"Rumble!"
A violent explosion thundered through the forested mountains, startling birds and beasts in the distance.
Elsewhere, in a valley.
Soreno looked back, his expression grave as he stared toward the source of the sound for a long while.
Only then did he turn back to the terrified people immobilized before him and say, "It seems I'll have to deal with you quickly. I don't have much time to waste."
They were a group of adventurers clad in leather armor. At some point, he had subdued them and bound them all here.
None of them knew where this High Mage had suddenly come from, nor what he intended to do with them. Every one of them was filled with despair.
The valley was surrounded by rune beasts covered in arcane markings, their bodies mottled with colorful patches and their appearances ferocious.
These were all his creations from the past few days.
Having mastered the "wisdom spark," Soreno could now reproduce Gallo's former soul network to a certain extent, freely plundering the minds and souls of others, then putting substitute copies to work for him.
The adventurers had fallen into Soreno's hands after being ambushed by these rune beasts.
Thus far, however, all of this had been limited to nonhuman intelligent creatures of low and intermediate tiers.
When it came to "Dominate Person," he felt he had yet to achieve complete mastery.
There was therefore still room for further growth.
"Don't worry. Don't be afraid. It will all be over soon..."
Soreno murmured to himself, though it was unclear whether he was comforting them or reassuring himself.
"If you're fortunate enough, you will witness a brand-new era...
That is an honor worthy of being recorded at length!"
He slowly extended his right hand, and wisps of light appeared above their heads.