Got it! Here's Chapter 47, continuing with the new direction where Elric focuses on enslaving powerful beasts and other races while developing his System, making allies, and preparing for greater battles.
---
Chapter 47: The Rise of a Master
Elric sat cross-legged, his eyes closed, the faint hum of the System buzzing in his mind. His latest acquisition—an ancient demon general—had been sealed in a glowing orb. The demon's fate was sealed, bound by the powerful Slave Collar and his allegiance to Elric's growing empire. The power he could harness from these creatures was immense, but so was the cost of keeping them in line.
In his hands, the Slave Collar shimmered like an ominous gem. Each collar was crafted using a special Soul-binding rune, and only the System could dictate their true power. He knew the collar would be enough to ensure that any creature—even the most powerful—would bend to his will.
A voice broke through his thoughts.
> [System]
"You've done well, Elric. This demon general is a powerhouse. You've earned 200 SC for this. But be careful. Even the strongest can rebel."
Elric smiled darkly. He had already anticipated that. The moment a creature's loyalty faltered, it would be crushed under the weight of the collar's power. His control was absolute.
Standing up, Elric made his way to the hidden chamber where his other enslaved creatures rested. A massive queen ant lay there, motionless, her pincers twitching slightly as if in a deep slumber. To her left, a bee queen stood poised, wings flickering in the faint light that seeped through the chamber. Both were incredibly powerful, and both had been brought into the fold.
The System's voice echoed once again.
> [System]
"You currently control four epic-tier creatures: Demon General, Ant Queen, Bee Queen, and the Undead Knight. Do you wish to increase your army?"
Elric smirked as he walked past the powerful beings, observing their still forms. They were formidable, but they were nothing more than tools in his hands. Tools to defend what was his—and eventually conquer what was not.
> "Yes. I'll need more," Elric muttered to himself, his voice cold and decisive.
With a flick of his wrist, he opened the Divine Echo Shop through the System's interface. His System Coins were stacking up, but Elric had no intention of using them frivolously. He scrolled through the available options.
---
Divine Echo Shop – Available Items:
[Beast Eggs]
– Mutated Dragon Egg – 500 SC
– Ancient Wyvern Egg – 700 SC
– Infernal Tiger Egg – 300 SC
[Summoning Scrolls]
– Infernal Fiend Summon – 100 SC
– Demon Lord Summon – 150 SC
– Beast Monarch Summon – 250 SC
[Blessed Items]
– Staff of Binding – 250 SC
– Demonic Armor Set – 500 SC
– Enchanted Gauntlets – 300 SC
[Soul Contracts]
– Demon General Binding – 400 SC
– Undead Warlord – 350 SC
– Insect Overlord – 300 SC
---
Elric's eyes gleamed as he examined the Infernal Tiger Egg and the Beast Monarch Summon. These were just the kind of allies he needed—powerful, fearsome, and loyal only to him. With the System's power, he could control them as easily as snapping his fingers.
> "I'll take the Wyvern Egg and the Beast Monarch Summon," he said, already preparing to execute the transactions.
The System promptly confirmed his request, and the eggs and scrolls materialized before him, glowing with mystical energy. He could feel the power coursing through the items, each one a key to unlocking more strength.
---
[System]
"Purchase complete. Would you like to activate the Wyvern Egg immediately or wait for it to hatch naturally?"
Elric tapped his fingers on his chin, considering. A Wyvern was a legendary creature—one capable of massive destruction. But it also required a strong bond to tame. Bonding was unnecessary for Elric, though. He had no need for emotional connections; he simply needed power.
> "Activate it now," he ordered.
A surge of energy rippled from the egg, and the world around Elric seemed to shift. The temperature rose, the air crackling with tension. And then, with a blinding flash, a massive Wyvern appeared before him, its wings unfurling with a deafening roar. It was a terrifying sight, its scaled body gleaming in the dim light.
But the creature's eyes were dull, lifeless, showing no emotion. It was already his.
> "You will fight for me," Elric said coldly, his voice filled with authority.
The Wyvern let out another roar, but it was more out of instinct than rebellion. It was already bound.
---
[System]
"The Wyvern has been added to your controlled beasts. Do you wish to activate the Beast Monarch Summon next?"
Elric smiled, watching the Wyvern circle overhead. He didn't need to answer.
> "Yes. Summon it," he commanded.
---
A swirling vortex appeared in the center of the room, and from it emerged an immense Beast Monarch—a massive, lion-like creature, its body covered in silver fur that shimmered in the darkness. Its eyes glowed with intelligence, its paws heavy against the ground as it approached Elric, its power palpable in the air.
With the flick of his hand, Elric tightened his grip on the Slave Collar, the device buzzing with dark energy. The Beast Monarch's eyes flickered, its will bending to Elric's control.
> "Serve me," Elric said coldly.
The Beast Monarch lowered its head in submission, acknowledging Elric as its master.
Elric couldn't help but smile. His forces were growing—both in size and power. Soon, he would be untouchable.
But even as he reveled in his growing empire, a dark thought lingered in his mind. These were only tools. Nothing more. They would serve him, and then he would cast them aside when they were no longer useful. This was the way of the world—survival of the strongest. And Elric had no intention of being anything but the strongest.
He turned and looked at his enslaved beasts, now a small army at his back. He had only just begun.
The world would soon know his name.
---
[System]
"New objectives unlocked: Conquer the Demon Lords and claim your place as the ruler of this world."
Elric's eyes narrowed, and a dark smile played on his lips. It was time for the real work to