The Cursed Monarch

Kael couldn't believe what had just happened. He had killed a giant monster by throwing a serpent (yet another mystery of the universe), and now he was standing in front of a glowing window with floating letters.

[Welcome, Cursed Monarch, Kael Draven.]

[You have acquired the powers of the Cursed Monarch.]

[Your abilities and restrictions are now activated.]

Kael shook his head, thinking he was still dreaming. But no, he felt like he was in a warped version of The Walking Dead, but with weirder creatures and mystical powers. And above all, not a single zombie in sight.

"What? Cursed Monarch?" he thought. "Why do I feel like this title comes with responsibilities I don't want?"

He tried to close the window by pressing on it, but it had no effect. This thing just wouldn't go away. It was like a pop-up ad, but in an apocalypse setting.

[Cursed Monarch System: Do you want to check your new abilities?]

Kael rolled his eyes.

"Sure, why not, huh?"

The window split in two, showing his abilities on one side and on the other… his restrictions (the word that screamed trouble from a mile away).

[Ability 1: Soul Domination. You can buy the soul of anyone you kill. The soul will be used to strengthen your power, but beware… souls of the innocent can only be exchanged for temporary powers.]

[Ability 2: Cursed Demon. You can summon a demon to serve you. However, each demon summoned will take a part of your life. With each summon, you age by 1 year.]

[Ability 3: Aura of Terror. You can create a fear aura around you. It affects living beings, but beware, the effect may backfire.]

Kael furrowed his brows. The system seemed to have a… terrible sense of humor. This was clearly a bad joke. He just wanted to go back to his couch, his series, and his bed.

"So… I'm an evil monarch who eats souls and commands demons…?"

But that wasn't all.

[Restriction 1: You must play the role of the "Cursed Monarch" according to the world's rules. If you refuse, you will be erased from existence.]

[Restriction 2: You cannot reveal the existence of the system to anyone. Those who learn the truth will disappear.]

[Restriction 3: The "Cursed Monarch" powers will not work on "heroes." You cannot kill the protagonists.]

He froze while reading the last rule.

"Wait a second… no heroes to kill?!"

He tried to wrap his mind around the system's logic, but it only added to his confusion. He hadn't even asked to be here! Why him? Why Kael? Or rather, why him, at all?

"I'm sure there's been a mistake. This can't be happening. I'm just an ordinary guy… well… I was."

At that moment, another window appeared, this time with a button marked "Start Adventure."

Kael looked around, searching for an escape. But instead of fleeing, he pressed the button as if nothing had happened. After all, what was the point of resisting? It seemed fate had already made the decision for him.

Kael looked at the new system window, almost convinced that all of this was just an elaborate joke. But the screen persisted, like an invisible conductor directing his own symphony of chaos.

[Congratulations, Cursed Monarch, you have accepted your role. You are now bound to this world and the powers of the Cursed Monarch.]

[Special Ability Activated: Dominion over Darkness. You can control shadows and use them to your advantage, but with each use, a part of your consciousness will disappear into the void.]

Kael rolled his eyes. Really, what kind of world was this? This was supposed to be an epic adventure, not a sentence to the life of a B-movie villain.

"Okay, cool, I'm a cursed monarch with powers. Great, I can make shadows, summon demons, but... that's it. All that and I still have no idea how to get out of here. This isn't a role-playing game, is it? This is my reality!?"

A slight shiver ran down his spine. The problem with superpowers was that they always seemed to come with a price. Except Kael didn't even know why he was chosen for this role. A cursed monarch? Why him, a regular guy who had just learned how to cook pasta without burning it?

The system window kept flashing in front of him.

[Warning, Cursed Monarch, the weight of your crown will not be light. You will face difficult choices.]

[The system grants you a unique ability: Mastery of Manipulating Others. You can bend the will of those around you to your desire. However, excessive use of this ability may make others suspicious and provoke revolts.]

"Oh, great. Because what I've always dreamed of is manipulating people. It really fits the image of the good monarch."

Kael made a face as he watched the shadow dancing around him, as if it were watching him back. He felt like these powers were turning him into someone he wouldn't recognize.

[The System advises you to be vigilant. Each power can lead you to glory... or ruin.]

