Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 81: Breathe

"Gifts?" Dax scoffed lightly, his lips curving beneath the shadow of his mask. "Those ornaments scattered around the room? Mere curiosities. Trinkets at best. They hardly befit someone of your distinction, Ms. Mindy Lane. No—I have prepared something far more worthy of your status."

As he spoke, Dax raised his arm and brushed his fingers across his storage band. A soft chime sounded, and moments later, six crystalline vials materialized in the air between them.

Each vial shimmered with an inner radiance, their surfaces etched with impossibly fine runes. Even before they were opened, their value was unmistakable. The packaging alone—crafted from rare alloys and luminescent seals—suggested extravagance beyond imagination.

Mindy’s breath caught. Her eyes fixed on the floating vials, curiosity blooming into awe.

"What... what are those?" she asked softly.

She couldn’t read the intricate markings etched into the glass, but she didn’t need to. The elegance of their design, the faint pulse of power emanating from within, told her everything she needed to know. If the exterior was this lavish, then the contents had to be priceless.

Dax’s voice flowed smoothly, calm and reassuring, as though he were offering nothing more than a simple courtesy.

"These are high-tier serums, refined from the cores of Rank Nine beasts and perfected by Starlight Prime Tech. Once consumed, they are capable of elevating a therian’s rank within three days—without instability, backlash, or side effects."

At his words, Mindy’s expression faltered.

"I heard," Dax continued gently, "that since your arrival in the Central District, you’ve suffered... unfortunate losses. Several of your companions did not survive." He inclined his head. "I found the news deeply regrettable. I hoped these might offer some comfort—to you and those who remain."

The room grew heavy with memory.

More than ten of her mates were gone. Dead. Only five remained now, each one haunted by the knowledge that their brothers had vanished one by one, victims of unseen forces. They lived with constant fear, clinging to survival through strength alone, praying they would not be next.

So when Dax spoke of serums—of power—the despair in the room shifted. Fear gave way to hunger.

"...Can they really raise our rank?" one of her mates asked, voice trembling with restrained hope.

Dax nodded without hesitation.

"Ms. Mindy Lane stands under the Empire’s direct protection. If I dared deceive her, I would be condemning myself."

Mindy studied him carefully. A man of his stature—of his influence—would not gamble so recklessly. Decision hardened her gaze.

She reached out, accepted the vials, and turned to her companions.

"I trust you, Mr. Mayer," she said firmly.

Without hesitation, she lifted her vial, uncorked it, and drank.

Warmth spread through her body like liquid fire—exactly what she had been longing for. Proof. Power. Validation. If this serum worked, it would silence every whisper questioning her rise.

Inspired by her resolve, her mates followed suit, swallowing their serums one after another.

Dax watched silently.

One by one, their bodies slackened. Knees buckled. They collapsed to the floor at his feet.

The pleasant smile vanished from Dax’s face, replaced by a cold, calculating stare as he counted the seconds.

Five minutes later, Mindy gasped awake.

Her vision swam as she focused on Dax seated calmly across from her. Around her, her mates stirred, confusion etched into their expressions.

"What... what happened?" she asked, pressing her fingers to her temples.

Dax’s voice was even, almost friendly.

"You experienced one of Starlight Prime Tech’s latest developments—a compound designed to induce deep rest and soothe mental turbulence. You’ve simply enjoyed a brief period of recovery."

Mindy frowned. A serum for mental clarity? 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

She glanced at her mates. They nodded hesitantly.

"It does feel... quieter," one admitted. "More stable."

Of course it does, Dax thought coolly. The sedative had been perfectly calibrated—just enough to sell the lie.

"These serums," Dax added casually, "carry a market value of one hundred million star coins. How would you like to settle payment?"

Mindy froze.

"Y-You’re charging me?!"

"Is that a problem?" he asked mildly. "You’ve just consumed our most advanced product. Out of respect for your position, I’ve already applied a fifty-percent discount."

Her jaw clenched. Rage simmered beneath her composure.

Ten minutes later, Mindy stormed out of the building, heels striking the floor like gunshots, her companions trailing behind her in stunned silence.

Dax watched her go, amusement flickering in his eyes.

He activated his light-brain, transferring the funds to Jasper.

Transfer complete: 100,000,000 star coins.

"Job’s done," he sent. "Debt cleared—with interest."

Then he retrieved the final vial—the one reserved for himself—and drank it down.

Thankfully, Jasper hadn’t stripped everything away. The serum erased only the memories tied to the Divine Flame. His memories of Rory remained untouched.

Elsewhere, Jasper stood facing Sylas Ruan, who stubbornly refused to leave.

"When do I get to see Rory?" Sylas snapped. "I’ve been waiting for Dax to contact me. He’s been ignoring me."

He never finished the thought.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

Both master and servant collapsed instantly.

Jasper looked down at them with open contempt.

"Pathetic."

The Suncrest bloodline had never been known for brilliance, but their obsession with internal power games only made them worse. With a violent crack, Jasper’s dark-purple tail slammed into the ground, carving a six-foot crater.

He tossed Sylas into the pit—leaving his head exposed.

Mercy, of a sort.

When Adam woke, he would dig his master out himself.

This poison was different. Dax’s serum erased memories of the Divine Flame. Sylas’s would erase Rory entirely.

Satisfied, Jasper left without looking back.

Days later, exhaustion weighed heavily on him.

He paused beneath the darkening sky, injected a restorative serum, and waited until the redness faded from his eyes. Only then did he activate his light-brain and call Rory.

She had just exited the training hall when the hologram appeared.

Her expression transformed instantly.

"Rory," Jasper asked softly, "did you eat today? Did you rest? What about the produce I sent—did you like it?"

The concern made her smile.

"I had a great day," she replied warmly. "I ate well, rested plenty—and I loved what you sent. I even made jam and dried fruit. I saved them so when you return, we can share them together."

And for the first time in days, Jasper allowed himself to breathe.