Chapter 24: Rings and Chains of Loyalty
Location: Kamar-Taj, Adam's Private Quarters
Date: December 3, 2007
Time: 6:17 AM
Adam sat cross-legged in his chambers, staring at the two shimmering icons in his system window. They hovered like tantalizing fruits ripe for plucking—one marked A-Level Skill Ticket, the other A-Level Item Ticket.
He cracked his neck and grinned. "Alright, System. Let's go shopping."
The first thing he clicked was the A-Level Skill Ticket.
[Please State Desired Skill Type and Function]
He steepled his fingers and said aloud, "I want a contract-based skill. One that binds any being to me, permanently, if they agree. The contract must prevent betrayal entirely—no loopholes, no 'technically I didn't betray you' games. I want cosmic-level enforcement. And… give me customization options. If I'm going full overlord, I want my contracts stylish."
[Processing Request...]
[Emotional Signature: Determination / Control / Ambition Detected]
[Delivering Skill: Eternal Vow: Binding Covenant (A-Rank, Active/Passive Hybrid)]
Skill Acquired: Eternal Vow – Binding CovenantType: Active/Passive Hybrid
Tier: A-Rank
Active:Create a metaphysical contract with a sentient being. When both parties willingly accept, the contract becomes sealed by the fabric of reality itself. Any form of betrayal, direct or indirect, results in catastrophic backlash—loss of power, skills, or even soul detachment. The contract terms are customizable by the user during creation.
Passive:Detects intent to betray from any bound being and flashes a warning. Also enhances Charisma and Authority during negotiations involving contract terms.
A shimmering glyph etched itself into the back of his hand—a circular ouroboros devouring its own tail, wrapped in glowing runes. Adam stared at it and smirked.
"Oh, it even gave me an ominous tattoo. Sweet."
He stood, pacing slowly. The potential here was massive. No more wondering if someone might flip. With this, he could build something. A real organization. A loyal empire.
"Time to claim the second piece."
He tapped the A-Level Item Ticket.
[Please State Desired Item and Functionality]
Adam didn't hesitate. "I want a ring—an item like the Bifrost, but for a personal dimension. One that can only be opened by this ring. I want the dimension to have a relation with my silver ring if possible. And I want it to multiply—spawn copies that adapt to each wearer but always return to me if they die. The dimension should be hidden, untraceable, and contain the resources to build a stronghold—wealth, magic, maybe even forgotten tech and knowledge."
[Processing Request...]
[System Synchronizing Dimensional Templates...]
[Item Created: Dominion Ring – Vault of a Thousand Echoes]
[Multiversal Signature: Compatible with System Authority]
Item Acquired: Dominion Ring – Vault of a Thousand Echoes
Type: A-Level Artifact
Function: Spatial
Primary Function:Grants the user access to a hidden dimension only accessible via the ring or its copies. The dimension is cloaked from all forms of magical or technological detection.
Secondary Function:The ring can create sub-rings linked to the original. Each sub-ring adapts to the wearer's unique energy signature, providing access to the dimension and individualized permissions.
Fail-Safe Function:If the wearer of a sub-ring dies or betrays the original user (Adam), the ring vanishes and reabsorbs into the Dominion Ring.
Dimension Properties:
Population: None Alive
Environment: A vast floating fortress over a magical sea, surrounded by starlit night
Resources: It was a vault for a omnipoitent being that died a long time ago it has (Ancient magical libraries containing vast knowlege ,artifacts, vast rare and mineral vaults (materials that consider the rarest on it univers, either-tech relics, and A stone pillar it contains a frangment of its univers source anybeing that touch it it will give him the most suitable power to him.)
Customization: since the Dimension is related to the reality wrapping ring the ring can shape matter in this Dimension
The silver band appeared in his palm, but unlike the multiversal one he'd earned at graduation, this ring was embedded with a thin, shimmering black line like a sliver of space itself had been trapped inside.
He slipped it onto his other hand, opposite the Reality Thread Ring.
