FREE USE in Primitive World

Instead of drawing his blade, Sol narrowed his crimson eyes and channeled a tiny, razor-sharp needle of his Free Use power.

HUMMM.

An invisible, domineering wave of absolute mental authority shot directly through the wooden bars, slamming into the new but still young alpha hound’s nervous system like a spike!

The beast’s ferocious roar was violently choked off in its throat as if someone had crushed its windpipe with an invisible hand.

Its massive, muscle-bound body seized, trembling from its snout to the tip of its tail. The bloodshot fury in its eyes was instantly snuffed out, replaced by a deep, paralyzing terror that bypassed every layer of animal instinct.

The alpha whimpered softly, the sound was unexpectedly small and broken coming from such a large creature.

its ears flattening against its broad skull, before it slowly sank onto its belly, tucking its paws beneath its chest and pressing its wet snout flat against the cold dirt near Sol’s feet in the clearest display of submission a beast of its kind could offer.

Behind it, the remaining young fifty-nine hounds in the surrounding pens felt the alpha’s total, unconditional submission.

The aggressive barking that had filled the air moments earlier died down as growls faded into uncertain whines.

Within seconds, the entire kennel fell into dead, breathless silence, every single beast crouching low on the ground with their heads bowed in absolute reverence.

Kira blinked, her mouth opening slightly in sheer astonishment. ”They... they just stopped?” Even though she had witnessed something similar on the battlefield, Kira had told herself at the time that it must have been a side effect of the moment.

The killing intent Sol had released while cutting through Layer 4s and elite warriors had been so overwhelming that even the war beasts had flinched and broken. It had been easy to assume the animals had simply been caught in the same crushing pressure that had even shattered human courage.

But this was different.

There was no battlefield aura flooding the kennels. No roaring killing intent thick enough to choke the air. Sol had barely moved. He had not drawn his blade or even raised his voice. He had simply looked at the alpha... and the entire pack had collapsed into submission.

She realized Sol really had a way to terrorize the beasts and make them submit.

The realization settled over her with a strange mixture of awe and quiet unease. She had already accepted that the man standing in front of her was dangerous far beyond normal measure.

She had watched him break chieftains and turn the tide of a war alone. But seeing him control them so casually, made it shocking even to her.

Zeyra stared at the groveling alpha, then turned her gaze toward Sol, letting out a dry, exasperated huff as she sheathed her dagger. ”I don’t even know why I bother drawing my weapons when you’re around. You really are an unreasonable monster.”

”They just needed to know who was holding the meat,” Sol said smoothly, reaching onto a nearby meat basket and tossing a piece of meat through the bars. The alpha hound swallowed it eagerly, letting out a low, subservient whine.

”The pens are secure. When our handlers arrive, they won’t have any trouble managing the feeding or the training. The alpha will keep the rest in line.”

By the time they walked back to the Great Lodge and just had a small talk with Warchief, the rhythmic thud of approaching boots echoed from the northern path.

The runner Veylara had sent earlier had done his job well. A relief force of fresh Veynar warriors, marched through the shattered gates in clean order.

They were being led by an experienced veteran named Captain Thalos, a man with a weathered face and the calm confidence of someone who had spent most of his life enforcing order rather than seeking glory.

They brought extra resources that were short in Zharun like heavy tools for fortification work, bags of salt, bundles of woven hemp rope, and additional crates of dried rations.

Captain Thalos jogged up the stone steps, dropping to one knee before Veylara.

”Warchief! We received your report,” Thalos reported with fierce pride in his voice. ”We have properly secured the prisoners from yesterday. We have brought one hundred warriors to take over the garrison duties, secure the resources, and establish regular patrol routes between the Veynar valley and this settlement.”

Veylara gave a firm, approving nod. ”Rise, Thalos. Commander Thauren will hand you the management. Your orders are simple: finish fortifying the palisade, oversee the Zharun labor details, and ensure the hound kennels are guarded according to Sol’s instructions...the beasts are already subdued, but they will still need proper handling. If any outside scouts approach from the eastern crags or the southern forest routes, capture them alive if possible.

”Understood, Warchief!” Thalos stood up, saluting with his fist against his chest before turning to coordinate with Thauren’s officers. The transfer of authority began without drama or delay.

Fresh warriors spread out to reinforce the existing patrols, while others began unloading tools and materials near the damaged sections of the outer wall.

With the garrison now firmly established and the immediate work of securing the Zharun territory well in hand, the core leadership withdrew once more into the Great Lodge.

A flat stone slab near the center of the main hall had been cleared and now served as a makeshift strategy table. Several crude hide maps of the surrounding mountain sectors were spread across its surface, held down at the corners by smooth river stones.

The leather was worn and the ink faded in places, but the major valleys, ridges, and tribal markers remained clear enough for their purposes.

Warchief Veylara stood at the head of the slab. High Shaman Zephyra took her place to the right, pale fingers already resting lightly on the map. Sol, Kira, and Zeyra arranged themselves opposite them. The atmosphere inside the hall was focused and stripped of unnecessary formality.

”The transition here is complete,” Veylara stated, her deep blue eyes radiant with decisive energy. ”The Zharun are almost fully absorbed, our home settlement is safe, and we have taken this entire territory without losing a single Veynar life.”