Pro Cave Explorer (2)

'So, now I have a cursed book…?'

[It's a skill book, apparently, Host.]

'A skill book?'

What kind of skill book could emit such ominous energy like this? Lindarion didn't even dare imagine the destructive skill it might hold.

'Do you think I should learn it if it's a skill book?'

[Currently, I don't know much about the book, Host. It could belong to an ancient god, or something else. I can't be sure until you absorb the skill.]

'Then I shouldn't learn it… it could be cursed or something, right?'

[I don't think that's possible. However, it is likely that the skill you gain might come with a huge drawback.]

'But if I don't use it, then no problem.'

Lindarion couldn't take his eyes off the book, as the sound of water dripping from the stalactites in the cave filled the silence.

'I've already made so many bad decisions. I might as well continue the streak.'

He muttered to himself before placing his hand on the cover of the book, focusing on absorbing the skill.

The book exuded an aura of death, causing Lindarion to collapse as blood started pouring from his nose.

'What the hell was that?'

[Skill Absorbed]

[New Skill Acquired – Sovereign's Dominion (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★)]

'What the actual fuck… a seven-star skill?!'

Lindarion recalled the day the system had told him about the ranking of skill books…

And the seven stars were the highest.

[Host, the stronger a skill, the bigger its drawbacks.]

'Show me the details of the skill, System.'

Despite the intense emotion, Lindarion's voice was almost like that of a child, filled with excitement. After all, a seven-star skill was a seven-star skill.

He leaned back on the cold stone floor, and a long window appeared in front of him.

[Skill: Sovereign's Dominion (7-Star Absolute Authority Skill)]

[Description: The wielder of this skill is granted the abilities of a true ruler, capable of dominating everything they claim—people, space, even reality itself. However, with every use, their mind must resist the whispers of the Forgotten Monarch.]

[Abilities]

Ⅰ. King's Command

-The user can issue a single-word command imbued with power.

-If the target is weaker, they are forced to obey.

-If the target is stronger, they feel an urge to comply but can resist.

-Overuse results in mental exhaustion, and if abused, the user's own free will may weaken.

Ⅱ. Realmwalker

-The user can manifest their domain—a shadow of the Forgotten Monarch's empire.

-Within this domain, they gain enhanced abilities and can manipulate the environment.

-However, maintaining the domain drains sanity as the whispers of the past ruler grow louder.

Ⅲ. Thronebearer (Passive)

-The user naturally exudes authority, making those around them more likely to obey, respect, or fear them.

-Those with weak wills may even kneel upon direct eye contact.

-However, over-reliance on this power detaches the user from humanity due to mental attacks.

IV. Monarch's Decree (Ultimate Technique)

-The user imposes an absolute rule upon reality for a limited duration.

(Examples: "No one may lie.", "Fire shall not burn me.", "You cannot step forward.")

-The decree cannot be broken by those below a certain threshold of power.

However, every decree comes at a price—whether it be lifespan, memories, or emotions.

Lindarion's eyes, once filled with excitement, turned bitter as he read the drawbacks.

'This… is ridiculously strong. How many abilities are there in one book?!'

[Well, it's a seven-star skill, Host.]

'But the drawbacks seem huge.'

'The whispers of the Forgotten Monarch? Who knows how strong or dangerous they could be.'

Lindarion's shoulders slumped. Another bad decision to add to the growing list.

'But if this whisper is a mental attack, I could resist it completely using Ouroboros's Mark, which would mean the drawbacks wouldn't even matter, right?'

[That's correct, Host. Mental attacks that target your state of mind would be nullified.]

'But that ultimate technique… it's such a cliché, like something straight out of a game. Oh well, not only does it attack my mental abilities, but it also affects my lifespan…of course.'

So, in the end, Lindarion had received a book with four abilities, only one of which had drawbacks, while the others either weakened his will if overused or could be spammed endlessly. Typical.

'So I have a skill I can't use too much, two I can basically just spam, and one with a massive drawback.'

Lindarion tried to process the information.

[Host, your mind can also experience mental fatigue, which weakens your mind and will over time if you use the abilities too much.]

'That's true… the book did mention that.'

Lindarion sighed and struggled to get up from the cold stone. His sense of smell hadn't returned yet, but the bleeding had stopped.

'Well, whatever. Time to move on. I don't want to waste any more time. We might return to this later.'

He shook off his thoughts and began walking toward the massive gate.

[Mana Perception]

Lindarion was prepared. There was an overwhelming mana radiation coming from within. However, compared to the book, it was nothing—it felt like an ant trying to exert pressure on him.

'Let's see what disgusting monster is in there.'

Lindarion pushed open the massive gate with all his strength, and the moment he did, he was hit by a wave of mana like a crashing ocean. It felt as though the door was holding back an ocean of murderous intent, pulsing from inside.

'What the fuck was I thinking, coming here…this might be the top one worst decision I have ever mase..'

He found himself in a large circular room, and in the center of it, a woman was sitting. What the hell was a woman doing here?

As Lindarion sharpened his gaze to get a better look, his limbs started trembling.

The woman… was a ghost? Her body was transparent, and she wore a black velvet wedding dress.

The sounds of death echoed in his mind like warning bells. He should have fled, but he couldn't move.

A voice shattered the silence, sending a chill down Lindarion's spine. It was a voice so cold, it could have belonged to a ghost.

"Oh… so you've finally come… I've been waiting… so long…"

'What the hell… finally? Me?'

Lindarion's thoughts were interrupted by a loud crashing sound from behind him.

Suddenly, the gate slammed shut, and Lindarion's body began to tremble even harder.

'Of course, this is my luck… so I'm going to die here, huh?'

"Oh… I can feel it… on you… the presence… of the… successor… or…?"

The woman asked, her head turning unnaturally, her voice cold and chilling, colder than anything Lindarion had ever experienced. If Seraphine had been cold, this was colder than freezing point.

Lindarion didn't even dare speak, his gaze locked onto her, his body trembling.

"Oh… the successor… of the Monarch of Destruction…"

'Monarch of Destruction…? What the hell is she talking about…?'

Then it hit him. The damn skill book had mentioned a Monarch… this must be it.

'Could it be, System?'

[It is possible, Host.]

"I-I used the… the book."

Lindarion's voice trembled, and the woman looked at him strangely. But as he spoke, it almost seemed like she bowed her head…?

Lindarion's eyes widened more than they ever had before.

"No… need to fear… Oh… Great Monarch… successor… I serve… the Monarch…"

Her voice was so melancholic, as if she had been here, alone, in solitude for centuries.

"I was entrusted… with the book's… guardianship… You are… the successor."

'The successor? Don't fuck with me.'

Lindarion's trembling subsided slightly, but the woman's words rattled him.

"My… name…"

'What?'

The woman bowed again.

"My… name… is… Selene… Monarch… successor…"

'Selene? What the hell should I do…?'

Lindarion stayed where he was, not daring to move closer. In fact, if he could have, he would have fled, but there was no opportunity for such a thing.

"Lindarion. Lindarion Sunblade…"

He said, looking at the woman whose neck twisted unnaturally. Then, slowly, she began to rise.

"Oh… Lindarion… I sense… the darkness… within you…"

Lindarion suddenly wasn't sure what she was talking about, but then, he looked deep inside himself, his mana core.

'Aha, I understand now.'

The darkness spun in a spiral inside him, like an endless railway track.