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[ Wen Kexing looks thoughtfully through the projection cast by the coin, as if he's trying to see the people on the other side of the network. He can't yet, but he's judging anyway. ]

Who is a leader here?

[ That's not very helpful. He considers and tries again. ]

It looks like a lot of the people brought here belong to groups or sects of some kind. Isn't that weird?

Anyway, the most important question is which of you is the strongest?

[ He folds his arms across his chest. ]

We're all from different places, so how can we tell?

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I'm strong. If anyone should rule it should be me.

[Said with absolute confidence as if he were answering a math problem.]

I'm strong too. What makes you better?

[ He does like the confidence, but that doesn't prove his mettle. Of course, getting your resume reviewed by a feral gangster is pretty dubious either way. ]

My command of astral artes is superior to anyone else's. I am the Sovereign.

Sovereign? Sovereign of what?

[Like the emperor? Well, he did show up bloody, so maybe he can fight. At least he seems confident enough to test his strength.]

Are any of your people here?

I am the Sovereign of everything.

[That comes out almost as an icy hiss.]

My subjects are here but that's not important.

[Since they have an annoying habit of not recognizing him as their absolute ruler.]

Everything? But not here.

[He's definitely mocking there. Hey, when you just want a game of bloodshed, you have to bait people.]

Why isn't it important? Shouldn't you be making use of them?

[But he isn't the only one to claim some kind of nobility.]

Aren't you worried that if you're here, you'll no longer be ruler where you were?

[A pause. The truth is he hasn't thought about it because back home he's dead.]

You people may not bow your heads to me yet, but one day you will. Then I can return home with an army gathered here!

You think so? Some of these other guys think they're pretty good too. What will you do if they defeat you?

[He really can't judge anyone's strength on claims. Maybe everyone is truly that strong or maybe they're all lying. That's the real question.]

And what do you mean "one day"? How long is it going to take you?

One day, after I tear my enemies apart. Everyone thinks they're stong, but most are not.

How do you know they aren't stronger than you? People here aren't from the same place. Maybe in their world they are emperors of their own lands.

Or monsters.

[ Okay, FINE, he'll acknowledge everyone apparently claiming to be immortals and deities too. ]

False emperors are not a concern. I am the one chosen to rule mankind and I intend to embrace that destiny.

All those who oppose me shall suffer.

[His source: Trust him, bro]

[Zhou Zishu was right. It IS better when he asks questions! Look how much he's learning already.]

Wait, who chose you? Are there gods in your kingdom picking out strangers too?

[The threat sounds completely normal to him. He heard that constantly when he was home.]

....Something like that.

[Though the very thought of calling the scientists of Lenegis "gods" is making his skin crawl.]

How do you know they're right? Maybe they were wrong like the ones here.

[Because he's already sure they're wrong. Personal bias? Absolutely.]

I had to prove myself. I was tried and found worthy.

Worthy? How were they testing you?

[He does take that seriously.]

But just so you know, that isn't the same kingdom as this place, so it doesn't count.

It doesn't matter how. I was the only one who survived! I was deemed the Sovereign!

I won't let this world take that from me.

[He can actually relate to that. As much as Wen Kexing wants to scoff, he knows the feeling of refusing to surrender.]

Can you be the Sovereign here too? They didn't come with you.

[He's still mocking, but some of his tone has lost its edge. He's more interested now.]

Those who anointed me may not be here but I am. I don't need them in order to rule.

All I need is my strength.

[Said proudly. Even over video, it is hard for Vholran to detect the mocking tone if only because he's had variations of this conversation many times.]

[All he needs is strength? Well, Wen Kexing does think that sounds a lot like Ghost Valley--everything depended on dominance and tearing down all the other monsters that constantly wanted to kill him.]

But no matter how strong you are, eventually you will meet another like you. No king rules forever.

[His brow tenses.]

There is only one other like me and I will tear him apart.

[Which so far hasn't been going so well but, eh, details.]

Is he here?

[That definitely catches his interest. If there's someone that even Vholran acknowledges, then he must have some great skill. Now that is strength! He clearly needs to meet him.]

Will he challenge you for the right to rule?