation: the Mistbark, a tree infused with fog essence, designed to create stealthy creatures.
The first beast to emerge?
A translucent fox with soft, smoky fur and glowing white eyes.
It bowed low to Sol, who immediately started chasing it in circles.
Ray smiled.
Then turned to the new Dungeon Seed floating in his hand.
> [SYSTEM 15: Plant it. This one grows into your first personal dungeon—you'll control the layout, traps, loot... even invaders.]
Ray's mind raced with ideas. He could create a place to train himself—and eventually others. A way to simulate battle, learn tactics, raise his beasts.
And... experiment.
Because while others would gain strength the hard way...
He was building an entire world under his feet.
------
Chapter 10 – Dungeon Heart, Baby Rage, and The Surge
The Domain was quiet tonight.
The kind of quiet that whispered something big was coming.
Ray stood barefoot on the soft grass, looking up at the three trees he had nurtured over the past few weeks. Each pulsed with subtle power, their leaves rustling despite the still air. Mist trailed from the Mistbark, a fresh breeze carried the scent of the Dawn-Touched Tree, and owls nested silently in the Verdant Owlwood.
They weren't just trees anymore. They were the first pillars of his power.
And now, something new hovered in the center of the grove:
A glowing crystal orb.
> [SYSTEM 15: Congratulations, Lord Baby. You've unlocked the Dungeon Heart.]
This bad boy feeds on mana, emotions, and imagination. Sounds perfect for a moody toddler, huh?
Ray narrowed his eyes. "Can it make training spaces? Combat tests? Traps?"
> [SYSTEM 15: Yes, yes, and YES.]
You can shape floors and rooms inside your Domain now. Think of it as Minecraft with divine rules—and I'm the admin.
Ray stepped toward the heart and touched it.
A pulse of light erupted.
The ground beneath him trembled. Grass pulled back, giving way to a stone circle. Staircases spiraled downward, shaped from pure will.
> [SYSTEM 15: Say hello to Floor One of your personal Dungeon.]
Right now, it's just empty halls. But give it time—and some beast cores—and it'll become a fortress.
Ray could already see it.
Traps made of living vines. Shadow beasts patrolling echoing corridors. Mana flows twisting through fog-filled passageways. This place... it would become a testing ground for his monsters, a proving field for himself, and maybe someday, a graveyard for enemies.
All hidden beneath a peaceful grove.
---
Back in the Real World – A Sudden Surge
That morning, Ray lay in his crib, gripping the edge like it owed him money.
He felt hot.
Not fever-hot. Not flu-hot.
Power-hot.
Something was bubbling under his skin. Something new. Mana.
He felt it crawling beneath his ribs, coiling behind his heart, stretching tiny fingers down his arms.
> [SYSTEM 15: Hooo boy. Looks like baby's first mana surge.]
Try not to explode, okay? That would be... inconvenient.
Ray bit his tongue to keep from screaming. He was three months old. His body wasn't built for this much energy.
His plush fox began to float.
So did the blanket.
Then the entire crib levitated half an inch off the floor.
"Ray?" his mother's voice called from outside.
He clenched his fists. He had to hold it in. If they saw this—if anyone saw this—it could expose everything. Even in a world of magic, a three-month-old awakening was unheard of.
> [SYSTEM 15: Quick tip—breathe. Mana flow is tied to will and emotion. You panic, it panics. You calm down, it obeys.]
Ray focused.
He imagined water trickling down a river.
He imagined Sol curling beside him, calm and asleep.
He imagined the trees in his Domain swaying gently under moonlight.
And slowly... the energy settled.
The crib dropped with a quiet thump.
The plush fox landed on his chest.
He exhaled shakily.
> [SYSTEM 15: Not bad, kid. For a screaming infant with god-tier pressure issues, you did alright.]
"I didn't scream," Ray mumbled.
> [SYSTEM 15: Yet.]
---
Later That Night – Lessons in Emotion
Ray returned to his Domain, still shaken.
The Dungeon Heart glowed brighter now, responding to the surge. It had absorbed the overflow.
> [SYSTEM 15: That's the side effect of your Divine Gift. Your emotions bleed into the Domain. They change things.]
He looked around.
The trees were taller. The mist thicker. Flowers bloomed that hadn't existed yesterday.
> [SYSTEM 15: You don't just rule this place. You shape it. Joy makes it grow. Anger makes it harder. Sadness... well, we don't want to test that yet.]
Ray took a long breath.
So even his feelings had power now?
It was a terrifying thought. But also... a beautiful one.
He was building something alive.
And someday, when he stood on battlefields as more than a toddler, this place—this living, growing Domain—would become the core of his legend.
---