[Dominion Ring Equipped – Access Granted]
Adam's eyes widened.
His vision blurred and then re-focused—not where he stood, but somewhere else. A vast sky rippled above, full of distant auroras and stars he didn't recognize. Below him stretched a floating city of marble and obsidian, veined with magic-light highways and silent towers. It felt ancient and untouched, as though no one had walked its streets in a thousand years.
And it was his.
He came back to himself with a quiet gasp. "Okay. That's... wow."
Knock knock knock.
Adam blinked. "It's six AM. Who—?"
Wong pushed the door open. "You've been glowing again," he said, deadpan. "Literally. The hallway looks like a rave."
Adam grinned. "New skill. New ring. New base of operations. Want to see?"
Wong stared. "You're joking."
Adam extended his hand, summoning one of the sub-rings into existence with a pulse of thought. It was matte black with silver accents and hovered above his palm.
"It's keyed to whoever I give it to," Adam said. "Take it. Just… don't betray me."
Wong raised an eyebrow. "Would something happen if I did?"
"Only the complete destruction of your spirit and skillset. Minor stuff."
Wong took the ring anyway.
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" he muttered.
"Probably," Adam replied, clapping him on the back. "But at least now, you're regretting it in style."
Later that Day – Dominion Vault
Adam stood at the center of his new base. The floating city was silent except for the wind. He summoned three more rings and pocketed them, planning ahead. He'd need a crew soon—people he could trust, bind, and empower.
This would be the birthplace of his empire.
He activated Eternal Vow for the first time, opening a ghostly interface. Lines of light formed a blank contract mid-air, and Adam filled in the base terms:
No betrayal, in action or intent
Loyalty to Adam overrides all previous allegiances
Access to training, knowledge, and power in return
Violation results in complete soul dissolution and loss of all boons
As he finished, the contract shimmered, then folded into a glowing sigil that hovered before him.
He smiled.
"Time to start collecting people like Pokémon—except with legally binding trauma."
End of Chapter Summary – Stat Review
Strength: 22
Intelligence: 28 (Progress: 0/2 – Tier 2 scaling active)
Stamina: 20
Charisma: 20
Luck: 1 (Progress: 6/10)
Mana Pool (MP): 1,320
New A-Level Skill Acquired:
Eternal Vow – Binding Covenant
Active: Creates magical contracts that prevent betrayal
Passive: Detects betrayal intent and enhances charisma during deals
New A-Level Item Acquired:
Dominion Ring – Vault of a Thousand Echoes
Opens a hidden dimension accessible via self-replicating rings
Each follower receives a unique sub-ring
Rings return to Adam if bearer dies or betrays
Includes resources for wealth, training, and arcane development
A-Level Skills:
Invisibility [Active]
Metal Control [Active]
Telepathy [Active]
Fast Regeneration [Passive]
Eternal Vow – Binding Covenant [Hybrid]
B-Level Skills:8
C-Level Skills:10
Other Skills:
Phase Shift [Lv. 1, Active]
Miniaturized Tech Design [Lv. 1, Passive]
Engineering [Lv. 1, Passive]
Dimensional Stability [Lv. 1, Passive]
Kinetic Readjustment [Lv. 1, Passive]
Time Perception Shift [Lv. 1, Active]
Adaptive Tempo [Lv. 1, Hybrid]
Echoes Beyond Time [S-Rank, Active/Passive]
Foresight [S-Rank, Active/Passive]
Traits & Perks:
Pact of Unbreakable Loyalty (Transfer skills to loyal followers; deactivates on betrayal)
Fragment Synthesis Protocol (Sacrifice skill fragments for random full skills)
Efficient Evolution (Double fragment acquisition)
Spatial Awareness (Passive)
Reality Thread Ring (Illusion-based artifact that evolves with fragments)
Dominion Ring (New: Master ring controlling a private dimension and follower network)
PS . React to this of you want to read +20ch for 5$ on my patreon account.I dont have them yet but if there are people interested I will work harder to create the rest in the next 2 days.