He sighed. Really, this wasn't what he had imagined when he thought of "magic." He would have preferred a superpower that would get him more free pizzas or absolute control over TV remotes. But no, instead, he found himself playing the role of a tyrant in a completely unfamiliar world, with powers that seemed more dangerous than useful.

At that moment, a chilling thought crossed his mind.

"What if I have to... be the villain until the end? What if I have to follow the script?"

He straightened up, a wild idea forming in his mind. Maybe he could play this role for a while, just to survive. But at what cost?

Suddenly, a foreign voice echoed in his head, breaking his inner monologue.

[Cursed Monarch, you are ready to begin your ascent to power. The story starts here.]

Kael shivered. It was too strange. Too absurd.

But he didn't really have a choice, did he?

He glanced at his new abilities again. It was a ruthless system, and to survive, he had only one option: play the role of the villain.

"Alright, alright. I'll play along. But it won't be for long, huh? As soon as I find an exit, I'm out. That's it!"

He clenched his fists and stood up, deciding that if he had to take on this role, he would do it his way. A cursed monarch, but with style. At least, he could have some fun in his own way. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

He turned towards the sand, a new determination in his eyes.

"Alright, novel world, get ready. Because the Cursed Monarch is coming... and I'm not sure I know what I'm doing."

After several days of travel, Kael and the merchant group finally arrived at their destination. Adelia, the capital of the Draven territory, stood majestically on the horizon, a city marked by imposing walls and dark stone buildings that seemed to scrutinize the world with a quiet arrogance.

Kael stood at the back of the group, observing the city that stretched out before him. The impression it gave off was both strange and familiar, as if it had been pulled from the pages of a dark, mystical history book. The streets were lined with merchants and soldiers, and he could already sense a palpable tension in the air, as though the city itself carried the weight of untold secrets.

The merchant group made its way toward the main gates, greeted by a few guards who seemed to be waiting for them, their movements almost mechanical. Kael could hear the murmurs around him: rumors of plots, betrayals, and mysterious events unfolding in the depths of the Draven territory.

He took a step forward, approaching one of the merchants in the group, a sturdy man wearing a worn red coat. He barely knew him, but a small voice in his head reminded him that this group was supposed to be his cover, his way of blending in with the masses.

"Adelia, huh? I thought it would be more... welcoming," Kael muttered, a sarcastic smile on his lips.

The man glanced at him for a moment before responding in a low voice, as if not wanting to draw attention.

"Don't be fooled, young man. Adelia is a beautiful city, but it hides its secrets well. Not everything that glitters here is gold."

A chill ran down Kael's neck. What exactly did that mean? A city full of secrets... Was it going to get even more complicated? The System had told him he'd have to navigate through lies and intrigue to achieve glory, but... he didn't expect it to be this twisted.

They passed through the massive gates of Adelia, entering a bustling city. The narrow, winding alleys led to magnificent squares lined with statues and fountains, and the buildings were decorated with flags in the Draven family's colors: a deep black adorned with silver filigree.

The group stopped at a tavern to rest and spend the night. Kael sat at a table at the back, watching the other merchants converse with customers and nobles. He wasn't there to enjoy the city, but to take the time to analyze the situation.

"Okay, Kael, you need to focus. This is just a game… well, a role. A role as the bad guy, if you will," Kael thought softly, clenching his fist against the table. "Stay calm, pretend to be this tyrant known as the Cursed Monarch. You've got this."

He suddenly stood up, drawing the attention of one of the merchants, who approached him with a worried expression.

"Hey, are you alright?" the merchant asked, clearly alarmed by the determined look on Kael's face.

Kael nodded, offering a nervous smile.

"I'm perfectly fine, don't worry. Just... some thoughts." He lowered his gaze, as if something truly troubled him.

The merchant sighed but quickly turned away, going back to his business.

Kael found himself alone, watching the shadow of his own figure blend into the tavern's dark atmosphere. He could almost feel the influence of the System surrounding him, ready to pull him into a whirlwind of riddles and dilemmas.

"So... this is where it all begins. The Draven territory. The heart of power. And probably the worst place for someone trying to escape this Cursed Monarch role."

He stood up, determined not to let doubt overwhelm him. He had no choice, after all. He had to play the part to the end. And if this world had its rules, he would make sure to twist them to his advantage.

Kael's fate in this world was now written in the shadows, and the first page of this story had just been turned.