Eight Dark Lords appeared behind Ethan, serving as the final straw that broke the camel’s back, leaving the heroes of Riverside incapable of resistance.
The aura of nine Dark Lords filled the city, as if announcing the outcome of this battle.
“Seems like Riverside is nothing special after all!” Gnoll Dark Lord laughed heartily, his resolve to become Ethan’s number one minion solidifying.
“It’s time to collect the spoils of victory.” The Lizardman Dark Lord revealed a greedy smile.
He had made a fortune this time, initially having little confidence in the attack on Riverside.
Reluctantly he had joined the siege due to Ethan’s threats and the intimidation of the Dark Lord alliance.
He genuinely despised Ethan and was furious about feeling inferior.
He had intended to merely go through the motions during this mission, bringing only cheap, expendable soldiers.
However, now he was unexpectedly reaping considerable benefits.
The smallest investment brought the greatest returns.
The resources of a human main city… even if he only got a small portion, it would be enough to form a huge army.
Even the usually stoic Werewolf Dark Lord was grinning, his promotion to Rank B almost guaranteed thanks to the spoils of this war.
Succubus Allie was nonchalant because out of all the Dark Lords present, she understood Ethan the best.
She knew that for Ethan, conquering Riverside was just the beginning.
The Geisha Dark Lord and Vampire Dark Lord felt dazed and incredulous…
They were so tired from Ethan’s brutal campaign the previous day that they could barely walk. But within a day, they had seized Riverside.
Ethan, as their man, was basically the ruler of Riverside, which technically made them the city’s mistresses.
The Dark Elf Dark Lord, Tessa Barron, was the most composed one, asking calmly, “So Ethan, have you decided what to do next? After all, this is a city with millions of residents.”
“I have my plans… I might need your help to put on a show, but for now, let’s savour the fruits of victory.”
He ordered his Divine Dragon Warriors to send several captured heroes back to the dungeon.
Ethan transformed into a huge dragon, flying high in the sky, targeting the Riverside troops and heroes still resisting.
Each release of his dragon flame effortlessly claimed lives.
At the same time, his power was growing rapidly.
Siege, slaughter, destruction…
All these actions fitting the title “Dark Lord” significantly boosted their power.
The other Dark Lords noticed this, too.
The nine Dark Lords acted independently, ruthlessly harvesting lives.
Riverside was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire, with screams and cries echoing…
Boom!
After a terrifying blast of dragon flame destroyed a military camp within the city, Ethan heard a notification from the system:
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for reaching Rank A! Unlocking personal panel, unlocking advanced upgrade system, unlocking skill panel, unlocking Dragon Tower.]
[Ding! Detection of the host as the first Dark Lord to reach Rank A. Reward: 1 Gold Chest, 1,000 assorted resources!]
[As the first Dark Lord to advance to Rank A in the Dark Lord faction, the system will broadcast across the server in the Dark Lord world channel! Would you like to remain anonymous?]
Fame is the food that dead men eat.
There’s no benefit in exposing your real identity to the public; it just brings a pile of troubles afterwards.
Ethan chose to remain anonymous right away.
If he had the choice, he wouldn’t even want to broadcast the fact that he had become a Rank A Dark Lord.
[Anonymous.]
After Ethan made his choice, a line of conspicuous red text instantly popped up in the world channel:
[System Announcement: Congratulations to XX Dark Lord for successfully advancing to Rank A, becoming the first Rank A Dark Lord in the Dark Lord faction!]
The bustling world channel fell silent for a few seconds after the announcement before being flooded with messages.
[Merfolk Dark Lord: Holy cow, who is this badass? I’m struggling to advance to Rank C, and someone is already at Rank A?]
[Goblin Dark Lord: Where’s the big guy? Where are you from, big guy? Can you show up and let your little brother get a glimpse of you!]
[Frog Dark Lord: Big guy, please take me with you. Can you add me as a friend in private chat? No matter where you are, I am willing to go there to be your minion!]
[Grass Fairy Dark Lord: Can we get to know each other, big brother? Can we add each other as friends?]
[Giant Dark Lord: Geez, how many versions ahead are you guys? Are we playing the same game? I’m still mining and worrying about food every day, and you guys have already promoted someone to Rank A?]
