Apocalypse King: The Return of Lucian-Chapter 36: The Unshakable Throne

Chapter 36: The Unshakable Throne

The world outside was in chaos, but within Lucian's domain, there was only power. He stood atop the highest floor of his villa, surveying the apocalyptic wasteland with an unreadable expression. The system had undergone a massive update, granting him absolute dominance, but something unexpected had happened—he had found his old best friend.

The man who once shared school lunches with him, who fought off bullies by his side, was now a survivor in this world. And not just any survivor—

[System Notification]

Subject: Darius Kane has awakened SS-Rank Ability – Titan's Wrath.

Lucian smirked. "SS-Rank, huh?"

A presence approached from behind. Darius stood there, eyes filled with equal parts nostalgia and hunger. His clothes were torn, his body scarred, but his eyes still carried that old fire.

"You haven't changed," Darius said, voice hoarse from exhaustion. "I should've known you'd be on top of all this."

Lucian tossed him a protein bar. "Eat. You look like hell."

Darius caught it with trembling fingers. He didn't hesitate. He devoured it. The apocalypse had turned good men into desperate creatures, but Lucian had transcended all that.

[System Notification]

Would you like to appraise Darius Kane's full status?

Lucian activated his system's analysis function, and the information flowed into his mind.

Name: Darius Kane

Ability: Titan's Wrath (SS-Rank)

Effect: Grants the user overwhelming brute strength, nearly invulnerable skin, and an aura that weakens enemies.

Weakness: Can only sustain peak power for 10 minutes before extreme exhaustion sets in.

Lucian chuckled. Overwhelming power but limited endurance? That was cute.

"You're strong," Lucian admitted.

Darius grinned through a mouthful of food. "You're damn right I am."

Then Lucian's smirk deepened. "But you'll never be stronger than me."

Darius stopped mid-chew. He swallowed slowly. "Oh?"

[System Activation]

New Ability Unlocked: Absolute Dominion

Effect: No matter the opponent's strength, Lucian will always be at least one level above them. No one can surpass him.

Lucian felt the surge of raw authority flow through his veins. His mere presence now suppressed all within his radius.

Darius's body tensed, his instincts screaming. His Titan's Wrath flared up automatically, but Lucian barely twitched.

Then, in the blink of an eye—

BOOM!

Lucian moved.

Darius never saw the strike coming. One moment, he was standing, the next, he was on the ground, gasping for air.

"What the hell..." Darius choked, his body refusing to respond.

Lucian stood over him, unimpressed. "You call that Titan's Wrath?"

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Darius wheezed, his eyes filled with disbelief. "You... you weren't even serious."

Lucian crouched down, eyes glowing a deep, sinister crimson. "Of course not. If I was, you wouldn't be breathing."

Darius forced out a dry chuckle. "Hah... always one step ahead, huh?"

Lucian stood up, offering his friend a hand. "You're still my friend, Darius. But let's be clear—you'll never be my equal."

Darius took his hand and pulled himself up, shaking his head with amusement. "Damn, some things never change."

Lucian turned toward the horizon, where the distant echoes of gunfire and explosions painted the night with chaos. "Come on," he said. "Let's go remind the world who really runs this place."

To Be Continued...