Dominion Bond System: The Only Man Left Has A Yandere Girlfriend

Chapter 64: Night Empress

It had been another week since the Treant Lord fight. Reiji had raided ten more Gates during that time. A mix of E-Rank dungeons and evolved F-Rank ones that shifted the moment he stepped inside.

The nights blurred together with Shadow Step movements and Rupture explosions.

He gained several Dungeon Cores from the bosses he decided to finish off. Now he had enough that only eight more were needed to open the Celestial Plane.

The thought of it still felt distant but reachable.

He finally absorbed the two Monster Cores he had been saving. The only ones obtained so far. The Treant Lord core dissolved into warm energy inside him first. Two new skills appeared in his status.

[Verdant Grow (E)]

[Info: It allowed him to grow and manipulate plants or vines for defense or creating simple barriers.]

[Rainfall (E)]

[Info: A very small range skill that created localized light rain. It helped with mana recovery, slightly boosted plant skills, or created mist for stealth.]

The other Monster Core came from the D-Rank Orc Chieftain he killed earlier. It granted him Blood Rage (D). An active skill that temporarily increased his strength and pain tolerance when activated.

Reiji tested them briefly in the backyard at night. Verdant Grow produced thin vines that wrapped around a training post. Rainfall created a light drizzle over a small area that felt refreshing.

Blood Rage made his muscles surge with power for a short burst. Useful additions. But he still needed to integrate them properly with his existing arsenal.

Morning light filtered gently through the curtains.

Reiji woke slowly. Vel was curled up near his pillow again, purring softly in his sleep.

’My Lord... meow.’

Reiji sighed and rubbed his eyes. "You really need to stop that."

He stretched carefully. His body still carried some pleasant soreness from the week’s raids. Proof that consistent hunting paid off even if Bond Points lagged behind.

After getting up he went through his usual morning routine. Washed up quickly. Changed into comfortable training clothes. Then equipped the Mana Suppressing Weights from his inventory.

The familiar crushing pressure settled over him immediately. Movements became heavier. Mana circulation slowed. It was uncomfortable but necessary for growth.

Downstairs he prepared a simple breakfast. Vel watched from the counter with obvious interest.

’My Lord’s cooking skills have improved remarkably this week.’

Reiji smirked slightly. "Flattery still won’t get you extra portions."

Vel looked disappointed but ate happily once served. The telepathic cat offered occasional commentary while Reiji ate his own share in silence. The domestic moment felt grounding after nights of blood and explosions.

After breakfast Reiji moved to the treadmill.

The daily quest run under the weights demanded full focus. Each step fought against the added resistance. Sweat built up quickly across his back and forehead. His mind reviewed the new skills while he ran.

Verdant Grow could pair well with Shadow Step for ambushes. Rainfall might create useful cover during escapes. Blood Rage would be a last resort for tough bosses.

He continued with strength exercises afterward. Bone sword forms mixed with Mana Manipulation practice. Shadow Step chaining in the limited living room space.

Verdant Grow created small vine barriers that he practiced breaking through. Hours passed in steady focused repetition. Vel mostly napped nearby occasionally waking to request more food or offer random thoughts.

’My Lord works harder than necessary. This servant approves but worries about overexertion.’

Reiji didn’t reply much. Just a small nod here and there. The training kept his thoughts disciplined. Bond Points remained the real wall. EXP kept climbing but levels stayed locked until he pushed connections further.

Evening arrived before he realized it.

Ding!

[Daily Quest Completed!]

[Congratulations Host! You have gained +3 Strength, +2 Speed, +2 Stamina, +1 Intelligence.]

[Hidden Reward – Full Recovery]

Reiji removed the Mana Suppressing Weights. The sudden freedom felt refreshing as always. Fatigue vanished. Mana returned to peak. He collapsed onto the couch with a quiet exhale. Vel immediately shifted closer and napped against his side. The cat’s warmth was surprisingly comforting.

Reiji picked up his phone and started scrolling leisurely. News feeds first. Then social media posts. Random videos from Plush City and nearby areas. One short blurry clip caught his attention.

A passing couple had taken it at night near a Gate. Some awakened had also captured unclear pictures from a distance.

The hooded figure in an oversized hoodie and mask stood near the portal. The image quality was poor but the silhouette was unmistakable. His silhouette.

The news reporter’s voice played clearly.

"Citizens continue reporting sightings of the mysterious Awakened known online as the Night Empress."

Reiji nearly choked.

"The what?"

"The Night Empress."

Reiji stared at the screen.

His eye twitched. "The Night Empress?"

The report continued.

"Speculation regarding the Night Empress’s identity continues to grow. Experts believe she may be an A-Rank or even higher-ranked Awakened operating independently from government organizations and major guilds."

Reiji paused the video.

They really thought it was a woman. That was good. The disguise worked perfectly. No one suspected the last man alive behind the mask and hoodie. Secrecy remained intact for now.

But as he kept scrolling more posts appeared under the blurry pictures and clips. Comments from women flooded the sections.

"She’s so cool and mysterious... I wonder what she looks like under that mask"

"The Night Empress clearing dungeons alone? Imagine her dominating everything in her path. I’d let her clear my dungeon anytime"

"Marry me Night Empress!!!"

"The Night Empress has awakened something in me..."

"Whoever marries the Night Empress has already won at life."

"She gives off the ’cold outside, soft only for one person’ vibe. I volunteer."

"Imagine getting princess-carried by the Night Empress after a raid... I’d never recover."

"Forget princes. I want the Night Empress to sweep me off my feet."

"Bet she’s insanely hot and strong. That aura, ahh... I want her to pin me down after a raid."

"Thirsting hard for the Night Empress. Come protect me too queen."

Reiji felt his face heat up slightly.

Uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.

These women were posting openly naughty and explicit fantasies about the Night Empress. About him. Fantasizing about being dominated by the hooded figure. Marriage proposals mixed with thirst comments on the mysterious powerful woman.

’This is getting weird.’

He was glad everyone assumed it was a girl. It bought him time and safety. The military would chase a powerful female awakened instead of hunting for the last man. But seeing the flirty explicit comments directed at "her" made his skin crawl a little.

Mixed feelings settled in his chest. Relief at the disguise holding strong. Discomfort at the wild fantasies aimed at something that was actually him.

Reiji set the phone down for a moment and leaned back on the couch. Vel stirred slightly against his side but remained asleep.

The Bond Points situation weighed on him again. Still stuck climbing upward just little by little despite the week’s raids and new skills.

Hina’s return would help push them forward. He missed her clingy presence more than expected. Even the dangerous yandere edge felt necessary now.

The Dominion Bond System didn’t make leveling easy. Raids gave strength but connections gave real progress. Relying on one partner carried risks but he had no better options yet.

Reiji stared at the ceiling for a while. The Night Empress comments lingered in his mind. He would need to adjust his routes and timing soon. The military investigations would definitely intensify.