[Undead Dark Lord: Unfair! I protest! I feel it’s unfair! This is definitely cheating, how can one level up so fast?]
[Merfolk Dark Lord: I second that, I also think this guy must be cheating. This is way too fast!]
[Centaurs Dark Lord: A Rank A Dark Lord is definitely a bigshot in the Sunset Empire. It’s depressing to compare with others.]
[Treant Dark Lord: Is this big brother here? Do you have any guides or something? I am willing to pay a high price for one!]
[Merfolk Dark Lord: I also want to buy, do you sell guides, bro?]
[Giant Dark Lord: +1]
[Frog-man Dark Lord: +1]
…
After glancing at the world channel, Ethan shut it off, having no intention of getting in touch with these guys.
Most of the Dark Lords near Riverside had been recruited by him.
The remaining lone Dark Lords were nothing to fear.
As for the Dark Lords outside Riverside, they were too far away.
Not to mention whether they would genuinely want to pledge allegiance.
Even if they did, he would not be able to control them from this distance.
It would just be an ineffective alliance.
Moreover, now that he had taken over such a large territory, it was time for him to stay low key and quietly develop.
While Ethan was thinking this, several messages popped up in his private chat channel.
They were all from the Dark Lords who had just allied with him.
[Succubus Dark Lord: The one who just advanced to Rank A is you, right?]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): Take a guess.]
[Succubus Dark Lord: Guess my ass.]
…
[Geisha Dark Lord: Congrats.]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): Thanks.]
…
[Vampire Dark Lord: Brother, you’re so tough! So impressive! I have a tiny request. Can I have a taste of your blood? Blood of a Rank A dragon, I really want to drink it.]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): What are you talking about? I didn’t get that.]
…
[Gnoll Dark Lord: Bro, you’re insane, I’m in awe. Bro, can we discuss something? Do you sell your blood?]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): Beat it.]
…
[Werewolf Dark Lord: Brother He, you’re awesome. Come visit my territory someday.]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): Definitely next time.]
…
[Dark Elf Dark Lord: Congrats on reaching Rank A. Didn’t expect you to level up faster than me. Can you visit my territory when you’re free? I have a favor to ask.]
[Divine Dragon Dark Lord (Ethan): Just a stroke of luck. You should be close to Rank A too, right? If a beauty invites, I definitely won’t refuse. You just need to decide the time and place, and private message me.]
[Dark Elf Dark Lord: Sure.]
…
After replying to the messages, Ethan took out the gold chest he just got and licked his lips.𝔬𝗏𝓵xt.𝚌𝒐𝔪
“Gold chest is a rare item, I wonder what good stuff I can get from it. Hope it won’t disappoint me.”
As he clicked to open the chest, a flash of gold light appeared, and the system’s prompt sound rang in Ethan’s ears:
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for opening the gold chest and obtaining the skill “Divine Form”!]
[Divine Form]: A special form that can be activated after Divine Dragon fully stimulates his bloodline power. After activating Divine Form, the host will enter a completely invincible state, immune to all physical and magical damage, while gaining a double all-attribute boost for 180 seconds.
“Holy cow.”
Even with mental preparation, Ethan was still startled by the broken effect of this skill.
Three minutes of invincibility along with double attributes, it meant that he could output full power without stress for three minutes, and wouldn’t take any damage during this period.
Whether in a duel or a group fight, it was a god-tier among god-tier skills.
…
After opening the chest, he clicked the building list and looked at the newly unlocked building.
Dragon Tower: Upon completion, unit [Bipedal Wyvern] will be unlocked.
[Bipedal Wyvern], a Level B monster. Summoning cost: 5000 food, 1000 wood resources, 500 iron resources, 1000 energy powder, 500 crystals, and 10 dragon essence blood. Description: A powerful unit for the late-stage dragon race. High in HP and defense, powerful in battle, excellent in all aspects.
[Name: Bipedal Wyvern]
[Intelligence: Mature Male]
[Strength: Level B]
[Special Ability: Dragon Might (Non-dragon creatures will feel fear upon seeing the Bipedal Wyvern.)]
[Enhancement Direction: Winged Dragon, Poison Dragon, Ground Dragon]
[Acid Dragon Flame: Bipedal Wyvern can spray highly corrosive dragon flame for attacks, doubling the corrosion damage effect on opponents’ metal armor.]