At lunchtime, the sun hung high above Sanctuary’s clear blue skies, casting lazy shadows over the long wooden table they had set up near the shore. Plates of fresh seafood and tropical fruits were spread out, the air warm with the scent of salt and grilled fish.
Marina, sitting across from Asher, leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping just enough to draw attention.
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"Earlier," she began, "when I mentioned the Higher Dimension... you didn’t look surprised. Do you already know about it?"
Asher didn’t even hesitate—he nodded once, slow and deliberate.
There were layers to existence—dimensions stacked like the rungs of an infinite ladder. The one they currently inhabited was the Lower Dimension, vast and dangerous, but still a mere shadow of what lay beyond. Above it lay the Higher Dimensions, realms where the very laws of reality shifted, where power itself was rewritten.
His knowledge hadn’t come from chance. He had gained it after devouring the memories of Leon, a man whose ambitions had stretched across countless worlds. But Leon made the mistake of targeting Asher’s galaxy—and paid for it with his life.
"Can you tell me about the Higher Dimension? The Seduction Empress only told me she went there, but not what it actually is," Marina asked. The others also looked curious.
"Higher Dimension? This is my first time hearing about it," Freya said, while Catherine, Veyra, and even Valeris looked puzzled.
"Well," Asher began, "the Higher Dimension, as the name suggests, is a higher plane of reality. Think of it like moving from a kingdom to an empire—only in this case, it’s like moving from a village to a sacred city."
He leaned back, his tone calm but firm. "The Higher Dimension is filled with richer energy and greater power. The beasts there—especially the mystical ones—are on another level entirely."
Then he looked at them clamly as he said. "My next goal is to go there. After I take care of a few things here, Of course all of you will come with me. But once we’re there... it won’t be anything like here."
They smiled and began eating again, though Marina’s gaze lingered on him the most.
"Well, you are now in my harem," Asher said casually, "so yeah... you’re coming too."
Marina smiled faintly, lowering her head. "Thank you."
Asher simply nodded and went back to eating.
The group spent a little more time in Sanctuary and Mirion, exploring its beaches and warm seas. Most were still amazed that such a vast realm was now under Asher’s control. Marina, in particular, seemed reluctant to leave, but eventually, She decided to leave her home planet and go with Asher.
Back in Volarisa, the others dispersed to their own residences, taking Marina along with them. They will help her get settled and adapt to this new world.
Asher, however, didn’t return to rest. Instead, he made his way to a quiet district, where an old acquaintance awaited him—his former instructor, Yulia Garcia.
Yulia was leaning against the railing of a stone balcony when Asher arrived, the city lights reflecting in her sharp eyes. "It’s been a long time, Asher," Yulai said with a faint smirk. "I hear you’ve been making waves—both in the sea and outside it."
Asher stepped forward, his expression clam. "And I hear you’ve been keeping yourself busy as well, Yulia."
She smiled faintly and said, "Being busy in my line of work is a blessing."
She sat across from him, crossing her legs as her gaze locked onto his. "So... How was the dungeon?"
"It’s good you called me," Asher replied calmly, "or we would all have died."
Her expression hardened instantly. She knew that if Asher—someone who had been steadily rising as a force in the galaxy—said he could have died, it meant others were already doomed.
"What happened?" she pressed.
Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly as he mentioned the encountere with Leon and his plan to conquer this Galaxy. Yulia inhaled sharply, leaning back in her seat. "Thankfully, that idiot gave you time to level up... or we really would’ve been finished."
Asher gave a short nod.
"So, what now?" she asked.
"Nothing—for now," Asher said after a moment’s thought. "I’ll just spend more time with my girls, then look for a way into the Higher Dimension. Once I’m there... I’ll find more enemies worth my time."
"Higher Dimension?" Yulia asked, raising a brow.
"After you reach my level, you need to go there to keep growing stronger," Asher explained.
She studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Well... I’ll worry about that when I reach Star Forger rank. Though honestly, I doubt I’ll ever get to your level—I have my own limitations." She exhaled, almost wistfully.
"If you want, I can give you a push," he offered.
Yulia tilted her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. "And what would you want in return, hm?"
"A night with me," she added playfully.
Asher opened his mouth, ready to say nothing—just helping a friend, but she smoothly cut him off.
"If you want it, I wouldn’t mind. You’re the kind of guy I could see myself spending the rest of my life with."
Asher’s heart gave the faintest hitch as he looked at her. She wasn’t just another acquaintance—she was his very first crush from his academy days. Back then, he’d been just a kid with the mind of an adult, and she was already a grown, stunning woman—a hot milf, as he’d once secretly thought of her. Other girls his age never caught his eye... but she had.
And now... she was telling him she’d be fine being with him. That kind of confession hit harder than he expected.
Seeing Asher’s stunned expression, Yulia smiled as she stood. "So... you can get stunned to ," she said teasingly.
He gave a faint chuckle, but before he could speak, she leaned in closer, her eyes locking onto his. "I’m not just saying this on a whim," she murmured. "I’ve had time to think, to feel... and you’re the most perfect fit I’ve ever found. You already have a little harem, like most powerful men do, and I don’t mind that."
Asher rose to his feet, meeting her gaze. She didn’t hesitate—closing the last bit of distance to press her lips to his.
He kissed her back without hesitation, his hand instinctively finding the curve of her waist. Her lips were warm, soft... and addictive. She let out a soft hum, pressing herself against him as if she had no intention of letting go.
When they finally pulled apart, her eyes were slightly lidded, her voice low. "That was... better than I imagined."
Asher smirked faintly. "We’re just getting started."