Chapter 34: A Hero? A Villain ? Or a Monster?
The first thing I felt was warmth. Not from a blanket or a hug, but from the soft golden glow of the early morning sun peeking through my curtains. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light as the sky outside painted itself in streaks of orange and pink. It was early—too early for anyone else to be awake. But I was.
It's time
I sat up, rubbing my temples as my mind slowly caught up to reality. A new day… the start of everything.
[ System : "You're awake early today, Host." ]
For once, the system's usual teasing, playful tone was gone. It was serious. It knew.
I slid out of bed, my bare feet touching the cold marble floor as I made my way to the balcony. The doors opened with a soft creak, and the crisp morning air greeted me. I stepped forward, resting my hands on the railing as my gaze swept over the imperial palace grounds below.
For a moment, I simply stood there, watching as the world slowly came to life with the rising sun. The soft chirping of birds, the gentle rustling of leaves—everything felt so peaceful.
But peace was an illusion.
I clenched my fists.
I knew the plot. I knew what was coming.
And most of all—I knew what would happen to my mother.
The image burned into my mind surfaced immediately—my mother, lying on a hospital bed in my past life, her once-bright eyes dim and lifeless, her body frail and weak. My hands were shaking, too powerless to stop the inevitable.
Then, another image, just as cruel. The novel's version of her fate.
Seraphina, the Dragon Empress, standing tall and proud on the battlefield. Blood soaked her armor, her crimson eyes fierce even in her final moments. And then—the protagonist's blade.
A hero's sword.
Piercing through her heart.
A hero's victory.
A mother's death.
My mother's death.
My breath hitched. My pupils dilated. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as my bidy vibrated in anger.
No.
Not this time.
I lowered my head, staring down at my clenched fists as my nails dug into the railing , visible denting it. I won't let it happen again.
The powerlessness I felt in my past life, the repeated helplessness that haunted me—it would not control me here. Not in this life.
I do what I fucking want.
Not what fate dictates.
Not what some stupid wannabe "hero" expects.
This is my fucking story.
A slow, chilling smile stretched across my lips. The corners of my mouth curled, revealing a gleam of sharp teeth. I tilted my head up, my crimson-gold eyes catching the morning light, making them shimmer like molten gold.
Not with hope.
Not with innocence.
But with something far more terrifying.
Determination.
Ruthlessness.
An utter lack of hesitation.
[ System Notification: …This kid… ]
The system remained silent for a long moment. If it had a physical form, I knew it would be grinning. But it didn't. Instead, it merely watched.
[ System Notification: That's not just protagonist vibes… That's a villain's mindset]
The system almost felt like it shivered. Not out of fear—but excitement.
[ System Notification: This boy is going to be a fucking monster. ]
I exhaled slowly, letting the cool air fill my lungs. Then, I turned on my heel and stepped back inside, the shadows of my room swallowing me whole.
The game had begun.
And I was not planning to lose
The morning air was crisp as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the ceremonial outfit my mother had chosen for me. It was a deep midnight blue, embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered faintly under the light. My crimson-gold eyes stared back at me, unblinking, as I took a deep breath.
Today was the day.
The Awakening Ceremony.
The event that would determine the future of every child present. The moment when their gifts—their abilities, their very purpose—would be revealed.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and a familiar warmth enveloped me.
"My little star, are you ready?"
I barely had time to react before my mother, Seraphina , swept me into her arms kissing my forehead and brushing my hair lovingly with her hands a soft smile on her face . Her embrace was soft, comforting—a stark contrast to the powerful warrior and ruler and and cruel witch of the battlefield, as people called her .
I felt her warmth seep into me, but unlike before, my mind wasn't clouded by childish happiness. I relished the moment, but deep down, I knew—It was all going to be a memory if I didn't change fate , she was my biggest motivation.
She had no idea what fate awaited her.
But I did and I would make sure to change this stupid fate.
I buried my face in her shoulder and nodded. "I'm ready, Mama."
She smiled, brushing a hand through my hair. "Good. Let's go, everyone is waiting."
As we stepped outside, the rest of my family greeted me warmly. My grandparents, my uncles and aunts and the three little devils waving at me —all smiling, . If only they knew what I had planned for today.
It felt nice having a family and seeing them a soft smile spread onto my face as I greeted them as well and waved back towards the three devils as they again stuck to me constantly speaking as I just listened and nodded.
This wasn't just my Awakening Ceremony.
This was the start of my story and my fight to protect what l held as precious
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The Temple of Radiance stood before us, an ancient structure of pure white stone, bathed in the golden glow of the Awakening Crystal at its center. The enormous gem pulsed with an ethereal light, radiating waves of energy that filled the air with a strange hum.
Commoners had already begun their awakenings, stepping forward one by one as the crystal's energy seeped into them. Most received ordinary gifts—nothing worth remembering.
Then, she stepped forward.
A girl with fiery red hair and crimson eyes.
My gaze locked onto her immediately. I knew her.
I still remembered her name from the novel. Valeria Ignis.
She was supposed to be one of the protagonist's greatest supporters in the early stages of his rise to power. An elite warrior who would stand by his side, believing in his ideals.
But something was off.
Her expression was dark and her eyes were watering . She wasn't stepping forward. She was still outside the temple—denied entry.
In the novel, it was the protagonist who found her, who consoled her, who promised to help her find her true strength. But now…
That role belongs to me now , sorry bro.
[System: Already eying the protagnaist's waifu and biggest supporter]
"Ahh , what can I say , I am just too kind"
A smirk tugged at my lips, though I quickly masked it with a innocent smile again.
Another plan to act on, I thought to myself, So many things to do atleast it's fun doing these things .
But before I could dwell on it further, my gaze landed on someone else.
A boy.
Dressed in simple, tattered clothing, his features were utterly average. Brown hair, dull eyes, a face so unremarkable it was almost designed to be forgettable.
Yet, I could never forget him.
The protagonist.
Ethan Everhart.
A nobody who would rise to become this world's so-called "hero" and died from a stupid trap even a five year old could avoid.
I watched as he hesitated, his eyes flickering between the crowd and the Awakening Crystal. Then, ever so carefully, he began to move.
Step by step, he crept toward the crystal.
I almost laughed. How predictable.
He wasn't supposed to awaken like the commoners. In the novel, he had managed to sneak past the guards and touch the crystal directly, receiving a powerful, legendary gift that would propel him toward greatness.
Not today.
[ System Notification: How are you planning to deal with him? ]
I let out a soft hum, tilting my head slightly as I responded in my mind.
"Simple. He doesn't awaken what he's supposed to."
As Ethan inched closer, I turned to the high priest standing beside me. My expression remained innocent, my voice soft and curious.
"Mister Priest… What is that boy doing?"
The priest followed my gaze, his brows furrowing as he caught sight of Ethan's movements. His expression darkened instantly.
A mere commoner.
Trying to touch the sacred crystal without permission.
Ethan had barely raised his hand when the priest snapped.
"You there! Step away from the crystal! , Gaurds!!!"
The entire temple went silent as all eyes turned toward Ethan. The guards moved swiftly, grabbing him by the arms and dragging him away from the crystal's radiance.
Perfect, scheming at its finest.
Instead of a legendary hidden gift… he was now forced to awaken like any other commoner.
The result?
A useless ability, a mere minor light affinity.
The exact opposite of what should have happened.
[ System : …Pfft. Host, you're a perfect example of an angel's face and a devil's heart, . ]
I hid my smirk, looking here and there as if I were merely a curious child who had asked an innocent question.
But inside?
I was laughing.
The game had officially begun.
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